Gŵyl Ifan is the largest festival of its kind in Wales, attracting 100s of dancers to Cardiff from all over Wales to parade through the the streets and raise the Summer Pole.
Following a summer festival by the Welsh Folk Dance Society in 1976, the idea of holding an annual folk dance festival was discussed and Gŵyl Ifan was born.
The festival has changed over the years in length and location. The first Taplas was held in Cardiff Castle before moving to Caerphilly Castle and City Hall.
The custom of raising the Summer Pole has developed over the years.
The pole was first raised at St Fagans National History Museum then in front of City Hall and in Cardiff Bay.
Althought there have been many changes the nature and ideal of the festival remains the same - giving people the chance to meet and dance together from all over the world.
Over the years Gŵyl Ifan has invited groups from fellow Celtic countries as well as some further afield.
These have included Brittany, Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, the Isel of Man as well as England, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and even Japan.
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