City celebrates centenary

The Welsh capital was granted city status by King Edward VII on 28 October, 1905.

Since then, it has seen fluctuating fortunes with heavy bombing in World War Two followed by a decline in traditional heavy industry.

But recent decades have seen a revival in the city's fortunes with the regeneration of the city's docklands and the building of some of modern Wales' most iconic landmarks including the Wales Millennium Centre and the Millennium Stadium.

As the city looks forward to the next 100 years, we want to hear what you think of Wales' capital city.

We asked for your views on Cardiff. Below is a cross-section.

Happy Birthday Cardiff from an expat living in Nevada, USA. I was back visiting last year and was amazed to see how the Cardiff Dock area has been transformed into something beautiful. The last time I saw the Docklands was in 1972, so you can imagine my surprise.
Tony Illett, Nevada. USA.

I fell in love with Cardiff on my first visit. I can honestly say you have a beautiful city. Though I must now confess to have stolen one of your most precious jewels - my wife.
John Rutledge Smith, Charleston USA

Congratulations to Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. I am glad to say that I was born in Cardiff, and the place will always be in my heart. I've lived in and around other major cities, but nothing compares to what Cardiff has to offer. You must experience the ambience of the city when Wales play at the Millenium Stadium, especially when we win!!
Nigel, Newport, Wales

After 20 years away from Cardiff, I am still proud to call it my first home.I still bump into fello Cardiffians in the outback, and remember the real capital.
Rod Davies, Perth, Australia

I was in Cardiff in 1997. I saw Nelson Mandela, Catatonia hitting the charts, Wales voting YES for the National Assembly (Cardiff voted no though!) and a Euro summit. But what I remember most is the humour and welcome given to me by the people of the city, despite the fact I was a Gog. Pen Blwydd Hapus Caerdydd!
Carwyn Lloyd Edwards, Arizona

Many Happy Returns Cardiff. Here's to the next 100 years!
Chris Johnson, Bristol

I moved here 8 years ago and love the place so much I'm now a closet tour guide to visiting friends and family. What a sight, what a buzz and what a future ahead - what more can you say!
Jim, Cardiff

I really wish I was in Cardiff now to celebrate. Since I moved there 15 years ago it has just got better and better. But I am here in Cardiff's twin city, telling everyone what a great city I come from!
Richard, Nantes, France

Buon compleanno Cardiff, io sono molto orgogliosa di essere nata e cresciuta a Cardiff. ti amer� per sempre. Tada
MARY, Italy

I met my childhood love many years later for a day spent in Cardiff together. Whenever I think of Cardiff and the lovely streets, I think of my first love and all those wonderful memories of him Kate, South Africa

Well the council have certainly kept quiet about the events and celebrations. This is the first I've heard of what's going on to "celebrate" today and I work in the city Centre. How they think it will be a good atmosphere if events weren't publicised goodness only knows.
Liss, Cardiff, Wales

Born and bred in Cardiff, the Cardiff I knew 30 years ago and the one I know now are two different planets, I wish I could come back...
Janet Ellaway, Leusden the Netherlands

I was born in Cardiff, moved away and moved back 8 years ago. The city is covered in rubbish, St. Mary's street stinks... all the new flat developments are build to low spec, most jobs are very low paid and many businesses are closing down. At its 100 years celebrations , Cardiff castle is boarded off and looks like a building site... weekend nights in the town centre are like a battle zone.
Max Richards, Cardiff, Wales

I'm going to study at cardiff university from september 2006 and can't wait now! Seems as though its going to be amazing by the time I get there!
Hashim,

went to Cardiff university in 1980 and it was a wonderful experience, the university was so well organised. remember also the comforting deep haunting sound of the channel fog horn in the early hours wafting over the silent city. never experienced anything like this anywhere else.
Alex Cooper, Swindon, England

I spent four years as a student in Cardiff enjoying the lifestyle of the city. I have been back many times since I left there almost eight years ago. There have been so many changes and it is wonderful to see.
Keith O'Connor, Buffalo, NY, USA

Cardiff 1992-1994; 1995-1996; 1999-2003; I just keep going back! Carl

Happy birthday Cardiff. I've only ever visited once, but it was a lovely time! I met my childhood love many years later for a day spent in Cardiff together. Whenever I think of Cardiff and the lovely streets, I think of my first love and all those wonderful memories of him. Maybe some day I will get a chance to go back and see Cardiff again.
Kate, South Africa

Cardiff is my birthplace and my daughters birthplace too. Also, my mother's sister's and grandparents and uncles and aunts and cousins. We are Cardiffians through and through. It's the most beautiful place in the world to live. We have heritage, we have culture, we have a passion that can not be matched by any. Well done to Cardiff for keeping it that way.
Lionel Lewendon, Cardiff. Wales

Llongyfarchiadau. Penblwydd Hapus Caerdydd.
Sean Date, Halmstad, Sweden

Congratulations Cardiff!! As an ex-pat living in London and France - I wish I was in Wales today.
Pamela, Middx and France

Best wishes to all in Cardiff! After a night out in Cardiff, I loved having a portion of chicken curry off the bone from Caroline St. Nothings compare to this delight.
Mandie, Surbiton, Surrey (formerly Cardiff)

A birthday message? Oh that's easy. I miss it! Jan Cordani, Maryland USA

What a day! All we need now is a win for the Blues in France and Wales to beat the All Blacks.
Mark Whitfield, Alicante Spain

Congratulations Cardiff!! As an ex-pat living in London and France - I wish I was in Wales today.
Pamela, Middx and France

Cardiff has been my home for just over 3 years during my medical course. Even during this short time I've seen massive improvement in the city, especially around the bay. Every year I've enjoyed the summer festival, especially the big weekend. Cardiff is a city to fall in love with.
Clare Mullineaux, Heath, Cardiff

Cardiff is a lovely city. I grew up in Wales, and always enjoyed visiting Cardiff, especially when there was a match on at the old Arms Park. Happy Birthday Cardiff.
Charlotte, Birmingham West Midlands

I'm Cardiff born and bred and would never live anywhere else. Cardiff Bay is truly great and has certainly gone a great way to changing the fortunes of our fair city. Cardiff has everything that anybody could ever want from a city, why leave? I'm certainly not going to.
Nathan Collins, Cardiff, Wales

A birthday message? Oh that's easy. I miss it! Cardiff was my favourite place to go on my birthday as a little girl, the long bus-ride down, then shopping in '2001' .... my mother used to stand by the door and refuse to come in .... I remember we bought my pet rabbit in the market there once and had to bring him home on the bus. Buying my Mum an outfit in Howells with my first ever pay check was wonderful and shopping in Mothercare when my first baby was born was exciting. Cardiff is my city and I love it. Happy Birthday !
Jan Cordani, Maryland USA

Keep rockin' Cardiff
Warren Green, Gloucester

I absolutely love Cardiff, just finished my master's in September this year and it just broke my heart to move away from this wonderful city Vivek Agarwal, London

I've just moved away from Cardiff for the first time, and am starting to miss it. My favourite memories include; the day before my 27th birthday watching Wales win the Six Nations on the big screen in front of city hall, squinting in the sun, and watching the Tsunami Relief concert in the Millennium stadium.
Emma, Cambridge, England

Happy Birthday Cardiff!!! Cardiff is brilliant because it is a clean and tidy city. People there are generally very friendly and helpful. It's not a wonder that lots of students come.. and stay.
Gareth Williams, Cardiff

Penblwydd hapus dinas Caerdydd yn gan mlwydd oed heddiw - gall Cymru gyfan fod yn falch ohonoch. Happy 100th birthday city of Cardiff - all Wales can be proud of you.
Owen John Thomas, Caerdydd, Cymru

I go to university in Cardiff and wouldn't change it for the world. It has everything a you could want from facilities to a real cultural identity. I just hate the thought of graduating and having to leave!
Paul Bradley, Cheltenham, UK

Da Iawn Caerdydd!! Pen-Blwyd Hapus! Now I feel really homesick. I hope today goes really well.
Penelope Polins, Barnet, Hertfordshire

Cardiff is truly a beautiful city, it makes me proud to be Welsh.
Samantha Richards, London, England

I would like to congratulate Cardiff on it's 100 yr celebrations and 50yrs as Wales' capital city. I would also like to remind people that there is a Wales beyond Cardiff.
John, Bangor, Gwynedd

I was born in Cardiff and seem to remember the 50 years celebration when I was in school - I thought we went on a coach trip around the city and to Llandaff Cathedral I also think we went to see the reservoirs on the Beacons in connection with this. Congratulations on the City's Centenary
Sandra Betty, Rhayader, Wales

Happy 100th Birthday Cardiff. I was born in St David's Hospital in Cardiff and although I now live in Bristol I regularly come back to Cardiff as I still have family there. I particularly enjoy my annual Christmas shopping trip with my Bristolian friends!
Tuarita Lawson, Bristol, UK

I absolutely love Cardiff, just finished my Master's in September this year and it just broke my heart to move away from this wonderful city...The Welsh certainly know how to celebrate and judging from what I saw of the Rugby Grand Slam victory parties, they would certainly make a grand affair of this one too....Oye, Oye,Oye!!!!
Vivek Agarwal, London, UK