First Minister Carwyn Jones was in Brussels yesterday [22 February 2010] to kick start St David’s Day celebrations around the world.
To mark Wales’ national day, the First Minister hosted a reception at the city’s Concert Noble venue to promote food and drink from Wales and emphasise Wales’ partnership with the European Union.
As well as tasting a range of True Taste Award-winning produce, guests were able to see the Ryder Cup trophy, which will be on display at the reception as the countdown continues to the event at The Celtic Manor Resort later this year. During the evening, guests had the opportunity to learn more about how the Welsh Assembly Government is investing €3.8 billion under the 2007-2013 European Structural Funds programmes through a range of projects benefiting people, businesses and communities across Wales.
During his visit to Brussels, the First Minister also met the new European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn as well as the four Welsh MEP’s who represent Wales in the European Parliament.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said:
“I’m pleased to be in Brussels today to mark my first St David’s Day as First Minister of Wales. Thousands of people all over the world celebrate our national day because of their links with Wales so it is a great opportunity for us to showcase the best of Wales and raise the profile of our country in areas such as food, drink, music and culture, especially in the year we host one of the world’s largest sporting events, The Ryder Cup.”
In London, the second True Taste Welsh Produce Market will be held on Friday 26 February in Golden Square (just off Regent’s Street). More than 20 companies will be selling a range of food and drink from Wales to tempt Londoners to try a taste of Wales.
On the other side of the Atlantic, Wales Week takes place in New York between March 1 -7, with a variety of events focusing on music and the arts. An exhibition of some rare Dylan Thomas manuscripts and other artefacts is on display between March 2-7 at the Morgan Library and Museum in the city, with Welsh afternoon tea available at the Morgan Café. Composer Karl Jenkins will be guest conductor at a Music Masters of Wales evening at Carnegie Hall on Saturday 6 March. The 2010 Dylan Thomas Prize for young writers will be launched in Boston on March 1.
There is also a Wales Week taking place in Chonqing, China between March 8-12 with a range of activities taking place to promote Wales in the region, including a multi-sector trade mission. A reception will also be held at the British High Commissioner’s Residence in Delhi focusing on building educational links between India and Wales.
