The Welsh Government will be using St David’s Day once again to promote Wales around the world, First Minister Carwyn Jones announced.
A packed schedule of activity will be taking place across the globe – from China, New York though to Brussels and London - to celebrate the best of Wales.
The drive to promote Wales will begin next week in Brussels where the First Minister will host the Welsh Government’s annual reception where Welsh food and drink will take centre stage. The First Minister will be at the heart of Europe to promote Wales and guests will include representatives from European institutions and the business community.
In China events will take place in Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing. Chongqing will host its own ‘Wales Week’. Activity will include Welsh Government receptions, Higher Education and Further Education promotional events involving universities and Further Education institutions from Wales, student collaborative workshops, an exhibition by the National Botanical Garden of Wales, and business seminars promoting the Energy & Environment, Creative Industries and Advanced Manufacturing & Materials sectors in Wales.
Across the Atlantic ‘Wales Week New York’ will take place, beginning with an evening with Matthew Rhys on the 27th February as the Soho Crosby Street Hotel. There will also be a premier screening of the Swansea-based film ‘Hunky Dory’ starring Minnie Driver. There will also be a Welsh – Jewish Film festival. The 80 members of the UN Security Council will get to taste the finest Welsh produce first hand when they are served a Welsh breakfast at the United Nations.
In Ireland, Visit Wales will begin a new marketing drive to get more Irish visitors to holiday in Wales. In London, Londoners looking to try a taste of Wales will be able to attend showcase events at stores such as John Lewis, Waitrose and Partridges. Award winning Welsh food and drink will be available during a three day market of Welsh producers on the Southbank. Hampers of Welsh produce will also be delivered to key Ambassadors.
The Welsh Government will also be hosting an event for the financial sector in the City of London and an event with BAFTA to promote the creative industries in Wales. Closer to home on St David’s Day itself, the First Minister will be attending a St David’s Day dinner at Cardiff Castle to recognise the hard contribution of the Voluntary Sector in Wales.
The First Minister said:"St David’s Day is a time of celebration for all of us in Wales, but it also provides us with a unique opportunity to raise our international profile as a place to invest, do business and visit.
"The Welsh Government will be using the days leading up to St David’s Day and the day itself to showcase to the world the very best of what our country has to offer, from top class food and drink to being an excellent place to locate and do business. Wales has a distinctive culture with a history that stretches back to ancient times and I want to make people from places as diverse as China through to America to know more about who we are and what we have to offer."The First Minister will continue to promote Wales when he visits the USA later in the month.