15.03.2022

A special Commonwealth Day event and flag raising ceremony has been held at Cardiff Castle, joining more than 1000 Commonwealth flags around the world which were raised at the same time to mark a shared celebration of the amazing family of nations that encompass the globe.

The Rt. Hon The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Rod McKerlich hosted the event and was joined by Sir Brooke Boothby, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, who readHer Majesty The Queen's Commonwealth Day Message.

Special guests also includedrepresentatives from the British Army 160th (Welsh) Brigade; Keith DunnOBE CMLJ ,President of the Consular Association in Wales, who read a message from the Secretary General of the Commonwealth; High Sheriff of South Glamorgan, Mr Peter Dewey, who read the Commonwealth Affirmation andProfessor Uzo Iwobi OBE from theRoyal Commonwealth Society Wales who delivered a speech.

There was also a Commonwealth Affirmation and a blessing of the flag byReverend Canon Stewart Lisk before it was hoisted up by Guides and Scouts.

A Signing of the Arms Forces Covenant by The Royal Commonwealth Society Wales followed the flag raising. 

The Rt. Hon The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Rod McKerlich, said: "Commonwealth Day is celebrated annually across the Commonwealth by young people, schools, communities and civil organisations.

The‘Fly a Flag' event gives us an opportunity to join together and associate ourselves with more widespread public expression of appreciation for the Commonwealth, the opportunities it offers and the values it stands for."

The theme for Commonwealth Day 2022 centres around the theme for the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting - 'Delivering a Common Future' - which highlights how the 54 member countries in the Commonwealth family are ‘innovating, connecting and transforming' to help achieve goals like fighting climate change, promoting good governance and boosting trade.

The Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth initiative has caught the imagination of thousands of participants from all walks of life, inspiring them to join with others throughout the Commonwealth.

As a collective public expression of commitment to the Commonwealth, it enables participants to show appreciation for the values the Commonwealth upholds, and the opportunities offered for friendship and cooperation with fellow Commonwealth young and old citizens around the world.

Given that 2022 is Her Majesty's Jubilee Year, there is a special focus this year on the role service plays in the lives of people and communities across the Commonwealth.

More information about Commonwealth Day can be found here: https://thecommonwealth.org/commonwealth-day