Ahead of Wales’ first game in a major football tournament for 58 years, Economy Secretary, Ken Skates has revealed how the country will be marking this momentous occasion.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Speaking just days before Wales kicks-off its Euro 2016 Championship title bid in Bordeaux on Saturday 11 June, Ken Skates said:
“This is a fantastic time to be a Welsh football fan and an exciting time to be Cabinet Secretary for major events and elite sports.
“The European Championship is one of the world’s highest profile sporting events, attracting almost 2 billion global viewers and we are so proud that Wales is finally part of it.”
To mark the occasion the Economy Secretary has announced that Wales will see red this month with key Welsh landmarks, including iconic castles, being illuminated in the Welsh Football team’s ‘home kit’ colour.
The illuminations will start on 10 June the night before Wales’ first game against Slovakia and will remain on throughout the group stages and for as long as Wales is in the tournament.
Ken Skates said:
“The Wales players, fans and management have really embraced the Together Stronger mantra and we can all be very proud of their success.
“Illuminating the castles is just one of the nation’s ways of celebrating this massive achievement and supporting the team as they progress through the tournament.
“There’s a real feeling that qualification is only the beginning for this talented Welsh Team and I can’t wait to see them run onto the pitch in Bordeaux and represent Wales on the World stage.”
The Cabinet Secretary also promised that if the Welsh Team is successful in getting into the final 16 of the tournament, the Welsh Government would open the doors, free of charge, to all directly-Cadw managed sites on Sunday 26 June.
He added:
“I would be delighted to be able to offer free entry to Cadw’s historic castles and monuments for this one day if the Team reaches the final 16.
“If we do get that far, I hope the people of Wales will take full advantage of this opportunity and enjoy a thoroughly fun, informative and fulfilling day out.
“We are all very proud of what this team has achieved and I know that like me, people across Wales will be rooting for them and wishing them the very best in their first Euros.”
In addition to the Millennium Centre, Senedd and Cathays Park in Cardiff, the intention is to illuminate the following Cadw sites:
- Beaumaris Castle
- Caernarfon Castle
- Caerphilly Castle
- Castell Coch
- Chepstow Castle
- Conwy Castle
- Coity Castle
- Criccieth Castle
- Denbigh Castle
- Harlech Castle
- Kidwelly Castle
- Llansteffan Castle
- Tintern Abbey.
With more than 130 sites to explore across Wales, further information about all of Cadw’s castles and properties can be found on the cadw website (external link).