A speech by HRH The Prince of Wales at the opening of the National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff

Published 28 May 1999

It is with great pride that, as Prince of Wales, I welcome the opening of the National Assembly for Wales. This body is the modern expression of the spirit of Wales that has flourished through the centuries like a grand and sturdy tree.

Llywydd, Foneddigion and Boneddigesau

Gyda balchder mawr yr wyf i, Tywysog Cymru, yn croesawu'r achlysur hwn - agor Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru. Mae'r corff hwn yn fynegiant o anian Cymru, yr ysbryd sydd wedi magu gwreiddiau cadarn dros y canrifoedd, fel coeden braff.

Mae'r gwreiddiau yn ddwfn, yn tynnu eu rhuddin o fyd hanes a thraddodiad, o iaith a diwylliant y wlad hynafol hon.

Blagurodd yr ysbryd mewn c‰n a chelfyddyd a llenyddiaeth gain y mae eu tras yn ymestyn yn ™l tros fil pedwar cant o flynyddoedd. Fe'i cynhelir hefyd gan falchder a ffyddlondeb pobl Cymru, a bydd y fforwm unigryw hwn, y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, yn rhoi maeth i'r ysbryd unwaith eto.

Rhydd y Cynulliad fynegiant i lais, gwiw a chyhyrog. Yn fwy nag erioed o'r blaen bydd modd i feddyliau Cymru ganolbwyntio at faterion Cymru.

Mae'r Cynulliad hwn yn cyfarfod yng ngolwg y Ddraig Goch. Ar hyd y canrifoedd, bu hon yn symbol o Gymru a ddefnyddiwyd gan feirdd, yn arwydd o ddewrder ac egni, o ddycnwch a dyfalbarhad. Mae Cymry ledled y byd yn ymfalch•o ynddi.

Mae hwn yn ddiwrnod hanesyddol i Gymru. Chi, drigain aelod cyntaf y Cynulliad, sy'n cael y fraint o greu hanes. Hoffwn ddymuno'n dda ichi, bob un ohonoch, o waelod calon, wrth ichi ddechrau ar eich gwaith hollbwysig.

English Translation:

The roots of this spirit lie deep drawing their vitality from the history and enduring traditions, language and culture, of this ancient land.

It is a spirit made strong by an old and noble culture, and by a great literature with origins which stretch back 1400 years. It is sustained, too, by the pride and loyalty of the people. This unique forum, the National Assembly, will help to nourish its continuing growth.

In the Assembly the voice of Wales will have its authentic and vigorous expression. In ways not possible before, Welsh minds will be directed to Welsh matters.

This Assembly meets beneath the watchful eye of the Red Dragon. This has been, for many centuries, the evocative emblem of Wales, employed by poets as a metaphor for bravery, energy, tenacity and resilience, and held in affection by Welsh men and women the world over.

This is an historic day for Wales. To you, the sixty members of this Assembly, falls the honour of being pioneers. I would like to express to you my heartfelt good wishes as you take up this important responsibility.