St David's Day message 2004 from the Right Honourable Rhodri Morgan AM, First Minister for Wales:

St David's Day is the day when Welsh people all over the world will be celebrating Wales and all that is best about being from there. From New Zealand to New York, from Vanuatu to Vancouver and in countless other places, events will have been organised to mark this special day.

Across the globe, the Red Dragon will be flying in honour of Wales and our patron saint. More and more, we are joined by others who do not have our good fortune, but feel an affinity for Wales and are proud to take part in the celebrations. We have so much to celebrate.

Wales is a country with a heritage and culture to be proud of. We have seen major political and economic changes over recent years, and we are confident of a prosperous and sustainable future. Wales's longstanding history of and commitment to innovation, education and culture is a key factor in this. We have demonstrated originality and innovation throughout our history. Last month we celebrated the bicentennial of the world's first ever steam railway journey in Merthyr in Wales; not, you might argue with all the razzamatazz of the American celebrations of the centenary of the Wright brothers' first historic powered flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. There is perhaps a lesson for us here in how to do the bragging, when you have the bragging rights.

The microphone, the fibre optic cable are further proof of our inventiveness in the past. This flair for technological innovation is still being shown today by Airbus UK's massive aircraft wing complex in Broughton, North Wales - the UK's largest manufacturing plant. In November this year, Cardiff will see the opening of the Wales Millennium Centre, a state of the art cultural centre that will become home to the Welsh National Opera, as well as a prestigious venue attracting international performers. The centre uses indigenous traditional materials such as wood, slate and copper in innovative ways, marrying the best of traditional and the modern in its design.

These innovative developments represent just a snapshot, an indication of Wales's confidence and creativity as we begin the 21st Century. We are passionate about doing things well and are focused on achieving excellence. We recognise that success for our country is be based on creativity and through applying knowledge and expertise in a modern, forward-looking way.

We are confident and proud to promote Wales as a great place to visit, and to live, study, invest and do business. The rest of the world is beginning to wake up to what Wales has to offer.

I wish you a happy St David's Day!