00:00Bono didion bono didgesai. First Minister, Minister, ladies and gentlemen, I'm delighted to be able to join you today through
00:12these electronic means to mark the opening of Uzbatik Kalon Adhraeg.
00:18That this amazing undertaking should have been completed in such a short time is, rightly, a huge source of pride.
00:29And I simply want to add my voice to the tributes that have been paid to all those involved from
00:38so many different walks of life who have made this possible.
00:42The Welsh Government, the National Health Service Trust, the planners, builders and technicians, the armed forces and, of course, the
00:54medical staff and volunteers who will be taking for this hospital's vital work.
01:00In a facility named so evocatively and so appropriately, Kalon Adhraeg, what can I say except Diolch Ogallon?
01:13And express the warmest possible thanks for what you have done and all that you will do in this hospital
01:23and all those other field hospitals across Wales, where buildings have been transformed as part of the immense effort to
01:33combat the dreadful threat we face.
01:40It has now been weeks since our lives were changed in so many far-reaching ways by this pernicious virus.
01:52We have seen streets become empty and workplaces fall silent.
01:58But we have also seen individuals and communities meeting these strange new circumstances with the age-old values of generosity
02:10and courage that the people of Wales have always understood so well.
02:17We hope and trust that the measures which have been taken and the hardship that so many are enduring will
02:26help hasten the day when the shadow of this disease will finally be lifted.
02:35Such commitment, of course, has come at a price.
02:40And as the days have gone by, we have become ever more painfully aware of those in our national health
02:49and public services who have made the ultimate sacrifice in caring for others,
02:56giving their lives in the service of their fellow men and women, without sort of reward and without regard for
03:06self.
03:09Words simply cannot express the gratitude and humility that such compassionate courage inspires in us all.
03:18And our hearts go out to all those who have lost their loved ones in such a terribly tragic way.
03:28Today we honour their memory and can resolve in words long used to commemorate those who fell in other conflicts.
03:39A habarth need a haibio.
03:43Their sacrifice shall not be forgotten.
03:46We can honour them too by doing all we can to aid those who are on the front line of
03:51this struggle.
03:52Time and again in these last days and weeks, we have heard the most inspiring stories of people from every
04:00possible background
04:00and the most varied disciplines coming together and showing extraordinary team spirit and cooperation as they help the most vulnerable
04:12in our society.
04:14New skills have been learnt, new relationships formed, new respect and admiration has been earned.
04:22Ladies and gentlemen, today we mark one of the most remarkable transformations that have been achieved,
04:29namely turning Wales' national stadium, one might almost say its national shrine, into this giant temporary field hospital.
04:41This and all the other field hospitals across Wales are an achievement of which we are all immensely proud.
04:49Through your extraordinary efforts, this stadium, so long a place of huil, has now become a place of healing.
04:59Now, I am rather too far away to do this personally, but I know that the time has now come
05:06for the unveiling of the plaque to declare Uzbuti Kalonda Adhraig open.
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