On Commonwealth Day, staff members from the UK Parliament, their faces beaming with pride, paraded flags representing the 56 member countries. They were at the ceremonial raising of the Commonwealth flag on hosted by the Speaker of the UK House of Commons, Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and many of them carried flags that represented their countries of origin.
The audience, which filled the event space at Portcullis House to capacity, included High Commissioners, Members of Parliament from across the Commonwealth, and representatives from accredited organisations.
The Commonwealth Secretariat was represented by its Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Arjoon Suddhoo, who spoke about the importance of embracing the diversity of the 56-member-union. He said:
“Commonwealth Day is not only important, it’s vital because it reminds all of us – the young people and the not-so-young, some of the biggest countries and some of the smallest ones, to come together and work together. Reconnecting with our shared values is so important, particularly in today’s context.”
He added:
“When we come together as 56 nations, as 2.7 billion people, we are really a force to reckon with. A strong voice for many people.”
Speaker of the UK House of Commons, Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle, reminded the audience about the vast responsibility and shared history within the Commonwealth:
“Not only are we one large family of nations, but as we celebrate Commonwealth Day today we do so, almost 80 years after the end of the Second World War, which will doubtless be one of the biggest and most significant anniversary commemorations for WW2 yet.
“That anniversary is a timely reminder of how we, as diverse Commonwealth countries, fought together to defeat a common enemy and how we worked together afterwards to rebuild our nations, parliaments, and lives.”
A highlight of the event was the opening of the exhibition staged by the Commonwealth War Grave Commission, commemorating the lives of 580,000 soldiers who died or went missiong during World War II. The exhibition’s centrepiece is a 17.5 metre glass wall that features all the soldier’s names that the commission commemorates at its cemeteries and memorials around the world
The ceremony highlighted the wide-ranging and significant contribution that people from the Commonwealth have made, including playing the ultimate price. Claire Horton, the Director General of the commission, also spoke at the event and encouraged the audience to ensure that the Commonwealth remains a force for good.
The event also celebrated the culture and diversity of the Commonwealth with a musical performance by Eternal Taal, an award-winning all-female Bhangra entertainment group. Some of the dignitaries could not resist giving into the rhythm - swaying in their seats and tapping their feet. Their spirited performance was met with enthusiastic applause and marked a joyous start to Commonwealth Day in London.
Media contact
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Charmaine Wright Head of Media Relations, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
- +44 20 7747 6242 | E-mail
