Did you know that Chicago has a pretty sizeable community with Welsh heritage? Well, it does – and it’s represented by the city’s Chicago Welsh Tafia Society, which was founded in 1999. Every year, the society has a tradition where it gets a building lit up with the colours of their flag on St David’s Day (March 1) and this year they’ve really outdone themselves.
At just shy of 1500 feet, the Willis Tower, still locally referred to by its original name the ‘Sears Tower’, was the tallest building in the world from its construction in 1973 until 1998 when a set of twin skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur took the title from it. Despite this, it is still in the top 25 tallest buildings in the world, and on the first of March it will be lit up red, white, and green in honour of the Welsh patron saint.
As well as the Willis Tower, the Wrigley building will also be lit up on the day, as it has been every March 1 since 2009. David Parry, who hails from Aberystwyth but has lived in Chicago for 25 years, is the chairman of the Chicago Welsh Tafia society and behind the scheme.
Parry said: ‘In 2017 I applied to have St David’s Day to be recognised by the Chicago BOMA Building Lighting Program. We received approval and every year since I’ve been contacting the management companies of various buildings in Chicago.’
Happy St David’s Day to Welshmen (and Welshwomen) in Chicago and beyond. Maybe one day it will have the same international cultural impact that St Patrick’s Day does. Scots – it's your turn to hype up St Andrew’s Day next.
Did you know that a group in Wales has been campaigning to have the country renamed?
Plus: this British airport is getting three new budget holiday routes.
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