Foundation Day Address, 2021
13th April 2021, County of Tytannia
Good afternoon, citizens. I am speaking from the grounds of White Gold Palace, here in our capital, Imperial City. I am tremendously pleased to back here for the first time since November, and to be making my first speech here for two years.
When I addressed you last Foundation Day, we were in a much more grim situation. A terrifying new virus, the Empire thrust into its first ever state of emergency, and a very uncertain future. For the second year in a row, our full traditional Foundation Day celebrations have been cancelled – but this year is different. Myself and five members of my family are gathered here today outdoors, in line with UK government rules, to mark Adammia’s eighth anniversary, albeit in a somewhat muted fashion. Half of us present today have now been vaccinated against coronavirus, and one of us has successfully recovered after becoming our only positive case to date.
It goes without saying that the situation has improved dramatically. Deaths and hospitalisations from Covid in Britain are dropping rapidly as the effects of the vaccination programme begin to kick in. I expect that many citizens are looking forward to the re-opening of beer gardens and non-essential retail in the UK this week. All signs are pointing towards a much more normal summer than the last one, and that means a lot of catching up on lost time.
As soon as it is safe to do so, I will be travelling all around Britain to meet citizens, many of whom I will not have seen in almost two years. As part of this tour, I am hoping to officially visit every Adammic province, where I will present residents with their very own Adammic flag. Once the UK’s restrictions are lifted fully, there shall be a grand reunion event, held in Birmingham alongside UBLD, where myself and Prime Minister Saunders can officially sign the instrument ending the state of emergency.
It is testament to our development over the past eight years that we have weathered the storm that is Covid. We are now emerging not just into a post-Covid world, but for many of us into a post-university world, with a diaspora of former South Adammians scattered across Britain. It is my hope that we will resume the in-person activity which makes Adammia so unique, even if it is less regular. A stronger financial situation will also open up many new opportunities.
I have every hope that in April 2022 I will be able to see far many more of you here in Imperial City for our traditional buffet, quiz and everything else. In order to get there, we need to continue to follow the rules, and to accept the vaccine when offered. I would like to congratulate those of you who have been vaccinated already. I would also like to thank all of you for being so resilient and for supporting each other. I myself wonder how I would have fared in this crisis without the support and love of the good people of Adammia, even if Zoom calls are the only option available to us.
This past year has been the toughest yet, but it is just one of eight chapters in the remarkable story of Adammia. Each year brings new challenges and new opportunities which drive our nation forward on the quest towards recognition. I look forward to seeing just how much Adammia can thrive in a post-Covid world. Seek wisdom and honour, and long live the Empire. Thank you.