UK-Argentina Bicentenary celebration
Authorities from both countries commemorated 200 years of diplomatic relations yesterday with a musical evening at the Colon Theatre.
Ambassador Hayes delivering her speech at Teatro Col贸n.
The British Embassy in Argentina yesterday celebrated 200 years of diplomatic relations between both countries with a musical evening at the Colon Theatre. The event was attended by high-level authorities from the national government, businesspeople, members of the diplomatic corps, artists, scientists and civil society representatives.
The gathering also represented Ambassador Kirsty Hayes鈥檚 formal farewell after four years as Head of Mission in Buenos Aires, and served as a prelude to the performance of the British opera which the theatre will be staging from next Tuesday, with a cast that includes artists from Argentina, the UK and other countries.
Among the most prominent guests were the ministers of Justice, Mariano C煤neo Libarona; and Deregulation, Federico Sturzenegger; the former Chief of Staff Nicol谩s Posse and the former chancellor Diana Mondino; Secretaries for Foreign Affairs, Eduardo Bustamante; Mining, Luis Lucero; Finance, Pablo Quirno and the Fight against Drug Trafficking, Mart铆n Verrier; the Head of the President鈥檚 Advisory Council, Demian Reidel; deputies Lucila Crexell, Fernando Iglesias, Mar铆a Fernanda Araujo, Marcela Campagnoli and Pilar Ram铆rez; businessmen Gustavo Weiss, Jaime Campos, and Juan Mart铆n Bulgheroni; the president of Conicet, Daniel Salamone; CABA鈥檚 Ministers for Economic Development, Hern谩n Lombardi, and for Infrastructure Pablo Bereciart煤a; the Chief of the Armed Forces Joint Staff, Air Chief Marshal Xavier Isaac; the Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Carlos Mar铆a Allievi; and the Army Chief of Staff, General Carlos Alberto Presti, among others.
On 2 February 1825, the UK and the United Provinces of the River Plate signed a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation which established diplomatic relations between both countries. It was also the first act of recognition by a leading European power of the independence of the country that would later become known as the Argentine Republic. For this reason, the British Embassy will be celebrating the Bicentenary of diplomatic relations throughout the year with a number of commemorative events like yesterday鈥檚 gala at the Colon Theatre鈥檚 Golden Room.
During her speech, Ambassador Hayes said:
Over these 200 years we have experienced times of closeness and times of distance, but our common history has always been marked by respect, mutual admiration and, above all, by the will to build bridges鈥�.
She then spoke about her departure from Argentina:
Tonight also has a very personal significance for me, as it is my last public event as British Ambassador to Argentina. I must confess that saying goodbye to this country is not easy. I am taking with me unforgettable memories, strong friendships and immense gratitude for the warm welcome I received in every one of the 24 provinces.
With Argentine scientist Diego Golombek as host, the event gave guests the opportunity to enjoy the Prologue of Billy Budd, sung by British tenor Toby Spence and interpreted on the piano by the musical director of the production, Erik Nielsen. As well as an extract from the opera 鈥淒arwin in Patagonia鈥�, and an adaptation of the symphony 鈥溌iva la libertad!鈥� (Long Live Freedom!) composed by Lalo Schifrin and Rod Schejtman. Before the end, Schejtman himself gave an impromptu live performance in honour of Ambassador Hayes, combining the musical notes randomly selected by the Ambassador herself, by Minister C煤neo Libarona representing the Argentine government, and by Julio Aro, president of the No Me Olvides Foundation, whose mission is related to preserving the memory of those who fell in the 1982 conflict.
The main sponsor of the event was the GREAT campaign - the UK鈥檚 country brand - whose motto is an invitation to 鈥淪ee Things Differently鈥�, and the private sponsors was Standard Chartered.