[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Argentine Embassy demonstrated its national pride, and its passion for celebration, with a lavish cocktail reception at Harbor Club on Friday May 25, 2018, being Argentine National Day. The date is the anniversary of the May Revolution, and commemorates the establishment of the first autonomous government in Buenos Aires on May 25th, 1810, which culminated in a formal declaration of independence from Spain.
The Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Argentine Republic, Nicolás Carlos Abad, explained: “Although there was no great violence involved, the term ‘revolution’ has been applied by Argentine tradition to highlight the changing of the governmental system and distinguish the undisputed fact that, after the May Revolution, Argentina began to forge its own destiny. We, the people of Argentina, regard this day as the ‘founding’ act of our Nation.”
Mr. Abad spoke of the increasing ties between Argentina and Saint Lucia, highlighting achievements of the past year, including the hosting of a regional Co-operation Workshop in April in Barbados, attended by three Saint Lucian experts.
After listing more projects, people and dates, the interest of the audience was piqued by the mention of “one of our stellar products, Argentine wine”.
Mr. Abad proudly declared, “We are the fifth wine producing country and the ninth exporter in the world,” and had many guests regretting that they had missed the Embassy’s hosting of ‘Malbec World Day’ on May 20.
Mr. Abad also aroused interest when he spoke of discussions with local agricultural authorities to import Argentine beef (another first rate product). He then moved on to culture, in particular the successful Argentine film industry and his country’s involvement with LACFEST (Latin American and Caribbean Cultural and Film Festival).
Mr. Abad described official visits between Argentina and Saint Lucia and how his country looks forward to welcoming the Saint Lucian delegation to the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.
Amongst his closing remarks: “Tonight, as we participate in this event, celebrating Argentine independence, and of course the strong ties of relationship between Saint Lucia and the Argentine Republic, we hope that, over time, we can continue sharing the beauty of our music, dance, cuisine, cinema and visual arts to the Saint Lucian people.
We also hope to identify ways in which we can continue to co-operate and work together . . . One of my roles in representing my country is to find ways to promote Latin American and Caribbean unity. This is an integration process that is already taking place in many regional organisations and forums. The unity amongst our people will ensure the defence of democratic institutions, human rights, resiliency and sustainable growth in the hemisphere.”
Guests were then invited to mingle, eat and drink while viewing a fine selection of Argentine drawings and photographs, plus an impressive collection of horsemanship paraphernalia presented by Mr. Victor Hamlin, formerly of Patagonia, Argentina.
