Commemoration of the 247th anniversary of the birth of General José de San Martín

The Argentine Embassy in the United Kingdom and the British San Martín Institute commemorated both anniversaries with an emotive ceremony. It began with the traditional salute to General José de San Martín's statue in Belgrave Square, followed by a reception at the Official Residence of the Argentine Ambassador.

Ambassador Mariana Plaza, BSMI Chair Marcelo Scenna, and Secretary General Juan Dávila y Verdin delivered speeches highlighting San Martín's legacy and his continued relevance today. During the event, the Argentine Ambassador presented the Lord-Lieutenant with a replica of the morrion used by San Martín's elite corps, sent from the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers "General San Martín" to the museum of the city of Banff, visited in the summer of 1824 by General San Martín.

The British San Martín Institute then presented several honors: the Honorific Diplomatic Chair “Paracas Bay Landing” to H.E. Ambassador Ignacio Higueras Hare of the Republic of Peru, the Honorific Academic Chair “Basil Hall” to Mr. Andrew Simpson, Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire, and a posthumous recognition to former Ambassador Mario Campora (1930-2022) for his efforts in installing the monument to General San Martín in London.

Former Cultural Attaché of the Argentine Embassy, Claudio Rojo, entertained the audience with anecdotes from the inauguration period and the four years of hard work to make it a reality. The event concluded with an exhibition of souvenirs and items from the monument's 1994 inauguration.

Diplomats and defense representatives from Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and Uruguay, along with members of the Anglo-Argentine Society, Anglo-Peruvian Society, and Anglo-Chilean Society, attended the event.

Photos: Embassy of Argentina in the United Kingdom, George Bush, The Anglo-Argentine Society