From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, has pledged to strengthen ties between Ireland and Argentina in a key speech during her visit to the Latin America country ahead of global St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Ms Martin said she wanted the 2 countries to renew links through music, dance, film or literature and that Irish culture globally plays a role in connecting Ireland with our 70 million strong diaspora.
The Minister made the remarks during her address at the Del Salvador University (USAL), Buenos Aires. During her visit, the Minister has key meetings with senior Ministers, female parliamentarians and ambassadors, the Irish-Argentinian business community as well as Irish sporting and cultural communities.
The visit provides an opportunity to renew Ireland’s long standing historic ties with Argentina and its Irish community. With an estimated 600,000 people of Irish descent, Argentina is home to the largest community of Irish descent outside the English-speaking world.
Speaking at USAL, Minister Martin said:
“A hundred years on from the foundation of the State, we continue to nurture our cultural heritage, including our language. Not as museum pieces to be studied and conserved, but as a living embodiment of Irish culture to be shared with confidence on a global stage as we move into our second century of independence.
“We are a nation that values the arts and artists, that promotes creativity in all aspects of our daily lives, and understands the role that culture can play in building bridges at every level. At a time when the forces that seek to divide us are wreaking devastation on the lives of so many in Ukraine and elsewhere, it is more important than ever that we continue to nurture and promote those things that bind us together in our common humanity.”
The Minister’s visit will further help Ireland’s efforts to deepen relationships in the region, as part of the government’s recently launched Strategy for Latin America until 2025.
The Minister added:
“Given our shared interest, I would welcome interest from programmers in Argentina to consider having Irish artists visit with Culture Ireland support so we can strengthen our links, be it through music, dance, film or literature.”
Addressing guests at the special lecture, the Minister continued:
“And of importance here today is to be aware that it reinforces the importance that Ireland maintain a vital connection through culture with its global diaspora and their descendants, who of course far outnumber Irish people living on the island.
“Supporting Irish culture internationally plays a key role in connecting Ireland with our estimated 70 million strong Irish diaspora and we are so aware that their experiences, stories, and heritage are a central component of our culture.”
Argentina is Ireland’s oldest partner in the region. It was one of the first countries in the world to acknowledge the independence of the Irish State
While furthering diplomatic, economic, educational and cultural cooperation between the two countries during the visit, the Minister will also launch an exhibition celebrating Ireland and Argentina’s 100 years of friendship. Minister Martin will also attend a special open-air street festival for St. Patrick’s Day in Buenos Aires.