ADRIAN HEREDIA WAS REQUESTED TO WRITE A SPEECH ABOUT THE 9th of JULY AND THE CELEBRATION THAT WE DO EVERY YEAR TO COMMEMORATE OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY AND WHAT IT MEANS TO HIM. HE WROTE: "We are all gathered here today because on July 9, 1816, Argentina was finally recognized as an independent nation, free from the authoritative power of the Spanish monarchy. It is a day that brings to an end a week-long celebration of patriotism, history and a love of all things related to food and family. It is a day where those who sacrificed their lives are commemorated for their brave contribution to justice and freedom. However, it is also a day where, thousands of kilometers away, in this beautiful hall located on the sun kissed hills of suburban Johannesburg, we gather! As the youth of this association, we have often asked ourselves why do we come to a place to celebrate an historical event that we have little knowledge of? Why do we, week after week, year after year, follow our parents, our brothers, sisters, cousins and friends, to this place? When I look out at this crowd, the answer is ever so clear. We come here because it is one of the only means we have of directly identifying with the past lives of our parents. When we hear stories, both good and bad, about their youth spent on the streets of Buenos Aires or in the beautiful “pueblos” of Argentina’s provinces, there is always an unmistakable sentiment of longing. It is evident in their tone, their smiles, and in their eyes. We are our parent’s children, and so, we are inextricably linked to the blue and white flag waving here in our presence. We come here because we love the ideal that is Argentina. When Messi scores a goal, we feel pride that he is Argentinean. When Del Potro Slams a point passed Djokovic we are elated that he is Argentinean. When Borenstein stands up in front of an orchestra, we are moved that he is Argentinean. In the same light, when we come here, we are happy to be Argentinean because that is where our roots are forged. A reality of our lives here is that many of us are here without our immediate families. It is a part of our existence that haunts us, makes us sad and miss a life, long behind many of us. However, one cannot drown in sorrow because it is through this place, and through gatherings such as these that we come together and meet new people. We make new friends and in many wonderful cases, we form new loving families. Today we are all Argentinean. Young, old, South African, Chilean, Peruvian, Nigerian, Asian, Black or White, we are all ultimately here, together. We are part of one homogeneous society, built up of various nations. While this amazing country prayers for the well-being of its beloved leader, the Honorable Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, we are standing, here, together. With the rest of the world, we stand as brothers and sisters in arms, as one family and we do so because of his valiant battle for freedom. Much like Latin Americas leaders during the revolutionary wars, Mandela fought for a vision where, one day, we would have a nation where tolerance and love dominate as core values. We are ever thankful for his contribution to what is now our society. We are grateful that together, we can enjoy a plentiful meal, more than enough wine, and good conversation with friends and family, new and old. We welcome you to our little home away from home, and ask that you accept our invitation on this day of Freedom, to celebrate our identity as one family"
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 21:48:11 +0000
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