Canary Islands President Attends Event for Artigas' Birthday with President Orsi

Fernando Clavijo, president of the Canary Islands, participated in commemorative events for the birth of Uruguayan national hero José Gervasio Artigas. The visit to the department of Canelones, Uruguay, underscored the deep historical and cultural links between the Spanish archipelago and the South American nation.

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admiration and respect

Clavijo attended a traditional civic-military parade, which included educational institutions, social organizations, and gaucho cavalry formations. His presence in Canelones, a region whose inhabitants share the same name as the Canary Islands, highlighted the significant diaspora presence in Uruguay. This year also marks the 300th anniversary of Montevideo's founding in 1726 by families from the Canary Islands.

During his visit, Clavijo expressed deep admiration for the courage of early emigrants who sought better futures. He met briefly with Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi, who noted Clavijo's own Canarian origins from Lanzarote. Clavijo extended an invitation for Orsi to attend events in November celebrating 300 years of migration between the continents.

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tremendously positive

Clavijo described his political and institutional agenda in Uruguay as "tremendously positive." He emphasized the updated memorandum of understanding between the Canary Islands government and the Uruguayan International Cooperation Agency (AUCI), which had been inactive since 2002. He also noted the pride of the Canarian community in Uruguay, who identify as both Uruguayan and Canarian. The president's itinerary included attending the presentation of a commemorative stamp and a cultural program aimed at reinforcing historical ties.

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feel very proud to be Uruguayan, but also Canarian