Double century: Argentina celebrates independence

Reception featured a wonderful tango performance by Argentine dancers

ISLAMABAD: The embassy of Argentina hosted a reception on Monday to celebrate the 206th anniversary of the May Revolution, which eventually led to the South American state declaring independence from Spain in 1816.

The reception was attended by a large number of diplomats, political, and business figures, who were in for a bit of a surprise treat as a pair of Argentinean dancers put on a tango performance later in the evening.

Ayelen Sanchez and Walter Suquia entertained the gathering with their delicate moves and flourishes on a few songs, before Sanchez brought Argentinean Ambassador Ivan Ivanissevich on stage for the final dance.

But before the tango, the ambassador and the chief guest gave short speeches noting the significance of the day.

Ivanissevich said there is “no better way to celebrate happy moments than with those who are close to us”, before quoting Argentine folk singer Atahualpa Yupanqui’s song Los Hermanos:

I have so many brothers

That I can’t even count them

I also have a beautiful bride...

And her name is Freedom.

State and Frontier Regions’ Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch, the chief guest, welcomed Ivanissevich to the country, noting that his predecessor Rodolfo Martin-Saravia was a much-loved figure in town.

Baloch then spoke of the “beautiful bilateral relationship” between Pakistan and Argentina, adding the two countries have always been very supportive.

On the sidelines, discussions centred on the recent drone strike that killed Taliban chief Mullah Mansour and how the brother of Mansour’s driver was suing the US government, in a move reminiscent of the drone strikes lawsuit against former CIA station chief Jonathan Banks.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2016.