A landmark celebration marking two centuries of diplomatic relations between Argentina and the United Kingdom took center stage Wednesday evening at Buenos Aires’ iconic Teatro Colón. The British Embassy hosted a grand musical gala, both to commemorate the bicentennial and to bid farewell to outgoing British Ambassador Kirsty Hayes, whose four-year term in Argentina is coming to a close.
The event brought together a distinguished and diverse audience that included high-ranking government officials, diplomats, business leaders, artists, scientists, and representatives of civil society. The night not only honored the longstanding relationship between the two nations but also offered a rich cultural showcase as a prelude to next week’s Teatro Colón premiere of Billy Budd, a British opera composed by Benjamin Britten.
A Farewell with Harmony
Ambassador Hayes, delivering her final public speech in Argentina, reflected on the complexities and achievements of the bilateral relationship. “In these past 200 years we have seen moments of approach and also distance,” she said, “but our common history has always been marked by respect, mutual admiration, and above all, will to build bridges.” The ambassador grew visibly emotional as she addressed the personal significance of the night. “I must confess that saying goodbye to this country is not easy,” she admitted. “I will take with me unforgettable memories, deep friendships, and an enormous gratitude for the warmth with which you have welcomed me in each of the 24 provinces.” Hayes will officially end her term later this year, with diplomat David Cairns set to assume the ambassadorship in September.
The evening, held in the Teatro Colón’s opulent Golden Hall, featured a rich program of performances celebrating both British and Argentine contributions to music and culture. British tenor Toby Spence performed the prologue of Billy Budd, accompanied by the opera’s musical director Erik Nielsen on piano. In a nod to the intertwined cultural heritage of both countries, audiences also enjoyed an excerpt from Darwin in Patagonia—a piece that touches on the famous English naturalist’s journey through Argentina—and an adaptation of the symphonic work ¡Viva la libertad!, co-composed by Argentina’s own Lalo Schifrin (of Mission: Impossible fame) and Rod Schejtman. Adding a personal and spontaneous touch to the evening, Schejtman improvised a tribute to Ambassador Hayes using musical notes chosen by her and other guests, including Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona and Julio Aro, president of the No Me Olvides Foundation, which honors those who fell during the 1982 Malvinas/Falklands conflict.
A Star-Studded Gathering
The gala drew an impressive list of attendees from across Argentina’s political, scientific, and cultural spheres. Among those present were Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona and Deregulation Minister Federico Sturzenegger; former Chief of Staff Nicolás Posse; former Foreign Minister Diana Mondino; and various secretaries including Eduardo Bustamante (Foreign Affairs), Luis Lucero (Mining), Pablo Quirno (Finance), and Martín Verrier (Drug Policy).
Prominent legislators such as Deputies Lucila Crexell, Fernando Iglesias, María Fernanda Araujo, Marcela Campagnoli, and Pilar Ramírez were also in attendance. From the scientific community, Daniel Salamone, president of CONICET, joined, alongside business leaders like Gustavo Weiss, Jaime Campos, and Juan Martín Bulgheroni. Representatives from Argentina’s armed forces, including Air Chief Marshal Xavier Isaac, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Carlos María Allievi, and Army Chief of Staff General Carlos Alberto Presti, underscored the broad institutional recognition of the event.
200 Years of Bilateral History
Diplomatic ties between Argentina and the United Kingdom began on February 2, 1825, with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the UK and the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata—marking the first official recognition by a major European power of Argentina’s independence. To mark the bicentennial, the British Embassy has been organizing a series of cultural and commemorative events throughout 2025, with the Teatro Colón gala serving as one of the most high-profile moments in the calendar. As the evening drew to a close, a sense of shared history and forward-looking diplomacy lingered in the air—fitting for two nations whose relationship has evolved across centuries, cultures, and continents.
