REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OF IRELAND, MARY McALEESE AT THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY CEREMONY MEXICO CITY HALL
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OF IRELAND, MARY McALEESE AT THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY CEREMONY MEXICO CITY HALL
Mr. Head of Government of the Federal District.
Representatives of the Government of the Federal District.
I would like to thank you most sincerely for the great honour you have bestowed on me, and through me, on the Irish people. It is indeed a signal honour to have been made an Honorary citizen of this extraordinary city, and to have been presented with its keys, a wonderful symbol of the warmth of the welcome I have received since coming here.
I am deeply privileged to have been honoured in this way, by you, Mr. Cardénas, and by the Federal District of Mexico, a city which has captured the imaginations of so many over the centuries. As I stand here, I am reminded of the words of the Spanish chronicler del Castillo when he said, on arriving in the 16th century, “never will such a city as this be discovered again.” I have found this to be very true, and it has been a great pleasure for myself, my husband Martin, Minister Ahern and Mrs. Ahern and my delegation to have been given the opportunity to rediscover it this week.
As the first Irish President to visit your country and your city, I am keenly aware of the historic significance of this ceremony, and its symbolism for the future. There could be no more fitting location for this event, here at the heart of the capital in the bustling Zocalo, the foundation of the city, where the architecture alone is such a vivid narrative of your history, from the Templo Mayor excavations of the Aztecs, to the glorious National Cathedral, the largest in Latin America, to the Palacio Nacional and the modern buildings visible on the horizon nearby. Everywhere the mystique of el Gran Tenochtitlan, as it was once called, reminding us of the qualities which first attracted people to this place.
Mexico has always been a city of transformation and renewal. Proud of your past, you also continue to adapt to the modern world, and the bustling vibrant city which surrounds us here, with all its challenges and opportunities, is a testament to the many changes that have taken place over the years. It is also a testament to Mexico’s continuing success as the focal point for the many diverse interests and groups to whom it offers a home. Yet in spite of its extraordinary size and scope, what defines the spirit of this city is the quality of its humanity, from your artists to your markets, to the wonderful music which we have enjoyed here this morning.
Foundations are here to be built on, and it is in this spirit that I come to Mexico today. I know that the foundations between us are strong, and from the warm welcome I have received here, that we can rely on continuing friendship and goodwill as we build together to ensure a strong environment for the future.
Over many years many Irish have made their home in this city, and indeed it is easy to see why. The most famous of these were, of course, the San Patricio Battalion, and I look forward to visiting San Angel to pay my respects to those brave men later today. The San Patricios created a strong bond between the Mexican and Irish peoples, and I have been delighted during my visit here at the way in which that fine tradition has continued to grow and prosper. Today the Irish here are active in a broad variety of areas including the arts, culture, social work and business, and the community and their links to this city are almost as multi-faceted as the city itself.
Thank you again, Mr. Head of Government of the Federal District, for honouring me today in this historic ceremony, for the warmth of your words, and in particular for the splendid welcome we have received from the people of this great city.
On behalf of the Government and people of Ireland, I offer to you, to the Federal District and to all its inhabitants, our warm good wishes for the future and our continuing support for your endeavours.