Purpose of the visit:
- To commemorate, valorise and raise awareness of the 'Great Trek' of the Transport Party as a shared Cornish-Mexican socio-economic achievement
- To further the Objectives of the Society by reinforcing the historic cultural links between the Municipalities of Pachuca and Real del Monte and Cornwall
- To establish links between schools in Cornwall and Pachuca and Real del Monte with the intention of developing greater understanding and cultural exchanges
- To establish closer cultural ties between the mining districts of Cornwall and Pachuca and Real del Monte
- To raise awareness of and support the work of Archivo Histórico y Museo de Minera AC (AHMM) Pachuca that includes documents of great importance to Cornish social history
It is intended that the journey will commence on the beach at Moncamba and follow the route of the Transport Party of 1824 culminating in the arrival of the party at Real del Monte to coincide with the Miner's Festival in July 2008. During the Festival it is proposed to hold a Cornish pasty supper, illustrated lecture and musical concert to mark the culmination of the trek. In addition a specially staged exhibition celebrating the Cornish presence in Real del Monte-Pachuca is proposed for the duration of the festival. The final stage of the trek will be a service at the Cemetery.
The Society wishes to conclude the visit by establishing links that will develop closer cultural ties between the two historic mining districts. The proposed visit will include:
- An ecumenical service of celebration and thanksgiving (involving Protestant and Catholic ministers) to be held on the beach where the Transport Party landed. A plaque in Spanish, English and Cornish recording the arrival of the industrial revolution to Mexico and noting the cost to human life, to be unveiled.
- A journey following the route of the Transport Party from the coast to Real del Monte involving children from local schools in the main settlements along the route who will perform symbolic walks with the party from Cornwall along sections of it.
- A Cornish cultural event and exhibition at Real del Monte on Miner’s Day 2008.
We estimate that the visit will take 14 days. The draft itinerary is:
July 1st travel to Mexico July 2nd – 4 th visits to Mexico City and other sites July 5th travel to Vera Cruz July 6th – 10th the journey July 11th arrive RdM on Miners Day – advance party to hold exhibition – signing of agreements July 12th -13th visits around RdM & Pachuca ceremony at the cemetery July 14th return to the UK
Early indications are that there will be more people wishing to make the visit than available places. Places will be booked on a first come basis and enquiries should be made to:
By Email: The Secretary
or
By post to: The Secretary CMCS, Poldark Mine, Wendron, Helston, Cornwall TR13 0ES
| The Cornish Mexican Cultural Society |
