Albaola celebrated her “coming out” with the help of the Government of Canada

After welcoming the guests, the Ambassador opened the ceremony, stressing her “full” support for this project, which “due to its uniqueness and importance,” aroused her interest from the first moment. This was reported by the association dedicated to the protection of Basque maritime heritage through a press release.

The text indicates that Drucker told those present that, having just arrived in office, he had visited the Alpaola Basque naval factory. The Ambassador took the opportunity to quote the joint statement made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Spanish President Pedro Sanchez on the occasion of the former’s visit to Spain last year, which stated: “We also point out the historical ties between the coastal communities of our two countries, including the presence of Spanish sailors on the Atlantic coast.” In Canada and Spain’s exploration of the West Coast, in tribute to this, we highlight the reconstruction of a replica of the San Juan in Pasaya, a 16th century Basque whaling ship, the original of which is located in Red Bay (Labrador), a heritage site UNESCO World.

Then, Zulema Aragones Monjas, President of the Spanish-Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCCE), the event’s organizing body, took the floor and stressed the importance of supporting initiatives “that, like this one, stand out for their transformative capabilities and generating connections.” between cultures.

“The San Juan Project demonstrates the deep roots and relationships that exist between Canada and Spain. Hand in hand with our partner Alpaola, she represents the past and future of trade and cultural relations between these two great countries, and motivates us in the Chamber to continue our work.”

From dream to reality

Once the opening was completed, it was the turn of Javier Agouti, president and founder of the Albaola Association, who throughout his speech presented the project to build a replica of an ocean-going whaling ship, sponsored by UNESCO; Agouti recalled the major “milestones” of his journey, from the discovery of the wreck in Red Bay by the government agency Parks Canada’s underwater archeology team to the final stages of construction of this sailing vessel, unique at the time in the world. He is at this moment.

The President of the Paula noted that one of the reasons for celebrating this event at the embassy was the desire to share with Canada the “transcendent” common historical heritage represented by the adventure of the Basque whalers.

As explained by It is a responsibility: to restore a history of courage and cooperation between different people. A story that started as a dream and today has become an extraordinary reality.

The event was attended by approximately 70 guests, half of whom were members of the Canadian Spanish Chamber of Commerce. Among the representatives of the institutions was Eder Mendoza, Attorney General of Gipuzkoa, who through a short intervention thanked the hosts, the Canadian Embassy in Spain, CCCE and Albaola. Mendoza encouraged all those invited to support the Paula Project in this new phase of the San Juan ship.

The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Mayor of Donibani, Ainzan Taberna; The government delegate in the Basque Country, Denis Etxaso; The representative of the Basque government in Madrid, Juan Aguado; and José Cibrian and Josue Bilbao, from the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine, among others. Likewise, there was a broad presence of national and international companies, as well as various cultural agents. Albaola ended the event by thanking all the guests, and especially thanked the support he received from the Canadian Embassy in Spain and the CCCE for organizing this show; It also mentioned the three entities that made it possible to hold it: Irizar, Carbopress, and Malagisona.