Banff carnival event will celebrate Vinery’s second anniversary and bicentenary of South American statesman’s visit
A community hub will celebrate its second anniversary with a carnival event.
The Vinery in Banff’s celebration falls within a weekend that holds high importance for the town - the bicentenary of General José Francisco de San Martin's visit with James Earl of Fife in 1824 when he was granted the freedom of the burgh.
It is working closely with the Friends of Duff House to incorporate into the weekend’s festivities.
The Vinery will celebrate the close connection of Banff with South America.
The carnival will be held at the Airlie Gardens hub on Saturday, August 17 from 10.30am - 2.30pm.
Vinery project lead Clare Bancroft said: “Dignitaries from Argentina and other Southern American areas will be visiting Banff to highlight the bicentenary.
“We are going to be making South American food and many community groups will be here showcasing the fantastic work they do in our area.
“There will be lots of family fun activities available and we're hoping for a day filled with sunshine and smiles.”
General José Francisco de San Martin was a name to be conjured with in Banff early in the 19th century.
This General became a great friend of James, the 4th Earl Fife, after they met during the Peninsular Wars in Spain.
At that time they had both given allegiance to Spain, but José was born in Argentina, and in 1812 was drawn back to South America.
The Burgess Roll of Banff for 1824 lists José as from Colombia, rather than Argentina; at the time this was correct as José’s last South American domicile was in Guayaquil, originally in Peru, at that time very recently annexed to Colombia and today in Ecuador.
It was actually James Earl Fife – who had returned to UK in 1811 after his father the 3rd Earl died – that organised José’s trip from Spain via London, as switching allegiances to now fight against Spain from being one of their most successful military leaders was a delicate situation.
As a great strategist, José was the General that led Argentina (then known as the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata) to gain independence from Spain, and also led armies to liberate Chile and then Peru.
He ceded to another Libertador, Simon Bolivar, in 1822 in Peru, left his life in the military and politics and came back to Europe.
For seven days in 1824 he visited his friend James at Duff House – the really well liked and respected fourth Earl Fife.
José made great effort to get here, spending five days travelling by stagecoach from London, and presumably the same for the return journey.
Recent research revealed that the trip was more than just visiting his friend, but a planning exercise for some international diplomacy to better the governance of Peru, something the British government of the time were interested in.
During the stay, specifically on August 19, the town of Banff granted General San Martin the freedom of the Burgh.
He probably cut quite a dashing figure at the time; the artist for a painting between 1825 or 1827 was quite representative of his visit to Banff.
José went to live in France, and died on August 17 in 1850. James planted a Monkey Puzzle tree in his memory, that still survives in Duff House woods.
One hundred years later and the then Argentine ambassador, Carlos Hogan, paid a celebratory visit to Banff on October 25.
Part of his visit was planting a native Argentinian Monkey Puzzle tree in Banff Castle grounds – where one can be seen today together with its plaque.
Just over two years later and Banff is given another accolade in memory of José de San Martin. Carlos Hogan went on to become the Argentine Minister of Agriculture, and arranged for a square in Buenos Aires to be called “Plaza Ciudad de Banff” – Town of Banff – in recognition of the hospitality given to the Argentine liberator Don José de San Martin by Banff in 1824, and the freedom of the Burgh they conferred upon him. That plaza retains that name to date in Buenos Aires.
Today General San Martin is one of the most revered people in many South American countries, and celebrating the bicentenary of his visit to Banff will take place at the weekend of August 17 and 18, and more formally on Monday, August 19 with a private event at Duff House.
