The deputy delegate of the Government in A Coruña, María Rivas, participated today in the central events of the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the expedition of García Jofre de Loaysa to the Molucas Islands, one of the most relevant trips in maritime history, which departed from the port of the city on July 24, 1525.
During the morning, the subdelegate attended on board the multipurpose ship of the Spanish Navy "Carnota" the official presentation of the commemorative seal edited by Correos, an initiative of the Philatelic Society of A Coruña that pays tribute to this great oceanic gesture and contributes to spread its memory internationally.
Next, Rivas participated in the inauguration of the commemorative exhibition organized by the City Council of A Coruña and the Instituto de Estudios Coruñeses José Cornide, accompanied by the Councilor for Culture and Tourism, Gonzalo Castro, the president of the Institute, Ana Romero, and the president of the Port Authority, Martín Fernández Prado. The exhibition brings the citizens closer to the details of an expedition that, with seven ships and 450 sailors, sought to establish a route to the spice islands and reinforce the presence of the Spanish Crown in world trade.
The celebration of this expedition is also a tribute to the Navy, hence its involvement in the various events organized in this commemoration, as highlighted by the subdelegate. “The Spanish Navy today, professional, modern and committed to its time, is worthy successor to that line of brave and determined sailors. They continue the task of serving Spain from the sea, protecting our interests, collaborating in humanitarian and international missions, forming generations of men and women with a vocation of dedication, sacrifice and excellence”, he stressed.
In her speech, the subdelegate also highlighted the historical importance of the ephemeris and the role of the city. “This exhibition allows us to highlight the role of A Coruña as the starting point of this gesture, as a port called to have a central role in the global maritime history.” He added that “preserving memory is also projecting our future.”
The deputy delegate also wanted to thank all the entities involved in this commemoration for their joint efforts: the Port Authority of A Coruña, the Philatelic Society of A Coruña, the José Cornide Institute of Cornish Studies, the Order of Knights of María Pita, the City Council of A Coruña, the Spanish Navy and the Post Office.