Mexican Ambassador Returns
Camborne Science and International Academy honoured to host Mexican ambassador for second time
Mexican ambassador, Josefa González-Blanco, recently paid a second visit to Camborne Science and International Academy (CSIA) on the 4th of March.
“We were privileged to welcome a very special guest to CSIA and allow our students to meet and listen to this inspirational individual,” commented Ian Kenworthy, Principal at CSIA. “The school was honoured to host Mrs González-Blanco for a second time, and proud to have the opportunity to further establish cultural and academic links between Cornwall and Central America.”
Mrs González-Blanco’s visit was set against the backdrop of International Women’s Day, and she was welcomed by Principal Ian Kenworthy, Miss Tippett (International Education) and Miss Weldon (Head of Art), alongside 22 Year 9 and 10 students who have shown exemplary skill, behaviour and attitude to learning in Art.
Mrs González-Blanco gave a presentation about her life and career to date, International Women’s Day and significant Mexican artists. This was followed by an opportunity for the students to create an artistic piece influenced by her presentation, as well as the chance to talk with her one-to-one.
Mr Kenworthy continued, “We learnt so much from Mrs González-Blanco’s last visit and were left feeling even more inspired after hearing her presentation this time – students and staff alike were mesmerised. With International Women’s Day being of such significance, it was so special to see the students learning from Mrs González-Blanco as they reflected upon challenges women and children face in society, and the impactful contributions made by Mexican female artists. This all resonated deeply with our students who in-turn created some incredible artwork influenced by the ambassadors’ presentation.”
Mrs González-Blanco has a Law Degree from the Anahuac University and a Master’s Degree in Transformative Arts from the John F. Kennedy University, as well as an impressive array of other studies and programmes within her career.
The Cultural Section of the Embassy of Mexico in the United Kingdom is aimed at strengthening the cultural ties among both countries. Their mission is instrumented through promoting knowledge of Mexican culture among British society, by supporting Mexican creators through a diverse cultural programme, promoting cooperation among cultural institutions, and developing tools for the dissemination and access to artistic activities for the UK-based Mexican community.
Plans are currently in the making for some of the CSIA students to visit the Mexican Embassy in London for la quinceañera celebrations – traditional celebrations involving music and food to mark a girl’s 15th birthday and her passage from girlhood to womanhood. There are also plans for a school exchange between CSIA and a school in Mexico.
Mr Kenworthy added, “We feel extremely privileged to be in a position where CSIA can support our students by widening their experiences with other countries and cultures. It feels amazing to be fostering these ties with Mexico specifically, given the historic cultural links Cornwall has with the country ever since Cornish tin miners first landed on Mexico’s shores in the early 19th Century.’’
Approximately two hours’ drive north of Mexico City lies the town of Real del Monte, and the city of Pachuca. The Cornish Mexican Society calls this region ‘Little Cornwall’. Many Cornish settlers arrived in the region from the 1820s until the early twentieth century in order to revive the countries mining industry. This region today still exhibits many aspects of Cornish culture and heritage.’’
Mr Kenworthy said, “Mrs González-Blanco’s visit will remain a treasured memory for us all, and we are already looking forward to her next visit to Cornwall!”
“As part of our ongoing International Programme, we are working towards prospective possibilities and collaborations with Mexico and the ambassador, which we hope to share with you in the near future.”
