Embassy of Uruguay in Canada

On the occasion of the 201st anniversary of Uruguay’s Declaration of Independence, the traditional ceremony to raise the Uruguayan national flag was held on August 25 at Marion Dewar Plaza, in front of Ottawa City Hall.

The ceremony brought together approximately 50 people, including representatives of diplomatic missions accredited to Canada, Canadian authorities and officials, and members of the Uruguayan community.

Participants included Steve Jaltema, Director for Brazil and the Southern Cone at Global Affairs Canada and Acting Director General for South America and Hemispheric Affairs; Anik Desmeules-Raggio, the new Deputy Director for the Southern Cone at Global Affairs Canada; and Councillor Marty Carr, representing the City of Ottawa.

During the ceremony, Uruguay’s Ambassador to Canada, Gustavo Álvarez Goyoaga, highlighted the historical ties and similarities between Ottawa and Montevideo, as well as the values shared by Uruguay and Canada: democracy, the rule of law, human dignity, and peaceful dialogue. He also recalled the Cooperation and Friendship Agreement between Ottawa and Montevideo, signed in 1998.

The Uruguayan national flag remained raised in front of City Hall throughout the day.

At nightfall, the commemoration gained special visibility in the heart of the Canadian capital: the iconic OTTAWA sign, located in front of City Hall, was illuminated in blue and white, displaying Uruguay’s national colours in one of the city’s most prominent public spaces.

The flag-raising ceremony and illumination provided a further expression of the close ties of friendship between Uruguay and Canada, and particularly between their two capitals.