US and UK communities will work together to commemorate 400th anniversary of Mayflower voyage and founding of Plymouth Colony
April 20, 2016
PLYMOUTH, MA— Plymouth 400, the official organization planning the 400th anniversary of the 1620 Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony, hosted a delegation of thirteen representatives from Plymouth, UK this week, who traveled to the US to make connections and continue discussions surrounding arts and culture collaborations, educational programming, and economic development opportunities in preparation of the 2020 commemoration. The delegation, called Mayflower 400, was comprised of leaders of Plymouth, UK’s higher education institutions, theatre arts and heritage organizations, and Plymouth City Council. During their week-long stay in the US, Plymouth 400 hosted introductory meetings and brainstorming sessions with Mayflower 400 to forge relationships with their counterparts here in the US, and signed the official Plymouth 400 Anniversary Memorandum of Understanding which formalizes the partnership between the US and UK in this international commemoration.
“The relationship between the United States and United Kingdom is steeped in shared history, heritage, and values, and the 2020 commemoration will honor that history and our strong alliance,” said Kenneth Tavares, President of Plymouth 400. “In formalizing our partnership with the UK, we are saying to the Commonwealth, to the country, and to the world that Plymouth’s 400th anniversary will be of importance not only for our two Plymouths, but also for the international community, as the Mayflower voyage truly changed the course of world history. We are honored to be working closely together with our British counterparts, as well as our partners in the Netherlands, the Wampanoag Tribe, and our many sister-cities around the world to bring this iconic event to the world stage.”
Plymouth 400 and Mayflower 400 will work collaboratively to create, host, and promote events and programs to honor this historic commemoration and the themes of exploration, innovation, self-governance, religious freedom, immigration, and thanksgiving. The Plymouth 400 Commemoration, both in the United States and the United Kingdom, will honor this globally significant moment in history that ultimately forged an alliance which continues to impact the world today.
Plymouth 400 and Mayflower 400 have been working together for several years to build relationships and lay the groundwork for the 2020 commemoration, and many members of previous boards and committees that were formed to plan the Plymouth 400 Commemoration must be acknowledged for their efforts in the development of a US/UK partnership.
About Plymouth 400, Inc.
Plymouth 400, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization formed to lead the planning and execution of programs and events commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony in 2020. The Plymouth 400 Anniversary will highlight the cultural contributions and American traditions that began with the interaction of the Wampanoag and English peoples, a story that significantly shaped the building of America.
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