On Sunday, 25 April 2010, the H.M.S. Beagle will dock in Cape Town completing the production of a documentary series on the life and theories of Charles Darwin, to commemorate 200 years since his birth and 150 years since the publication of his theory “Origin of Species”.
The series tracks his voyage across the globe having already sailed to Great Britain, Spain, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Tahiti, and Australia; covering roughly 24 000 nautical miles. Along the way they have interviewed scientists, politicians, artists, historians, and writers who contribute to the assessment of where the world stands today in light of Darwin’s evolution theory. This thrilling expedition will end in Cape Town at the V&A Waterfront, Jetty 2 on April 25 between 16h00 and 18h00, where producers plan to exhibit the city’s breathtaking biodiversity and distinct population. Cape Town Tourism and the Beagle project implore the local sailing community to welcome the vessel by sailing out or to wave the ship in.
The series 'The Beagle' is currently being broadcast in Holland and Belgium with negotiations for international broadcasting underway.
“Cape Town has such a varied history and this is just a piece of a much broader picture. We’re very excited to be endorsing such an original venture, which ties in perfectly with the Darwin Trail Map that was launched last year. We urge Capetonians and boat owners to come out in support on Sunday”, Says Mariette du-Toit Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism.
The Darwin Trail Map was launched in Cape Town in 2009, researched by the Africa Genome Education Institute and published by A&C Maps. The map retraces Darwin’s steps through the Cape, a stop on his homeward stretch from South America. While in the Cape he visited areas we know today as Simon’s Town, Wynberg, Paarl, Franschhoek and Sir Lowry’s Pass; and recorded sightings of animals like elephant, rhinoceros, the now extinct kwagga and more. He travelled with a “tour guide” – a khoi man - dressed in top hat and tails.
The Darwin Trail Map is available at any Cape Town Tourism Visitors information Centre. For more information on the Darwin Trail Map contact +27 21 487 6800.
ENDS
For further information about Cape Town Tourism and the Darwin Trail Map, please contact Cape Town Tourism’s PR and Communication Manager Skye Grove, skye@capetown.travel, +27 21 487 6800 or see www.capetown.travel.
Released for Cape Town Tourism by
Rabbit in a Hat Communications
Tammy White
+27 21 447 3197
+27 73 202 5041
tammy@rabbitinahat.co.za
