BATH, United Kingdom — September 23, 2026 — More than 60 people gathered at Fairfield House in Bath on September 19 for the opening of “Kingdoms in Exile and Human Rights,” an international forum bringing together cultural, human rights and community representatives around Indigenous heritage, intercultural dialogue and the Mapuche cause.
Held under the auspices of the Kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia at the initiative of H.R.H. Prince Antoine V, the two-day program brought an international dimension to discussions surrounding the Mapuche people and Wallmapu, the ancestral territory of the Mapuche in present-day Chile and Argentina.
“From dialogue between peoples comes understanding. From understanding comes respect.”
— H.R.H. Prince Antoine V of Araucania
More Than 60 Participants at Fairfield House
The opening day took place at Fairfield House, the historic Bath residence associated with Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. More than 60 participants attended the gathering, representing a range of cultural, community and international backgrounds.
The event brought together members of the Ethiopian and Rastafari communities, academics, cultural figures, human rights advocates and international guests.
Among the participants were H.E. Tekle Assaefa, great-grandson of Blattengeta Heruy Welde Selassie, and Mr. Kifle Derege, Advisor to the Ethiopian Imperial Family.
H.R.H. Princess Lea Elfara of Indonesia, representing founding Global Indigenous Monarchical Alliance member H.R.H. Prince Mohammad Soleh Ridwan, also participated in the program. H.R.H. Crown Prince Adil Bharuch addressed the gathering by videoconference.
The diversity of participants reflected the forum’s objective of creating connections between communities with different historical, cultural and geographical backgrounds.
Mapuche Dialogue Continues at Bath Guildhall
The program continued on September 20 at Bath Guildhall, where discussions placed particular emphasis on Mapuche cultural heritage, Wallmapu, Indigenous identity and human rights.
A central part of the program was the screening of Inarumen, directed by Agnès Biscaichipy. The documentary served as a starting point for discussions concerning Mapuche cultural memory, identity and the preservation of Indigenous heritage.
The second day concluded with an awards ceremony during which Prince Antoine V presented distinctions recognizing contributions to intercultural dialogue, human rights advocacy and relations between communities.
Bringing Wallmapu to an International Audience
The Bath forum forms part of Prince Antoine V’s continuing international engagement with Mapuche heritage and Wallmapu.
Earlier in 2026, the Prince travelled to southern Chile for meetings, cultural exchanges and engagements connected with Mapuche communities and institutions. The Bath forum extended that dialogue to an international audience in the United Kingdom.
According to the organizers, the initiative seeks to open and internationalize dialogue around the Mapuche cause, while encouraging relationships between Indigenous communities, cultural organizations, civil society and international institutions.
The forum also highlighted the role of cultural diplomacy in creating opportunities for dialogue between communities whose histories and traditions have developed in very different geographical contexts.
Prince Antoine V and The Promise
H.R.H. Prince Antoine V was elected sovereign of the Kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia on May 12, 2025 and is presented by the Royal House as its ninth sovereign in historical succession.
His public activities include engagement with Mapuche cultural heritage, Indigenous dialogue, cultural diplomacy and human rights.
The Bath forum followed the international publication of The Promise, the English-language edition of Prince Antoine V’s autobiographical account of his journey toward Araucania and Wallmapu.
The publication and his international engagements have contributed to bringing the history and contemporary cultural significance of Araucania, Patagonia and Wallmapu to audiences outside South America.
Continuing International Dialogue
“Kingdoms in Exile and Human Rights” brought together participants from different cultural and international backgrounds around questions of Indigenous heritage, cultural identity, human rights and intercultural cooperation.
With more than 60 people attending the opening at Fairfield House and a second day at Bath Guildhall focusing particularly on Mapuche heritage and Wallmapu, the forum created an international setting for dialogue about the Mapuche people and their cultural heritage.
For the organizers, the Bath meetings represent another step in developing international awareness of Mapuche cultural issues and creating channels of dialogue between Indigenous representatives, cultural organizations, civil society and international communities.
For official information about the Kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia:
www.araucanie-patagonie.org