Argentina

Books from around the world, recommended by our contributors

In a recent online chat between PocketCultures contributors from around the world, we talked about books which reflect our countries and cultures. Here are our recommendations.

Art installation at ArteBA 2012. Photo by Ana O'Reilly

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The rebirth of Argentina’s fileteado porteño art

Fileteado porteño is a form of popular art that originated in the city of Buenos Aires at the turn of the 20th century. Fileteado and tango are the two cultural symbols that represent the city by the River Plate. They appeared roughly at the same time, originated in the immigrant communities and influenced one another.  Sadly, their history and development are not well documented.

This cheerful mural welcomes people to the neighbourhood of San Telmo. See the tango singer on the right.

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Picture Postcards: Historical place in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Today’s photo of the Palacio Barolo building in Buenos Aires was sent to us by our Contributing Editor, Ana. She has added this description:

Luis Barolo, an Italian industrialist, moved to Argentina in 1890. He later
hired architect Mario Palanti (1885-1979) to design and build and apartment
building in the Art Nouveau style inspired by Dante’s Divina Commedia.
When it was finished in 1923, the 22 storey building was the tallest in
Latin America. Today, this historic building is a landmark of the city of
Buenos Aires.

More historical places:
Place de l’Alma in France
The Arch of Triumph in Bucharest
Spanish Missions in San Antonio, Texas

Pato, Argentina’s national sport

Football –or soccer, as it’s known in some parts- may be Argentina’s most popular sport but pato is the country’s official national sport.

Pato (Spanish for duck) dates back to the early 17^th century, albeit not in the form it is played nowadays. A chronicle written in 1610 describes a game played on horseback in which two teams fight for the possession of a hide sack with handles with a live duck inside. I can only imagine the poor thing’s sheer terror. Years later, authorities banned this game because it was deemed too violent. I’m sure the web-footed community breathed a sigh of relief.

Credit: http://www.pato.org.ar

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Habemus Papam: Francis

Last Wednesday night crowds filled the Cathedral of Buenos Aires  and the adjacent Plaza de Mayo in central Buenos Aires. People carried Argentinean flags and rosaries, some had tears streaming down their faces.  They were celebrating the election of a new pope, Francis. Why? Because he is the first Argentinean -in fact, the first non-European- pope since the 8th century. And also the first Jesuit ever to sit on  St. Peter’s throne. (more…)

Picture Postcards: Street scene in Buenos Aires, Argentina

This street scene is from Plaza Dorrego in the neighbourhood of San Telmo, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Every Sunday, there is an antique  and arts and crafts market in the plaza. The atmosphere is very lively, wand it includes a few tango shows. This photo, however, was taken on a weekday, when fewer sellers tout their wares and the area is a lot quieter.

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