Verbum’s BLOG site

(text taken from www.tangobuenosaires.gov.ar)

Tango Buenos Aires summarizes the singularity and genuineness of our artistic and cultural manifestations, showing the distinctive features of our City. The projection and importance of tango in the world achieved such magnitude that in December 2009 it was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in a decision made by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee*. Numerous activities linked to the genre enrich Buenos Aires’ cultural agenda, but, without a doubt, the most important tango international event comes to life with the Dance Festival and World Championship.

Tango Buenos Aires synthesizes a passion that year after year increases its followers not only in Argentina but also around the world and strengthens the commitment to the historical heritage, the growth and the projection of tango in all its ways of expression.

The growth, projection and importance of tango worldwide has achieved such magnitude that in December 2009 it was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, by decision of the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO. Similarly, and since February 2010, tango has an official and exclusive auditorium in the City: the “Teatro de la Ribera” in La Boca neighborhood. All programming in this auditorium will be exclusively dedicated to porteña music, with milongas, shows, lectures and exhibitions.

Tango Buenos Aires also includes the Dance Festival and World Championship: the tango event of greater international impact. Thousands of dancers and audiences from all around the world come to the City to participate and to live the various activities that this event offers, which already has its set date in the month of August. Similarly, but of local nature and within the scope of the milongas, the City Dance Championship is celebrated every year. This Championship extends to the whole length and width of the City; it travels through the porteño neighborhoods and every night of the competition ends with a different milonga.

In this way, every day more activities and events linked to tango enrich the cultural porteña agenda and enhance this asset that summarizes the most unique and genuine of our artistic and cultural manifestations, showing the hallmarks of the porteña culture which combines tradition, renewal and diversity of a type of music that identifies a proudly tanguera city.

Festival and Dance World Cup
The Dance World Festival and Championship is the great opportunity to witness and enjoy a unique popular holiday where the City becomes the mecca for tango dancers from around the world and for the general public.

From the 13th to the 31st of August, 2010 the City lives tango. A true celebration of this kind of dance on its different variants: concerts, festivals and milongas with live music, conferences, thematic exhibits, shows, presentation of books, cinema, workshops, business rounds, dancing lessons and seminars, permanent exhibits and the great Dance World Championship in the categories “Tango Salon” and “Stage Tango”.

Without a doubt the Dance World Festival and Championship consolidates objectives: the valuation and recovery of historical plays and styles, the renewal of the repertoire and the inclusion and exchange of diverse languages. At the same time it is a great display of the annual tango activity and a strong and provocative generator of artistic and cultural proposals that, as years go by, enrich the cultural heritage and the agenda of the city.

The Dance World Championship and Festival will take place from August 13 to August 31, 2010. The conceptual bases will be the rescue of the historical heritage, artistic excellence, and the stimulus to creation. Different generations of artists, music fans, and general audience will participate in an extensive programme which finds its roots in the centennial tradition of a culture which defines Buenos Aires: concerts, special shows, popular milongas, book presentations, round tables, products fair, classes for beginners and for advanced dancers, and the best dancing couples – in the categories “Stage Tango” and “Salon Tango” – from Argentina and from the rest of the world in an unparalleled succession of music, dance, and feeling.

* THE TANGO IS INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY
In December, 2009, tango was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in a decision made by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). Argentina and Uruguay presented tango’s candidacy representing the cities of Buenos Aires and Montevideo because both “share the birth, tradition, and passion for the tango,” according to a statement made by the Argentine Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Hernán Lombardi, Buenos Aires’ Minister of Culture, and Eduardo León Duter, Montevideo’s Director of Cultural Promotion, driving forces of the project, were in charge of presenting the proposal to the committee.

For more information visit: www.tangobuenosaires.gov.ar

On May 25th, 2010 we celebrated the 200th anniversary of the revolution that cleared the way for the Argentinean independence.

Bicentennial celebrations began on May 21st in Buenos Aires, with millions of people in attendance, making it the biggest outdoor party Argentina has seen since it celebrated its return to democratic rule after seven years of military dictatorship in 1983.

The 9 de Julio Avenue was closed to the traffic between Corrientes and Belgrano avenues during the festivity days, and was used to host the main celebrations.

A number of military parades of modern and historical regiments and units, including the Regiment of Patricians and the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers. They were followed by parades representing the provinces of Argentina and their local cultures.

The capital’s famous Teatro Colon concert hall was reopened, after a four-year refurbishment project, for a special ceremony that included ballet and extracts from famous operas and was beamed via projectors onto walls outside.

Many artists sang new versions of patriotic hymns, there were a lot of exhibitions, lectures and courses.

Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Brazil), Sebastián Piñera (Chile), José Mujica (Uruguay), Hugo Chávez (Venezuela), Rafael Correa (Ecuador), Fernando Lugo (Paraguay) and Evo Morales (Bolivia) and ex-presidents Manuel Zelaya (Honduras) and Martín Torrijos (Panama) arrived in Buenos Aires for the closing parade.

A little bit of History

The May Revolution (Revolución de Mayo) was a week-long series of revolutionary events that took place from May 18 to May 25, 1810, in Buenos Aires, capital of the Virreinato del Río de la Plata, a colony of the Spanish Empire which included the present-day nations of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. The consequences of these events were the ousting of Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros and the establishment of a local government, La Primera Junta on May 25. These events are commemorated in Argentina as “Semana de Mayo” (May Week)

The May Revolution is considered the starting point of the Argentine War of Independence, although no formal declaration of independence was issued at the time, and the Primera Junta continued to govern in the name of the deposed king Ferdinand VII.
The formal Declaration of Independence took place at the Congress of Tucumán on July 9, 1816.

A 3d projection on the Cabildo, representing important moments in the Argentinean history.

Murga (popular dance)

The “Fuerza Bruta” crew

Actors enacting the Madres de Plaza de Mayo

Actors enacting the return of the Democracy

Actors enacting the Malvinas (Falklands) soldiers

The national industry represented in fridges factories and “Siam” cars. This is a symbol of the substitution of imports.

Actors enacting different social movement of the beginnings of the 20th century.

The “gauchos” made an asado that was distributed to people in the crowd.

Nearly 2 million people assisted to the Bicentennial celebration.

The new cultural program “Yo leo en el bar” (I read in the bar) offers the complete works of Jorge Luis Borges in the following bars:
El Progreso, El Tortoni, Hotel Castelar, La Giralda, 36 Billares, El Gato Negro, Margot, Mar Azul, St. Moritz, El Querandí, Iberia, y El Federal.

El Progreso
Anchorena 529

El Tortoni
Av. de Mayo 825

Hotel Castelar
Av. de Mayo 1152

La Giralda
Av. Corrientes 1453

36 Billares
Av. de Mayo 1265

El Gato Negro
Av. Corrientes 1669

Margot
Boedo 857

Mar Azul
Tucumán 1700

St. Moritz
Esmeralda 894

El Querandí
Peru 302

Iberia
Av. de Mayo 1196

El Federal
Carlos Calvo 595 / 99

La Casa Rosada

La Casa Rosada (the Pink House) is the official seat of the executive branch of the government of Argentina, and of the offices of the President. The President normally resides at the Quinta de Olivos, a compound in Olivos, Buenos Aires province.
The Casa Rosada sits at the eastern end of the Plaza de Mayo, a large square which since the 1580 foundation of Buenos Aires has been surrounded by many of the most important political institutions of the city and of Argentina. The site, originally at the shoreline of the Río de la Plata, was first occupied by the “Fort of Juan Baltazar of Austria,” a structure built on the orders of the founder of Buenos Aires, Captain Juan de Garay, in 1594. Its 1713 replacement by a masonry structure (the “Castle of San Miguel”) complete with turrets made the spot the effective nerve center of colonial government. Following independence, President Bernardino Rivadavia had a Neoclassical portico built at the entrance in 1825, and the building remained unchanged until, in 1857, President Justo José de Urquiza ordered the fort demolished in favor of a new customs building. Under the direction of British Argentine architect Edward Taylor, the Italianate structure functioned as Buenos Aires’ largest building from 1859 until the 1890s.

The old fort’s administrative annex, which survived the construction of Taylor’s Customs House, was enlisted as the Presidential offices by Bartolomé Mitre in the 1860s and his successor, Domingo Sarmiento, who beautified the drab building with patios, gardens and wrought-iron grillwork, had the exterior painted pink reportedly in order to defuse political tensions by mixing the red and white colours of the country’s opposing political parties. An alternative explanation suggests that the original paint contained cow’s blood to prevent damage from the effects of humidity. Sarmiento also authorized the construction of the Central Post Office next door in 1873, commissioning Swedish Argentine architect Carl Kihlberg, who designed this, one of the first of Buenos Aires’ many examples of Second Empire architecture.[1]
Presiding over an unprecedented socio-economic boom, President Julio Roca commissioned architect Enrique Aberg to replace the cramped State House by one resembling the neighboring Central Post Office in 1882. Following works to integrate the two structures, Roca had architect Francesco Tamburini build the iconic Italianate archway between the two in 1884. The resulting State House, still known as the “Pink House,” was completed in 1898 following its eastward enlargement, works which resulted in the destruction of the customs house.[1]
A Historical Museum was created in 1957 to display presidential memorabilia and selected belongings, such as sashes, batons, books, furniture, and three carriages. The remains of the former fort were partially excavated in 1991, and the uncovered structures were incorporated into the Museum of the Casa Rosada. Located behind the building, these works led to the rerouting of Paseo Colón Avenue, unifying the Casa Rosada with Parque Colón (Columbus Park) behind it. Plans were announced in 2009 for the restoration of surviving portions of Taylor’s Customs House, as well.
Catedral (Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral)

The Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral is the main Catholic church in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is located in the city centre, overlooking Plaza de Mayo, on the corner of San Martín and Rivadavia streets, in the San Nicolás neighbourhood. It is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires.
The Cathedral of Buenos Aires was rebuilt several times since its humble origins in the 16th century. The present building is a mix of architectural styles, with a 18th century nave and dome and a severe, 19th century Neoclassical façade without towers. The interior keeps precious 18th century statues and altarpieces, as well as abundant Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque decoration.

Café Tortoni

Founded in 1858, it is the oldest coffee-shop in Buenos Aires. In 1880, it was moved to its current property –at the beginning, it was placed at the corner. Finally, in 1898, the magnificent door opened up onto Avenida de Mayo. The facade was developed by architect Christophersen.
Two decades later, the Tortoni was already become the center of meetings for Buenos Aires intellectuals and hosted many of the illustrious characters coming either from Buenos Aires or abroad. Inside the cafe, pictures, poems and busts tell steps of its history.
Its basements are today havens for jazz and tango fans, and the wine cellar is the place where presentations of books and poetry encounters are carried out. Towards its back side, there are rooms for dominoes, dice and billiards. The Tortoni still offers its customers some endangered drinks like leche merengada (whipped milk).

School of Spanish in Buenos Aires - Casper, Roger, Dan, Marina, Ludmila, Danilo, Ana Carolina, Ksenia Suzanna with Sandra

School of Spanish in Buenos Aires - Casper, Roger, Dan, Marina, Ludmila, Danilo, Ana Carolina and Ksenia Suzanna with Sandra - La Casa Rosada

School of Spanish in Buenos Aires - Casper, Roger, Dan, Marina, Ludmila, Danilo, Ana Carolina and Ksenia Suzanna with Sandra in Café Tortoni

Recoleta is the city’s most elegant and distinguished neighborhood.

The district owes its name to the Convet of the Recoletos Descalzos –”barefoot” misionaries– (founded on 1716), community of the Recoletos Friars. These monks constructed their monastery on an already existing small farm, which name had been given after the abundance of a particular kind of tree in that zone: “the Ombúes” (This small farm was located within the land map distributed by Don Juan de Garay in 1583).

Due to its French-like constructions, urban design, history and restaurants, Recoleta has become a must-see for visitors. On weekends, its wide green spots turn into the meeting point for young people and artists.

Centro Cultural Recoleta (Recoleta cultural centre)

Former cloister of the Recoleto monks, this modern cultural centre keeps its Colonial cloisters and blocks. You can see art and video exhibitions, and get to know the avant-garde tendencies.

Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pilar (Nuestra Señora del Pilar Basilica)

It was built in 1732 by order of the Recoleto priests. It keeps its original aspect thanks to all the restoration works.

Buenos Aires Design

It used to be a retirement home. Nowadays is a modern centre with design and decoration shops, and also a beautiful gastronomic terrace.

Plaza Francia (Francia square)

The real name is President Alvear square, but everyone knows it as Francia square. This green area is ideal for relaxing during the week, and on Saturdays and Sundays it becomes a busy handicrafts fair where you can enjoy outdoor shows of jugglers, acrobats and humor. Many people would lie on the grass to have mate and chat.

School of Spanish in Buenos Aires - Dunja, Maria and Roger with Sandra in Plaza Francia

School of Spanish in Buenos Aires - Dunja, Maria and Roger with Sandra in Buenos Aires Design

School of Spanish in Buenos Aires - Exhibition in Recoleta cultural centre

School of Spanish in Buenos Aires - Nuestra Señora del Pilar Basilica

School of Spanish in Buenos Aires - Nuestra Señora del Pilar Basilica

Since 1964, every October, the Oktoberfest or Beer Festival is celebrated in Villa General Belgrano, Córdoba. It takes place during the first and second weekend of October to remind the barley crop of Munich, Germany. In 1972 it was declared National Beer Festival.

Villa General Belgrano was founded in the 30s by Jorge Kappuhn y Paul Heintze who came from Germany. They wanted a place for their fellow countryman.
This town adopted since the beginning the characteristic of an alpine village, with red roof houses and colorful gardens. It took on the exquisite central european gastronomy with typical dishes and delicious cakes as well as other central european customs, like the music, the dancing, craftwork and language.

As the years went by the representative delegations from all over the world multiplied with groups from Denmark, Scotland, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Greece, Italy, and more; everyone wearing traditional costumes and broadening the cultural aspect of this festival. Shortly the beer industry developed remarkably.

The festival starts with the parade of the different communities that are involved in it. This parade is hosted by the Monje Negro (Black Monk) -a symbol of the party because they were the ones that made the beer in Munich. After this, the “espiche” ceremony takes place. They also pick a Beer Queen. The candidates for the crown come from a selection that is held in different places of Argentina.

The National Beer Festival has become a great party where people from all over the world join together with a true sense of fraternity.

Student’s day is a day of the year celebrated in many countries and is usually related with youth and spring.

In Argentina, Student’s day is celebrated September 21st this also coincides with the beginning of spring and the day of the repatriation of the remains of the famous Argentinean teacher and president Domingo F. Sarmiento. Therefore there is a kind of unification of three events and the day is celebrated by everyone in Argentina.

Its origin is traced back to a proposal made by Salvador Debenedetti (a student at the moment, then he became a famous archeologist) in 1902 when he was the president of a Student Center of the University of Buenos Aires. His proposal was accepted and applied first in the University and then in the rest of the country.

In this type of celebration, youth is the main protagonist. There are usually all kinds of outdoor activities, live shows, concerts, etc. The Argentineans celebrate mostly by getting together with friends, having picnics and enjoying the outdoor life.

Here in Verbum, we took our students to Palermo to see the wonderful landscapes and activities that were held there. They spent a truly Argentinean spring / student’s day!

The Tango Festival is an event that takes place in Argentina every year around August. This year, the 7th edition was held from August 14th to August 31st.

The tango festival is a celebration of that genre in its different aspects. This festival helps in many ways; it urges the creation of new things, the recovery and the revalue of artistic and cultural heritage, the fostering of stylistic diversity and culture consumption, and the promotion of creative industries of the field.
The Tango Festival strengthens those historical lines and establishes itself as the main showcase of the tango activity, a place where the big names of the genre and the new generations can talk freely.

The activities are planned day by day. This festival is full of different things to do, shows to watch, seminars and dance lessons to attend to and the great annual challenge: the best dancers contest in Buenos Aires for the world title in the categories of Salon Tango and Stage Tango. Hundreds of couples, from Argentina and abroad, are judged by a panel of remarkable artists.

If you feel like enjoying a very good restaurant, Argentine barbecue and typical dishes and, at the same time, spending a day in the countryside, “Rodizio campo” is a very good option.
This is a luxurious 19 century style restaurant. Before lunch, they offer a typical breakfast and before and after lunch there are many recreational activities, such us golf, taking a horse-drawn carriage ride, playing in the soccer field, visiting the barn, etc.

Some of us enjoying in the gardens of Rodizio Campo

Just arrived

Having lunch in a great environment!

Yes, there is a swimming pool

It is located in route 5, km 71, Luján (Luján is 67 km away Buenos Aires city). Their website is http://rodiziocampo.com.ar/

Some weekends ago we made a trip to Colón town in Entre Ríos province.

Right on the Uruguay riverside, stands this beautiful city with gentle terrein slopes and fully wooded streets that still preserves the peace of a small town- ideal for the tourist rest. This city, also called ”Paradise city” possess natural beauties that have attracted the tourist from decades, turning this city into the Tourism Provincial Capital.
This charming place displays a wide range of services for tourism, offering from international level hotels to qualified camp-grounds with the essential facilities for setting up tents, motorhomes and the like.
Colón is the center of an important touristic region. Though it is a relatively small city, it features high-quality hotels, a casino, and camping sites. It also has hot springs and associated facilities. The neighboring towns allow for small-scale historical sightseeing, since they were mostly created as agricultural colonies by European immigrants (especially from Switzerland).
In Colón you can also enjoy the river side, swimming in the river.
And if you are vegetarian, there is even an vegetarian restaurant that I highly recommend: “Verde gourmet” located in 168 Peyret st.

In the Colón area (about 60 km from the city) lies the El Palmar National Park, a large reserve of Yatay palm trees (Syagrus yatay), informally known as “Palmar de Colón”. It was declared a national park in l966. There are different types of landscapes each with its special flora and fauna. The most contrasting areas are the huge forest of palm trees that grew in the high grounds and the subtropical jungle situated along the streams and the Uruguay river. It is very interesting to see some animals in this park like vizcachas, lizards, foxes, capybaras, deer, rheas and colourful birds. You will also discover astonishing landscapes following different paths on foot or by car.

The Palacio San José, former country residence of General Urquiza and now a national monument, is also near Colón, closer to the city of Concepción del Uruguay. It has 38 rooms with excellent furniture of the time and three important gardens among other historical places.
And the most important attractions of this place, in my view, are the thermal waters that we have enjoyed!