Argentina´s Bicentennial Celebration

 
It happened two centuries ago, though no one’s likely to forget it anytime soon: on May 25, Argentina rings in 200 years since the May Revolution sent the Spanish packing. And, being a country that loves holidays and needs little more than a suggestion to throw a big bash, they’re doing the bicentenary right, with an entire year of events and activities celebrating all that is Argentina.
 
To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the May Revolution, the national government has designed the Bicentennial Walk, that will be put up on Avenida 9 de Julio, between avenida Corrientes and Belgrano. The festivities will be held on May 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25. 

The presidents of Uruguay, Jose Mujica; Chile, Sebastián Piñera, Venezuela, Hugo Chavez; Ecuador, Rafael Correa, and probably the Brazilian president Inacio Lula da Silva, will participate of the festivities.

Participating countries are the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, El Salvador, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Uruguay, Peru, Italy, France, Spain, Paraguay, Chile, Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia, which will have their own spaces and offer performances as part of the artistic and Integration Parade on 23 May.

There will also be a Fair of the Provinces, in which each one will reveal its identity, what distinguishes it, as their crafts, gastronomy and natural beauty. They will all participate in the Federal Parade of the May 22 and in artistic performances. There will also be a special place for the so-called Province 25, consisting of the million and half of Argentines living abroad, and for the Province of the Future, a special space for the active participation of children.

Within the Fair of the Provinces there will be a booth symbolizing the Nation, organizer of the festivities, and one for the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, home of the May Revolution of 1810.

At Paseo de los Sabores (Walk of Flavours) each province and each community will market their products and typical native gastronomic products, as preserves, sausages, sweets, dishes, oils, liqueurs, etc.

 
More so, there will be six Thematic Portals that will function as gateways to the Walk, and in which artists will symbolize the access to history, the Bicentennial, and the life of Argentina, addressing subjects such as Human Rights, Identity, Work, Culture, Democracy and institutions.
 
So, if should you happen to be in town before 2011 rolls around, check the official bicentenary website to see what’s on from among all kinds of art, design, and architecture exhibitions, music performances, and sports showcases.
 
Mark these dates in particular:
April 22 – There will be a military parade and a Federal parade. Also, the opening of the Bicentennial Book Fair, which lasts til May 10, at Plaza Italia’s La Rural.
 
May 23 - The parade of Integration will take place
 
May 24 – At 8 pm a massive free concert gets underway at the Obelisco, smack in the center of the world’s widest avenue, 9 de Julio. Top Argentinean performers like La Bomba de Tiempo, Patricia Sosa, Palo Pandolfo, Kevin Johansen and The Nada, and, for the grand finale, award-winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla and his electronic tango troupe BajoFondo will be entertaining over 200,000 heads.

May 25 – The majestic Correo Central will be re-inaugurated as the National Museum of Contemporary Art, with a vast Argentine collection as well as works from Spain and Portugal. Also, the famous and majestic Teatro Colón, having closed it’s doors nearly 4 years ago for renovations, is set to reopen… fingers crossed!

Everyday – Swing by El Pabellón Bicentenario in Palermo’s Parque Tres de Febrero for any number of events, including free tango lessons, paper theater performances, public theater works, poetry readings, and on and on. There is also a special timeline showing major events in the 200 years since Argentina’s independence.

Photo credit: http://www.planeteye.com/Media/1071615