The Toronto International Film Festival, one
of the leading film organizations and festivals in the world, announced that this year’s focus of their City
to City programme would be Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The programme,
which has been running since 2008, recognizes cities with an emerging population of talented filmmakers whose
pieces could only come from that particular place. Argentine filmmakers such as Lucrecia Martel, Pablo
Trapero and Lisandro Alondro have begun to surface to the forefront of the industry in recent years, so much
so that “The mix of influences from inside and outside the city has produced a flourishing creative
community,” Cameron Bailey, co-director of TIFF said in a TIFF press release.
It’s easy to understand why Buenos Aires would be chosen as the focus of the programme. Just a look at the
culture of the small South American city, that’s starting to gain recognition not just as a great place to
party, but as a unique center of arts and culture, makes it worthy to be known as the heart of Argentina.
Venturing into Buenos Aires, one might not know what to make of the unique city. In many districts, called
barrios, you will find Old World architecture and rustic buildings amongst extravagant designer
shops and trendy bars. But that’s all part of its charm. Get lost in Palermo, the most populous barrio in
Buenos Aires, and the home of many “de facto” neighbourhoods, all boasting their own specialties. Palermo
Viejo, for example, is the oldest part of Buenos Aires where traditional restaurants and architecture can be
found. Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood are the more modern parts of the barrio, as these are where most of
the trendy nightclubs, restaurants and high-fashion shops can be found. Palermo Chico, meaning “small” or
“exclusive” in Spanish, is the most upscale area of Palermo, where only the wealthy reside in the Barrio
Parque residential area.
Art lovers will feel right at home at the Ruth Benzacar Galeria de Arte. The gallery was founded in 1965 by
Ruth Benzacar and, during its first years, was considered a gem of the growing Buenos Aires art scene. Today,
it is run by Benzacar’s daughters, Orly, and Solana Molina Viamonte. If any art gallery aficionados are
looking for quintessential Argentine artwork and a first look at the work of up-and-coming young artists,
they will not be disappointed – The institution offers fourteen annual art exhibitions featuring new and
established artists, and offers Curriculum Cero, one of the most prestigious art prizes in Argentina, to
encourage young artists to showcase their talents.
If one is looking for a refreshing literary experience after exploring a distinctive Buenos Aires gallery,
they need not search far before someone recommends the Museo Casa de Ricardo Rojas, the former home of one of
Argentina’s most famous writers and poets, and the rector of the University of Buenos Aires. Rojas believed
that the future of South America would be found in “Eurindian” culture – a combination of European culture
mixed with Spanish and Indian influences. So even though the building houses 30,000 books, religious
paintings and rare works from Rojas himself, a big reason it draws many visitors from all over the world is
for the building itself: The façade is a replica of the Historical House of Tucuman, where Rojas was born,
and the reception door and patio is made of grey stonework embellished with Inca suns, mermaids and
Amerindian faces. It also contains an auditorium, a “colonial room”, and many pieces of antique handmade
ornate wood furniture that offer a look into the writer’s time.
As many people can get lost in the routine of everyday life, travelling to a lively country bursting with
culture can be beneficial for an experience that eases the heart, mind and soul and can’t be found anywhere
else – except in Buenos Aires. •
Photo Courtesy: Argentinean
Tourist Office
