La Revolución de Mayo
Stolen from an IG page, this woman is wrapped in the blue and white that covers Buenos Aires on May 25. Flags everywhere, big buildings illuminated blue and white at night all week.
El 25 de Mayo is a national holiday commemorating the 1810 revolution against Spain, a week-long series of battles that culminated in Argentina gaining its independence. Independence Day is celebrated on July 9, while the holiday on May 25 celebrates the establishment of a self-governing administration on that date in 1810.
Current Vice-President/former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner spoke at the Casa Rosada on the Plaza de Mayo in the pouring rain to a huge crowd.
Abram went downtown and braved the crowds and the rain. He couldn't even squeeze into the Plaza de Mayo, and the crowds around the video screens placed every few blocks were almost as dense. People carried banners to represent their trade unions and various social and political organizations/groups. The next few photos and videos are by Abram on site:
I went to a fancy indoor shopping "palace" on the 25th and when I came out the back door these guys were heading down the street on their way to the Plaza de Mayo:
On the May 25 holiday, the food everyone eats is locro, a stew made with beef, pork, yellow and white corn, onions and greens in a rich broth. It's the equivalent of November 25 north of the equator so can often be cold. This year it was cool and very rainy by afternoon; Abram had bought some locro at the supermarket so we just heated it up at home. Glad to be home and not out in the thunderstorm!
Today, Saturday May 27, it's still the "finde largo" or long weekend of the May 25 holiday. My destination was the 'Museo Nacional del Cabildo de Buenos Aires y de la Revolución de Mayo', located across from the Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada (the Pink House, Argentina's Government House). It seemed like a good time to learn more about the revolution - I had no idea that the museum was putting on a folkloric festival with hundreds of people in costumes, dancing, playing music and parading! The building itself is gorgeous, very well-preserved, with interesting furniture and artifacts. The Cabildo was the Council, the first government entity after the revolution against Spain.
Some pics of the museum and the activities out in front:
Here's to the Revolution!
Seems to be a holiday weekend all over: Memorial weekend in the States, Lundi de Pentecôte in France and Belgium…thank you for your report. Love it.
I can’t believe you were there for this event! Good timing 😊. I am so grateful to you for sharing this trip with us. It is wonderfully educational. I didn’t know how much I didn’t know!