Visit Argentina

A COMIC JOURNEY THROUGH BUENOS AIRES CULTURAL LIFE

Throughout ten chapters, ten authors portray Buenos Aires pulse in typical comic texts and illustrations framing the book “Buenos Aires: Latin American Capital of Culture“.

The city doesn’t sleep because it has an infinite number of theatres, bookshops, and pizza places open in the early hours of the morning, or because life in a metropolis happens in the blink of an eye. It’s unique because the nights here are not just for sleeping, nor its sky for just contemplating it. It’s stunning for the sophisticated architectural style. It’s seductive for the fearlessness of tango, and it’s passionate for the countless number of football stadiums. It doesn’t stop. It goes wild. It’s the land of the nameless. It has the ravings of everyday life. But, mainly, it’s unstoppable.

This is Buenos Aires, although it could also be depicted in a million different ways. Through the eyes of scriptwriters and illustrators Paula Guardia Bourdin, María Luque (Design and Fashion chapter), Allie Lazar, Camila Torre Notari (Gastronomy), Paula Puebla, Nacha Vollenweider (Architecture), Laura Sbdar, Powerpaola (Theatre), Daniela Pasik, Julia Barata (Football), Marie Gouiric, Delius (Art), Mikki Lusardi, Daniela Kantor (Tango), Inés Ripari, Sukermercado (Queer), Eugenia Zicavo, Mariana Ruiz Johnson (Literature), Javiera Pérez Salerno and Jazmín Varela (Myths), the reader can explore the fascinating world of Buenos Aires’ culture and history in ten chapters that comprise the book “Buenos Aires: Latin American Capital of Culture.”

“Buenos Aires is awesome from any point of view, and we all Argentinian people should be proud of it. Besides being the Latin American capital of culture, I believe the city has what it takes to be the gastronomic capital. The authors of the book did an amazing job, and that mirrors the existing talent in the city. Buenos Aires is one of the greatest capitals of knowledge”, Tourism and Sports Minister Matías Lammens expressed at the book launch in the City’s Legislature.

With a cool and updated style, the book aims to be a tourism gateway for Argentinian travellers, as well as for those who visit from abroad. In addition, the book is meant to be translated into Portuguese and English and will be soon available to read online on Visit Argentina website: argentina.travel.

Hernán Vanoli, Director of the National Institute for Tourism Promotion (INPROTUR), was one of the people who promoted the book’s creation. He stated that “there is something in the book that puts into words and images what the city is all about. It was created for promotional purposes, and we are very proud of the work done. I’m very grateful to everyone who took part in it.”

Flickering through the graphic material, readers can perceive the authors’ deep feelings and sensitivity. From the very beginning to the very end, the book highlights popular personalities who left their mark on the city, such as Diego Maradona, Eva Perón, and Jorge Luis Borges. Besides, the book lays emphasis on typical gastronomic delights, such as empanadas, and on some iconic places, such as Tortoni Café or Colón Theatre. Diversity is also addressed in the book, with a whole chapter devoted to the queer universe. What is more, the book has been distributed to embassies and different governmental institutions, and it’s also exhibited at tourism fairs and events in which the country is involved.

Having more than 300 theatres, “it is no coincidence that Buenos Aires is one of the greatest cultural capitals!” says the chapter 4 cover, Theatre.

Nor is it an accident that Buenos Aires is so beloved, as Carlos Gardel sang in one of his great tangos. Magic and mystery, madness and chaos, love and distance arouse amid its streets. All of this in just one city, which raises a cultural spirit hard to find elsewhere in the world.

Nicolas Fresco

Add comment