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Plaza de Mayo and the Pyramid in its center: Argentine lifetime Scenario In Latin America, the greater part of the social, political and cultural life has taken place in the public plaza. The strong influence of the Spanish crown in the design of each and every single town built during the Colonial times made of the plaza the center point of urban planning. Around it the house of government –Cabildo- and the local church provided the main public space with significant meaning. Cross and Spade were the Colonial equivalent lemma to the Roman Bread and Circus, the public plaza made it happen. It is interesting to witness the persistence of a criterion that has survived the pass of time, mutating in its form but maintaining its intrinsic meaning of church and political power, symbolized in every Latin American main plaza. As every cultural aspect in any social gathering, these meanings and significants result from the convergence between an “intention” from the powerful and a “receptiveness plus action” from the society as a whole. What does this mean? That while the plaza and the surrounding buildings are conceived by the rulers, these would have had no use if the people didn’t feel them as their own and acted consequently taking them in use… History proves these words as right. The story if Plaza the Mayo couldn’t be more Argentine in terms of what it represents; yet at the same time, the interest eye can witness parallel developments in other great Latin American cities. Plaza de Mayo and the Pyramid in its center as we know it today are the representation of Independent Argentina. The original plaza was the Plaza Mayor of the Colony but along with the Revolution of Independence came a new denomination for public spaces: it became Victory Plaza when Buenos Ares defeated the English invaders and after the Revolution of Independence. It was then, also, when the Pyramid was constructed. It was conceived as an Obelisk that would be the center point of the city, however, it transformed into a pyramid in 1856 by Prilidiano Pueyrredon. In 1884, the Plaza de la Victoria was christened as Plaza de Mayo in honor of the Independence Revolution that took place on the 25th of that month back in 1810. And from then on Plaza de Mayo and the Pyramid in its center have been witnesses to every major political, social and cultural event that our country has gone thru. From political controversies to national holidays, from political gatherings to public demonstrations, the Argentine people have been gathering together around the Plaza area all throughout the 20th century. As follows, some of the most significant public events that took place in Plaza de Mayo: On May 25th 1910 during the celebration of the Centennial, the main plaza was the main scenario for the celebrations. Featuring military parades and illustrious visitors such as Pedro Montt Chilean president and Spain’s King Alfonso the 13th sister Isabel of Borbon. On October 17th 1945 there as a tremendous demonstration and a turning point in Argentine history, when countless millions of workers from all over the country gathered together at Plaza de Mayo to liberate Colonel Peron who was imprisoned in Martin Garcia Island. Not only was this the beginning of Argentina’s most popular politial movement ever, but also the first time the masses took over the public space for such notorious citizenship participation. Latter on in June 16th, 1955, Plaza de Mayo was bombed by the Argentine Navy in an attempt of overthrowing President Peron. While the political move was unsuccessful, the result of the bombing was a massacre for the civilians who happened to be around the area. The president would resign three months latter in a coupe d’etat known as the Liberator Revolution. During the 60s the continuance of dictatorships and civil governments made it very complicated for the people to gather in public spaces. However in 1973, when Peron returned from exile a massive demonstration took place on Labor Day 1974. It was another turning point in Argentine history, when he insulted the youth column of his peronist movement, fracturing his political strength and creating an unstable situation that would latter result into a very complicated and unstable political scenario. The late 70s were a time of complicated political and social life in Argentina. Under a tremendous military government of unseen cruelty and terror, public demonstrations were vanished off the plaza. However, they couldn’t silence everyone. The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo -a group of social activists claiming for their children’s life- were some of the few who challenged the Military coupe d’ etat by publicly demonstrating every Thursday around the Pyramid. Their children were abducted by the militars in power and none of them was ever recovered. They are still struggling for justice for their children, and you can see them demonstrate every Thursday, as they have been doing for the past 30 years. Plaza de Mayo has been the chosen spot to demonstrate and celebrate. In 1983, when the people on the streets finally overthrew the military dictatorship, the plaza was full. However it is not only for political demostrations that the Plaza is a symbol. When Argentina won the 1986 World Soccer Championship the plaza was also packed with Argentines and the Balconies of the Pink house filled with the Soccer Champions among which was the world’s greatest: Diego Armando Maradona. In recent year the deepening of the Argentine crisis led the masses once again towards their demonstration center. On December 19th and 20th 2001, the Argentines made a strong statement by confronting with the Alianza government the future of the country. The people took over the public space in demonstrations all over the country demanding the president to resign together with all his collaborators. This finally happened on the afternoon of the 20th and after that there were several months of instability. It was a turning point in recent history for it implied a shift in Argentina’s public, social, cultural, political and economical life… There’s no question about the central role this public plaza has played in Argentine history. It could very well be defined as the social thermometer of Argentina’s character. So if you are interested in Art, Design or Antiques, and you are travelling to Buenos Aires, Argentina, or to Santiago, Chile or even Montevideo, Uruguay and need to buy and export these items or only need tips and travel information, please feel free to email us…….Please feel free to contact Bob Frassinetti with thsi email address: Email: Bob Frassinetti. Art & Antique Dealer Bob Frassinetti