Argentina Bicentennial
Encyclopedia
The Argentina Bicentennial is a series of celebrations and observances celebrated on May 25, 2010, and throughout the year. They commemorated the 200th anniversary
of the May Revolution
, a sequence of historical events that led to the Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros
' being ousted from office and replaced with the Primera Junta
, the first national government.
Bicentennial celebrations began on Friday, May 21, in Buenos Aires
, with millions of people in attendance, making it the biggest outdoor festivities Argentina has seen since it celebrated its return to democratic rule after seven years of military dictatorship in 1983
and culture of Argentina
.
It started on January 20 with the Cosquín Festival
, a yearly folk music
event which lasts for "12 Moons" (12 days). The armies of Argentina and Chile recreated the Crossing of the Andes
, led in 1817 by José de San Martín
, Bernardo O'Higgins
and the Army of the Andes
, on January 28. Many events of the History of Argentina were performed at a stage in Mar del Plata
on February 10, with more than 600 actors, and an audience of more than 100,000 people.
At the beginning of May, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
signed a decree making May 24 a holiday, but only during 2010.
was closed to the traffic between Corrientes and Belgrano avenues during the festivity days, and was used to host the main celebrations. Celebrations started on May 21, with a concert of national rock bands
. Litto Nebbia
acted as host, and performers included Fito Páez
, León Gieco
, Moris
and Luis Alberto Spinetta
. Temporary installations on Ninth of July Avenue were complemented by the earlier opening of the interactive National Bicentennial House
, in the Recoleta
section of the city, and of the initial phase of the Bicentennial Cultural Center, in the former Buenos Aires Central Post Office
; the cultural center is scheduled to be completed in 2012.
A number of military parades of modern and historical regiments and units, including the Regiment of Patricians and the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers, were staged on May 22. They were followed by parades representing the provinces of Argentina and their local cultures, for example Jujuy included Llama
s, and Córdoba included a traditional Cuarteto
band. In the night there was a concert of Latin American music
, hosted by León Gieco and with the presence of Jaime Roos
, Gilberto Gil
, Víctor Heredia
, Gustavo Santaolalla
, Totó La Momposina
, Mundo Alas and Pablo Milanés
.
Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
(Brazil), Sebastián Piñera
(Chile), José Mujica
(Uruguay), Hugo Chávez
(Venezuela), Rafael Correa
(Ecuador), Fernando Lugo
(Paraguay) and Evo Morales
(Bolivia) and ex-presidents Manuel Zelaya
(Honduras) and Martín Torrijos
(Panama) arrived in Buenos Aires
for the closing parade.
The city of Villa María
prepared the largest dish of locro
in the world, served for free for 10,000 people.
. It made a concert of Opera under the slogan of "founding the second Argentina", and the tenor Darío Volonté invited the people to sing "Aurora". There are also works to restore the Libertador San Martín theater.
, the Buenos Aires Cabildo
and the May Pyramid, in their 1810 designs. The replica would differ from the Cabildo's present appearance, as urban development in the twentieth century led to the removal of several outside columns to make room for avenues. The project is planned for the town of La Punta
, and Governor Alberto Rodríguez Saá
intends to keep it as a cultural center.
, a person of interest in an investigation about a Warrantless wiretapping case originally reported in 2009 by Sergio Burnstein, a Jewish activist known for his work in the name of the victims of the 1994 AMIA bombing.
Macri accused Néstor Kirchner
and President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
of being behind Oyarbide's action. On May 23, Macri expressed his disgust towards the Kirchners, stating to the media that "if she is coming with her husband, the consort, I will have to sit there". Two days before, Macri also referred pejoratively to the President as "la señora de ahí enfrente" (the woman across the street). On May 21, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner canceled her earlier acceptance of Macri's invitation to the Teatro Colón's May 24 reopening gala. Macri requested that the President reconsider her decision, though without offering apologies for his earlier remark; ultimately, Mrs. Kirchner did not attend the event.
The administration scheduled an honor luncheon at the White Room of the Casa Rosada
during the night of May 25. It included nearly 200 guests, among them notable people from the Church, industry, media, culture and sports. Vice President Julio Cobos
was not invited, however, due to an ongoing conflict between Cobos and the President stemming from his decision to join the opposition during the 2008 Argentine government conflict with the agricultural sector
. Likewise not invited were former Presidents Carlos Menem
, Fernando de la Rúa
and Eduardo Duhalde
.
, which recreates the Crossing of the Andes, and La Patria Equivocada, that will narrate part of the history of Argentina through a family from the time period, as witnesses of the events. Manuel Belgrano
is another film being produced, focused in the life of Manuel Belgrano
. Many books related to the topic were published in advance of the event, such as "1810
", "Enigmas de la historia argentina", "Hombres de Mayo" and or "Historias de corceles y de acero
".
(1910). Some authors, such as conservative columnist Rosendo Fraga, describe the Centennial as having been better, arguing that Argentina enjoyed a more favorable context when economic measures such as relative GDP per capita, quality of public education
, and the public's optimism or its perceived will to improve are considered. The Centennial, moreover, took place only two years before the enactment of the Sáenz Peña Law
, which extended universal suffrage
to all male citizens in Argentina age 18 and over.
Others, such as historian Felipe Pigna
, submit instead that Argentina in 1910 did not compare favorably with Argentina in 2010, when the lack of social legislation
and labor laws, as well as the huge wealth gap between the rich and society in general, are considered. Viewed in that context, Pigna believes that praising the Centennial would be tantamount to praising the policies that led to and perpetuated such conditions.
Anniversary
An anniversary is a day that commemorates or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event. One year later would be the first anniversary of that event...
of the May Revolution
May Revolution
The May Revolution was a week-long series of events that took place from May 18 to 25, 1810, in Buenos Aires, capital of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, a Spanish colony that included roughly the territories of present-day Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay...
, a sequence of historical events that led to the Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros
Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros
Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros de la Torre was a Spanish naval officer born in Cartagena. He took part in the Battle of Cape St Vincent and the Battle of Trafalgar, and in the Spanish resistance against Napoleon's invasion in 1808. He was later appointed Viceroy of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la...
' being ousted from office and replaced with the Primera Junta
Primera Junta
The Primera Junta or First Assembly is the most common name given to the first independent government of Argentina. It was created on 25 May 1810, as a result of the events of the May Revolution. The Junta initially had representatives from only Buenos Aires...
, the first national government.
Bicentennial celebrations began on Friday, May 21, in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, with millions of people in attendance, making it the biggest outdoor festivities Argentina has seen since it celebrated its return to democratic rule after seven years of military dictatorship in 1983
Background and leading events
Celebrations for the Bicentennial started early in the year and are expected to continue through 2010. These events are not related solely to the May Revolution; but also to many factors related to the historyHistory of Argentina
The history of Argentina is divided by historians into four main parts: the pre-Columbian time, or early history , the colonial period , the independence wars and the early post-colonial period of the nation and the history of modern Argentina .The beginning of prehistory in the present territory of...
and culture of Argentina
Culture of Argentina
The culture of Argentina is as varied as the country's geography and mix of ethnic groups. Modern Argentine culture has been largely influenced by European immigration although there are lesser elements of Amerindian and African influences, particularly in the fields of music and art...
.
It started on January 20 with the Cosquín Festival
Cosquín Festival
The Cosquín Folk Festival is one of the most important folk music festivals of Argentina, and most important in Latin America....
, a yearly folk music
Music of Argentina
The music of Argentina is known mostly for the tango, which developed in Buenos Aires and surrounding areas, as well as Montevideo, Uruguay. Folk, pop and classical music are also popular, and Argentine artists like Mercedes Sosa and Atahualpa Yupanqui contributed greatly to the development of the...
event which lasts for "12 Moons" (12 days). The armies of Argentina and Chile recreated the Crossing of the Andes
Crossing of the Andes
The Crossing of the Andes was one of the most important feats in the Argentine and Chilean wars of independence, in which a combined army of Argentine soldiers and Chilean exiles invaded Chile leading to Chile's liberation from Spanish rule...
, led in 1817 by José de San Martín
José de San Martín
José Francisco de San Martín, known simply as Don José de San Martín , was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain.Born in Yapeyú, Corrientes , he left his mother country at the...
, Bernardo O'Higgins
Bernardo O'Higgins
Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme was a Chilean independence leader who, together with José de San Martín, freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence. Although he was the second Supreme Director of Chile , he is considered one of Chile's founding fathers, as he was the first holder...
and the Army of the Andes
Army of the Andes
The Army of the Andes was a military force created by the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata and mustered by general José de San Martín in his campaign to free Chile from the Spanish Empire...
, on January 28. Many events of the History of Argentina were performed at a stage in Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is an Argentine city located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, south of Buenos Aires. Mar del Plata is the second largest city of Buenos Aires Province. The name "Mar del Plata" had apparently the sense of "sea of the Río de la Plata region" or "adjoining sea to the Río de la Plata"...
on February 10, with more than 600 actors, and an audience of more than 100,000 people.
At the beginning of May, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
Cristina Elisabet Fernández de Kirchner , commonly known as Cristina Fernández or Cristina Kirchner is the 55th and current President of Argentina and the widow of former President Néstor Kirchner. She is Argentina's first elected female president, and the second female president ever to serve...
signed a decree making May 24 a holiday, but only during 2010.
Buenos Aires
The 9 de Julio Avenue9 de Julio Avenue
Avenida 9 de Julio is a wide avenue in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Its name honors Argentina's Independence Day, July 9, 1816.The avenue runs roughly one kilometer to the west of the Río de la Plata waterfront, from the Retiro district in the north to Constitución station in the south...
was closed to the traffic between Corrientes and Belgrano avenues during the festivity days, and was used to host the main celebrations. Celebrations started on May 21, with a concert of national rock bands
Argentine rock
Argentine rock , is composed or made by Argentine bands or artists, in the Spanish language. For nearly half a century it has been a major popular genre, and it is considered part of the popular music tradition of Argentina alongside Argentine Tango, and Argentine folk music.The moment when...
. Litto Nebbia
Litto Nebbia
Litto Nebbia is a singer, songwriter and producer prominent in the development of Argentine rock.-Life and work:Félix Francisco Nebbia was born in Rosario to Martha and Félix Nebbia, in 1948. His parents were struggling musicians, though during his early teens, Litto left secondary school to join...
acted as host, and performers included Fito Páez
Fito Páez
Rodolfo "Fito" Páez Ávalos is an Argentine popular rock and roll pianist, lyricist, Spanish language singer and film director.-Early career:...
, León Gieco
León Gieco
Raúl Alberto Antonio Gieco, better known as León Gieco is a pop-folk music composer and interpreter. He is known for mixing popular folkloric genres with Argentine rock, and for lyrics with social and political connotations...
, Moris
Mauricio "Moris" Birabent
Mauricio "Moris" Birabent is an Argentine rock musician.-Life and work:Mauricio Birabent was born in Buenos Aires in 1942. He took guitar lessons at age 12 and, in subsequent years, began frequenting local piano bars and jazz clubs. The son of an engineer, he enrolled at the Otto Krause Technical...
and Luis Alberto Spinetta
Luis Alberto Spinetta
Luis Alberto Spinetta , is an Argentine musician. He is one of the most influential rock musicians of South America, and together with Charly García is considered the father of Argentine rock. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the residential neighbourhood of Belgrano...
. Temporary installations on Ninth of July Avenue were complemented by the earlier opening of the interactive National Bicentennial House
Casa Nacional del Bicentenario
The Casa Nacional del Bicentenario is a cultural center and museum located in the Recoleta section of Buenos Aires, Argentina.-Overview:...
, in the Recoleta
Recoleta
Recoleta is a downtown residential neighborhood in the city of Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina; it is an area of great historical and architectural interest, due, particularly to the Recoleta Cemetery located there...
section of the city, and of the initial phase of the Bicentennial Cultural Center, in the former Buenos Aires Central Post Office
Buenos Aires Central Post Office
The Buenos Aires Central Post and Communications Office is a public building and landmark in the San Nicolás district of Buenos Aires.-Overview:...
; the cultural center is scheduled to be completed in 2012.
A number of military parades of modern and historical regiments and units, including the Regiment of Patricians and the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers, were staged on May 22. They were followed by parades representing the provinces of Argentina and their local cultures, for example Jujuy included Llama
Llama
The llama is a South American camelid, widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean cultures since pre-Hispanic times....
s, and Córdoba included a traditional Cuarteto
Cuarteto
Cuarteto , sometimes called cuartetazo, is a musical genre born in Córdoba, Argentina.The roots of the cuarteto ensemble are in Italian and Spanish dance ensambles...
band. In the night there was a concert of Latin American music
Latin American music
Latin American music, found within Central and South America, is a series of musical styles and genres that mixes influences from Spanish, African and indigenous sources, that has recently become very famous in the US.-Argentina:...
, hosted by León Gieco and with the presence of Jaime Roos
Jaime Roos
Jaime Roos is an Uruguayan singer, composer and record producer. In 2000 he won a Silver Condor Award for Best Score Musician in El Amateur.- Discography :*Candombe del 31 *Para espantar el sueño...
, Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira , better known as Gilberto Gil or , is a Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter, known for both his musical innovation and political commitment...
, Víctor Heredia
Victor Heredia
Víctor Heredia is an Argentine singer songwriter. Author of Taki Ongoy, a symphonic work about Taki Unquy, a millenarian movement against the Spanish conquest.-Biography:...
, Gustavo Santaolalla
Gustavo Santaolalla
Gustavo Alfredo Santaolalla is an Argentine musician, film composer and producer. He has won two Academy Awards for Best Original Score in two consecutive years, for Brokeback Mountain in 2005 and Babel in 2006.-Life and career:...
, Totó La Momposina
Totó la Momposina
Sonia Bazanta Vides, better known as Totó la Momposina, is a Colombian singer of traditional mixed indigenous Colombian and Afro-Latin music. She was born in the northern Colombian town of Talaigua Nuevo near Mompox in the Bolívar Department...
, Mundo Alas and Pablo Milanés
Pablo Milanés
Pablo Milanés Arias is a Cuban singer-songwriter and guitar player. He studied at a conservatory in Havana. He is considered one of the founders of the Cuban nueva trova, along with Silvio Rodríguez and Noel Nicola...
.
Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , known popularly as Lula, served as the 35th President of Brazil from 2003 to 2010.A founding member of the Workers' Party , he ran for President three times unsuccessfully, first in the 1989 election. Lula achieved victory in the 2002 election, and was inaugurated as...
(Brazil), Sebastián Piñera
Sebastián Piñera
Miguel Juan Sebastián Piñera Echenique is a Chilean businessman and politician. He was elected President of Chile in January 2010, taking office in March 2010.- Education :...
(Chile), José Mujica
José Mujica
José Alberto "Pepe" Mujica Cordano is a Uruguayan politician and former guerrilla fighter, a member of the Broad Front and current President of Uruguay....
(Uruguay), Hugo Chávez
Hugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
(Venezuela), Rafael Correa
Rafael Correa
Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado born is the President of the Republic of Ecuador and was the president pro tempore of the Union of South American Nations. An economist educated in Ecuador, Belgium and the United States, he was elected President in late 2006 and took office in January 2007...
(Ecuador), Fernando Lugo
Fernando Lugo
Fernando Armindo Lugo Méndez is the current President of Paraguay and a former Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese of San Pedro.-Early life:...
(Paraguay) and Evo Morales
Evo Morales
Juan Evo Morales Ayma , popularly known as Evo , is a Bolivian politician and activist, currently serving as the 80th President of Bolivia, a position that he has held since 2006. He is also the leader of both the Movement for Socialism party and the cocalero trade union...
(Bolivia) and ex-presidents Manuel Zelaya
Manuel Zelaya
José Manuel Zelaya Rosales is a politician who was President of Honduras from January 27, 2006 until June 28, 2009. The eldest son of a wealthy businessman, he inherited his father's nickname "Mel," and, before entering politics, was involved in his family's logging and timber businesses.Elected...
(Honduras) and Martín Torrijos
Martín Torrijos
Martín Erasto Torrijos Espino is a Panamanian politician and the former President of the Republic of Panama.Torrijos was elected President on May 2, 2004...
(Panama) arrived in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
for the closing parade.
Córdoba
The city of Córdoba prepared the "Expo 200 Bicentenario" meeting. This convention is held at the "Complejo Ferial Córdoba", it was open on May 22 and featured more than 300 stands from the productive, industrial, tourist, cultural and technological fields of the province. The gathering included many scheduled events, seminars, parades, conferences, and musical, cultural and gastronomic spectacles.The city of Villa María
Villa María
Villa María is a city in Córdoba Province, Argentina, and the head town of the General San Martín Department. It is located in the center of rich agricultural land. The area leads the country in production of milk...
prepared the largest dish of locro
Locro
Locro is a hearty thick stew popular along the Andes mountain range. The dish is a classic Ecuadorian cheese and potato soup from the Ecuadorian cuisine. This is also a dish in Peruvian cuisine, which at one point held the center of the Inca empire. It typical also in Argentina prepared by the...
in the world, served for free for 10,000 people.
Rosario
The city of Rosario started the celebrations on May 22 at the National Flag Memorial, which was covered with blue and white, as the flag of ArgentinaFlag of Argentina
The national flag of Argentina is a triband, composed of three equally wide horizontal bands coloured light blue, white and light blue. There are multiple interpretations on the reasons for those colors...
. It made a concert of Opera under the slogan of "founding the second Argentina", and the tenor Darío Volonté invited the people to sing "Aurora". There are also works to restore the Libertador San Martín theater.
San Luis
The government of San Luis prepared a replica of the Plaza de MayoPlaza de Mayo
The Plaza de Mayo is the main square in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is flanked by Hipólito Yrigoyen, Balcarce, Rivadavia and Bolívar streets....
, the Buenos Aires Cabildo
Buenos Aires Cabildo
The Buenos Aires Cabildo is the public building in Buenos Aires that was used as seat of the ayuntamiento during the colonial times and the government house of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata...
and the May Pyramid, in their 1810 designs. The replica would differ from the Cabildo's present appearance, as urban development in the twentieth century led to the removal of several outside columns to make room for avenues. The project is planned for the town of La Punta
La Punta (San Luis)
La Punta is a village and municipality in San Luis Province in central Argentina.-References:...
, and Governor Alberto Rodríguez Saá
Alberto Rodríguez Saá
Alberto José Rodriguez Saá is an Argentine lawyer and politician. In 2007 he was reelected as governor of San Luis Province, Argentina to serve what will be his second term lasting until 2011...
intends to keep it as a cultural center.
Political disputes
The celebrations led to a number of disputes among politicians. Judge Norberto Oyarbide had named the mayor of Buenos Aires, Mauricio MacriMauricio Macri
Mauricio Macri is an Argentine businessman turned politician, and Head of Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Son of Francisco Macri, a businessman of Italian origin prominent in the industrial and construction sectors, he represented the City of Buenos Aires in the Lower House of...
, a person of interest in an investigation about a Warrantless wiretapping case originally reported in 2009 by Sergio Burnstein, a Jewish activist known for his work in the name of the victims of the 1994 AMIA bombing.
Macri accused Néstor Kirchner
Néstor Kirchner
Néstor Carlos Kirchner was an Argentine politician who served as the 54th President of Argentina from 25 May 2003 until 10 December 2007. Previously, he was Governor of Santa Cruz Province since 10 December 1991. He briefly served as Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations ...
and President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
Cristina Elisabet Fernández de Kirchner , commonly known as Cristina Fernández or Cristina Kirchner is the 55th and current President of Argentina and the widow of former President Néstor Kirchner. She is Argentina's first elected female president, and the second female president ever to serve...
of being behind Oyarbide's action. On May 23, Macri expressed his disgust towards the Kirchners, stating to the media that "if she is coming with her husband, the consort, I will have to sit there". Two days before, Macri also referred pejoratively to the President as "la señora de ahí enfrente" (the woman across the street). On May 21, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner canceled her earlier acceptance of Macri's invitation to the Teatro Colón's May 24 reopening gala. Macri requested that the President reconsider her decision, though without offering apologies for his earlier remark; ultimately, Mrs. Kirchner did not attend the event.
The administration scheduled an honor luncheon at the White Room of the Casa Rosada
Casa Rosada
La Casa Rosada is the official seat of the executive branch of the government of Argentina, and of the offices of the President. The President normally lives at the Quinta de Olivos, a compound in Olivos, Buenos Aires Province. Its characteristic color is pink, and is considered one of the most...
during the night of May 25. It included nearly 200 guests, among them notable people from the Church, industry, media, culture and sports. Vice President Julio Cobos
Julio Cobos
Julio César Cleto Cobos is an Argentine politician, currently serving as the Vice President of Argentina alongside President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. He started his political career as member of the Radical Civic Union , becoming Governor of Mendoza in 2003...
was not invited, however, due to an ongoing conflict between Cobos and the President stemming from his decision to join the opposition during the 2008 Argentine government conflict with the agricultural sector
2008 Argentine government conflict with the agricultural sector
The 2008 Argentine government conflict with the agricultural sector started in March 2008, which then extended into a prolonged period of turbulent politics...
. Likewise not invited were former Presidents Carlos Menem
Carlos Menem
Carlos Saúl Menem is an Argentine politician who was President of Argentina from 1989 to 1999. He is currently an Argentine National Senator for La Rioja Province.-Early life:...
, Fernando de la Rúa
Fernando de la Rúa
Fernando de la Rúa is an Argentine politician. He was president of the country from December 10, 1999 to December 21, 2001 for the Alliance for Work, Justice and Education ....
and Eduardo Duhalde
Eduardo Duhalde
-External links:...
.
Media
The Argentine Bicentennial motivated the making of historical movies such as San Martín: El Cruce de los AndesSan Martín: El Cruce de los Andes
Revolución: El cruce de los Andes is a 2010 Argentine film that permiered during the bicentennial of Argentina. It was initially named San Martín: El cruce de los Andes . It is about the life of José de San Martín, with special focus on the Crossing of the Andes. Production will be done by Channel...
, which recreates the Crossing of the Andes, and La Patria Equivocada, that will narrate part of the history of Argentina through a family from the time period, as witnesses of the events. Manuel Belgrano
Manuel Belgrano (film)
Manuel Belgrano is an Argentine film, based on the life of the Argentine national hero Manuel Belgrano. It is being produced in the context of the Argentina Bicentennial, which raised the public interest in the May Revolution and the Argentine War of Independence. It is directed by Juan J....
is another film being produced, focused in the life of Manuel Belgrano
Manuel Belgrano
Manuel José Joaquín del Corazón de Jesús Belgrano , usually referred to as Manuel Belgrano, was an Argentine economist, lawyer, politician, and military leader. He took part in the Argentine Wars of Independence and created the Flag of Argentina...
. Many books related to the topic were published in advance of the event, such as "1810
1810 (book)
1810 is an Argentine book of history, written by historian Felipe Pigna. It was written in 2010, in the context of the Bicentennial of Argentina, and it aims to explain the direct and indirect causes of the May Revolution...
", "Enigmas de la historia argentina", "Hombres de Mayo" and or "Historias de corceles y de acero
Historias de corceles y de acero
Historias de corceles y de acero is an Argentine book written by Daniel Balmaceda in 2010, in the context of the Argentina Bicentennial. The main topic is the Argentine War of Independence, but rather than being written as a history book it provides trivial information about the peoples involved in...
".
Comparison with the Centennial
A recurring topic of debate in Argentine newspaper editorials is the comparison between the Bicentennial and the CentennialArgentina Centennial
The Argentina Centennial was celebrated on May 25, 1910. It was the 100th anniversary of the May Revolution, when viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros was ousted from office and replaced with the Primera Junta, the first national government.-Context:...
(1910). Some authors, such as conservative columnist Rosendo Fraga, describe the Centennial as having been better, arguing that Argentina enjoyed a more favorable context when economic measures such as relative GDP per capita, quality of public education
Education in Argentina
Education in Argentina is a responsibility shared by the national government, the provinces and federal district and private institutions, though basic guidelines have historically been set by the Ministry of Education...
, and the public's optimism or its perceived will to improve are considered. The Centennial, moreover, took place only two years before the enactment of the Sáenz Peña Law
Sáenz Peña Law
The Sáenz Peña Law was Law 8871 of Argentina, sanctioned by the National Congress on 10 February 1912, which established the universal, secret and mandatory male suffrage though the creation of an electoral list...
, which extended universal suffrage
Universal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
to all male citizens in Argentina age 18 and over.
Others, such as historian Felipe Pigna
Felipe Pigna
Felipe Pigna, born in Mercedes, Buenos Aires, in 1959, is an Argentine historian and writer. He's currently among the best selling book authors from Argentina.- Biography :...
, submit instead that Argentina in 1910 did not compare favorably with Argentina in 2010, when the lack of social legislation
Social policy
Social policy primarily refers to guidelines, principles, legislation and activities that affect the living conditions conducive to human welfare. Thus, social policy is that part of public policy that has to do with social issues...
and labor laws, as well as the huge wealth gap between the rich and society in general, are considered. Viewed in that context, Pigna believes that praising the Centennial would be tantamount to praising the policies that led to and perpetuated such conditions.