Lewis observes the protest marches from above
Maybe it was the fact that Lewis the Lion was living right in the centre of Buenos Aires on the road that ran from Congress to Parliament, but he just couldn’t seem to escape the politics.
Lewis poses outside the Casa Rosada - the Presidential Building
People in Argentina seemed to be very politically active and weren’t shy at expressing their opinions about all sorts of things.
The Argentine flag billows in the breeze
The first time Lewis the Lion became aware of it was when he was trying to have an afternoon nap when all of a sudden he could hear drums banging and whistles squeaking right outside his bedroom window! There was a group of about 100 people gathered on the street below remonstrating about a problem they had with their local football stadium. See this video clip!
However, this was the first of many such demonstrations that Lewis the Lion would witness in Buenos Aires. On 24th March 2012, there was a highly organised demonstration that filled the streets with thousands upon thousands of protestors.
Lewis is surprised by the numbers marching on parliament
The demonstrators were airing their grievances about many social problems in Argentina and were also remembering the 30th Anniversary when 30,000 people had disappeared during a period of military rule.
Lewis observes some demonstrators
In fact these people had never been forgotten as every Thursday afternoon, the mothers (now grandmothers) of these missing people would gather together on the Plaza Mayor outside the Presidential Building – the Casa Rosada – and march around the main statue – the May Pyramid – for half an hour.
Marching in Plaza de Mayo
Even after 30 years they still want to know what happened to their children.
The mothers and grandmothers march
Their symbol of a white headscarf appears around the statue which they march.
The symbol of the 'marching mothers'
Furthermore, during the time when Lewis the Lion was staying in Buenos Aires was also the 30th Anniversary of the Falklands War: a war that had taken place in 1982 between the British and the Argentines over ownership of the Falkland Islands – Las Malvinas.
Even the 'marching mothers' express their opinion about the Falkland Islands
Many Argentines still dispute British ownership of these islands even today and in Buenos Aires there were many posters and slogans all over the city stating that “Las Malvinas son argentinas” – “The Falklands are Argentine,” and “Fueron los ingleses de las Malvinas” – “Get the English out of the Falklands.”
"The Falklands belong to Argentina"
Lewis the Lion understands that this is a complicated and difficult situation but still felt a little bit uncomfortable when they burnt the British flag on the 30th Anniversary! Politics aside, the Argentine people were very friendly and welcoming and made Lewis the Lion feel very at home in their country.
Lewis the Lion understands how important politics is to the Argentine people, especially as some people linked to politics are celebrated across the city. One such person, who was seen by many as the saviour of the Argentine people was a lady called Eva Perón (1919 – 1952). She was affectionately nicknamed “Evita” – “Little Eva.” She wasn’t a politician but was married to the Argentine president Juan Domingo Perón. Whilst he concerned himself with the politics and strategy of running the country, she stood by his side and was involved in a foundation which looked at social projects across Argentina. She is also seen as being instrumental in persuading her husband to secure the vote for women in Argentina. Even to this day she is remembered very fondly by many Argentines and her image appears across the city as you can see here on a builiding on one of the main avenues in Buenos Aires – Avenida 9 de Julio.
Lewis with the famous Evita building
View of Eva Peron as seen from the Avenida 9 de Julio
She was a beautiful woman who was a former actress but died young of cancer in her early thirties.
Lewis the Lion with a picture of Eva Perón
When she died, the state funeral lasted for days, so many people wanted to pay their respects. Argentina even ran out of flowers! She is now buried in her family’s mausoleum in Recoleta Cemetery which Lewis the Lion visited. (See his previous blog).
Lewis visits Recoleta
Her story was so incredible as she was a girl who went from rags to riches that lots of people have written about her. Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber also wrote a musical dedicated to her story “Evita.” A number of years ago, Madonna, starred in the leading role playing the part of Evita in a film called “Evita.”
The importance of Evita to Argentine culture
Maybe you would like to see this film?
Currently, the president of Argentina is another woman: Cristina Fernández de Kirchner who is the widow of another former president, Néstor Kirchner. Her party are said to follow many of the principles of Peron’s ideology. However, in Argentina, some people still believe that there should be only one president in Argentina: Maradonna, the former Argentine footballer! Although he is not a politician, many people still admire him as he is charismatic and has shown that he is a strong leader.
An image of Maradona as seen in La Boca
How do you take part in organisations and make sure that your opinions are expressed?
How are you involved in your school or elsewhere? Does your school have a school council?
