I still remember the time when holidays and folk festivals were held in Moscow, and anyone on New Year or City Day could freely walk around the center.

A small lyrical digression. I decided to show my Colombian wife City Day in Moscow. We arrived at the center, and everything was cordoned off: fences, riot police and police. Along the streets, behind fences, specially rounded up students are marching, and outside the fences there are police and a few passers-by who are not allowed to go onto the streets.... This is such a fun holiday. Unfortunately, now the privilege of freely celebrating in Moscow is left only to paratroopers and border guards on their professional holidays.

In Argentina, everything is great with this: there are many holidays, people walk freely wherever they want, and what is typical is that there is almost no police visible, and everything goes on calmly and peacefully. And holidays are held in the capital of Argentina quite often. Usually, Avenida de Mayo is closed for this purpose. Sometimes other streets are also blocked, for example here the main streets of the center are blocked: Av. 9 de Julio and Av. Corientes.

No one remembers what kind of holiday it was, and it doesn’t matter. Most Argentines don’t care what kind of holiday it is, the main thing is that it’s just another non-working day. And by the way. There are a lot of non-working days in Argentina, as holidays are interspersed with “nationwide protests”, which are held exactly once a month. During national protests no one works, but there are many local protests when only a few do not work. But the Argentine protests are a separate issue.

Here are some short videos from one of the city holidays. Uruguayan rumba, everyone dances:

Beauty and antique cars competition: representatives of different nationalities inhabiting Buenos Aires were transported in antique cars: from Korea, Peru, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Russia, Nigeria, Lebanon, Ireland and a bunch of other countries. On such holidays, the winners were: Austrians, Australians, Peruvians... Russian girls, although “the most beautiful in the world,” did not win in my memory...

At the festival, each country whose community lives in Buenos Aires had its own tent with treats and souvenirs. For example, here is a Nigerian shawarma:

And the Russians sold pies for 5 pesos and played the balalaika. Belarusians also sold pies and pancakes

Here's another event that often takes place in Buenos Aires: car racing. The races themselves and the cars were of little interest to me. It was interesting that for the sake of these races the entire city center was quite seriously refurbished: concrete slabs with gratings were erected

We made special stands for spectators. Admission to the stands, as always, to all public events is free

Halloween - there was a huge procession of "zombies" through the city center. What was very striking was the number of people. The number is huge, and all of them are zombies

This is another holiday in the city center. Costume military procession. The participants are dressed in the uniforms of the different countries from which the ancestors of the Argentines came. But the Argentines also have their own army.

And this is the celebration of the Argentine football team reaching the final. To celebrate, crazy football fans stole the monument to their idol, Argentine football player Messi

But here it’s not a holiday. These are ordinary Argentine everyday life. Everyone knows that Argentina is a country of tango, so at every opportunity, at every crossroads, Argentines rush to dance this exciting dance of ancient port prostitutes. I'm kidding.

This is one of the evenings of the tango club in the open air, in the authentic area of ​​​​San Telmo.

And here is the main venue for most city holidays: Av. de Mayo (main street) and Plaza de Mayo (main square). A competition is being held for waiters to see who can quickly deliver an order over a distance of 3 kilometers. And this is true for Buenos Aires, because it is a city with one of the largest concentrations of restaurants per capita. Do you want to go to an Argentine restaurant and are you drooling? You're welcome!

But this is another holiday dedicated to Garbage. Garbage is such a serious issue in Buenos Aires that a whole essay was dedicated to it.

Well, now there are national holidays. These are the most frequent city holidays. They happen on Saturdays. Here is a Bolivian holiday.

After all, there are a huge number of Bolivian emigrants in Argentina!

This is not just a holiday, it is a real carnival. The Bolivian Carnival takes place on the second Saturday of October. To be precise, on this day Bolivians celebrate the Day of the Immaculate Virgin of Copacabana.

Several central streets are closed, Bolivians come from all over the area. For them, this is the most important holiday; moreover, it is important for them to dress up in a festive costume and walk through the streets with a procession, with music and dancing.

Bolivian women (as well as men) are famous for their short stature and rounded shapes. That's why Argentines lovingly call them "boli". Bola - in Spanish - ball.

You rarely see such a number of Bolivians at the same time anywhere.

Usually the main street Av is closed for the national holiday. de Mayo. A mobile stage is installed at its beginning, and along the street there are tents with national food and souvenirs. This is the holiday of Syria.

There is an Arab community in Argentina and even a mosque.

These are Syrians living in Argentina. They have lived here for many generations, as they speak Spanish without an accent.

I saw many national holidays: Spanish and Italian and Japanese and Austrian... Everything was always great, positive and fun. It was the first time I saw an Arab holiday, and there were some clashes. The Arabs started the fire again. During the song, a woman's shoe flew at the singer. The song was stopped, the investigation began...

And even a little brawl

I see the Syrian flag often. Recently, Argentina's desire to be friends with “strange” countries has been alarming: Venezuela, Syria... And on the other hand, anti-American and even anti-European rhetoric.

There was once a Russian holiday! They danced Kalinka-Malinka. Apple and pear trees also bloomed. Groups from the province of Misiones, where the descendants of Russian emigrants live, performed. Argentine boys and girls diligently learn Russian dances there.

I spoke in great detail about several national holidays: Chinese, Mexican and Polish.

But the most important national holiday. May 25 is Independence Day. Here I will show this holiday of 2012. We went to Plaza de Mayo since we live nearby. There was a concert taking place there - filming of a popular music TV show. A lot of plastic chairs were installed right on the square. As always, entry was free. The concert itself was boring and uninteresting for me, so I filmed the audience:

Among the visitors to such events there are many emigrants: Bolivians, Peruvians, Paraguayans. It’s free, but they are not rich people. In general, for the most part, it is not high society that gathers for such events. The elite hangs out in other places, for the elite it’s all: “fuck, redneck”

Some woman came with her sick relative and administered nutrition to him through a catheter right during the concert.

Here's a short video from this concert:

And here is the celebration on May 25, 2015. By this date, VDNKh was organized on two main streets. They brought sheep, cows, young trees, fish, missiles, fighter planes, combine harvesters, and a railway carriage. Outgoing President Cristina Kirchner, hated by everyone, decided to finally show the people the achievements of Argentina, which, of course, happened thanks to her.

It all looked pitiful and pathetic.

Although everything was decorated beautifully...

But if this is all that such a large country can be proud of, then it becomes sad...

A concert was organized for the Argentine sheep in front of the presidential palace...

And of course Chavez... A great friend of Argentina, the one whom Argentina began to look up to during his lifetime, borrowing the idea of ​​​​banning the dollar for raising from its knees

And of course, there are many less formal holidays, such as Halloween and Museum Night. Speaking about holidays, one cannot fail to mention the 2 most important holidays of the Argentines: Gay Pride and New Year. I have separate articles about them.

Do you want to attend an Argentine holiday? I'll write you a pass.

If you are going to Buenos Aires and want to stay in a good place, choose a hotel to your liking on Booking and send me its address by e-mail. I will advise you whether it is located in a good place, whether it is safe, whether it is beautiful and whether it is far from there to get to interesting places.

Carnivals are more typical of small settlements than of large cities, where the tradition of their holding has largely been lost and where laws prohibit dousing and other similar forms of water fun, which in the outback the more lenient authorities turn a blind eye to.

"Argentina as seen by the British", 1910

Many of Argentina's public holidays serve as reminders of political events rather than popular celebrations in the true sense of the word. Argentines are not nearly as hedonistic as their neighbors, the Brazilians, and the tradition of carnival has been almost lost, today expressed only in a few rather modest processions held in certain parts of the country. Probably the biggest celebrations you will witness here will be related to football. Be prepared for a surge of emotions during the international games of the national team ("Seleccion") with wild fun if they win.

The main holidays and festivals in Buenos Aires reflect the main hobbies of the city's residents - tango and literature. For 10 days in late February - early March, the Buenos Aires Tango Festival takes place at various venues throughout the capital, the program of which includes free tango lessons, concerts and, of course, performances by masters of this “national sport”. From mid-April to early May, a book fair (Feria del Libro) is held for three weeks - a celebration of literature, accompanied by readings and discussions. The third major event on the capital's holiday calendar is ArteBA, a rapidly growing contemporary art fair taking place over five days at the end of May.

Outside the capital, holidays are brighter and more colorful. Ten days in January, the Festival Nacional de la Doma y el Folklore near Cordoba is a cowboy show of the highest order. The entertainment - a mix of exciting rodeos, folk music and comic performances - begins at sunset and continues until the morning. In Mendoza, at the beginning of March, at the end of the grape harvest, the Fiesta Nacional de La Vendimia is celebrated with wine and songs.

The Sun Festival, Inti Raymi, celebrated on the eve of the summer solstice (approximately June 20), honors the Inca sun god. It is celebrated in the north-west of the country, where the roots of the traditional culture of the Quechua people are deep. In the first week of October, Villa General Belgrano hosts the Fiesta Nacional de Cerveza ("October Fest"), celebrated as a celebration of the founding of the city and, in particular, the European roots of a large part of its inhabitants. As you might guess, the holiday is accompanied by wide and noisy beer feasts.

Argentina is a country of festivals. Attending one of the many holidays is the best way to get acquainted with the traditions of the inhabitants of Argentina, a country that has absorbed dozens of different cultures that make up its special flavor.

A wide range of festivals attracts many tourists to Argentina. Throughout the year, old medieval religious festivals, exhibitions of modern art, and fiestas are held here - traditional folk festivals that came from Spain.

When planning your trip, don't forget to check Argentina's festival calendar! Together with the locals, you can try traditional food, drink a national drink or excellent Argentine wine, watch dances of different nations, and also feel the passionate impulse of the Argentine tango, listen to traditional Argentine music.

January

January 1 – National Fiesta (Fiesta Nacional del Folcloro). New Year celebration
Held in Cosquin, province of Cordoba. The holiday is associated with the folk traditions of Argentina. Music, dancing and lots of traditional food and drink.

February March

Carnivals
They take place throughout the country over two months.
The most famous places:
- the city of Corrientes, located in northeastern Argentina,
- the city of Gualeguaych (province of Entre Rios),
- La Rioja city (Western Argentina) – La Chaya festival,
- the city of Santiago del Estero (Northwestern region) in the province of the same name.

In terms of traditions of organizing carnivals, Argentines can compete with Brazil! Across the country, Argentine residents are preparing for lush and joyful processions, designing costumes and masks, preparing musical programs, and preparing traditional delicacies and treats.

Fiesta Week in Mendoza
At the end of February there is a week of fiesta in Mendoza (Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia) - a celebration of the grape harvest. This is the best time to taste the famous wines of Mendoza, as well as take part in well-organized performances and processions of winemakers.

Tango Festival in Buenos Aires
Fans of Argentine tango should not miss the annual Buenos Aires Tango Festival, which takes place between February and March. Here you can see the International Tango Competition and just dance in the street with everyone.

Wine Festival in La Rioja (Festival del Viñador)
It is also a grape harvest festival and a festival of another variety of the famous Argentine wine.

April

Buenos Aires International Film Festival
Cinema lovers are attracted by the Buenos Aires International Film Festival (Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente), where independent directors annually present interesting contemporary works.

May

May 1 - International Workers' Day
National Fiesta. Non-working day.

May 8 - religious celebrations in Las Pampas (Día de la Vrgen de Luján)
A holiday dedicated to the icon of the Apparition of the Virgin Mary.

Buenos Aires Arts Festival
On May 11-18, lovers of contemporary art will be able to participate in the arts festival, which takes place in Buenos Aires. Exhibitions are organized everywhere here, where art exhibitions of different themes and genres are presented.

June

June 20 – Flag Day
It is celebrated on the day of remembrance of its designer, Manuel José Joaquín del Corazón de Jesús Belgrano. During the holiday - Semana de la Bandera (Flag Week) - residents of the city of Rosario (Santa Fe province in eastern Argentina) show respect at the memorial site dedicated to the Argentine flag.

June 24 is the day of remembrance of the legendary Argentine tango star Carlos Gardel
Fans of this popular dance make a lavish pilgrimage to his grave in the Chacarita cemetery in Buenos Aires. And, of course, there are dance programs everywhere.

August

Fiesta of Snow
For 10 days, the beautiful ski resort of Bariloche (in Argentina's Lake District) celebrates the Fiesta Nacional de la Nieve (National Snow Fiesta).

Week of celebration of the formation of the city of Khukhui
The week of celebration of the formation of the city of San Salvador de Jujuy (San Salvador de Jujuy) or simply Jujuy (Spanish pronunciation: ). It is located in northwestern Argentina and is the capital of the province of Jujuy.

September

Argentina Ski Festival
The oldest ski resort in Argentina - La Jolla celebrates Fiesta Nacional del Esqui; (National Ski Festival). La Jolla is located in Patagonia.

October

Oktoberfest festival
The first two weeks of October. Descendants of the Germans who live in the city of Villa General Belgrano, located 90 kilometers from the largest city in Argentina, Cordoba, celebrate Oktoberfest - the famous beer festival. The small town of Villa Gereral Belgrano was built in the 30s of the 20th century in the style of German provincial towns. Now people from Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary live here.

Eisteddfodau festival in Patagonia
Residents of Trelew and other Welsh villages in the Chubuta Valley in Patagonia celebrate Eisteddfodau for a week. The festival has been held since 1875. Welsh music is playing. Residents talk about their original culture, which came with emigrants from Wales (the historical province of Great Britain).

Theater Festival in Escuel
The city of Escuel in Patagonia celebrates the Fiesta Provincial del Teatro festival of theatrical arts.

November

Gay Pride in Buenos Aires
First Saturday of the month. The Gay Pride Parade in Buenos Aires attracts tourists with colorful images that represent thousands of gay people. All parade participants are dressed in carnival costumes. Love, joy and “soft” hooliganism reign these days on all the streets of the city.

November 10 – Tradition Day
In the city of San Antonio De Areco, which is located 113 km from Buenos Aires, a week-long festival, Day of Tradition (Dia de la Tradicion), takes place. It is dedicated to the gaucho culture - a huge sub-ethnic group that was formed from the mixed marriages of Spaniards and Indian women. Gauchos are close in lifestyle to American cowboys. At the festival, gauchos present horse riding programs in the “la cowboy” style and a riding parade, exhibitions are held, music is played, dancing, eating traditional dishes and drinking wine are all participants and spectators of the festival.

December

Music festival Festival de Chameme
Mid December. The port city of Corrientes in northeastern Argentina (the administrative center of the province of the same name) hosts the Festival de Chameme music festival. Concerts and music programs.

Marina Filippova based on materials from English-language sites
Photos: Xinhua/Telam, AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, Apa, Sebastian Olaya, and also from the Internet. For questions regarding authorship, please contact the company office

Argentina: upcoming tours

Arrival dates 2019: May 18, June 15, July 6, August 17, September 14, October 19, November 16, December 7; 10 days / 9 nights Buenos Aires – Tigre – San Isidro – Ushuaia – Beagle Channel – Tierra del Fuego National Park – Calafate – Perito Moreno Glacier – Iguazu Falls Elegant Buenos Aires with its cultural and historical monuments and tango. Travel to the ends of the earth in Ushuaia to the glaciers and lakes of the Andes mountain range, observing fur seals in their habitat and Magellanic penguins. A trip along the narrow-gauge railway on an ancient train - the "Train to the End of the World" - through the southernmost national natural park. Journey in Calafate to the most “easily accessible glacier” - Perito Moreno - a natural heritage of mankind. Guaranteed dates of arrivals from 2 people. with a Russian-speaking guide and translator. from 2008 USD for 2-seater size + a/b; accommodation options to choose from - hotels from 3* to 5*

Holidays and events in Argentina 2019: the most important festivals and highlights, national holidays and events in Argentina. Photos and videos, descriptions, reviews and timings.

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Residents of the beautiful South American country of Argentina love holidays and everything connected with them. And although the New Year is celebrated here very quietly and at home, a little later in Argentina the Carnival of the Country begins, the longest carnival in the world, which lasts for two whole months. During these usual winter months in Argentina, a bright, shining summer lasts, where hundreds of thousands of tourists come from all over the world, who do not want to miss this grandiose colorful event, “the time of carnivals and love,” as the Argentines themselves call it.

Every Saturday for two months, the streets of the cities are drowned in a colorful stream of dancing people, dressed in sparkling multi-colored costumes and feathers, the music plays incessantly, and dancers from all over Argentina perform their exciting dances.

Argentines are not only interested in fun carnivals: this proud and much-suffered people honors and remembers the milestones of their history. On June 20, the country celebrates Argentina's Flag Day, with its blue color honoring the sky and white symbolizing the snowy peaks of the Andes. Celebrations take place in the city of Rosario, where on this day rallies and parades are held, bringing together military and government officials.

Another national patriotic holiday - Argentina's Independence Day - is celebrated on July 9 in honor of the Declaration of Independence from the Spanish Crown adopted in 1816. Argentines believe that it was on this day that their Republic was born, so they celebrate on a grand scale and with all their hearts. In all cities and villages of the country, orderly parades are held to the sounds of brass bands, Argentine gaucho cowboys parade through the streets on graceful horses and shiny vintage cars drive, folk melodies are heard in parks and squares, to which Argentines dance until late at night.

Fans of live music absolutely need to get to Buenos Aires from October 7 to 19, where the International Guitar Festival of Argentina is being held at this time.

On September 11, Argentina celebrates one of the most revered professional holidays in the country - Teacher's Day. This holiday is national in nature; students congratulate their teachers and give them gifts. The day also falls on the anniversary of the death of the country's beloved president, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, whom Argentines affectionately nicknamed the teacher-president.

Fans of live music absolutely need to get to Buenos Aires from October 7 to 19, where the International Guitar Festival of Argentina is being held at this time. Since 1995, this event in the world of music, gradually gaining fame and popularity, attracts not only grateful listeners, but also famous guitarists from Latin America and Europe to the capital of Argentina.

It was in Argentina that a lively and emotional, passionate and sincere dance of the early 20th century was born - tango, in which the rhythms and movements of Cuba, Africa and Europe were intertwined. On December 11, Argentines celebrate the birthday of Carlos Gardel, who is considered the author of this beautiful dance, symbolizing the Argentine nation with its temperament and love.

The whole country is filled with the sounds of tango, people surrender to the power of dance on the streets, in cafes and restaurants, and this spectacle is absolutely stunning, incomparable to anything.

Argentines celebrate Catholic Christmas very similarly to Europeans - it is a family holiday, on which it is customary to be close to loved ones and set a festive table. This table is traditionally decorated with the main dish - beef or pig roasted over coals, and various sweets with nuts, dried fruits and chocolate. There is also traditional champagne and, of course, gifts - except that the Christmas tree does not grow in this part of the world. At night, the sky glows with fireworks, and young people go to bars and discos, where they party until the morning.

It is safe to say that the culture of Argentina is unique and unique. After all, this country is considered the most Europeanized in South America. In Argentina, a special culture was gradually formed. It is not like the cultures of Uruguay, Brazil or Chile. Some experts note that the literature, architecture and art of Argentina are connected with European culture by invisible threads.

Tango is the most passionate dance

The most popular part of the culture of such an unusual country is the dance from Argentina - tango, the melody of which is very much loved by the romantics of many countries.

Football has long been an integral part of the life of Argentines. This is not just an ordinary hobby. For the residents of the country, this is a real national passion. As you know, Argentina has already become the World Cup champion several times. A Celebrities like Diego Maradona help make football popular around the world.

The people of the country have a very strong and independent character. Politeness and special attention to appearance are in their blood. When meeting on the street, close or acquaintances are sure to exchange smiles and mutual compliments.

Among Argentines, one can see a slight obsession in relationships between the sexes. But this is more of a custom than a desire to achieve one’s own. The same can be said about the Argentine’s overly frivolous attitude towards the words and promises of the Argentine. Therefore, you should not trust the residents of this country in everyday life.

Whatever the traditions of Argentina, remember that unpunctual people live in this country, since for them the norm is to be late even by 30 minutes.

The people of the Latin American country are touchy, but not vindictive. However, if it comes to pride in themselves or their country, then Argentines will boldly defend their opinion to the bitter end.

The role of music in the cultural development of Argentina

Music and dance play a great role in the development of Argentine culture. Today it is known that the king of tango is performer Carlos Gardel. Then the singer Astor Piazzolla made a huge contribution to the development of culture, for whom music became the meaning of life

In the 19th century, when many emigrants from Italy settled in Argentina, classical music became incredibly popular. In 1857, an opera house called Colon was officially opened in Buenos Aires, which became the most popular in the world. The theater plays unique music, and famous artists also perform.

The founder of the composing school in Argentina was Alberto Williams, who in 1893 created the conservatory. The composer himself created very beautiful symphonies and short works that were based on national melodies. But not only music was his main hobby. Williams became the founder of a music publishing house that became popular in the Spanish-speaking world.

In 1929, the “Musical Renewal Group” was created in Argentina, which began to develop modern music. The most famous composers include Jacobo Fischer, who is from Russia, Luis Janneo, Honorio Siccarusi and Alberto Ginastera. All musicians are known and popular in European countries.

An integral part of Argentine culture is art.

The most talented artists of Argentina are known far beyond the borders of the Latin American country. Of these, the artist Eric Speier is still popular, who, even while working as a pilot, painted all the time. Almost all of his works are portraits painted in watercolors, beautiful landscapes and still lifes. Speier, having become a fairly famous artist, taught painting to students at seminars in Vietnam, Miami, New Mexico and Alaska.

Interesting are the works of Carlos Ferreira, who began drawing as a child and then decided to devote his life to art. Over the 30 years he devoted himself to art, Ferreira developed his own painting technique, and also created a huge number of works that are able to interpret culture, mood and events.

Today, the artist Maximo Arias Valente, who studied Argentine cultural heritage and painting under the guidance of Carlos Terribili, Akel Amuchastegui and José Marchi, is extremely popular.

A place of honor among Argentinean artists is occupied by Eloisa Bolivian, who is known for creating portraits of women, giving them a certain mood.

The most famous traditions of a Latin American country

The main holiday in Argentina is Christmas., which, according to cultural tradition, is celebrated on December 25th. The whole family gathers around a beautiful and rich table. At midnight, the most sincere wishes are heard and cider is drunk. It is on this day that incredibly bright and cheerful carnival processions with fiery music and fast dancing take place on the main streets of Argentine cities.

The tango holiday, which is celebrated annually on December 11, has become a real cultural heritage and national tradition. A lot of people gather in city squares to watch old recordings of talented dancers performing tango on the big screen. After this, very interesting carnival processions take place.

In Argentina, on August 17, the country's heroes are honored. The wedding traditions of the Latin American state are very interesting and unusual. Future newlyweds must save money themselves to organize the most important celebration. We can conclude that the people of Argentina are an incendiary and amazing people who honor their traditions. And Argentina's culture continues to develop, making it more popular.