Either if you are sightseeing in Buenos Aires, or sharing insider experiences alongside locals, it doesn’t take long to realise that Argentina is a proud nation. Around every other corner you’ll find a local exposing its devotion to the national symbols and values or a flag of Argentina hanging from the windows, so maybe it’s no surprise the patriotic way how Argentina celebrates this national holiday, the Dia de la Bandera on the 20th of June.
What is Dia de la Bandera?
The
Day of the National Flag (in Spanish, Día de la Bandera Nacional) is the holiday dedicated to the Argentine flag and to the commemoration of its creator, Manuel Belgrano who first raised the flag during the Argentinean War of Independence. Since 1938 the national celebrations of Día de la Bandera Nacional have taken place on the anniversary of Belgrano’s death (1820), which falls on the third Monday of every June.
What does the Flag of Argentina mean?
The national
flag of Argentina is a triband, formed with three equally wide horizontal bands of light blue, white and light blue including the golden emblem of the Sun of May (‘Sol de Mayo’) located in the center. There are multiple interpretations for the reasons for these colors.
According to popular belief the colors of the Argentinean Flag represent the colours of the sky, clouds and the sun, an idea that is re-enforced in lyrics found in anthems to the flag like “Aurora” or “Salute to the flag”. However, historians usually attribute the colours to either the devotion of Virgin Mary or loyalty to the
House of Bourbon.The
Sun of May is modeled after the symbol of Inti, the
Incan god of the Sun and symbolises the May Revolution of Argentina.
What happens on the Dia de la Bandera?
The Day of the National Flag is an occasion where school children and the armed forces of Argentina swear their allegiance to the flag and ArgentinaThe main events of the national holiday take place in the
National Flag Memorial in Rosario (Santa Fe Province), a complex of about 10,000 square metres, built mostly using stone from the
Andes in the place where the Argentinean flag was created and raised for the first time by the General Manuel Belgrano.
What activities are available in Buenos Aires on Dia de la Bandera?
Get your tickets for the
premier of Fuerza Bruta, a truly unique show by Fuerza Bruta: Wayra Tour 2011 and have a theatre experience you’ll never forget.
Check out Marta Minujín’s new creation in Plaza Gral. San Martín:
The Tower of Babel, a huge spiraling sculpture of books representing the diverse culture of literature, only in Buenos Aires until the 28th of June so don’t miss your chance to see this beautiful work of art!
Visit the
top places of interest in Buenos Aires to
sightsee the diverse cultural activity. At Plaza de Mayo, Recoleta’s Plaza Francia, Plaza Dorrego in San Telmo, Costanera Sur, and Plaza Serrano in Palermo you’ll find hundreds of street artists, cultural activities and crafts fairs to spend am afternoon of relaxation.
