Argentina — Events
International Guitar Festival
The International Guitar Festival brings some of the best guitar prodigies to Buenos Aires for a weekend of classical, flamenco, and traditional guitar playing. The festival started back in 1994 and since then more than 200,000 people have attended the festival which has seen hundreds of musicians from scores of countries. The free and open display of guitar skills is a prestigious and well-known event in Buenos Aires.
Argentine Open
Polo was introduced to Argentina by the British and has become a major national sport. Argentina is home to the world’s best players, most of whom travel to England or the US in the winter to earn their living and return to Buenos Aires to compete in the most grueling tournament of the year, the Argentine Open. The teams - which are often dominated by the big polo families of the Heguys, Merlos and Pieres - play a series of eight-chukka matches to a packed crowd at the Palermo stadium. For more information contact the Buenos Aires Tourist Information Center on (0)11 4372 3612.
Buenos Aires Book Fair
The Buenos Aires Book Fair is an eagerly awaited annual event in the Argentine capital. More than a million people head for this three-week event at the La Rural exhibition complex where each year special lectures are run. In the past they have covered the history of jazz, workshops on scriptwriting and the history of Argentine art, all given by leading professors and lecturers.
arteBA
The highly successful contemporary art fair arteBA is held every year at La Rural exhibition center in Buenos Aires. National and international art galleries come together to offer contemporary art works to roving collectors and visitors. There is also an agenda of talks and open debates throughout the five days.
International Rural Exhibition
This exhibition of livestock, agriculture and industry at La Rural gives an interesting insight into the international agricultural market. Activities, such as cattle competitions, take place in the courtyard throughout the day. Agriculture and livestock have always been important Argentinean industries and were responsible for a large part of the country’s financial growth in the past few centuries.
Vinos y Bodegas Wine Exhibition
Representatives from more than 100 of the country’s wineries (bodegas) gather together under one roof and the public can sip and swill to their hearts’ content. The Vinos y Bodegas Wine Exhibition is held at La Rural exhibition center. Vino Express, organized by the Argentinean Association of Sommeliers, is a circuit of different stands where visitors can find out about specific wine regions, soils and terrains, grape cultivation and tasting techniques. Cooking demonstrations provide a timely and very welcome pause for digestion.
Buenos Aires International Jazz Festival
For the avid jazz fan, the Buenos Aires International Jazz Festival is a must if visiting the city. Taking place at the ND Aneneo cultural space, the festival has included musicians such as saxophonist James Moody, the Terence Blanchard Quintet, the Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba and the local porteño favorite, the trumpeter Roberto ‘Fats’ Fernández.
Tango Festival
The sultry tango was born in Buenos Aires, and is celebrated in the city in fine style for six days and nights during the annual Tango Festival. Visitors and locals, experts and beginners, all swirl and twirl in legendary Corrientes Avenue and the numerous ‘milonga portena’ dance salons. There are demonstrations, free lessons and plenty of music performed in concerts by soloists and orchestras.
