Slipping through time, let’s pause at Plaza Virrey Vertiz. This isn’t just a green space in Barracas. It’s a stage where the whispers of history and the laughter of children intertwine. Plaza Virrey Vertiz once occupied two city blocks, a formal park designed by urbanist architects. It boasted mighty trees, manicured lawns, gravel paths, and wooden and marble benches. A true urban oasis, it graced every Buenos Aires guidebook and map. Across the street, tucked away in a forgotten corner, existed another plaza. Unmarked on any map, it was affectionately known as “Placita de don Pepe.” Don Pepe, a local resident, transformed a neglected plot of land into a haven for children. With the help of his neighbors, paths were etched by imagination, grass stubbornly refused to grow, and a sandy island held swings, seesaws, and a slide. Plaza Virrey Vertiz, in all its grandeur, lacked these simple joys. In the late 1950s, a ceremony at Plaza Virrey Vertiz proclaimed a “new Argentina” where children were the sole privileged ones. Shiny new play equipment was displayed, yet habits remained unchanged. Children basked in the sun at Don Pepe’s, while under the moonlight, shy first kisses were stolen at Virrey Vertiz. Crossing between these two plazas marked a rite of passage. Then, progress, or perhaps its illusion, swept through. In 1978, highway construction erased both plazas. A desolate wasteland remained, a stark reminder of what had been lost. Yet, the story doesn’t end there. In the 1990s, the city resurrected the spirit of Don Pepe, transforming the barren land into a sports center. Volleyball and soccer courts, basketball hoops, and a skating rink filled the space. When it came to naming the complex, they bypassed the Spanish Viceroy. Instead, they honored the stubborn neighbor who once transformed a wasteland into a playground. The sports center bears the name “Don Pepe,” a fitting tribute to his legacy. Here at Plaza Virrey Vertiz, we remember not only the grand park but also the small, the forgotten, the magic woven by a community.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to