“The puppet was born at the first sunrise” Javier Villafañe once said. Here we are at the Biblioteca Javier Villafañe. It is a place that honors the legacy of a remarkable Argentinian artist. Javier Villafañe was a poet a writer and a puppeteer. He was born in Buenos Aires in 1909.
Villafañe had a special love for stories since he was a child. He loved classic tales from his mother. He also enjoyed popular stories from a Spanish employee. Street poetry and puppetry fascinated him.
At 24 Villafañe experienced a pivotal moment. He saw a man riding a cart looking at the sky. This inspired him to travel and create. With his friend Juan Pedro Ramos he created “La Andariega.” It was a mythical cart that became a home and traveling puppet theater.
Villafañe and Ramos gave their first performance in Belgrano in 1935. They traveled south of Buenos Aires. Later Villafañe traveled north being inspired by the people and nature. He began his endless journey as a traveling artist.
His puppets became famous. They were admired by Emilio Pettorutti and Raul Soldi. His journeys extended through Argentina Chile Bolivia Paraguay and Uruguay. Liberto Fridman often joined him.
Villafañe’s life included marriage children and journalism. But his traveling life never stopped. He explored Europe Africa and the Americas. He went into exile in Venezuela in 1967. There he taught at the University of Los Andes. He also searched for stories of children and kings. Villafañe believed words belonged to everyone.
In 1984 Villafañe returned to Argentina. He continued to create live fully and travel. He was a poet puppeteer and friend. He was admired by Federico García Lorca Julio Cortázar and Atahualpa Yupanqui. Villafañe died in Buenos Aires in 1996.
Here at the Biblioteca Javier Villafañe we celebrate his life. His “Andariega” traveled through America performing puppet shows. He founded a puppet workshop in Venezuela. There he trained new artists. He even traveled Europe with a mobile theater.
Villafañe received many awards. He was named an Illustrious Citizen of Buenos Aires. His books include “Los sueños del sapo” and “El caballo celoso.” He also wrote “Maese Trotamundos por el camino de Don Quijote.”
Remember Villafañe’s words. The puppet is a shadow living and dying with us. May this library inspire you just as Villafañe inspired so many. It is a space for stories for dreams and for keeping the child in us alive.