Weekend in San Telmo
San Telmo is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the City of Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina. On weekends, Commune 1 of the city dresses up day and night. The streets are closed to car traffic and are taken over by artisans who stretch for more than 2 km from the historic Plaza de Mayo to the flea market in Plaza Dorrego in the heart of San Telmo.
All ages, all colors, all nationalities walk through its cobblestone streets among colonial and modern buildings. Apart from the flea market, the Mercado de San Telmo is a meeting point for locals and tourists. It dates from 1887 and its façade remains intact, although its interior has been adapted to the passing of time. It covers an entire block of the neighborhood and houses everything from antiquarians, antiques, greengrocers, butchers, bakeries, food court, organic products, flowers, and everything one can think of.
As night falls, the scenery changes its tone and color. The streets are dressed in candombe (Afro-colonial rhythm), and the flea market square gives way to a large milonga (a place where people gather to dance the tango). The folk celebrates, revels, and even if it is only for a few hours, forgets about life’s problems and just bonds with its neighbor, unknown to them. In milongas it is customary for couples to dance four tangos in a row and then change partners.
In the wee hours of the morning everyone returns to their
abode. The party is over…, at least until next weekend.
Texto y contenido de video / Text and video content: E.R.L.
Producción de video / Video production: Nash Mendlinger