Culture CornerPoints of Interest in the CityBuenos Aires is well-known for its many cultural offerings. Museums, cinemas, theatres and shows provide a variety of options for entertainment. Dramas, musical comedies, "teatro de revistas" (a sort of revue), guided tours and tango shows, are some of the options for all ages, all year round. Both cinema and theatre represent two very important activities for the porteños. Currently, there are about 175 theatres and 200 cinemas. The Colón Theater, inaugurated in 1908, is the pride of the porteños. It has hosted, and still hosts, the most famous artists of national and international opera and ballet. Attractions and entertainment events have increased quite a bit during the last years in Buenos Aires. Important international chains, such as Cinemark, Hoyt's, Showcase and Village Roadshow have been established in the city. There is a great variety of museums. At present, there are more than 100, both public and private. Among the national museums, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts) is ranked at an international level and offers relatively inexpensive admittance. During 2001, the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA) (Buenos Aires Latin American Art Museum) was inaugurated. It has an important permanent collection of contemporary Latin American art in a spacious and modern building designed for that purpose. The National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Decorative Art, the National Museum Isaac Fernández Blanco of Spanish American Art, the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum Eduardo Sívori of Plastic Art, as well as the National Culture Halls and the Borges Cultural Center, among others, frequently show very important circulating exhibits. The General San Martín, Recoleta and Ricardo Rojas Cultural Centers are important places where different expressions of national and international art are displayed. The handicraft markets are one of the most picturesque pastimes of the city. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, artisans offer their crafts in different parks and squares. The Street-Museum Caminito, where 62 plastic artists exhibit their work in the open air, is one of the most important markets of its type in the world. The San Pedro Telmo fair is one of the most important attractions in the city. On Sundays, Dorrego square (Humberto 1º and Defensa streets) fills with more than 270 stands attempting to sell various items such antiques. The surrounding bars put their tables on the street and all the area is crowded by musicians, singers, tango dancers and mimes, among others. The fair also organizes popular dances with the collaboration of the neighbors. Other points of interest include: The Jardín Japonés (Japanese Garden) recreates the beauty and poetry of Oriental gardens. Plants, flowers, bridges and cascades are combined in subtle and pleasing corners, creating an atmosphere of colors and fragrances. For children, the attraction is on top of the bridges and in the lake, where they can see the colorful and lively "Karpas", fish imported directly from Japan. The Rosedal (Rose Garden), the Jardín de los Poetas (Garden of the Poets) and the Patio Andaluz (Andalusian Patio) are other interesting places in the area. Every day, the mateos "horse-drawn carriages" offer a ride through the Palermo woods, starting from the Zoo gate located in front of Italia Square. Helpful Phrasesacá - It means "aquí" andar / "¿cómo andás?" - How are you doing? apoliyar - to sleep bagayo / bagarto - an ugly person bajá un cambio- relax basurear - treat somebody badly birome - pen canchero - cool person (but frecuently used in a negative way… "he pretends to be cool"). chavón: guy (lunfardo) ché - friend or dude (common use, it's like "hey!" or "hey, dude!") chorro- pickpocket colectivo- bus concheto - snobby person copado - cool, a good thing, a nice thing or person. Especially applied to people, places and occasions like parties. despelote - a mess el viejo- dad, my old man está chapita- he/she's nuts facultad- school feca - a cup of coffee fiaca - lazyness. flaco/a - something you would call your girlfriend or friend. frutilla- strawberry gauchada - a favour gil- dumb guita- money (lunfardo) hacer la gamba - to help some one. heladera- fridge hincha- fan hinchada- fans hinchar- to bother kiosko- small market specially for cigarettes and sweets la vieja- mom laburo- job (lunfardo) le falta un jugador!- he/she's nuts listo- ok, sounds good macanudo- super, terrific maestro/a - master, but it is used like "you're the man or woman". mamado- drunk (lunfardo) mango- money (two mangos are two pesos) manteca- butter obvio - it means obviously, but is no rude or snooty to say like it is in USA. pancho- hot dog patota - a group of violent people who bother people in the streets.pava: kettle pilchas- clothes pileta- swimming pool piña- punch plata- money pollera- skirt ponete las pilas- motivate pub- bar pucho- cigarette (lunfardo) regio- great! remera- t shirt sorry - it means sorry, but is a trendy way to say it. tacho- taxi, cab (lunfardo) tarado- stupid tarta- salty (ex. Quiche) torta- cake trolo- gay trucho - fake, phony, made up, false, artificial, ersatz /a scammer, a quack. un chorro de- a lot of un flash - cool or great. vago- slacker vaquita - the action and result of collecting money ("hacer una vaquita") among friends, workmates, etc. viejo/a - padre, madre, girlfriend, boyfriend, or friend in general. vos - They don't use "tú" in Argentina. yanqui- american yerba mate: herb tea zafar - to escape from someone or a situation / pass an exam (but not with a good grade). |