"We want to resume these traditional festivals" | Chronic

The gala evening, which took place on Saturday evening at the Avenida Theater, was the prelude to the important festivities of Galicia and Apostle Santiago on the 25th. "We have the illusion of resuming these traditional festivals and we want the community to accompany us on this day more than important for us", highlighted Chronic the elected president of the Galician Center of Buenos Aires, Ramón Suárez.

Every 25 July, the Galician community of Buenos Aires celebrates the day of Galicia, in parallel with the festivities of the patron saint of this region, the apostle Santiago "El Mayor", a figure who "Not only has changed the lives of Compostela and Galicians, but throughout Europe."

Although the local festivities bring together different institutions, the Galicia Center will organize its own artistic festival on Thursday, July 25, at 7.45 pm in the important theater of Moreno 2176, in the city of Buenos Aires, named after the Galician leader. Alfonso Rodríguez Castelao.

With a free admission, the evening will feature the presentation of Santiago Molina, who will perform songs from his latest album "Historias"; and the execution of the Xeito Novo Foundation, with its music and traditional dance paintings.

"In Argentina, they celebrate this day with very diverse festivities." From the center, we hope to return to the tradition of celebrating the day of Galicia and the Apostle Santiago because we have not done it for two years. accompany on this important day ", invited Suárez.

Santiago, kill the Moors?

The iconography of the apostle riding a white horse and equipped with a threatening sword on the "Moors" is one of the most important images of the Catholic tradition. "Santiago & # 39; matamoros" never killed the Moors nor even lived with them ", revealed Suarez. How was the legend born?

In the 8th century, the mulsumans (or "the Moors") conquered the south of Spain with the intention of extending to the north and from there to the rest of the European continent. A century later, they appeared "the relics of the apostle saint jacques" in the Galician capital, now "the brake on the impetus that the Muslims brought"Suarez explained.

In this way, the apostle became the patron of the Spanish armies, becoming the figure and standard with which they fought the Muslims and became an important symbol after his expulsion from Spain.

"Santiago was beheaded in AD 44. The mulattos arrived in Spain in the eighth century, seven centuries later, so that the apostle could never kill a Moor nor live with them, but he is a important figure as an idol to encourage the armies of the Reconquista ", the president of the Galician center

The Cathedral of Compostela, where are buried the remains of Santiago, is one of the most important centers of Christian Perigrination in the world. "The Way of St. James has enriched Europe through the interweaving of the different cultures that made the trip to Compostela, and also served as an impetus for science, many people having investigated to cure diseases that pilgrims from different countries have infected with each other, and has allowed the construction of hospitals and hotels to serve the people ", Suarez listed.

It is for these reasons that the figure of Santiago is celebrated, not only for its "interception" in the presence of Muslims, but also as a symbol of the growth of European culture.

Culture and tradition

The Galician community has "an extraordinary transcendence" in Buenos Aires, said Suarez, because of his "historic presence recognized since the viceroyalty"He also holds "a remarkable economic importance" by the presence of Galician referents in the major productive and commercial sectors such as the media, gastronomy, hotels, fashion, arts and transport. "There is no article where there is no Galician presence", he said.

For this reason, the cultural diffusion and the historical heritage of this community are one of the main objectives pursued by the different Galician institutions of Buenos Aires. In the case of Centro Galicia, it has an important art gallery where are exhibited works of great exiled Galician artists in Buenos Aires; library; a theater and an exhibition hall.

"There is no article where there is no Galician presence"said Suarez in reference to the importance of this culture in the country.

Another important site for the preservation of the heritage is the Instituto Argentino Gallego Santiago Apóstol, where children from the initial, primary and secondary levels learn the language of their ancestors, their customs and their cultural manifestations.

"I am very happy to see guys from other cultures singing the Galician anthem, this school is a legacy in recognition of the country, which has given us a free education and of very good quality." It was a moral obligation of this group that was welcomed with open arms, something as important as this educational institution ", he stressed.