Working for and with Voluntario Global is a rewarding experience for the volunteers and for those the organization helps. Lahav Calev volunteers at one of the childhood development centers located in one of the many shanty towns found throughout the city of Buenos Aires.
Upon entry to the center, the feelings of warmth and hospitality are overwhelming. Those who enter are greeted with the casual greeting that is common in Buenos Aires, a kiss just off the side of the cheek. Along with that hospitality, the sounds of children fill the air. The children’s ages are ranging from infants and toddlers up to kindergarten.
One thing is for certain, all of the children will receive a hot and hearty lunch. The giving doesn't stop there. The children are receiving an education provided by volunteers from the neighborhood as well as from across the globe.
Voluntario Global plays a critical role in the operation of this particular center. Alejandra is a social worker employed by the center who works on a daily basis tending to the needs of the children and their families.
Alejandra says, “Very often the teachers don’t have enough hands to serve so many children and the volunteers help with this, likewise in the classrooms. There are about 30 per room with a teacher and an assistant. With children less than 5 years old it is very difficult at times to supervise that there are no accidents. So, the volunteers help a lot in providing an extra hand there, which makes the work a little lighter.”
Calev is an Israeli national and a graduate of The Open University of Israel volunteering with Voluntario Global in Buenos Aires. Lahav is spending three weeks in Buenos Aires and volunteering in the kitchen at an unnamed center for child development. The kitchen and school are located in one of the many shanty towns of the city.
“I’m just helping with minor jobs in the kitchen” Calev says modestly. “I’m just doing a small part in the daily routine of the kitchen and I hope that it is helping.”
Nilda is one of the supervisors that works in the kitchen with Calev on a daily basis. She and the other workers hold him and his work in very high regard.
“He is someone who helps us a lot.” Said Nilda, “He likes to work. He is very dedicated. All that we ask him to do he does very well like an excellent individual, Calev is nice and kind to us. He is our partner. When he leaves we will miss him very much.”
“I like to let things happen at their own place.” Calev said, “I don’t think I can plan exactly where I want to be in two years, but the experience here is helping me in several ways. In order to be a social worker, volunteering is something you have to do. If you volunteer abroad, it is a big help to get into schools as an international student. Working for a volunteer organization, you learn how the dynamics of the organization work.”
Calev's ultimate goal is to be a social worker specializing in International development. He wants his work to empower communities with issues of health awareness and to raise awareness for the subject. One thing Lahav is certain of is that he wants to help. Voluntario Global is helping him to achieve those goals while assisting the communities where the organization works.
Book club Buenos Aires: Todos los fuegos el fuego by Julio Cortázar
geschrieben von Sophie Aitken
Julio Cortázar is one of the names most synonymous with both Argentine literature and the Latin American boom, and perhaps the most experimental. While he is best known for his novel Rayuela (Hopscotch), in which the reader can choose their own path through the chapters of the story, he also has a large oeuvre of short stories, many influenced by surrealism, which he no doubt encountered during his years in France, after leaving Argentina due to his dissatisfaction with the Perón government.
Todos los fuegos el fuego, published in 1966, is a collection of 8 of his short stories, separate but with pervasive themes running through all of them. The title story exemplifies this the best, with a dual narrative of both a gladiator fight occurring in ancient Rome, and an argument between lovers in modern-day Paris, the two stories first alternating paragraphs, until the interchanging is so fast it is difficult to know what is happening on which timeline. And this is very much the point - the story’s title ‘Todos los fuegos el fuego’ (All Fires the Fire) points to an abstract sense of perpetuity through the many ages of man solidified by the concurrent events in the story.
Challenging the conceptions of time in this way is evident in other stories in this collection, notably ‘La autopista del sur’ (‘South highway’), which begins as an innocuous tale of a long traffic jam, which lasts longer and longer until a new microcosm of society is formed in between the cars stuck on the road, children are conceived and born, the elderly become sick and die. No timescale is given to the story but it still manages to show many facets of the human condition through the community that emerges out of the stationary cars.
‘La isla a mediodia’ (‘The Island at Noon’) carries the surrealist influence into a story about a flight attendant, Marini, who fantasises about escaping to the island that his plane flies over every day at midday. After much teasing from his colleagues and passengers he decides to quit his job and join the population of the island, living the life he has fantasised about for so long. But the sound of his old plane flying over the island and a body washing up on the shore cause both Marini and the reader question their perception of reality…
Everyone can agree that love is the universal language. However, I would like to argue that dance is too. I don’t just mean solo dancing, I also mean partner dancing. No matter where you travel to in the world, there is a dance that connects communities and cultures. To me, dancing has been one of the main things that has bridged many gaps I’ve come across while on my trips. It’s become a comfort thing for me to find the places to go dancing as soon as I reach a new destination.
To give a little bit of background on me, I have been partner dancing for 5 years and I am from Austin, Texas. I dance every style you can think of, from salsa to swing and from tango to the country two-step. I go out social dancing regularly (at least two times a week) and since I knew I would be spending quite a bit of time in Buenos Aires, I took a few Argentine Tango classes before coming, hoping I could get a jump start in understanding the culture here. Before my arrival to the great country of Argentina, I asked the Tango community in Austin if they knew of any places to go dancing while I was here and unfortunately, they gave me names of people, not the names of places.
Long story short, I did some research and have decided to chronicle my dance adventures because I know that I can’t be the only one who comes here with an itch to dance.
In honor of my temporary residence, the first class I decided to go to was an Argentine Tango class. Another volunteer and I attended a class at La Viruta in Palermo. It was 100 pesos to attend and included the practica afterwards. They had a beginner, intermediate and advanced class and they were all well-attended. Although this was not a milonga, the atmosphere was very similar to my expectations and what I have become used to at home. For example, everyone is polite and switches partners, we say thank you after we are finished dancing with a particular person, etc. Even my expectations of how a tango class would be were met; the women were dressed in skirts and heels, making eye contact was an invitation to dance, etc. All in all, it was extremely newcomer friendly and the tango-ers there were very willing to help a new dancer with whatever we were confused about.
With that being said, there were also a few new customs that I was not used to. Towards the end of the night, it was like the floor had become a show. Only advanced couples were dancing and they stayed with the same dance partner the whole time instead of switching for each song. It was intriguing, watching the ladies do their flares and kicks, accenting the music. I had never seen such musicality with this particular style of dance. Nobody tried to make small talk during the dance. Instead, they keep quiet, not even acknowledging any missteps. The embrace is close, so this is not surprising. However, I have always apologized after I make a mistake and when I did that the first time during class, I was told that was a really American thing to do.
I left La Viruta wanting to take more classes and to attend a milonga. This dance culture is unique to this country and through it, I am hoping to learn more about the social norms and make a few Argentinian friends.
It all started with the concept of bringing together chefs, farmers, cheesemakers, beer brewers, bakers, and many more to the same table. However, since they couldn’t find a table that would fit them all comfortably, they started this food festival called Feria Masticar. In it’s fifth year, Feria Masticar boasted its biggest numbers yet at the heart of Palermo, in a place called El Dorrego. Their tagline loosely translates to ‘Healthy body=Happy heart,’ and here, they take pride in the reunion between the urban chef and the rural geniuses we like to call farmers.
We could literally smell the festival at least from a mile away and were really surprised by the crowd that we found when we reached our destination. Masticar had a very lively atmosphere and everywhere we turned, we saw people holding food that almost looked like pieces of art yet delicious enough to inhale. Since we had waited to have lunch at the festival, we began scouting out our choices. There was a really long line at el Choribondi de La Cabrera (a food truck) so decided to have their signature ‘bife de chorizo’ and I’m happy to report that it was the best one I’ve ever tasted. For the dessert lovers, there were countless of stands filled with cookies, brownies and scones. We had a dulce de leche brownie from Sugar and Spice which was unlike any brownie I had ever tried.
This family-friendly event provided me the chance to see that there is a really big foodie community in Buenos Aires, much like the one in my home city, Austin, Texas. When I came to Argentina, I came with the misconception that all they eat is meat. I had no idea that their cuisine was so diverse and that chefs were dedicated to join the clean food movement. I saw people walking around with everything from craft beer to aprons and we saw stands dedicated to the discussion of wine and cooking techniques. With the growth of Masticar and other food festivals in Buenos Aires, I would not be surprised if this became a destination event in the coming years.
With only 3 published novels it may seem curious as to why Ernesto Sábato is considered one of the literary greats of Argentina, however his personal life and activities make his appeal more unique than that of a standard author. Born in Rojas, a province of Buenos Aires in 1911, he was involved with politics from his youth, a member of the Argentine Communist Youth Federation. After gaining his PhD in Physics, he later moved to Paris, France for a research position where he experienced the European surrealist movement first-hand, later to influence both his own work and that of other Latin American authors. After leaving science for writing he produced many essays in addition to 3 novels; many politically charged. Most notably, Sábato was the main author of the report Nunca más, on the atrocities committed in the Dirty War of Argentina which led to the prosecution of the responsible military leaders.
His first published novel, El túnel, came out in 1948 and tells the story of Juan Pablo Castel and his descent into an insane obsession with a woman named Maria. This obsession finally pushes him to murder her, and the events recounted in the novel are written from his jail cell. The two first meet at his gallery, where Maria is struck by his painting entitled ‘Maternity’, and Castel feels a connection to her, one he struggles to find with most people. He wanders the streets of Buenos Aires desperate to bump into her, which he does after many months. They start a relationship despite her being married, but Castel’s jealousy and irrationality causes the affair to break down, though he is still obsessed with the notion of fate, and the two being together, enough so that he eventually murders her for leaving him.
This short novel is concerned with existentialism to the extent that it has been compared to Albert Camus’ The Stranger, the character Castel laments the futility of existence: “A veces creo que nada tiene sentido.”, and takes pride in his solitude, while still longing to be understood. The name Juan Pablo is even a nod to Jean Paul Sartre, the philosopher who constructed existentialism. The story is also interesting when read psychologically, as Castel can be read as having an Oedipus complex, and his obsession with Maria is simply his search for a replacement mother figure - which makes the name of his painting over which the two bond, ’Maternity’, stand out, coupled with the fact then when he kills her he stabs her breasts and her stomach. Buenos Aires as a setting is important to the story, especially with its juxtaposition to the country ranch in Mar del Plata. While walking through the busy streets of the city you can almost feel as Castel did, desperately searching for Maria among the thousands of faces.
If there’s anything international it’s the love of books and classic films. April is a pretty busy cultural month in Buenos Aires, Argentina, especially concerning these popular pastimes.
This year was the 18th year of BAFICI, the Buenos Aires Independent Film Festival. Movie-goers were able to catch at least one featured film daily from April 13th-April 24th at 27 different locations all throughout the city.
Not only is BACIFI an important vehicle to showcase local Argentinian talent, it also serves as a diverse channel to learn about cultures all over the world. Five continents were represented in unique ways and awards were given in categories such as Best Feature Film, Best Children’s Film and a UNICEF human rights award.
Bacifi is an opportunity to get to know Buenos Aires and the Argentinian culture as well! Among the list of theaters was the historic Teatro Colon and a few films featured live concerts, and food trucks.
Throughout the years, this film festival has become well known and reached well over a million spectators! Film aficionados have the opportunity to attend workshops and discussions with the cast and crew of specific films.
If you’re a book lover, never fear! The 42nd Annual International Book Fair in Buenos Aires is the place for you.
Held at La Rural, Predio Ferial, this enormous book fair is considered one of the five most important in the world. It houses over 2,500 stands and features books by over a million international authors.
Although the fair is a great place to stock up your book selection for the next year, it also provides an opportunity for small businesses, non-profit organizations and other governmental entities to have a presence and educate the public about their organization.
From new reads to classic fiction and interactive activities, to open discussions and workshops, there is sure to be something for everyone.
How far would you go to be heard? If there is something bothering you or if you are upset about something, what would you do? Would you sit in silence, voice your opinion or gather your troops and let your voices be heard?
The volunteers and coordinators at Voluntario Global sat together and discussed what it meant to protest in our respective countries. We had representatives from United States, Denmark, Singapore, Israel, England and of course, Argentina. We talked about the issues our different countries faced and discussed the different ways these issues are dealt with. We discovered that every country handles issues differently but the one thing we all had in common, was our determination to make a change by letting our voices be heard. This can come in the form of a protest like we see here in Argentina, or it can be in the form of social media where we share posts and articles that represent what we believe in. And as we discussed, we couldn’t help but hear the people of Argentina protesting on the streets with their drums, trumpets, banners and flags.
“Protesting is an expression. It is more visible with more people. Protesting is natural. Think about it, we have been protesting since we were a child. When a baby is upset, he cries in protest.”, says Milena, Project Coordinator for Voluntario Global.
My question is, how useful are these protests? What is the reason behind these protests? There seems to be a protest on the streets almost every day in Buenos Aires. From young to old, Argentinians bust out in chants and dance their way down the streets waving their banners in protest. What do they protest about you may ask? Well, just about anything really.
- Workers rights
- Disagreement with the new government
- Unemployment
- Hike in prices for transportation
- Disapproval of Uber
- Hike in prices for tuition fees in the University
The list goes on and on. When I think of a protest, I think police barricades, I think angry, violent people, I think uproar and chaos but the protests in Buenos Aires are far from what I expected. The protests here are most certainly non-violent. They are peaceful protests which can sometimes even be mistaken for a fiesta. All that ruckus and for what really? Are their needs being fulfilled? Are their expectations of a better life met? Are their voices even being heard?
“Being on the streets makes them feel like they’re doing something. They are happier because they have hope. When their voices are heard, they have hope. They stand up for their beliefs and they don’t let anyone take that away from them.”, says Valeria, Founder of Voluntario Global.
It was then that I realized, while it did matter that someone listened and made the necessary changes, it was more important that these people had an outlet to voice their opinions. Protests usually happen in capital cities because that is where they will be heard. You protest to show that you have a voice. You protest because there is disagreement. You protest because there is something not up to standard and you wish to see change. And sometimes, you protest because you want it to be known that everyone has different opinions. Not everyone’s point of view is the same and that it is okay.
In some countries, protests are banned. In my country for instance, peaceful protests are banned for fear of larger demonstrations in the future. There needs to be trust between civilians that we respect one another’s opinion and not fear that our differences will drive us apart. Protests can be healthy and there is importance in knowing that the individual has the power to make a change. The people in Argentina will wave their flags higher, beat their drums harder and sing even louder because this is what it takes to let their voices be heard. They want everybody to know that they will not stop until justice is served and change is made.
I have always been a fan of literature. In fact, at the last possible moment I switched my major from English Literature to Modern Languages when I had the revelation that I could still take literature classes, and ones far more interesting than those conducted in my own language. Classes such as literature are often compulsory when learning a language, and for good reason; cultural context gives us a deeper understanding of a society which is just as essential for integrating into a community as learning the language. The turbulent past of Argentina, like in many countries in Latin America, has prompted literary movements that have produced many excellent works, still widely read today both in their original forms and in numerous translations. To truly know a place, read its stories.
The struggle for independence from Spain and the consequent birth of the Argentine nation produced politically charged pieces, and later literature began to exemplify the struggle for a national identity, themes evident in many other Latin American countries. Near the end of the 19th century, modernism gripped all of Latin America; modernismo is a movement that celebrates the spiritual, but not religious, and exemplifies the notion of l’art pour l’art, however the sentiments of previous authors and poets could still be found. Later in the century came the Latin American boom, which has produced some of the most well-known exampled of Argentine literature, and ones that experiment with surrealism and magic realism. During the censorship of the Dirty War there was a lull in the creative industry, as a result much contemporary literature deals with the events of the war.
Over the next 5 weeks I will be reviewing 5 different works from Argentine authors from a variety of movements, in an attempt to inspire a greater understanding of the country through literature - so much more interesting than reading a history book!
There aren’t many people who can come to Buenos Aires, even for a week, and not leave with the sense that they’ve fallen in love with the city. There are so many small and huge reasons to become enamored with this colourful, bustling and friendly city, and I have listed a few of the smaller things I’ve noticed which act as telltale signs that I too will leave Buenos Aires with a lingering sense of rapture, infatuation and many blissful memories.
1) You know you have fallen under the spell of Buenos Aires’ fashionable culture when you find yourself admiring rather than scorning the huge array of platforms and flatforms which adorn the shop windows, and you even consider whether you have enough space in your backpack to take a pair home with you! (The answer is always no!)
2) Another aspect is to take delight in watching the people’s passion about politics and the constant protests and marches which take place outside your window and have now become a part of your daily life. Something you know you will miss when you get home to your quiet town or city.
3) It’s easy to fall in love with the food in Buenos Aires. You will find yourself addicted to alfajores and there comes a point when you have tried every single style and every single brand, with the ability to reel off their names just as easily as you can say the alphabet
4) Speaking of food, if you truly love the food culture of Buenos Aires, you will find that you can give advice on the best restaurants, cafes and bars within the entire Capital, and direct someone to the best Japanese, Indian, Chinese, Italian, English or Peruvian eatery without having to give it a moment’s thought.
5) The amount of time spent trying to practice your (pretty poor) Castellano on local shop owners shows when the Kiosk owner and workers in the nearest pizza shop all wave at you as you go past and like to play tricks on you about your usual pizza order. The friendly attitudes all around Buenos Aires are what make it truly special.
6) Something which can at first seem alien, but soon seems logical are Argentine timings. Leaving for the club at 2am, having a large and late dinner at 10pm… when you discover that these have become your normality and you are constantly perplexed at why your friends and parents back home eat, go out and sleep at such strange and early times, it’s clear to see that you’ve fallen in love with all aspects of Porteno life.
7) When you can sit on your usual bus and notice the small changes along its route that help add to the jigsaw puzzle of this crazy and wonderful city; the old lady who usually watches from her balcony isn’t there today, or the family who usually gets on at the stop after you are already on the bus when you sit down. Watching these little aspects of life change can be captivating.
8) Right from the start you will notice yourself falling in love with the web of history linked so tightly to this city. You will become enchanted by the history and always try to find out as much as possible about the stories behind the buildings, the people and the events within Buenos Aires.
9) The people you meet along your journey are what really give Buenos Aires a very special place in your heart. Having friendly faces dotted all around the city from numerous different countries and backgrounds, of varied ages, who you hope to come back and visit or travel with in the near future can create strong connections between you and Buenos Aires which will never fade.
10) Of course, the best way to tell that you’ve fallen in love with Buenos Aires is the fact that you really don’t want to leave! Nowhere can quite compare to the people, places and lifestyle you will encounter in this city and it will always take up a little space in the back of your mind, like a past lover who you will one day return to visit. (Or maybe even to live here for good!)
Thank you, Buenos Aires, for everything!
VOLUNTARIO GLOBAL
Voluntario Global helps local communities by being available to discuss anything that local organizations need, and offering ideas for further change and development.
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