And now, for some history
After rereading my entries and realizing they were (basically) strictly about partying, I’ve decided that I should add some redeeming qualities to this blog as well. I am aware that this is not a promising start, but I solemnly swear to keep this post brief, informative and entertaining. So there.
A lot of people connect Argentina with one of two things: tango and Evita. I plan on doing a full rundown of tango sometime down the road, so for today I will concentrate on the latter – Evita.
Through my visit to the Evita Museum – and from conversations with many an Argentine – I’ve learned that everyone here has an opinion about the former first lady. She is way more than the Madonna movie portrayed her (though I do think that is a fabulous film, and it truly tugs at my heartstrings), and really worth a deeper look. So, here we go.
- Why is she famous? Eva Peron, lovingly referred to as Evita, was married to Juan Peron, who became the President of Argentina in 1946. She was a huge advocate of human rights – especially women’s! – and did a lot for the poor and downtrodden people of Argentina.
- Why is her story so special? People everywhere admire Evita for her perseverance and ambition. Hers was a rags-to-riches story; she grew up in a very poor province of Buenos Aires and moved to the city as a teenager. Her drive led her to seek out an acting career, which drew the attention of government officials like the man she would eventually marry, Peron.
- What did she accomplish as First Lady? Within just a few years, Evita created a host of special programs and provisions for those who were underserved by the government. She gave women the right to vote in 1947, not even one year after her husband assumed the presidency. She also set up children’s hospitals and orphanages and safe havens where single mothers could go with their children.
Madonna as Evita…not a bad portrayal.
- Why is she controversial? Many see the Peronist government, led in large part by Evita, as an indoctrinatory one. Children in school were forced to read books praising Evita and Juan Peron and the way their government operated. Many members of the upper classes also felt it unnecessary to spend so much time and energy trying to help the needy, who they felt were impoverished due to their own faults.
- How did she die? Evita got cancer in the early ‘50s, though she kept it a secret from the public. She passed away in 1952 at the age of 33, and was given an official state funeral. Over 20 percent of the entire country’s population attended the funeral.
- How does Argentina remember her? Affectionately, for the most part. Though there are still a great many people who oppose her beliefs, she is undoubtedly a very significant figure in Argentina’s history. She is buried in Recoleta cemetery, where thousands of people visit her grave each year to pay their respects. There are also multiple museums dedicated to her.