El día de la bandera (flag day)

Wednesday June 20th is the national flag day here in Argentina, and it holds a special importance here in Rosario which is la cuna de la bandera (the cradle of the flag).  The man that created the Argentine flag is from Rosario, it was shown for the first time in public in Rosario and the sense of pride about the flag is strongest here.  We were given the opportunity to attend the festivities centered around the monument instead of attending class that morning, due to its cultural significance.  It was a beautifully sunny morning and the streets were lined with Rosarians with the day off of school and work to display their patriotism and celebrate the creation of the flag.  There was a military parade that marched along the street next to the river and the longest flag in the world (25 kilometers!) was draped around the monument and the streets nearby.  The sense of nationalism that the Argentines possess, despite their tumultuous government and economy was pleasantly surprising to me.  Not to mention an opportunity to learn about Argentine culture via a day spent outside in the sunshine instead of sitting in the classroom.

in front of the monument holding the largest flag in the world 

 ¡feliz día de la bandera!

students in my group with our profesora Susana Rosano