The General San Martín Cultural Center, which celebrated fifty years of existence in full confinement due to the coronavirus pandemic, is a true icon of Buenos Aires culture. Thousands of artists and intellectuals passed through the Sarmiento 1551 building and it was the occasional setting for various activities. For example, in 1971, it hosted the semifinal of the world chess championship between the American Bobby Fischer and the Soviet Tigran Petrosian. The First Legislature of the City of Buenos Aires also functioned there and was the headquarters of the historic CONADEP.
Now called El Cultural San Martín, just like that, it has been directed, for almost four years, by the cultural manager Diego Berardo, who presented the 2023 program, whose axis will go through the celebration of 40 years of democracy. In scenic matters, this entity that depends on the Buenos Aires Ministry of Culture maintains a co-production scheme to accompany the creative processes of its proposals. It grants financial aid and/or makes its technical equipment available.
Throughout the year there will be thirteen works whose performances fall between theatre, physical, children’s, circus, theater-dance and objects, musical comedy or other expressive languages. The premieres will be “Terco” by Marcelo Savignone (which is already offering performances, see box) and “The young promises” by Los Pipis, a display of stories and characters. They will add “Volcán de brujas”, directed by Ezequiel Tronconi, about the return to the place of birth and “Todos los duels”, directed by Rubén Sabbadini, about a computer programmer. Also “Buscando al Che”, written and directed by Matías Puricelli, which raises the dilemma of how to approach her figure and “María is Callas”, directed by Tatiana Santana, an intimate work about the legendary diva.
Other titles are “Essay about us” by Nacho De Santis, which arose from Javier Daulte’s playwriting workshop and “Universo Wamini” by Osqui Guzmán, with mutant clowns that roam planet earth. Finally, “Turreo místico” by Mariana Cumbi Bustinza, a free version of Macbeth; “Blood” by Pepe Márquez, inspired by “Bodas de sangre” by Lorca and an adaptation of “El misentendido” by Camus, directed by Mariano Stolkiner.
In addition, “Hermaphrodite” by Alfredo Arias, Mayra Bonard and Carlos Casella returns, where two speakers recount the life of Herculine Adelaide Barbin, a pseudo-hermaphrodite born in France in 1838. For winter holidays the children’s “Wonderful Objects” by Hugo Midón and Carlos Gianni.
