Human Rights Day Show in Plaza de Mayo

In celebration of International Human Rights Day last Friday, Plaza de Mayo received 150,000 spectators to an organised concert on Sunday night. The event was also to commemorate 27 years of Argentine democracy as it was the anniversary of former President Rául Alfonsín coming to power. The event also coincided with the third anniversary of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner´s administration.

Within the context of International Human Rights Day President Fernández presented campaigners and activists with awards. The “Bicentenary Extraordinary Award” to Hebe de Bonafini, Estela Carlotto, Marta Vázquez, Laura Conte and Lita Boitano of the Madres and the Abuelas of Plaza de Mayo. During the celebrations, a variety of personalities from the cultural, political, social and artistic backrounds read texts about the country’s Human Rights Plan.

Among the topics were justice, equality, and the universalisation of rights at international forums.

Several speakers discussed local recent human rights issues for instance the latest deaths and land seizures in Villa Soldati and the tragic death of Mariano Ferrerya.

With images of the Madres of the Plaza de Mayo projected onto the Casa Rosada, the festival culminated in diverse concerts with music from Charly Garcia, León Gieco, and Víctor Heredia, among others. With music continuing into the night, the celebrations were finished with a grand firework display.