Sunday, November 22, 2009

José Gervasio Artigas and Joaquín Lenzina

Monument and Mausoleum of José Gervasio Artigas at the Plaza Indepedencia in Montevideo, Uruguay
In the center of the Plaza Independencia in Montevideo you'll find the monument of José Gervasio Artigas, the national hero of Uruguay. The history of Argentina and Uruguay is closely connected. Both belonged to the Spanish Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. Seizing the opportunity of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe both countries declared their independence from the Spanish crown in the early 19th century. Artigas dedicated his life to the fight for a free, democratic, and federal Uruguay. His remains rest in a mausoleum under the ground of the Independence Place. Noteworthy is Artigas' close friendship with Joaquín Lenzina, called the Black Alsina, who once was captured by Portuguese soldiers and made a slave. Artigas bought him from captivity and released him. Alsina accompanied his savior till his death as a friend and biographer.

Ansina me llaman
Y Ansina yo soy...
Sólo Artigas sabe
Hacia donde me voy.

Ansina they call me
And Ansina I am ...
Only Artigas knows
Where I go.

¡Viva el oriental que ama al Paraguay! Poem by Lenzina (truncated)

7 comments:

Bob Crowe said...

Sorry do few comments lately - pushing through a very heavy stretch at work. This drew me in from the portal - visual drama and a good back story. We won't make it to Montevideo but we can't wait for our visit to BsAs - less than three months now.

Hilda said...

A beautiful and solemn memorial of both heroism and friendship. Very dramatic lighting too.

Andreea said...

Interesting history lesson, I did not know of Artigas or of his loyal friend.

B SQUARED said...

Fascinating to learn the history of new places.

Leif Hagen said...

Quite a solemn, special photo with the soldiers standing guard ...

AB said...

The monument makes a great picture -- the reflected light is wonderful.

Anonymous said...

In Fact, Artigas dedicated his life to the fight for a free, democratic, and federal Argentina.

Sadly, failed. For that reason Argentina and Uruguay are today independent nations...