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The America's gaucho. Marcelino Soulé's raid from Buenos Aires to Washington, from 1938-1942-
Authors: Matías Emiliano-Casas
Number of views: 511
Since the 18th. century to the date, the character of the gaucho has been subject of several attributions of meaning. The gaucho’s different representations circu- lated simultaneously, resulting in diffe- rent meanings for this character which were expressed with particular intensity in the decade of the 40’s in the Pro- vince of Buenos Aires. In this context, the horseback ride done by Marcelino Soulé, a self-proclaimed Argentine gau- cho, provides a number of elements to deepen the analysis on such representa- tions and incorporating into the study several countries in the Americas. The collection of newspapers found in Solé’s personal file, allows a reconstruction of his adventure. From the archetype of argentinidad --as the most importat of the Argentine’s heritage symbols-- up to a synonymous for the cow-boy, the extensive route traveled by Soulé allows us to realize the gaucho’s lability. Soulé re-built his own story as soon as he was leaving Buenos Aires. The role played by the media on reporting his ride, com- plemented the process of recognozing him as a genuine bearer of the Argen- tina’s tradition.