Cultural Mediations and Social Practices in the Construction of the Coliseo Theater in the City of Zárate, Argentina

Abstract

Between the end of the xix century and the first years of the xx the city of Zárate, in the province of Buenos Aires, underwent numerous transformations. Most of them could be clearly identified with the process of modernization that the Argentine society showed during this period. One of the central variables in this phenomenon was transatlantic immigration. This migratory presence led to the emergence of numerous associations that performed various functions. One of them was to create spaces of sociability, among them theaters. In this case, the present investigation tries to approach some of these questions from two axes. The first of them inquires about the men who decided to build the lyric theater of Zárate. Second deepens in the practices that were carried out to achieve that work and also in the speeches that helped to turn it not only into a symbol of the Italian community but of the city of Zárate.