Encounter with the Tradition

The "Círculo Criollo El Rodeo", is an Institution that deals with Tradition. It was founded on December 16th, 1939, by a group of friends who had met to "correr sortijas", and they decided to keep and encourage the Argentinean Traditional Wealth. "El Rodeo"'s property is placed in Moreno District, Buenos Aires Province, it has 7 hectares and it houses a "Gauchesco" Traditionalist Museum, a Popular Library, a Creole Chapel that is consecrated to "Nuestra Señora de Luján", and several other items belonging to different Popes, and very old donated images too.

The old carriages, play a very important part in the place, because they not only offer to take brides to the chapel, but they can also be used for the visitor's walks along the place. Among the valuable carriages, there is a very old cart, a French "Landó", that belonged to the National Presidency, a Breek, a Faetón, and several carts and carriages. "El Rodeo" has many facilities such as an activity camping site, parties' lounges and a bower, where the roasted meat is prepared during the festival days.

Every month, "El Rodeo" organizes traditional festivities, they include the "jineteada", the "Corridas de Sortija" and of course, it is possible to eat "asado" and "empanadas". The "gauchos" and the "paisanas" gently receive to all the visitors: students, retired people, tourists from abroad, etc. After spending a whole day enjoying the place, it is very hand to return. The "Maté" is obviously included too.

Something about history…

"El Rodeo's" first president was Don Diego Carozo. Under his leadership, its first head office was placed on Almafuerte Street 383, Santos Lugares, General San Martín District by that time. Later on they moved twice, firstly to "Villa Bosch" and then to "El Palomar". They got their own head office in 1980; it's placed in the "Pagos Históricos del Puente de Márquez, in Moreno District, to the west of Buenos Aires Capital City.

The Institution's presidents were consecutively, Don Diego Carozo, Don Vicente Alberto Velaz, Don Joaquín Parodi, Don Daniel Manuel Melo, Don Carlos Lopez, Don Mario Martinez again, and Don Guillermo White at the present time Don Orlando "Fito" Binaghi, was during 50 years the Institution's General Secretary (1944-1996). The "Círculo Criollo El Rodeo" was his whole life and, he gave it his best; his work and effort as well as his extraordinary art works. It is possible to see them at the Chapel and at the Museum too; where there is a statue in his homage. His mortal remains (ashes) were placed in a small urn at the chapel, but later on, they were spread along the whole place that he had loved so much.

One of the most outstanding activities due to the "Círculo Criollo" intervention, was the foundation of the "Federación de Centros Tradicionalistas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires", in 1969. They also took part in the creation of the "Confederación Gaucha Argentina", in 1980. Besides, they created the "Sortijas" Argentinean Championship, and they trained the "Pato" teams from the "regimiento de Granaderos a Caballo, General San Martín", when it was declared as National Sport in the 90's. They also organized the "Agrupación Montada Juvenil", for children and teenagers where they are able to show their abilities on horseback.

On Horseback...

From 1945 onwards, "El Rodeo" organizes, together with the "Círculo Criollo Martín Fierro" from Jáuregui, the Pilgrinage on horseback to "Nuestra Señora de Luján" Sanctuary. It takes place every year, on the last Sunday of September. It gathers about 5000 people, who go there, to venerate the Patron Virgin of the Argentinean Traditionalist Movement. From 1950 onwards, they pay homage to the General San Martín, placing a laurel wreath at the Mausoleum where his mortal remains are kept. They also take out fire from the "Llama Votiva", that is constantly burning at the Metropolitan Cathedral's Frontispiece; as a homage to the Liberator and to the Independence's unknown Soldier. The fire is taken by people on horseback, until the El Rodeo's facilities; it is used to light the torch that is always burnt at the Museum's Sanmartiniano Rincón"

Activities

It is possible to become a member of "El Rodeo" by paying $25 (ladies) and $30 (men). The monthly membership fee is $4,50 and $6,00 respectively. The whole place can be visited freely even the Chapel and the Museum. The members can camp there and they can also share the traditional festivals freely too. There are folklore classes on Saturdays from 5:00 to 6:00 PM for children; from 6:00 to 7:00 PM for teenagers; and from 7:00 to 8:00 PM for adults. Chats, lectures, and traditional processions are also offered. Marriages, baptisms and private meetings can be celebrated there too. All of them within its traditional style and culture.

The "Gauchos" marriages include the bride's transfer by traction vehicles, the party's lounge and the catering service. To spend a whole day at El Rodeo, includes the National Flag Running up, the breakfast with maté and fried cakes, the guided visits to the Museum, the Library, the Gaucha chapel, and the Historical Carriages.

The walk by carriage is carried out at noon, and at the return, lunch is ready. It consists of "empanadas", Creole sausages, "asado", black pudding, chicken, mixed salad, etc. It is possible to drink white or red wines, pop sodas, water, etc. The dessert may be ice-cream or caramel custard. After lunch and dinner, there is a folk show.

People can also dance too. Before having tea, prizes for the lottery game are given. It is also possible to buy souvenirs, cheeses and local cold cuts there. During the traditional festivities, the day begins with the flag running up, the Creole Mass in the chapel, and the "jineteada". Then there are "corridas de sortija", and several folk shows. Lunch may be provided by the Círculo "pulperia", it consists of "asado" with salad, drinks and dessert. The price is $9. It is also possible to take your own food. The members admission to the festival is free. Those who aren't members have to pay $8.

Cavalcades

The stable of the place is used by the members. It is possible to hire horses and to go for a ride. The "Posta Los Rosales" cavalcades are very well known ones. They may last two, three or five hours. The shortest one goes along the Reconquista River and Camino del Buen Ayre, till arriving at the CEAMCE forests. The cavalcades are carried out on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 AM and at 5:00 PM in summer and at 3:00 PM in winter. The price is $45 and they include lunch at the Círculo Criollo, being able to stay in the place along the whole afternoon. The last Saturday of September, there is an annually cavalcade to Luján City. It lasts five hours.

It is possible to camp in the city and to share the next day, a procession of about 5000 people organized by the "Círculo Criollo El Rodeo". Its price is $15 per hour, it includes the suitable equipments and the previous horse-riding practices. The cavalcades are carried out in six people's groups with two "marcheros".

How to arrive

The "Círuclo Criollo El Rodeo" is located in Puente Marquez and Mendoza Streets, Paso del Rey City. Moreno District, Buenos Aires Province. It is placed to some meters of the intersection of Gaona Avenue (Western Freeway) and the "Camino del Buen Ayre". Departing from Buenos Aires Capital City it is possible to go along the 25 de Mayo Freeway towards Liniers, to connect with the Western Freeway until the Camino del Buen Ayre going out. Then going along the "colectora" one till Puente Marquez, there it is necessary to turn right at the first street till reaching Puente Marquez and Mendoza Streets. There, the Círculo Criollo El Rodeo" is placed. It is also possible to arrive at the place, going along the North Access, taking the Camino del Buen Ayre till the Western Freeway, then along the "colectora" street till the Puente Marquez, there it is necessary to turn right at the first street till reaching Puente Marquez and Mendoza Streets. There, the "Círculo Criollo El Rodeo" is placed.

Recommended Links

http://www.circuloelrodeo.com.ar
elrodeo@tradiciongaucha.com.ar