The Gran Café
Tortoni is undoubtedly an iconic symbol of the finest hospitality industry of that superb and more than enchanting Latin American metropolis called Buenos Aires, a famed establishment with a
long captivating history to narrate considered the most
artsy hangout of the history of the city delighted by Tango sounds when it was inaugurated by a French immigrant hosting year by year the highest national and international nomenclature during their stays in the lively and eternally trendy Argentinian Capital.
Currently that icon
is property of the Institution Touring Club Argentino and after over 150 years of
its foundation it continues to be more than a legend with several achieved awards as that when it was selected by UCity Guides as one of the ten most charming and beautiful cafes in the world, a prestigious title which elevated furthermore its prestige and popularity all around the globe.
That legendary site is situated at 825 Avenida de Mayo along an emblematic boulevard, a long, bustling, eternally lively and stylish hallway which was the first main metropolitan avenue developed in the entire Latin America when it was arranged in 1894 with a clear Parisian inspiration and after its inauguration it was immediately compared to the iconic Champs Elysées, that extraordinary boulevard 1,9 kilometres long and 70,0 metres wide which runs between Place Charles de Gaulle and Place de la Concorde in the 8th arrondissement of the stunning French capital.
The Gran Café Tortoni replaced in that place the Templo Escocés the Scottish Temple established in a magnificent building boasting a superb facade redesigned by the talented architect Alejandro Christophersen son of the Norwegian Consul in Buenos Aires who also designed some iconic constructions you can admire nowadays in that magnificent city such as the Stock Exchange, Astoria Hotel, Circulo Italiano, Palacio Anchorena, Basilica de Santa Rosa and including the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity among others.
That superb environment in the beating heart of the city undoubtedly played an important role supporting its grow, fame and glory when that renowned coffeehouse opened its doors along a historic and famous avenue, landmark of the city, Argentina and South America.
That legendary site is situated at 825 Avenida de Mayo along an emblematic boulevard, a long, bustling, eternally lively and stylish hallway which was the first main metropolitan avenue developed in the entire Latin America when it was arranged in 1894 with a clear Parisian inspiration and after its inauguration it was immediately compared to the iconic Champs Elysées, that extraordinary boulevard 1,9 kilometres long and 70,0 metres wide which runs between Place Charles de Gaulle and Place de la Concorde in the 8th arrondissement of the stunning French capital.
The Gran Café Tortoni replaced in that place the Templo Escocés the Scottish Temple established in a magnificent building boasting a superb facade redesigned by the talented architect Alejandro Christophersen son of the Norwegian Consul in Buenos Aires who also designed some iconic constructions you can admire nowadays in that magnificent city such as the Stock Exchange, Astoria Hotel, Circulo Italiano, Palacio Anchorena, Basilica de Santa Rosa and including the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity among others.
That superb environment in the beating heart of the city undoubtedly played an important role supporting its grow, fame and glory when that renowned coffeehouse opened its doors along a historic and famous avenue, landmark of the city, Argentina and South America.
That emergent Argentinian urban reality increased since its creation its image and appeal year by year with the elevation of stunning buildings in different styles adding the metropolitan grid an outstanding architectural patrimony thanks to the presence of magnificent Neoclassic, Art Deco and Modernist masterpieces
filling that strategic municipal axis with a stupendous aesthetic eclectic charm taking a
very European aspect despite established on the other side of the
Atlantic Ocean in a different Continet.
All those great works are still visible today in their grandeur and it is enough to mention some of them such as Palacio Barolo, Torre La Buenos Aires, Palacio Vera and Hotel Castelar among others.That marvellous project boasting an extraordinary mix of styles was created to surprise giving the city a very dazzling image but also to be mostly compared with its imprint and defined aspect to some of the most important European centres and the final result was extremely successful.
You will notice in a simple walk along Avenida de Mayo many things in common with that famed Parisian artery but also many other things similar to Gran Via of Madrid or Corso Sempione of Milan, three great European avenues of three great European cities all them packed by a varied range of attractions including notorious cafes which are always a tempting invitation to stop for a pleasant break and much more if a site is particularly attractive and boasting a history to narrate or enriched by some fascinating details.
That Argentinian avenue filled by appealing luminous neon lights, luxury Hotels, trendy bars, fine restaurants, melodic Tango sounds you can hear coming from different Venues and Clubs also marked in the course of its history by an incomparable and indisputable glamour which found along that boulevard its right habitat transmitting nowadays with also the presence of chich boutiques and trendy shops the golden ages of a Buenos Aires which since the late 19th century and after the two World Wars times became a favourite destination for many European immigrants to search and find fortune far from their motherlands.
All those great works are still visible today in their grandeur and it is enough to mention some of them such as Palacio Barolo, Torre La Buenos Aires, Palacio Vera and Hotel Castelar among others.That marvellous project boasting an extraordinary mix of styles was created to surprise giving the city a very dazzling image but also to be mostly compared with its imprint and defined aspect to some of the most important European centres and the final result was extremely successful.
You will notice in a simple walk along Avenida de Mayo many things in common with that famed Parisian artery but also many other things similar to Gran Via of Madrid or Corso Sempione of Milan, three great European avenues of three great European cities all them packed by a varied range of attractions including notorious cafes which are always a tempting invitation to stop for a pleasant break and much more if a site is particularly attractive and boasting a history to narrate or enriched by some fascinating details.
That Argentinian avenue filled by appealing luminous neon lights, luxury Hotels, trendy bars, fine restaurants, melodic Tango sounds you can hear coming from different Venues and Clubs also marked in the course of its history by an incomparable and indisputable glamour which found along that boulevard its right habitat transmitting nowadays with also the presence of chich boutiques and trendy shops the golden ages of a Buenos Aires which since the late 19th century and after the two World Wars times became a favourite destination for many European immigrants to search and find fortune far from their motherlands.
Nothing better for the Gran Café Tortoni was to open its doors along an outstanding window always packed by a multitude of locals and tourists attracting more and more clientele, an emblematic establishment that in addition is
located at a short distance from many monumental attractions of the Argentinian capital, certainly a perfect setting to develop a successful business.
That catering & hospitality emblem is in in its kind a true Cafe Museum ad many are the memories still alive of a place elevated as an indisputable local landmark. Its name is well known by all the Porteños common nickname of the inhabitants of Buenos Aires and millions of Argentinian citizens as part of the history and culture of the city and perhaps of the entire country.
That catering & hospitality emblem is in in its kind a true Cafe Museum ad many are the memories still alive of a place elevated as an indisputable local landmark. Its name is well known by all the Porteños common nickname of the inhabitants of Buenos Aires and millions of Argentinian citizens as part of the history and culture of the city and perhaps of the entire country.
The history of that site is highly interesting, suggestive and extremely captivating. Originally the former activity startged to be operative in 1858 on the corner of Rivadavia near Esmeralda not far from the current seat but in 1880 the owner decided to move to a block of the first mentioned avenue and in 1898 establishing the main entrance on the nearest prestigious Avenida de Mayo which was obviously a more shining window to gain further visibility and an increasing popularity.
The surname Tortoni which gave that coffeehouse its denomination is of clear Italian origin but the founder of that popular Café was a French immigrant called Touat.
He named his establishment taking an inspiration from the Gran Cafe Tortoni situated in Paris in the famous and chic Boulevard des Italiens located in the 9th arrondissement concretely in the district of Gaillon not far from Montmartre, an avenue which was and is still very famed for its unmistakable bohemian atmosphere highlighted by cosy Bistros and stylish Cafes, a must for all those who desire to breathe the typical air of an indisputable and fascinating Parisian artistic environment.
Along that captivating boulevard of the French Capital are also located the prestigious Cafe Anglais, Cafe Riche and that twin which transmitted the owner that inspiring idea was since the 18th century a favourite destination of the highest cultural sphere of the City of Lights and including mentioned in a literary work by a distinguished writer as Marie-Henry Beyle well known as Stendhal, that genius from Grenoble considered one the most distinctive earliest exponents of the Realism in the 19th century.
The nostalgia, tthoughts and memories of Touan were strongly linked to his beloved motherland and especially towards the magic charm of the everlasting enchanting Ville Lumière and he decided to arrange his Cafe in a loyal replica of a traditional Parisian layout in all its essence and spirit with identical fine furniture, stylish architectural details, refined materials used for the bar, ceiling and pilasters, charming rounded tables, fine wooden chairs and an use of soft lights emitted by beautiful chandeliers.
That site became a fin de siècle masterpiece, an outstanding 19th century Belle Époque Cafe in Buenos Aires according to the finest traditional and coquetry design of the most appealing cafes established in the major centre of France.
As in many places of the world there are anecdotes, episodes and curiosities linked to specific sites and also in the case of that symbol of Buenos Aires there is a debate about its opening and especially linked to its denomination because according to a historic version already existed in the city another Cafe Tortoni consisting in a property of an Italian immigrant called Oreste Tortoni.
That sort of "twin" was situated in Calle Defensa 200 very close to famous avenue Avenida Belgrano and the lively harbour environment of Puerto Madero but despite that presence with identical name that one located in Avenida de Mayo had the plaque visible nowadays outside the building hosting it with the date of its foundation identified by that iconic year 1858 and since then awarded as the oldest Cafe in Buenos Aires and Argentina.
The surname Tortoni which gave that coffeehouse its denomination is of clear Italian origin but the founder of that popular Café was a French immigrant called Touat.
He named his establishment taking an inspiration from the Gran Cafe Tortoni situated in Paris in the famous and chic Boulevard des Italiens located in the 9th arrondissement concretely in the district of Gaillon not far from Montmartre, an avenue which was and is still very famed for its unmistakable bohemian atmosphere highlighted by cosy Bistros and stylish Cafes, a must for all those who desire to breathe the typical air of an indisputable and fascinating Parisian artistic environment.
Along that captivating boulevard of the French Capital are also located the prestigious Cafe Anglais, Cafe Riche and that twin which transmitted the owner that inspiring idea was since the 18th century a favourite destination of the highest cultural sphere of the City of Lights and including mentioned in a literary work by a distinguished writer as Marie-Henry Beyle well known as Stendhal, that genius from Grenoble considered one the most distinctive earliest exponents of the Realism in the 19th century.
The nostalgia, tthoughts and memories of Touan were strongly linked to his beloved motherland and especially towards the magic charm of the everlasting enchanting Ville Lumière and he decided to arrange his Cafe in a loyal replica of a traditional Parisian layout in all its essence and spirit with identical fine furniture, stylish architectural details, refined materials used for the bar, ceiling and pilasters, charming rounded tables, fine wooden chairs and an use of soft lights emitted by beautiful chandeliers.
That site became a fin de siècle masterpiece, an outstanding 19th century Belle Époque Cafe in Buenos Aires according to the finest traditional and coquetry design of the most appealing cafes established in the major centre of France.
As in many places of the world there are anecdotes, episodes and curiosities linked to specific sites and also in the case of that symbol of Buenos Aires there is a debate about its opening and especially linked to its denomination because according to a historic version already existed in the city another Cafe Tortoni consisting in a property of an Italian immigrant called Oreste Tortoni.
That sort of "twin" was situated in Calle Defensa 200 very close to famous avenue Avenida Belgrano and the lively harbour environment of Puerto Madero but despite that presence with identical name that one located in Avenida de Mayo had the plaque visible nowadays outside the building hosting it with the date of its foundation identified by that iconic year 1858 and since then awarded as the oldest Cafe in Buenos Aires and Argentina.
That establishment during
its history changed owner at the end of the 19th century and the successor was another French citizen who continued the work of his predecessor,
Celestine Curutchet, an affable gentleman who was called by the famed
poet Tomas Allende a "nice old man speaking French".
For its charm and
elegance that establishment had an immediate success in a period in
which the city was developing with intensity more than notable cultural
movements with many writers, philosophers, thinkers and men of other arts highlighting the daily life of that Latin American metropolis with numerous meetings enduring hours talking about art and all
the topics closely related to that.
That Argentinian city became
protagonist of a fashionable and trendy vogue called tertulia de
artistas consisting in long cultural chats with protagonists themes regarding philosophy, literature, artistic subjects with a constant interchange of opinions, events generally celebrated in social circles,
associations and also in cafes selected as favourite
meeting points.
The Gran Café Tortoni closely related to all that started to receive prominent people and one of them was the famous painter Benito Quinquela Marin, a charismatic artist, an acclaimed painter famous to give popularity and fame with his works to the Barrio de la Boca, that very famous district and former harbour of the city well known all around the world for its coloured houses, linked to Tango music, art and football with one of the most titled soccer Clubs in the world the Club Atlético Boca Juniors . (I wrote a post about that neighbourhood it if you are interested)
The Gran Café Tortoni closely related to all that started to receive prominent people and one of them was the famous painter Benito Quinquela Marin, a charismatic artist, an acclaimed painter famous to give popularity and fame with his works to the Barrio de la Boca, that very famous district and former harbour of the city well known all around the world for its coloured houses, linked to Tango music, art and football with one of the most titled soccer Clubs in the world the Club Atlético Boca Juniors . (I wrote a post about that neighbourhood it if you are interested)
That prominent figure was in
that period a very influential character well known in all the most important
cultural entourages of Buenos Aires and who with his masterpieces already reached an
international fame, a talented man who played an important role in the
success of the Gran Café Tortoni because he was one of the first great genius
to sit at its tables transmitting an new inspiring cultural wave and a progressive development of a very innovative artistic life.
Quinquela Marina after a trip to Paris returning to Argentina totally in love with the superb creative appeal greatly alive in the French capital bewitching him also for its bohemian air main protagonist in affirmed Parisian literary cafes immediately asked Curutchet to
host in his establishment considered perfect for environment and atmosphere by that renowned painter a founded group linked to the most distinguished
artistic nomenclature of Buenos Aires mainly composed by poets,
writers, philosophers, painters and sculptors.
That emblematic Peña, a sort of association was called Agrupacion de Arte y Letra, Group of Art and Literature which in that period had its base in the Cafe la Cosechera in Calle Peru, a street not far from Avenida de Mayo and after the positive answer of the owner all those figures moved to their new headquarter established in the Gran Café Tortoni.
That emblematic Peña, a sort of association was called Agrupacion de Arte y Letra, Group of Art and Literature which in that period had its base in the Cafe la Cosechera in Calle Peru, a street not far from Avenida de Mayo and after the positive answer of the owner all those figures moved to their new headquarter established in the Gran Café Tortoni.
The owner naturally
accepted without hesitations simply for the reason that those artists would have brought fame and further prestige to
his establishment and it was so.
Buenos Aires was in those times strongly and quickly absorbing cultural movements, lifestyle, traditions from Europe and the opening of a place like that site in the heart of an extremely lively metropolis was very appropriate to become an important point of reference and artsy hangout in years which had to be protagonists leaving a strong imprint and spirit mainly oriented to elevate the national artistic talent in all its essence a desire of many leaders of different kinds of movements in that era.
Since then that coffeehouse started to be famed conquering popularity with its marked identity but mainly thanks to that group of local artists sons of immigrants who took inspirations by the famous literary Cafes in the Continent of their fathers which already wrote important historic pages such as the Cafe Florian of Venice, Antico Caffè Greco of Rome , Les Deux Magots of Paris all iconic meeting places of eminent thinkers and the highest nomenclature well known woworldwide.
All those characters found in that emblem established on Avenida de Mayo a short distance from the imposing Casa Rosada and the famous square Plaza de Mayo a favourite artistic headquarter in an establishment which furthermore was following the trends of those times in a city which was day by day surrounded by an unmistakable atmosphere with hunger of culture started at the end of the 19th century and much more alive later in a period in which a chic Cafe was becoming a very trendy destination for a multitude of eminent thinkers.
Buenos Aires was in those times strongly and quickly absorbing cultural movements, lifestyle, traditions from Europe and the opening of a place like that site in the heart of an extremely lively metropolis was very appropriate to become an important point of reference and artsy hangout in years which had to be protagonists leaving a strong imprint and spirit mainly oriented to elevate the national artistic talent in all its essence a desire of many leaders of different kinds of movements in that era.
Since then that coffeehouse started to be famed conquering popularity with its marked identity but mainly thanks to that group of local artists sons of immigrants who took inspirations by the famous literary Cafes in the Continent of their fathers which already wrote important historic pages such as the Cafe Florian of Venice, Antico Caffè Greco of Rome , Les Deux Magots of Paris all iconic meeting places of eminent thinkers and the highest nomenclature well known woworldwide.
For 17 years that notorious "Peña" highlighted those rooms in a site which had a successful escalation hosting a wide range of exhibitions, concerts,
meetings, conventions and also speeches by prominent people also coming from
abroad.
In a very short time that place was frequented by the most relevant artistic characters linked to the most important spheres of the entire metropolis and furthermore all that was encouraged by the Argentinian Government very favourable for a creation of a national cultural generation which could create future talents thanks to their notable impact and influence in the society and the State equally protagonist with a sort of promotion showing the world with pride all what the country was able to produce and all that had a very considerable start-up in 1926.
The Cafe day by day hosted distinguished personalities who became soon loyal guests attracted by that magic atmosphere and it is enough to mention Carlos Gardel, the Master of Tango who sang there and gave notoriety but also Jorge Luis Borges, Alfonsina Storni, Baldomero Fernandez Moreno,Ricardo Vines,José Ortega y Gasset, Juana de Ibarborou, Molina Campos and Roberto Arlit all them often sat in that establishment.
Also other more than famed figures from other countries who frequently visited Buenos Aires became usual customers and the list was of absolute prestige including Juan Manuel Fangio, Albert Einstein, Luigi Pirandello, Federico Garcia Lorca, Arthur Rubinstein, the King of Spain Juan Carlos of Bourbon, Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear, Lisandro de la Torre among others.
In a very short time that place was frequented by the most relevant artistic characters linked to the most important spheres of the entire metropolis and furthermore all that was encouraged by the Argentinian Government very favourable for a creation of a national cultural generation which could create future talents thanks to their notable impact and influence in the society and the State equally protagonist with a sort of promotion showing the world with pride all what the country was able to produce and all that had a very considerable start-up in 1926.
The Cafe day by day hosted distinguished personalities who became soon loyal guests attracted by that magic atmosphere and it is enough to mention Carlos Gardel, the Master of Tango who sang there and gave notoriety but also Jorge Luis Borges, Alfonsina Storni, Baldomero Fernandez Moreno,Ricardo Vines,José Ortega y Gasset, Juana de Ibarborou, Molina Campos and Roberto Arlit all them often sat in that establishment.
Also other more than famed figures from other countries who frequently visited Buenos Aires became usual customers and the list was of absolute prestige including Juan Manuel Fangio, Albert Einstein, Luigi Pirandello, Federico Garcia Lorca, Arthur Rubinstein, the King of Spain Juan Carlos of Bourbon, Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear, Lisandro de la Torre among others.
All those characters found in that emblem established on Avenida de Mayo a short distance from the imposing Casa Rosada and the famous square Plaza de Mayo a favourite artistic headquarter in an establishment which furthermore was following the trends of those times in a city which was day by day surrounded by an unmistakable atmosphere with hunger of culture started at the end of the 19th century and much more alive later in a period in which a chic Cafe was becoming a very trendy destination for a multitude of eminent thinkers.
That emblematic place
became a notable artsy hangout linking that people in their chats and exchange
of opinions, ideas, dreams, hopes, projects talking about realities, future, taking inspirations or simply
appreciating a speech by a relevant figure which was always a pleasure and an occasion to listen something of innovative and trendy.
Those meetings with many important characters coming from the other side of the Ocean opened
large chats and for the locals was also an instrument to compare the growth of the national
movements with someone who already had reached prestigious goals but always with a notable admiration for Europe and its artistic cradles.
All that was extremely positive for the local artists apart the honour to meet masters of different kinds of arts to take much more inspiring sources and obviously for all that also the Cafe elevated its notoriety because the meetings became much more frequent with several official invitiations.
All that was extremely positive for the local artists apart the honour to meet masters of different kinds of arts to take much more inspiring sources and obviously for all that also the Cafe elevated its notoriety because the meetings became much more frequent with several official invitiations.
Carlos Gardel, that
well known legendary Tango singer with his unique talent, charisma and personality played an
important role helping that site to be one of the great attractions of the animated
evenings and vibrant nightlife of Buenos Aires at Gran Café Tortoni.
That man was already
in that period an idol with an endless queue of fans and obviously the chance to admire his outstanding performances in that place attracted a multitude of new customers.
Many people apart the
prestigious and glamorous name of that establishment decided to spend an
evening there simply to see "live" that great artist
who with his melodies enchanted all the spectators and including the establishment since then became a Venue
inserting in its activities a calendar of events with other several shows performed by other characters linked to that kind of music and dance.
Several evenings were highlighted by figures
performing different styles of that iconic national music and partner dance born in 1880 with cradle the Rio de La Plata basin corresponding to the territories of Argentina and Uruguay, a kind of superb art which on 31 August 2009 entered in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.
Those very varied and eclectic proposals naturally attracted more people delighted by unforgettable tango sounds who conquered everyone. The performers were obviously selected among the best existing in the artistic panorama, Gran Café Tortoni started to invite superb masters who in that type of dance linked to the music and its lyrics loyal to the more traditional aim had the mission in their great exhibitions to generate messages with something of highly significant delighting a multitude of people.
Tango in its spirit means all that, it is not just music or dancing for entertainment and shows but it is something of extremely rooted and deep in a specific cultural movement, it is an instrument transmitting, passion, sentiments, joy, nostalgia, hopes, dreams, a better life, love, enjoying the best sensations of a day in a morning or evening and much more.
There are many kinds of schools highlighting or accentuating specific themes or topics more than others but the common denominator is that one to transmit something of extremely significant in all its different styles such as Nuevo, Canyengue, Queer, Liso, Orillero, Argentino, Uruguayo, Ballroom and including in the Salon Tango that one danced in a Venue but all them in their kinds focused to donate pleasant times expressing positive feelings.
Apart in venues where you can assist to spectacular shows if you are planning a trip to Buenos Aires I suggest you to visit the Barrio San Telmo, a fantastic neighbourhood of the city enclosed within Puerto Madero, La Boca, Montserrat and Barracas, which apart its appealing charm and attractions it is a great place to see live excellent Tango dancers, street performers absolutely great and that is a marvellous experience for every visitor.
Also music created schools and not just the star Gardel is the emblem of the Tango in music and sang but many other illustrious artists such as Roberto Goyeneche, Julio Sousa, Mercedes Simone,Nestor Fabián, Carlos Acuña, Libertad Lamarque, Ignacio Corsini, Susana Rinaldi and Astor Piazzoll are legends who with a different style elevated that artistic movement in a sort og myth.
Those very varied and eclectic proposals naturally attracted more people delighted by unforgettable tango sounds who conquered everyone. The performers were obviously selected among the best existing in the artistic panorama, Gran Café Tortoni started to invite superb masters who in that type of dance linked to the music and its lyrics loyal to the more traditional aim had the mission in their great exhibitions to generate messages with something of highly significant delighting a multitude of people.
Tango in its spirit means all that, it is not just music or dancing for entertainment and shows but it is something of extremely rooted and deep in a specific cultural movement, it is an instrument transmitting, passion, sentiments, joy, nostalgia, hopes, dreams, a better life, love, enjoying the best sensations of a day in a morning or evening and much more.
There are many kinds of schools highlighting or accentuating specific themes or topics more than others but the common denominator is that one to transmit something of extremely significant in all its different styles such as Nuevo, Canyengue, Queer, Liso, Orillero, Argentino, Uruguayo, Ballroom and including in the Salon Tango that one danced in a Venue but all them in their kinds focused to donate pleasant times expressing positive feelings.
Apart in venues where you can assist to spectacular shows if you are planning a trip to Buenos Aires I suggest you to visit the Barrio San Telmo, a fantastic neighbourhood of the city enclosed within Puerto Madero, La Boca, Montserrat and Barracas, which apart its appealing charm and attractions it is a great place to see live excellent Tango dancers, street performers absolutely great and that is a marvellous experience for every visitor.
Also music created schools and not just the star Gardel is the emblem of the Tango in music and sang but many other illustrious artists such as Roberto Goyeneche, Julio Sousa, Mercedes Simone,Nestor Fabián, Carlos Acuña, Libertad Lamarque, Ignacio Corsini, Susana Rinaldi and Astor Piazzoll are legends who with a different style elevated that artistic movement in a sort og myth.
The Tango was a
fortune for Gran Café Tortoni which had a a little decline in 1943 when that iconic group of artists led by Benito
Quinquela Marin ceased to
exist and some elegant and expensive furniture and
a legendary Steinway piano played by famous artists as Arthur Rubinstein were sold.
Despite a short
period of decay the establishment continued its activity and the affirmed prestige of its name never stopped the popularity gained during its great history.
At the beginning of
the 60's until 1974, the Cafe received a new generation of artists
such as Liberman, Salas, Heker, Constantini, Piglia and Briante among
others .Just like the famous
predecessors also those new relevant figures representing a new generation were the leaders in those years of a successful cultural new wave in Argentina and Buenos Aires, very active and talented characters who
brought a new light with their meetings, chats and including introducing
literary works.
That younger movement gave origin to the edition of some popular magazines with peculiar names such as El
Grillo, the Cricket, El Ornitorinco, the Platypus and El
Escarabajo de oro, the Golden Beetle which in that period had a great
success conquering many fans.
The young generations
and who gravitated in the artistic entourages of the city found in those figures who were sort of
pioneers and models to follow as an innovative artistic engine which generated enthusiasm and joie de
vivre attracting a mass of people who reached the Gran Café Tortoni to see and listen those new idols.
That period lived times rich of
new hopes, dreams, desire to express new ideas about themes never touched, challenging experiences for many people highlighted by trendy chats
regarding national music as instrument of communication, literature of the past compared with that of the present, the progress of the Argentinian film industry finding an international dimension and also in that second successful generational stage that popular Cafe lived as in previous years as a renowned artsy hangout continuing to be a
consolidated icon of Buenos Aires.
It also continued to
host in that decade shows of tango and also Jazz since
1978 coincident with the celebration of World Cup in Argentina and that
place was also the performance venue of a distinguished group : the Fenix
Jazz Band.
In occasion of that
important Football event celebrated every four years obviously protagonist was also the
"Albiceleste" the Argentinian National Team which won that Edition was one of the main themes protagonist in numerous chats at the bar and sitting at the tables the cafe in a country which live that sport with extreme passion.
Between a glass of wine or a warm cup of coffee the conversations were highlighted by the choices of the the iconic coach Luis Cesar "El Flaco" Menotti about the line up of the squad, comments and opinions regarding the most famous football stars playing in the team such as Mario Alberto Kempes, Daniel Alberto Passarella, Osvaldo Ardiles, Ricardo Daniel Bertoni and their performances.
Between a glass of wine or a warm cup of coffee the conversations were highlighted by the choices of the the iconic coach Luis Cesar "El Flaco" Menotti about the line up of the squad, comments and opinions regarding the most famous football stars playing in the team such as Mario Alberto Kempes, Daniel Alberto Passarella, Osvaldo Ardiles, Ricardo Daniel Bertoni and their performances.
The Cafe is extremely charming in every corner boasting stylish wooden frameworks in the walls, refined decorations, comfortable and welcoming spaces with an use
of fine green marble and all the furniture are inspired to a Cafe you can find in
Paris or also similar in some details to others opened in the 19th century in Turin during the times of the Savoy
House.
Elegant and chic but
at the same time eclectic and with its own strong identity including with the
presence of billiards and an underground room, that site never lost its appealing charm and coquetry image.
Beautiful columns with
capitals, elegant timber frames, scenic marble details next to beautiful circular tables and
classical chair are other highlights just like the presence of glitzy chandeliers, all features delighting the customers sitting
and admiring on the walls the pictures and portraits of all the notorious
characters who visited that place.
A captivating light
coming from the ceiling by a decorated skylight illuminating a long scenic
hallway along the bar from where always come a superb aromatic smell of coffee are other captivating features part of an environment more than welcoming and immediately highly attractive.
You will breathe in that place an unmistakable magic aura highlighted by the presence of busts of famed characters of
the past and in a corner you can admire the statue of Carlos Gardel & friends close to a
table in a position as that replica of the artist is alive waiting for to perform in a a show of his iconic songs such as Mi Buenos Querido, Amargura, Volver or
Caminito and the scene is simply great at first sight.
The beautiful Gran
Café Tortoni is arranged along several rooms with focal point the Salon Principal,
the main room, there is a library and another special place is the notorious Sala Alfonsina, a
room honouring Alfonsina Storni a renowned poet, writer and
member of that famous "Peña Artistica" of the 20's founded by Quinquela
Martin and that hall also hosts tango dancers and singers shows.
La Bodega, the former wine vault is another iconic space very significant,
situated in the underground of the Cafe because it is the emblematic room in which the
old owner Curutchet hosted at the beginning the artists when the former
establishment was not big enough.
The room called Eladia
Blaquez is another highlight, it is dedicated to a famous Tango singer as says its name and also that place has a notable cultural value because it was the space which hosted that
generation of the 60's and 70's representing in its kind the environment of a new cultural spirit and soul of the Argentina governed by Juan Domingo Perón.
Other lounges are La
Peluqueria, the hairdresser salon and La Sala de billares, the
room of billiards are further attractions. In the past the Gran Cafe Tortoni started to be famous as
meeting place to play billiard as well very common in that Nation, a country
which produced several world champions in that kind of sport but it is also an
ideal place to play domino and cards and all those traditions continue today.
The coffee served in
the legendary Gran Café Tortoni is simply excellent, toasted in the best way using
the best blends of South America combined with a classic Italian
preparation. A Macchiato, Espresso or a sweet Cappuccino is always a great choice, all those warm
beverages are of high quality and totally guaranteed to satisfy the tastes
of everyone who is looking for to be delighted by a superb aroma.
The staff is kind,
highly professional, with a touch of multilingual talent and attentive to every
kind of detail in terms to attention to the customers loyal to finest hospitality traditions.
Definitely that
distinctive place is very special and with its lively rooms which were witness
of the great prestige gained in the past but living in the present, it is a place that after many years
continues to be loved and it is not a case that in more contenporary times was often visited by other prominent people as Hillary Clinton and Robert Duvall among others.
Those superb Tango sounds and melodies
performed by great singers who created
in that country of Latin America that kind of art developed in music, songs
and dance conquering and delighting the entire globe are still alive than ever with a calendar of events highlighting the local charming scene.
All that combined
with the memories of those famous literary movements which elevated its fame, never forgotten
because in their kinds became a source of new trends and philosophies of
life that for many were a new future light to believe in something and for
someone a splendid reality met in those appealing rooms.
For others furthermore the Gran Café Tortoni in its kind elevated the talent of many national artists at international level highlighting the dreams of others who saw their success and for that it was a place which impulsed a relevant cultural historic stage of a country which thanks to places like that continued to produce talented figures.
For others furthermore the Gran Café Tortoni in its kind elevated the talent of many national artists at international level highlighting the dreams of others who saw their success and for that it was a place which impulsed a relevant cultural historic stage of a country which thanks to places like that continued to produce talented figures.
If you are planning
to travel to Buenos Aires a city absolutely fantastic in every aspect do not
miss a visit to the glorious Gran Cafe Tortoni, it is a piece of
national historic culture characterised by those Tango sounds and its captivating
history in Avenida de Mayo always able to conquer everyone and just some minutes there
which will perhaps be hours you will live a great experience and it is a must.
The magic atmosphere
and aura surrounding that site as a unique unforgettable artsy hangout which
delighted a multitude of people will leave you very pleasant memories
returning home taking with you the image of the iconic
Gran Café Tortoni representing in all its splendour a significant fragment of
the history of Buenos Aires.
Francesco Mari
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Thanks a lot to read and note.