Located in the heart of Argentina's Buenos Aires, La Boca is a bustling neighborhood on tourists must-go list brimming with colorful houses, statues and graffiti. Strolling at the area, people can discover and experience what Argentine's culture has to offer.
With art vendors, live music and tango performance there are many attractions to see at La Boca. And one spot has drawn attention from tourists as it tells stories not only about the area but the identity of Argentina.
In the city's center stand three statues placed on the balcony of a house in blue and yellow. The famous sculptures are Diego Maradona, the former First Lady Eva Peron and Carlos Gardel. These three icons represent the key components of Argentina's culture.
CGTN Photo
The first figure of the soccer star, Diego Maradona has grown up in a shantytown and climbed to the peak of the soccer world as he played four World Cups and led the national team to victory in the final of 1986 Mexico World Cup. At the stadium of Boca Junior where he used to serve, there is always one VIP box specially reserved for him. Soccer has changed Maradona's life, and similar stories are still taking place in the country where people are passionate about the sport.
The middle statue is the wife of former Argentine President Juan Peron Eva, an important figure in Argentina's political history who devoted all her life to the fight for women's suffrage and improving the lives of the poor.
Last but not the least, Carlos Gardel, the king of tango, remains influential in Argentina. Walking along the main streets Nueve de Julio, it is easy to find vendors selling posters of him as well as vinyl records of his songs. You can feel the passion Argentine people have for his music.
“Hola Argentina!” is CGTN's special series launched ahead of G20 Buenos Aires summit and Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit. The series explores the host city and finds the stories behind China-Argentina cooperation.
(Bao Hongwei also contributed to the story.)
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