The Cultural Event - Buenos Aires

September 9, 2012

Around 5:00 yesterday evening all of the Senior Missionary couples gathered at the area office and we boarded two good sized vans and headed out across the vast expanse of Buenos Aires to a very, very large stadium to witness the long awaited for "cultural event" in celebration of the rededication of the Buenos Aires temple.

We drove to a whole other part of Buenos Aires!  It is an absolutely enormous city!  We passed many wonderful statues, parks and buildings but the buildings that stood out were the government parliament buildings including a huge pink building which used to house Eva Peron , so we are told!  The architecture of the buildings is very European.  To me it seemed very reminiscent of the architecture of the Banff Springs Hotel.

The stadium where the event was held is one of six or seven such stadiums here in Buenos Aires.  An Argentine member told Michael that these stadiums house 5-6 soccer teams.

We sat in a box in the open air and had wonderful seats.  We sat with the Bigelows and President and Sister Wells and a couple of other missionary couples.  It was wonderful.

There were hundreds of participants in the program.  All young people of all ages!  The young women were dressed in long flowing dep purple skirts with white and pastel colored shirts.  Some of the skirts were pastel colors with printed floral fabric.  All of the young men were dressed in black trousers and white shirts.  It was quite a site!

There were two large stages on either end of the field. The young people on the field were in formation on the field for the two entire hours.  They danced off and on and also clapped hands in rhythm  for the dancers on the stage.

The dancers on the stages represented dances from European ancestors and traditional Argentine  dances. They were all in native costume and the program moved along at a good speed.  Our favorite were the "Goucho" dancers dressed in traditional goucho pants, shirts and amazing leather boots.  Their dancing was wonderful:  quick movements of the feet and very masculine.

(President Wells pulled Mike aside and asked him to search for goucho pants, shirt and boots for him!  So we are now on a mission for him!)  President Wells and his wife spent many, many years in South America but he said they never purchased the goucho clothing!

There were about four large screens at either corner of the field which showed pictures of the young people as the large camera moved around.  Their smiling faces were precious.

President Eyring came in an was in a glass box with Elder Christofferson, and Elder Ballard .  The camera caught them smiling and waving to the young performers (President Eyring has a million dollar smile!)  The kids went crazy; they clapped and cheered.... It was very stirring.

Just before the program began President Eyring, Elder Christofferson, and Elder Ballard came out with Meryv Arnold and spoke for just a few minutes after the opening song and prayer.  The opening hymn was  "There is Sunshine in My Soul Today."  Judy says this is an Argentine favorite.These Brethren were presented with beautiful red ponchos.  Elder Christofferson spoke in beautiful Spanish, as he served a mission in Argentina many, many years ago.  He told everyone that in times of loneliness they should remember this moment and take strength from the joy forever.

Then President Eyring spoke and it was overwhelming how that much love can pour from the heart of one man.  He spoke of Christ coming to the Americas in the Book of Mormon and how all of these young people will one day greet the Savior.  It was a wonderful moment we will never lose.

After the program, we were walking with the Wells and so many Argentine people recognized them and greeted them so warmly, and embraced them.  It was very sweet to watch.  Bob and Helen are in their 80's and very agile and so happy and positive.  They were inspiring and we so enjoyed our brief reunion with them.

We arrived home around 10:00 and could hardly settle down to sleep!