La conmemoración del Bicentenario en Argentina y Uruguay durante los gobiernos “progresistas”: tendencias de cambio en la memoria cultural performática

Abstract

On May 25, 2010, a “historical-artistic” parade was held in Buenos Aires as the main commemorative event of the Bicentennial of the May Revolution, organized since the first government of Cristina Fernández. On October 10, 2011, the central act of the Uruguayan Bicentennial took place in the Plaza Independencia in Montevideo, during the second national government of the Frente Amplio, under the presidency of José "Pepe" Mujica. This article analyzes these round dates focusing on the official performativity deployed by these governments, in comparison to the preceding tradition of commemorating this type of political performances. The study examines the resignifications in performative cultural memory carried out in an unprecedented historical political context in the region, the so-called “progressive cycle.” The central argument postulates that these Bicentennials introduced important changes through these political performances by redefining the founding social contract of the nation in both countries.