Friends' Day in Argentina
Questions This Article Answers
What is el Día del Amigo in Argentina?
What is the origin of el Día del Amigo?
When is el Día del Amigo?
When do other countries celebrate el Día del Amigo?
In Argentina, el amor romántico(romantic love) is celebrated on el Día de los Enamorados(Valentine’s Day), while friends celebrate their amistad(friendship) on el Día del Amigo.
History of Friends' Day in Argentina
The first moon landing on July 20, 1969 was a major landmark in the history of humanity. Millions of people around the world gathered to watch the event on television. Argentinian dentist Enrique Ernesto Febbrarothought it would be a great idea to celebrate friendship, as he believed that the moon landing was “a gesture of friendship between humanity and the universe.” He sent 1000 letters to different people and institutions worldwide asking them to get on board with his idea. Slowly but surely the idea gained traction, and a decade later the Argentinian government declared July 20 el Día del Amigo (Friends' Day) in Argentina.
Celebration of Friends' Day in Argentina
In Argentina, friends all around the country gather to celebrate their friendship on July 20. While a popular tradition is to get together at someone’s house and have an asado(barbecue) and spend the day together, some groups of friends choose to gather at a park, eat at a restaurant, or go to a bar. Ultimately, what’s important is to celebrate with your friends!
Days to Celebrate Friends in Other Countries
El Día del Amigo is also celebrated on July 20 in Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay.
In Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela, it’s celebrated on February 14, and Valentine's Day in these countries may be referred to as el Día del Amor y la Amistad.
In 2011, la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas(United Nations General Assembly) designated July 30 as el Día Internacional de la Amistad(World Friendship Day), inviting nations to “share the human spirit through friendship."
Vocabulary: Friends' Day in Argentina
Here is a list of words and phrases you can use on Friends' Day.
Looking for a reason to celebrate? Take a look at these articles about holidays and festivals in the Spanish-speaking world!
