The government officially changed the name of cultural center Centro Cultural Kirchner (CCK) to Palacio Libertad, Centro Cultural Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, vía a decree published Thursday in the Official Gazette.
The decree argued that the name change was due to an effort to keep public spaces and historic monuments politically neutral. It added that the decision is part of an effort to “rebuild basic values” such as “freedom, education, and respect for institutions.”
“Public buildings and spaces should never respond to political interest […] because it confuses the public and compromises the neutrality characteristic of these places, thereby excluding those who do not share the same political perspective,” the statement read.
The administration went on to laud individuals who furthered the idea of “freedom through education,” such as Faustino Valentín Sarmiento, known as Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, whose name will now be commemorated in the new title. Sarmiento, who was president between 1868 and 1874, is known in Argentina as the “father of the classroom” for his efforts to advance educational issues.
The cultural center located in downtown Buenos Aires has long been the target of critics of Kirchnerism due to the fact that it was originally named after the late former President Néstor Kirchner. Former President Mauricio Macri (2015-2019) said he intended to change the name during his presidency, and lawmakers actually presented bills to Congress for that, but nothing eventually happened.
Milei will inaugurate the building’s new name in a ceremony on Saturday at 7 p.m. The president will be the sole speaker at the event and the entire cabinet is expected to attend. The date of the center’s relaunch was specifically chosen as Sarmiento assumed his presidency on October 12, 1868.
What is the Palacio Libertad
The iconic cultural center is located at Sarmiento 151, Buenos Aires City. It is close to Plaza de Mayo and has a direct view of the Casa Rosada. It hosts an array of important musical concerts, as well as art exhibits, conferences, literature, theater, and film events. Inside it houses a striking auditorium, known as the “blue whale” for its shape and color — a symphonic hall that seats 1,750 and is home to a 1912 Klais pipe organ.
The building was originally commissioned in 1890 to be used by the National Postal and Telegraph Company. Former President Néstor Kirchner (2003-2007) established that the building become a cultural center for a bicentennial commemoration of the May Revolution, set to be celebrated in 2010. In 2006, he called for an international design competition for the structure.
Construction began in 2009 during the presidency of Cristina Kirchner (2007-2015). A sector was opened in May 2010 for the bicentennial celebrations, while the official inauguration took place in 2015. The building was named Centro Cultural Dr. Néstor Carlos Kirchner, in honor of the former president and Cristina Kirchner’s late husband. It is currently the largest cultural center in Latin America.