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Tandil and Epecuen, Argentinian Pampas

The vast pampas of southern Buenos Aires province of Argentina host several interesting far-away Lithuanian sites.

Tandil town is unique in Argentina for having a Lithuanian flag in the flag lineup of its Square of the Flags (Plaza de las Banderas), despite never receiving direct immigration from Lithuania. The Lithuanian community of Tandil was established in 2014 by the descendents of the original immigrants who came to Argentina in 1920s and relocated from Buenos Aires city to Tandil in some 1960s. In fact, Tandil has the most active such "rediscovered roots" Lithuanian community in the world, as the third and fourth generations practice Lithuanian dances, crafts, and other activities and some have even learned Lithuanian language.

The plaza of flags in Tandil

However, as historic Lithuanian community did not exist here, no Lithuanian clubs or churches were ever built. The modern-day Lithuanians of Tandil thus are renting premises at the largely-defunct Yugoslav club for their activties, while the city also allows its ethnic minorities of using a building at Jardin de la Paz for their activities.

Tandil is the capital of a touristic hilly region, actually, the closest hills to Buenos Aires city and thus popular among tourists. Another tourist area nearby has a sadder history although also with a Lithuanian touch. Before World War 2, the town of Epecuen boasted the largest such spa facility in Americas on the coast of its namesake lake. This lake that gave rise to Epecuen resort was, however, also what destroyed it. Since 1978, the lake levels began to rise. Initially, the new levees helped but in 1985, the lake flooded the entire town. Local people expected the water to fall back but this never happened, and one after another the buildings gave in to water pressure and collapsed. The water kept rising and at its peak reached the 2nd floors of the buildings. Only in 2000s did it recede, opening up a scene of total devastation. Epecuen is now again a tourist site albeit a very different one, with "dark tourism" connotations of destroyed and abandoned cities.

Destroyed Epecuen

One of the buildings that succumbed in Epecuen was Residencial Lituania. It was constructed by Lithuanians in 1950s and operated by them, attracting Lithuanian-Argentine tourists from Buenos Aires. It was sold in 1970. In 1970-1985, non-Lithuanian owners owned and upgraded it, however, they have never rebuilt it or changed the name. While the building itself is now totally destroyed, images of submerged "Lituania" and its sign are prominent in the museum of Epecuen located at the town's former railway station.

Sign of Residential Lituania in Epecuen museum

Submerged Lituania