Argentina celebrates as city of La Rioja unveils 'Palestine Square'

Scores of people waved Palestinian flags as they gathered in the city of La Rioja, in Argentina, to celebrate the unveiling of ‘Palestine Square’. Located at the intersection of the Las Penas River and Venezuela Boulevard, the square became a space for meeting and showing support for the Palestinian people.

Celebrations took place at the National University of La Rioja and included Dabke dance performances, live singers and people wearing traditional Palestinian clothes. Throughout the event, attendees were able to send messages of support to the Palestinian people.

For them, naming the area ‘Palestine Square’ seeks not only to beautify the neighbourhood, but also to generate awareness and dialogue about the current situation in Palestine.

Palestinian Ambassador, Riyad Alhalabi, attended the inauguration along with the councillors who promoted the initiative, representatives of the government, human rights organisations, the Palestinian community of La Rioja, residents, municipal workers who arranged the space, and social and political organisations.

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“Seeing people with flags and the name of Palestine fills my heart with joy despite everything we are suffering. This initiative reaffirms the support for the struggle, dignity and human rights of the Palestinian people throughout the world,” Alhalabi  said.

He stressed that the “unveiling of Palestine Square is a sign of brotherhood and solidarity… It was my first visit and it will not be the last because we want to strengthen relations between La Rioja and Palestine.”

“We strive for peace, the end of the Israeli occupation and establishment of our free and sovereign state.”

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The naming of the square, Alhalabi explained, shows that “the Palestinian residents of La Rioja add historical and cultural significance to the city.”

Governor of La Rioja Province Ricardo Quintela

At the end of the event, participants planted two olive trees in the square and placed a carving of a key made by local artists to represent the Palestinian right of return to their land.

During his visit to La Rioja, the Palestinian ambassador was received by Governor Ricardo Quintela who was wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf. Quintela gave Alhalabi the ‘La Rioja poncho’ and support shield, the traditional coat of the city.

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