Mar 14 • 03:03 UTC 🇦🇷 Argentina La Nacion (ES)

Review: Argentinos, to the Things!, by Martín Kohan

Martín Kohan's book 'Argentinos, ¡a las cosas!' explores Argentine identity through a collection of objects, places, and historical events rather than a formal sociological treatise.

In 'Argentinos, ¡a las cosas!', Martín Kohan revisits the famous suggestion by José Ortega y Gasset, which he first presented in a 1939 lecture in La Plata. Kohan takes a unique approach by examining a variety of objects, locales, figures, and historical events that encapsulate the notion of "Argentinidad." Unlike a traditional academic work, Kohan's essay is both deep and colloquial, aiming to evoke reflections on national identity through cultural archaeology.

The book is structured into twenty-five short chapters, each dedicated to a different 'thing' that sparks insightful musings, contributing to a broader understanding of Argentina's past. For instance, titles such as "A Bar Table," "A Dress," "A Building," and "A Flag" serve as entry points for discussions that range from the Battle of San Lorenzo to the political turmoils of 1956, including Rodolfo Walsh's journalistic reconstruction in 'Operación.'

Kohan’s work is significant as it navigates through material culture to provide a commentary on Argentine identity, offering readers a chance to reflect on the historical context and contemporary relevance of these items. It emphasizes that identity is not static but rather constructed from layers of history, experiences, and cultural artifacts, making it a vital reading for those interested in understanding Argentina more deeply, especially in terms of its cultural and historical dichotomies.

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