A visit to Argentina’s contribution to the Workers' Assembly Halls serial nomination at the moment is mostly about what you do NOT get to see. The building of the CGT at 802 Azopardo Street itself is a mildly interesting example of modernist architecture. On its façade it features a mural depicting Eva Peron at a young age, which symbolizes the relationship Juan and Eva Peron had with this labour organization and the building. It’s very much a symbol of the Peronist era, and one wonders what Argentina’s current right-wing government thinks of it and whether they hate it enough to oppose a WH nomination.
Inside, but closed off now to non-members, are two main points of interest. There is the Eva Peron Museum, a reminder that this was the place where Eva’s embalmed body was on display for years after her death. And there is the Salon Felipe Vallese, the main hall decorated by murals depicting scenes of the labour movement.
It will be interesting to see what the focus of the narrative of the overall nomination will be. The title says ‘Assembly Halls’ and indeed what all locations seem to have in common is a multifunctional venue where debates, political meetings, etc took place geared to the ‘working class’. This CGT building apparently has just that in the Salon Felipe Vallese, but it would make no sense to include it in the nomination and keep it closed to the outside world.