The Municipality declared the intersection of 10th and 40th streets of “Cultural Interest”, the place where the traditional “New Year’s Eve momo burning” was born, which takes place during the first hours of each year.
In this edition, the doll makers who follow the legacy of the Tórtora family, founder of the tradition, chose to burn one of the most emblematic characters of the year: the Dibu Martinez, the goalkeeper of the National Team who was one of the key pieces in obtaining the World Cup in Qatar.
“The burning of dolls is a typical local tradition and of enormous cultural value that was born in this corner. Over the years, this custom has been consolidated as a hallmark of all La Plata, for which we will be eternally grateful,” said the Secretary of Culture and Education, Martiniano Ferrer Picadoby justifying the distinction
Who received the award was Roberto Tortora (Luis’s son)in the framework of a commemoration that was attended by relatives, neighbors, friends and four generations of local doll makers.
“Without that first doll, today the tradition would not be what it is. We are at a record number of registered momos in relation to recent years thanks to a neighbor like Luis who infected us with the desire to do something different and fun for all families”, said Ferrer Picado.
It should be noted that the first doll was made in 1956 at the door of the warehouse and bar “The Workers” by Don Luis Tortoralocated at the aforementioned intersection, to honor a player from the Defensores de Cambaceres Club. “I feel totally proud of the recognition. It is a tribute to my father, who started the tradition that multiplied so many times and that today is something inevitable in the city of La Plata,” he said. Roberto Tortora.
In this regard, he assessed: “Making the doll is the hope of doing something for ourselves, for our children, for the neighborhood. It is joy to burn all the bad things of the past year and receive the new one.”.
“I am convinced that the tradition did not die, it is fully in full swing. Tradition means the doll that is made with wood, that we stick it with flour and water, the one that is made with effort. Today I see the faces of the boys with the same joy that we had to see how the structures are growing”he concluded.
Over time, the tradition spread throughout the city and continues to manifest ephemeral and street art. Year after year, expectations are exceeded with the creativity, themes, and assembly carried out by the residents responsible for its construction.
Thus, it became a hallmark of all La Plata, which pursues enormous cultural value. Through this practice, the union of society is produced, with a common objective to burn “the negative” of the year that is gone, and start a new one.
During the distinction were, in turn, the secretary in Public Security and Justice Policies of the Commune, Nestor Pulichino; and the executive director of Production and Promotion of the Platense Agency for Local Development, Rogelio Blesa; among others.
As has been reported 0221.com.ar, 78 dolls were registered in the municipal registry, the highest number of registered in the last 6 years. The representations of Lionel Messi, the ‘Dibu’ Martínez and the World Cup will be the main themes of the structures, which will also feature movie figures, music references and classic cartoons.
For this occasion, it is important to remember that the Municipality launched a digital platform (https://geomunecos.laplata.gob.ar), from which you can see the progress, location, burning time and color contents of each structure. Through it, it seeks to promote tourist visits and enhance local culture.
