Argentina Debates Renaming Hurlingham: A Battle Over History and Identity

Forty years after the passing of Jorge Luis Borges, Argentines continue to find ways to stir his legacy. Borges, who admired British culture and lectured at the centennial Hurlingham Club, would likely be dismayed by a recent proposal to rename the municipality of Hurlingham itself. The suggestion comes from former councilor Marcelo Suárez Nelson, who presented a draft to rename it "Partido de la Reconquista" due to its "British origin."

While this is a municipal issue, it touches upon persistent populist sentiments that have repeatedly led to national failures. The author argues that the cultural battle requires constant reinforcement of basic truths, such as the validity of historical figures and scientific laws. While many arguments can refute the former councilor's stance, a superior one is the need to cease altering names, demolishing structures, changing contracts, and eroding social capital. Progressive nations are reliable, serious, honor their past, respect commitments, and build reputation by maintaining the names of their cities and streets as a legacy for future generations and for practical reference.

The article notes how Peronism and Radicalism have a history of renaming streets, avenues, hospitals, and schools to honor political figures. Examples include changing street names to commemorate Juan Domingo Perón and Eva Perón, and renaming avenues after Hipólito Yrigoyen and Raúl Alfonsín. Even the Plaza Britania, known as the Torre de los Ingleses, was renamed Fuerza Aérea Argentina after the Malvinas War, and the street named after Canning was changed to honor his adversary, Raúl Scalabrini Ortiz. The article also points out that after Néstor Kirchner's death, his name was given to 170 places, including the renaming of Avenida Julio A. Roca in Río Gallegos and the creation of the Centro Cultural Kirchner. The author implies that such constant name-changing reflects a pattern of political opportunism rather than a genuine respect for history or progress.