Ruy Barbosa en el Centenario de 1916: apogeo de la confraternidad entre Brasil y Argentina

Abstract

This paper analyzes the political, social and cultural implications of the
special embassy sent to Buenos Aires by the Brazilian government in honor
of Argentine’s celebrations of its Centennial of Independence in 1916 in the
context of the Great War. This endeavor was led by the prestigious Brazilian
jurist, senator and Conselheiro (counselor) Ruy Barbosa and demonstrates the
climax of a period of rapprochement between the two countries initiated by
president Roque Sáenz Peña’s official missions in 1910. The analysis traces
Barbosa’s profile being both ambassador and jurist during his month-long stay
at Buenos Aires focusing on images and identities presented in his speeches,
public rituals of political and cultural approximation, achievements and
tensions thereafter, as well as the impact Barbosa had in media and public
sectors by the study of the many letters he received. The peak of this diplomatic
rapprochement between Argentina and Brazil was prompted by “Europe’s
demise into barbarism” as all rights and conventions were overturned.