Republic of the Children
Encyclopedia
Manuel B. Gonnet
Manuel B. Gonnet is a town in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, in La Plata Partido, from La Plata, the provincial capital. It is part of a group of towns developed around the then Buenos Aires Great Southern Railway connecting La Plata with Buenos Aires, and Tolosa, Ringuelet, City Bell and...
, a suburb west of La Plata
La Plata
La Plata is the capital city of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and of La Plata partido. According to the , the city proper has a population of 574,369 and its metropolitan area has 694,253 inhabitants....
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. The theme park represents a city (proportionally sized for children) with all its institutions: parliament, government house, the courthouse, church, port, theater, airport, restaurants, hotels, etc.
Creation
The Republic of Children was built by Eva Perón FoundationEva Perón Foundation
The Eva Perón Foundation was a charitable foundation begun by Eva Perón, a prominent Argentine political leader, when she was the First Lady and Spiritual Leader of the Nation of Argentina. It operated from 1948 to 1955...
on 52 hectares (130 acres) of land that was formerly a part of Swift Golf Club. On November 26, 1951, the park was officially opened by the then President Juan Domingo Perón. Eva Perón
Eva Perón
María Eva Duarte de Perón was the second wife of President Juan Perón and served as the First Lady of Argentina from 1946 until her death in 1952. She is often referred to as simply Eva Perón, or by the affectionate Spanish language diminutive Evita.She was born in the village of Los Toldos in...
was unable to attend because she was already suffering from the cancer that would end her life several months later.
Features
The Republic of Children is built on a plot of 52 hectares. Within, children can explore the various geographic features, natural landscapes, countryside and city. It includes a complete city with all its institutions and centers. Buildings mimic the various architectural styles, from MoorishMoorish architecture
Moorish architecture is the western term used to describe the articulated Berber-Islamic architecture of North Africa and Al-Andalus.-Characteristic elements:...
to German.
The Municipal Bank is a copy of the Child Doge's Palace in Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
, while the Palace of Culture was inspired by the Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a white Marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal...
in Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
; among the well-known halls in the latter building the Carlos Moneo Sáenz Doll Museum. The chapel has large Norman
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
-inspired flat roofs, balcony and bell towers. An aquarium
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
is also housed at the park.
The park was designed both for children's recreation, and for their instruction in republican ethics. Around the Plaza de las Americas is the Legislature, inspired by the British Parliament, which houses the precincts of the Chamber of Deputies and Senators of the Government of the Children's Republic; this body is elected from groups of local students. Once a year on the anniversary of the founding of the Republic, members of the City Council of the City engage in a special session.
Youth Democracy
Once a year, on the anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Children, the City Council of La Plata holds a special session to consider statements made by the Youth Government of the Republic of Children. Those statements that are approved become effective laws throughout the La Plata region.Disneyland and the Republic of Children
According to the official website of the Republic of Children, in 1950 Walt DisneyWalt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
visited the park and, surprised by the beauty, was inspired to build Disneyland. This is questionable, however, since there are no records of Walt Disney traveling to Argentina in 1950, and the only account about this visit was provided by park administrators.