Pre-Columbian exhibition held in Buenos Aires as part of independence celebrations

An exhibition showcasing Argentina's traditional art forms will be staged in La Abadia museum here on Saturday as part of the country's celebrations for 200 years of independence.

Entitled "Forms of Worship: Pre-Columbian Art of Northeastern Argentina," the cultural center will exhibit 66 pieces that relate to the worship of ancestors and sacred entities known as "wakas" in traditional agrarian communities ranging from the 5th century BC to the 9th century AD.

The pre-Columbian art will be on display from Saturday to Oct. 30.

Teresa Pereda, director of La Abadia, told Xinhua "We wanted to provide a space to this archaeological and scientific period while showcasing beautiful works of art by anonymous masters. For many years, we have studied their philosophy, their cultural and ritual habits."

"This is also a testimony to the bicentenary of Argentinean independence, bearing witness to a huge territory as shown in the northeast of Argentina," she added.

Maria Alba Bovisio, curator of the exhibition, said "we are trying to escape the false dilemma of 'work of art' versus 'archaeological piece'. We are bringing together a modern exhibition which highlights the practical and symbolic uses of the objects being exhibited."

The country's independence celebrations were launched on July 9 by President Mauricio Macri in the city of Tucuman, where the country formally declared independence from Spain in 1816. Endite