After the frenzy of Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia this past weekend, the Argentine community of the region is preparing for another week of celebrations and community events.

Running from Oct. 4 to Oct. 10, the “IV Argentine Week in Philadelphia” returns with a full listing of events throughout the city, including the traditional flag raising ceremony at City Hall, and a toy drive for kids at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

“We will be collecting new toys at each of the events during Argentine Week that will be distributed to kids on January 6 to celebrate Three Wise Men Day (Día de Reyes),” said Daniel Loza, member of the organizing group “Argentinos en Philadelphia.”

With nearly 3,000 members in the tri-state region, this year the organizing group is expanding its mission to provide community services and hopefully increase their outreach with a new non-profit under the name “Casa Argentina en Philadelphia,” officially established in September.

“I have been in the area for 30 years and in the past there were attempts to create a permanent Argentine organization, but they all ended up dissolving,” said Diana Larisgoitia, another organizing member. “In the last couple of years we have had some accomplishments, but this year we have finally created a platform.”

“If we look back at our group, five years ago in comparison to today, I think we have developed a lot in the last couple of years. Especially for being such a young community,” Loza said. “Is not an easy job to bring the community together, it definitely takes time.”

Perhaps one of the most important projects they have led is a proposal to modify the Argentine consular procedure, an effort spearheaded by Loza, a Temple University law school graduate,

“Last year we were trying to provide a traveling consulate for Philadelphia, and I asked our Consul María Cecilia Los Arcos ‘what do I need to do so you can come to Philly?’ and she basically replied ‘you need to change the law,’” Loza said.

There are seven Consulates of Argentina in the United States including locations in Miami (Fla.), Los Angeles (Calif.), Washington (D.C.),  New York (N.Y.), Chicago (Ill.), Atlanta (Ga.) and Houston (Texas). According to Loza, currently there are 2 million Argentines living in the United States in need of multiple services.

“With the exception of those who happen to live close to a consulate, the rest of us have to travel and invest time and money which can be a true challenge, especially for undocumented residents,” Loza said. “In a traveling consulate in 2013 I met a woman that was crying from happiness— because she had lost her Argentine documents 10 years ago and had no form of American documentation. She was finally able to get new documents.”

Loza developed a proposal to modify the Argentine consular procedures and create an Institute of Honorary Consuls dependent on the Argentine diplomatic corps, based on systems implemented in Uruguay and Switzerland.

Two weeks ago it was announced that their proposed project was presented at the National Congress of Argentina by Representative Federico Sturzenegger, and with the support of Reps. Patricia Bullrich, Eduardo Cáceres and Ricardo Spinozzi.

“If this becomes a reality it wouldn’t be just for residents in Philadelphia, but would benefit 2 million of Argentines,” Loza said. “Is going to change their lives.”

Argentine week returns

Celebrations begin on Sunday at 4 p.m. with an exhibit of Argentine objects at Love Park. The event will also feature tango performers, folk dancers and Argentine products for purchase.

In anticipation to the upcoming presidential elections in Argentina, a political and social discussion at the University of Pennsylvania will be held Oct. 6.

“Argentina facing the 2015 Presidential Elections,” will be a conversation on the economic, political and social effects of the current situation in the BRIC countries.

Speakers include Tulia Falleti, associate professor of Political Science at UPenn; Emilio Parrado, professor and chair of the Department of Sociology at UPenn, and Natalia Dominguez-Buckley, regional director of International Business Development at PA Department of Community and Economic Development.

The panel will be held at the Arch Auditorium (3601 Locust Walk), room 208, from 6 to 8 p.m. If you would like to attend this event you can RSVP to the email ndbuckley76@gmail.com

“Our intention with this kind of event is to go beyond the cultural aspect and to reach out to the academic and professional Argentines in the area,” said Diana Larisgoitia, organizing member.

The “IV Argentine Week in Philadelphia” also marks the opening of the exhibit “Through Argentine Eyes” (Con Ojos Argentinos), on display Oct. 5 - 9 at City Hall (Second Floor Display Cases, Northeast Corner).

The project came together in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (MOIMA) and #YoSoyLaCara, a photo campaign created by Esperanza to promote a sense of identity and pride in Latino culture.

The showcase of Argentine fine art includes compositions on canvas and glass by artists Nicolás de Fülöp, Liliana Life, Paula Meninato, Lucia de la Orden, and Vasiliy Komendant.

Members of the Embassy of Argentina in Washington will visit Philadelphia on Friday, Oct. 9 to be part of the flag-raising ceremony (open to the public) at City Hall, hosted by MOIMA. This will be followed by a private reception.

The “IV Argentine Week in Philadelphia” will end with an Argentine Gala at The Buck Hotel (1200 Buck Rd, Feasterville, Pa.), an annual dinner to celebrate Argentine pride. Tickets are available for $45 (adults), $15 (kids up to 12 years old). If you RSVP after Sept. 30, tickets will be $50 for adults and $20 for kids. Cocktail attire and RSVP are required.

For more information please follow the group on Twitter @argentinosphila, or facebook.com/groups/argentinesphila/.