The Duke of Cornwall Singers arrived in Argentina on Tuesday August 13th. At the airport, in Córdoba City, a group of Zipoli School students were waiting for them, ready to welcome with a song and looking forward to working together. After the musical reception, they all went to the Zipoli school to meet with their host families and spend a few hours relaxing and preparing for the very active and busy days that were ahead. The second day, two presentations were planned: the first one was at the Zipoli School with all the school´s students and teachers as audience. The second one was at the Catholic University of Córdoba. This one was the first gala permormance for the Dukes and a sign that there weren't going to be any free seats during the seventeen presentations planned during the thirteen days' tour in Argentina. The next day the Dukes were able to make a short historical tour of Córdoba City, visiting the Cathedral, San Martin Square and the Cabildo of Córdoba. Next, the authorities of the Municipality of Córdoba City received the Dukes, wishing them a great tour and finally ending up dancing and singing with them. The next step was the performance at the auditorium of the main newspaper of the province of Córdoba, La Voz del Interior. Latecomers were left with standing room only, at the back or even outside of the auditorium. Friday was the time for visiting the Aeronautical School, and performing there among the students, teaches and authorities of the school. There were also members and students of the Aeronautical University Institute present. After the performance, the Dukes and the students of the Aeronautical School enjoyed 'pollo asado' (BBQ chicken) together and then danced and sang argentine and south african folklore. Saturday was relaxing and enjoyable during the afternoon. The 'Asado' (braai) let everyone know everyone while chatting, joking, laughing, playing cards, playing soccer; and of course, enjoying the food. Later that day, at about 9 pm that night the Zipoli School Juvenile Choir opened the show with three songs and then gave place to the last performance of The Duke of Cornwall Singers in Córdoba in La Iglesia del Pilar (Pilar´s Church). An audience of more than seven hundred, sitting and standing, enjoyed the show. In his farewell the priest of the church said: "when this church was built, more than a hundred years ago, the people who designed its acoustics were thinking about the visit of this choir from South Africa today." He may have been right. Sunday the 18th was time for the farewell from Córdoba city and to say goodbye to the host families and friends from the first location of the Dukes' argentinian tour. Tears were plenty, both inside and outside the bus. But the trip had just started... and a first - short - visit to Oncativo was in the books, before going to the next stop at Marcos Juarez...

Follow the itinerary on this map

Text by: Ariel Israilevich