CCK

The CCK, formerly the Centro Cultural Kirchner, is one of the largest cultural centre’s in the world. The modern, diverse cultural centre boasts a huge 100,000m2 of space spread over an incredible nine floors, dedicated to art, music, theatre and dance.

History

The centre occupies the entire building of the former central post and telegraph office - one of the city’s most important historic buildings and an outstanding example of French second empire architecture.

Construction of this imposing neoclassical edifice was ordered by the then president Miguel Juárez Celman in the 1880s. Designed by French architect Norbert-Auguste Maillart, it was finally inaugurated in 1928 by the president Marcelo T. de Alvear.

In 1997 the building was declared a National Historic Monument and in 2002 it ceased to function as an office for the postal service. In 2009 work began to restore the building’s facades and transform the former post office and transform it into a cultural centre, which opened its doors in May 2015.

Attractions

One of the centre’s main attractions is the blimp-shaped three-storey 1,750-capacity symphony hall known as La Ballena Azul, or Blue Whale, floating in what was the former packing area of the post office. The hall is renowned for its acoustics and Klais Orgelbau pipe organ. There is also a 540-capacity chamber and six smaller auditoriums.

Other attractions include the blue sphere made of 3,000 independent pieces of blue acrylic suspended from the ceiling in the entrance to the building, and the many former offices that have been transformed into spaces for exhibitions, projections and conferences.

The glass dome of the building with its unique lighting system hosts performing arts pieces, while two rooftop terraces offer spectacular views of the city.

Curiosities

Eva “Evita” Perón had her own despatch office in the building in the 1940s which is recreated in the Salón Eva Perón.

Check out the agenda of exhibitions, performances and guided tours to discover this landmark site.