
14.06.2012 / World Bulletin
Books on stage
Frescoed ceilings by Nazareno Orlandi, sculpted caryatids by Troiano Troiani, red velvet and enlightened boxes, a huge stage and a wide orchestra. Teatro Gran Splendid in Buenos Aires was commissioned by impresario Max Glucksman back in 1919.
Today, though, the lead role on its stage is not played by actors or dancers; it is played by books, since the former theatre has become the most fascinating bookstore in town – and one of the most beautiful in the world, at least according to The Guardian, which named it second in its 2008 list of the World’s Ten Best Bookshops (the first being Selexyz Dominicanen Boekhandel in Maastricht).
The place is called Ateneo Grand Splendid (Ateneo is a major bookstore chain in Buenos Aires) and it hosts some 120 thousand titles as well as small and cozy reading rooms inside the former private boxes, a kid’s area and a café, where you can sit and leaf through the books before buying them.
With such a setting, book readings become authentic performances, with live music and excellent acoustics.
To the point that, ever since its opening, Ateneo Grand Splendid has become one of the main tourist attractions in town.
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