The fair has a truly jovial atmosphere, although it takes place in one of the poorest sectors of the capital. Mataderos, and its neighboring barrio of Liniers, were where cattle were traditionally brought in from around the country, slaughtered, and then shipped out as meat to other parts of the capital (the name Mataderos literally means slaughterhouses –and the area is also often called Nueva Chicago, because of the cattle-killing heritage it shares with the ‘Windy City’). For this reason there is an interesting mix of cultures: gauchos, porteños, and migrant workers from Bolivia & Paraguay. The fair represents this colorful combination of traditions, dancing and artwork.

-please see at original size-