An initiative driven by muralism and public art is transforming the La Bajada neighborhood in Rosario, where Lionel Messi grew up. New images of the Argentine captain are being created starting this Thursday, amid a surge in tourism fueled by the South American Games taking place across the province. And of course, it adds a bonus to the effect of simply visiting the place where the star grew up.
According to the website Rosario 3, near the intersection of 1º de Mayo and Lavalleja streets, a group of muralists and local residents got to work this Thursday to renovate facades and bring new colors to the neighborhood. The initiative is called: "The future is at play, the neighborhood paints its mark."
The idea itself involves creating new murals, restoring some that already existed, and offering a fresh perspective on the popular La Bajada neighborhood, the place where Leo grew up.
The new works aim to represent the neighborhood and artistically reflect the spirit and identity of a place that will be forever associated with the figure of the eternal number 10.
This Thursday, a group of muralists worked on two of the houses neighboring the one where Messi grew up. In addition, they are already planning various figures and symbols that will pay tribute to him on several walls of a neighborhood that will definitively change forever in the coming hours.
"We are also soccer fans, and sharing art in a social context is unique. This is a beautiful neighborhood and we seek to highlight Messi's figure within the context of what his neighborhood meant," said Lisandro "Lichi" Urteaga, one of the muralists.
He added: "The first time I painted Leo here, I cried the whole time. I'm a huge soccer fan, so this is a beautiful challenge for us."
"I lived my whole life in this neighborhood and grew up with Leo," added Waly, another of the muralists. "We had a beautiful childhood. And we want to show that Leo and the neighborhood maintain their essence. Leo unites the country, he bridges divides. And paying tribute to him is a uniquely personal emotion," he concluded.
But beyond this artistic movement, the house where Leo spent his childhood remains one of the biggest tourist attractions in Rosario. An attraction that grew considerably from last weekend onward with the surge of tourists following the start of the South American Games, which the province is hosting at three specific venues: Rosario, Rafaela, and Santa Fe.
The site is not only frequented by tourists, but also by the Latin American athletes competing in Rosario, who delve into the roots of the Argentine captain and seek photos in the now colorful neighborhood where the number 10 grew up.
According to organizers, the works will be fully completed this Saturday, and visitors will be able to see the completely renovated site.
