Christine Rasmussen

Buenos Aires

IN THE Argentinean capital, the Grand Marshal of the St Patrick’s Day Parade is called the ‘Gran Capitan’, and this year Christine Rasmussen, who has taught Irish dancing in Buenos Aires for over 40 years, will take on the mantle.

‘My family is of Irish descent – my great-great grandmother was called Kehoe and came from Wexford. When I was younger Irish dancing was not taught here at the time,’ Rasmussen recalls. ‘I went to Ireland in 1978 to learn dancing from Marie Walsh in Dublin and then I went back to Argentina to teach.’

As it happens, the Irish-Argentinean community is one of the largest in the Americas, with almost 600,000 people boasting a bit of green blood. The city had their 10th annual parade last week, with Christine leading the charge, allowing officials to pave the way for a Basilica Mass and luncheon on the 17th. ‘Ever since I visited Ireland, I noticed the similarities between the Irish and the Argentinean, in as far as personalities and tastes.

‘The Irish adapt very easily to life here, maybe because of the sense of humour and sociability.

Christine’s daughter Dominique has taken over the reins of the dancing school, Celtic Argentina.

‘Irish dancing has become huge here, and not just among the Irish-Argentineans,’ smiles Christine. ‘I am proud to be able to keep up all the traditions, like singing, music and dancing. It’s lovely to be given the honour of Gran Capitan and that the association recognises different personalities.’