Detailed museum that gives an excellent understanding of the Falklands/Malvinas. The main theme running through all the exhibits is not only the burning sense of injustice that Argentinians have for losing possession of the Islands but also how it has been used as a ploy by politicians and leaders to distract the people from more important socioeconomic and political issues. I can't help but notice the bitter irony of this museum being located within the CESM compound where the issue of the Malvinas was used to distract Argentineans from the systematic torture and murder of the political opposition by the military junta. In fact, much of the propaganda during that war was written in the Fishbowl forced labour area by prisoners.
What is most salient about this museum is what is omitted. There is no mention on display of the 2013 referendum in which Falklands residents overwhelmingly expressed their desire to remain British. There is no attempt to explain everyday life as it exists in reality for those people. None of the museum's displays are in English unlike in the CESM. Surely, the best way to convince other people of your arguments is to educate other foreign nationals who may not be fluent in Spanish and British visitors who could help to change their govt's position? But that is not the point of the museum.
Unlike most museums, it is not designed to provide the facts and encourage critical thought and reflection. It is merely a propaganda tool, just another monologue in the decades-long one-sided conversation that Argentina has had with itself and will continue to have alone if this museum represents current Argentinean policy regarding the Malvinas.
I would recommend adding English translation of exhibits, an exhibit on future dialogue/negotiation/strategies with the British, an exhibit on the people that live there, an exhibit recognising PTSD, suicide prevalence and how it affected the mental health of the soldiers, presenting voices from both sides during the war (including British soldiers who are also suffering PTSD), and a...
Read morePlan to spend at least 2 hours here as this museum sucks you in and walks you through the long complex history of the Malvinas and provides a narrative from the Argentine perpspective.
Loaded with both static and interactive displays, audio and video stations, one gets immersed and discovers the long, complicated existence of these islands.
The one display that was really powerful to see was the display memorializing soldiers.
Beautifully constructed and laid out building that includes a pool with a bird's eye view of the Malvinas. The museum also has a snack bar. No gift...
Read moreCool little museum, half about the Falkland Islands and half about Antarctica. The Falkland exhibits are hit-and-miss, with a few interesting exhibits. It's more a hodgepodge of exhibits of whatever someone wanted to feature, rather than an overarching story. The Antarctica half is completely skippable. Overall seems more a check box for school field trips, rather than a place to learn history. Makes a nice palette cleanser from the very heavy content in the surrounding ESMA museums, I recommend you visit it after the main ESMA museum but before visiting the other sites...
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