For this week’s Bookshelf of the Week I thought I’d get all Latin American with this breathtaking shot taken by Dave aka ‘longhorndave’, of the equally breathtaking El Ateneo bookstore in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
OK, so I know on first sight El Ateneo looks more like a theatre than a bookstore, but that’s because when the building was originally constructed in 1919, it was a theatre, designed by the architects Peró and Torres Armengol for the impresario Max Glücksman, and appropriately named, Teatro Gran Splendid. And a theatre it stayed throughout the 1920s, until in 1929 it was converted into a cinema. It’s final incantation into bookstore (as it is now) came finally in 2000 when the cinema seating was swapped out for bookshelves.
Now although this shot from Dave is, as I said, quite breathtaking, it doesn’t really offer a full scope on how incredibly vast and impressive this bookstore really is. So I invite you to take a look at this feature on the bookstore on the Argentina’s Travel Guide website, and at this image taken from a different angle and posted by Josefina Mars on Flickr. Thirsty for more? Much more?? OK then, check out this video tour of El Ateneo on YouTube which comes with commentary, and musical accompaniment from Puccini. Mmmm..bliss!! 
Once you’ve picked your jaw up off the floor dear reader, you can let me know what you think of the El Ateneo bookstore, especially if you’ve had the enviable pleasure of visiting it. My thanks to Dave for sharing such a wonderful shot.
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What an amazing bookstore!!! I would so love to live there!
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What in the bookstore Amy or in Buenos Aires (I’m guessing in the bookstore
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Rob
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Heh, I’d be happy living in either – as long as wherever I was in Buenos Aires was close to the store at least!
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So, you’d move to Buenos Aires just to b close to this bookshop Amy? Hehehe that’s true commitment right there
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Rob
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Definitely Rob. If it weren’t for the bookshop I certainly wouldn’t want to go
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now there is a book shop ,amazing looks huge and in such a baroque setting ,you could sit in stalls and spy people shopping ,oh and you be happy to know i ve not been to this one lol .all the best stu
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Now you really would have impressed me if you’d visited this one Stu
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Rob
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This bookstore looks amazing! I’d love to just sit at one of those balconies and look at people browsing books. Of course, I’d love to browse them myself as well.
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I think it’ almost any bibliophile’s idea of heaven Iris.
Thank you for your comment
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Rob
Oh. My. Goodness.
That would be like turning the Royal Albert Hall into a bookshop! Well, who needs to attend music gigs anyway when there’s all that browsing, reading and book purchasing to be done!
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I thought this would be right up your street dearest Kim. And it looks like it is!
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Rob
I am impressed as someone who loves books but sadden as someone who loves going to the theatre. Anyway I hope they can make some performances while audience is sitting on the balconies + they can buy books during intervals…;-)
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Good grief, what a dilemma you seem to be facing on this one
. On a positive note though at least the theatre isn’t falling apart due to misuse, and people can still get a feel for its former glory.
It could have been worse. What if it had been turned into a Starbucks, MacDonalds or something similar? It just doesn’t bear thinking about *shivers*
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Rob
I saw a photo of this bookstore in a magazine a few months ago and I got dizzy. If I am ever lucky enough to go to Buenos Aires and get to this bookstore, I don’t know if I’d ever leave…..
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Yeah, since featuring this particular bookshop, I’ve found out that it is a fairly common subject of focus. No wonder though. There surely won’t be many of these beauties around the world will there? I hope you realise your dream of visiting it one day Suzanne, and don’t forget to take photos
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Rob
I think this could possibly be the only bookstore where the books weren’t taking center stage (no pun intended)! So incredibly beautiful!
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I am accepting that pun Kristen. That’s a clever one! Glad you like the shot.
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Rob
What a great bookshop. They even have a stage for readings.
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Did you notice that the stage is actually used for a cafe? A brilliant idea! I wonder if they ever use the stage for reading. They must do, surely?
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Rob
Rob:
Thank you so much for kind words on my photo. El Ateneo is one of the first spots I would take visitors to when I lived in Buenos Aires. Yes, I spent many rainy days on sitting in a comfy chair on the stage drinking coffee and reading books. Though my spanish was bad, so I usually didn’t get to far with any of the books.
For those that want more, here is a link to my blog post from my old blog. It has many more photos of El Ateneo.
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How great to hear from you, and to get a bit more info from the man himself, on the wonderful El Ateneo.
It looks to be an incredible place and I can see why you would have chosen to have spent so many hours there.
Thanks also for the blog link. I’m off to visit it right now.
Take care and thanks again for a wonderful shot
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Rob
Just a random thought: they could use the stage as a sort of auctioning area! or when authors get to sign books and make speeches. Oh, nevermind. So it was actually a cafe, not bad!
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I’m guessing they do use the stage for book signings and special events. It would an absolute waste if they didn’t, wouldn’t it Jessica?
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Rob