Charles Dickens is an icon. Although a writer from the Victorian era, Dickens’s work transcends his time, language and culture. He remains a massive contemporary influence throughout the world and his writings continue to inspire film, TV, art, literature, artists and academia.

Dickens 2012 is an international celebration of the life and work of Charles Dickens to mark the bicentenary of his birth, which falls on 7 February 2012. On that day, Charles Dickens’s skill and magic came to life when the most eminent cultural figures from Argentina got together for public performances and readings at an old dinning-room hidden within the walls of a 1700’s cloister in downtown Buenos Aires.

The British Council in Argentina, together with the Buenos Aires city government, invited writers, actors, musicians, performers and entertainers to take part in this unique event. Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, among others, was read with talent and excitement by artist like Daniel Amiano, Federico Andahazi, Martín Kohan, María Rosa Lojo, Marikena Monti, Fernando Noy, Ana Padovani, Ingrid Pelicori, Horacio Peña, Rodolfo Rabanal, Ana María Shua y Malena Solda. Live music was also present, under Juan Stafforini’s sharp eye, singers performed songs related to Dickens’s work and historical context. Max Aguirre and Sabrina Álvarez Schurmann, well-established illustrators, unleashed their art and captured Dickens’s essence on paper. Mónica Maffía, Artistic Director, brought all elements together.

Artistic director: Mónica Maffía
Musical direction: Juan Stafforini
Musical  composition: Ricardo Vergani
Singers: Melania Lenoir, Pablo Mezzelani, María Pastore Camino, Luciano Percara
Dancer: Adriana Viñals