Río Ceballos' LaBeba Teatro Faces Eviction Amid Heritage Designation

LaBeba Teatro, an independent cultural centre in Río Ceballos, Argentina, has been declared Cultural, Social and Community Heritage and designated as public utility by the city council in February 2025, with an expropriation order approved. The collective that runs the space, which transformed an abandoned galpón into a theatre and community hub over the past two decades, now faces a judicial eviction lawsuit that is currently on appeal. The group has occupied the building for more than ten years, paying taxes and investing in extensive renovations after the original owner died. Nicolás Jara, a member of the collective, said, “It was a very long process, with a lot of patience… we have been building this for almost 20 years.” The collective is calling for community support while the legal and administrative processes continue.