Actress Carolina Tejeda explores Aurelia Vélez Sarsfield in new play

Actress Carolina Tejeda portrayed Aurelia Vélez Sarsfield in the solo play Aurelia Escribe to explore the history of female desire and political power.

Tejeda discussed her interpretation of the character in an interview with Osvaldo Quiroga for Ronda de Escritores. She noted that she initially knew little about Vélez Sarsfield, which led her to reflect on how many historical women remain unknown to the public.

Tejeda viewed the character's connection to writing as a vital pursuit, describing it as a space of freedom and autonomy in an era where such activities were primarily reserved for men. The play examines the social and internal restrictions that limited women's ability to express their desires. Tejeda argued that these limitations were not only imposed by society but were sometimes internalised by women of that period.

She suggested that the work connects these historical struggles to modern experiences, questioning how much more happiness could be achieved if people were able to follow and share their true desires. Tejeda also highlighted the relationship between Vélez Sarsfield and Domingo Faustino Sarmiento. She described the character as a political operator for Sarmiento, using her role to access spaces of power where women were typically excluded. Tejeda noted that her father helped open these doors for her.

The production uses the history of Vélez Sarsfield to prompt contemporary reflections on female autonomy and social participation.