radio colifata

Each Saturday from 3 p.m. until 6 or 7 p.m. the patients at the mental hospital, Jose Borda, put on a radio show.

Hospital Borda, located in the southern part of Buenos Aires, is a sprawling complex of concrete buildings and occasional courtyards. In one corner of a nondescript courtyard, underneath a scatter of trees, on a patch of shabby grass, patients interview live audience members, play guitar, sing, dance, recite poetry. Millions tune in.

Colifata means crazy, in the most positive sense, like crazy-wonderful, crazy-inspired, crazy-fabulous. Alfredo Olivera, a psychologist, created the program as a form of therapy for his patients. He produces, directs, and moderates the show.

Carlos and I arrived around 3 p.m. There was already a crowd of patients, psychologists, and the curious gathered, sitting on plastic stools in semi-circles around a fold-out table with the radio equipment. Almost immediately, patients approached us, greeted us with a customary kiss on the cheek, and welcomed us.

Three hours later, the sun set. Our fingers froze and our rumps ached. There was still a queue of patients waiting to present the materials they've prepared during the week. The doctors hung up storm lights on branches as we got up and waved good-bye.