Culture In Argentina

Argentina's culture has been strongly influenced by its mostly European immigrant population, although it most certainly emerges from its Latin roots with a strong South American flair.  This combination of Latin-American passion with European cosmopolitan lifestyles makes Argentina a very attractive option for students looking to study abroad. The European influence is reflected in music, architecture, writing, social customs and lifestyle.

Spanish is spoken predominantly in Argentina, although many immigrants and indigenous peoples still speak their mother tongue. In the northwest, where many indigenous Quecha live, there is still a strong influence of the Pre-Columbian Andean indigenous tradition, while in the northeast, the Guarani indigenous influence is reflected in language, music, food and local customs.

Spanish culture predominates in urban Argentina, where you will also find strong Italian influences, and settlers from all over the world - from Germany to Ireland. You will be pleasantly surprised to sample some of the tastiest pizza and pasta in cities like Rosario, due to its strong Italian influence. Unfortunately the influence of European culture and colonialism has contributed to the erosion of indigenous ways of life.

Family life is muy importante in Argentina. You will find families gathering in parks or at the riverside to have Parillas (barbeques). It is not uncommon to find 35 year olds still living at home, and Argentians tend to get married later than most, often in their mid-thirties.

The Gauchos are seen to be as definitive of Argentinian culture as mate, the national drink. The Gauchos were horsemen who tended cattle in the Pampas, the central grasslands of Argentina. These Argentinian cowboys were the offspring of mainly Spanish immigrants and indigenous peoples. The gauchos were adpted by some as a cultural icon to offset the European influence which was rapidly dominating the country's cultural identity.

Arts and culture are incredibly popular in Argentina, and receive support from both private foundations and national institutions. Argentinians are a well-educated population and many world-renowned writers emerge from the country such as Jorge Luis Borges. Every year the country hosts an international book fair which is attended by more than a million people. Argentinians are very fond of theater and performance arts. Dance performances and concerts take place in parks and stadiums sometimes to massive attendance. Film production and music are thriving industries in Argentina. You will find a diverse range of music to appeal to all tastes from folk to pop to jazz to electronic. Live music takes places in bars and clubs all over the cities.

Nightlife in Argentina starts late - really late! At 7pm people have a coffee/mate break, and dinner is around 9 or 10 pm. Then locals hit the bars or pubs, followed by a late night boogie at a club or disco. It is not unusual to end the night with breakfast at around 6 or 7 am!

Tango, one of the most sensual and passionate dances in the world, is BEEG in Argentina! It originated on the outskirts of Buenos Aires in the poorer areas. Tango s symbolic of an complex intertwining of culture in Argentina with its mixed African, Indigenous and European influences. Tango refers to more than just the dance and encompasses the sensuality of the music, rhythms and lyrics. Tango, with its sensual movements and lyrics, its symbolism of a hybrid identity (the dance of foreigners with dubious morals) and its origins in lower-class areas, was initially seen as a moral threat to Argentian nationalists. These days, Tango, lke football, is seen as strongly representative of the country's national identity, and most Argentinians take pride in their country's multicultural and multi-ethnic identity.

In Argentina, the sharing of mate, the tea that is the national drink, is a popular ritual. Mate is prepared by steeping dried leaves of yerba mate in hot water. The beverage is then drunk out of a special calabash gourd, with a silver or metal straw (bombilla). The mate is shared and handed around and becomes and enjoyable social ritual. You will find friends getting together in parks to gather around and share mate. Mate is believed to have numerous health benefits, from relieving stress, to appetite reduction, to enhanced immunity., and to have many nutrients and antioxidants So when in Argentina, do as the Argentians do and drink mate.

The majority of Argentinians are Roman Catholic, although religious freedom is enshrined. Many Jewish immigrants entered into Argentina from after the turn of the 19th century and again in the aftermath of World War II. New Age and Eastern spirituality are also popular in some sectors, and many people still consult with traditional folk healers. Herbal medicine is also used widely in some parts of the country, where modern medicine is complemented by traditional practices.

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