10 ARGENTINE TRADITIONS
Argentina stands out from other countries in South America for its unique culture. The culture of Argentina exemplifies a mixture of practically all European countries. Additionally, the contrast between the desert landscapes, super-populated cities, tropical jungles and Antarctic icebergs make Argentina a truly unique landscape. This month we present you with ten exciting traditions to help you really get to know the culture of Argentina.
1- Participate in a yerba mate ritual
Locals in Argentina often stroll through the streets with a thermos of hot water under their arm while sipping this hot beverage through a straw, sometimes sharing the drink with a whole group. The drink, known as mate or yerba mate, is the national beverage of Argentina and Uruguay where the tea is habitually consumed. The unique feature of yerba mate is that it is served with a metal straw, called a bombilla, and drank from a hollow calabash gourd.
2- Dance the tango
The first word that comes to people's mind when they hear Argentine music is "tango". This dance, elegant and sensual, was born in suburbs of Buenos Aires, becoming popular as the music of the immigrants. Carlos Gardel was a songwriter, singer and actor of some of the most well known tango hits of all time. His legendary figure has made him a prominent name in the history of tango with a loyal following of fans. Tango is not merely music and dance, but also words. The lyrics are considered a literary component of tango, incorporating the Lunfardo dialect from the lower classes of Buenos Aires.
3- Send a postcard from the end of the world
Ushuaia, in Tierra de Fuego (Land of Fire), is the southernmost city in the world. After observing the local penguins or riding the Southern Fuegian Railway (Train of the End of the World) you can send a surprising gift to your family back home: a postcard and stamp certifying that you made it to the end of the world and back!
4- Discover European Ancestors
It is no strange coincidence that many famous Argentines have last names like Kirscher, Pellegrini, Messi, Fangio... Similar to the USA, Argentina received huge influxes of European immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries, forming the multicultural country that it is today. The largest amount of immigrants came from Italy and today 50%-70% of all Argentines have Italian blood. The Spaniards who arrived to Argentina came mainly from northern Spain: Galicia, Asturias and the Basque region. Germans also made up an important population in Argentina and today conserve both their language and important traditions such as Oktoberfest. Another important immigrant population in Argentina was that of the Jews. Buenos Aires, one of the most cosmopolitan cities of the Americas, is often referred to as the "Paris of the south".
5- Travel to fantasy lands with Argentine literature
Argentina, thanks to its high cultural status, produces ample amounts of sophisticated literature. Many of the country's principal authors were descendants of European immigrants or lived in Europe themselves.
Argentine fantasy novels by Julio Cortázar, Bioy Casares or Jorge Luís Borges are famous, known to be experimental and creative. Other popular Argentine authors include the poets Alejandra Pizarnik and Juan Gelmán, the existentialist writer Ernesto Sábato, or the popular cartoonist Joaquín Salvador Lavado (a.k.a: Quino). In Buenos Aires there is a bookstore called El Ateneo, one of the most original in the world located in an old 1919 theatre.
6- Ride with Argentine gauchos
An Argentine "gaucho" is the equivalent of a North American cowboy. Not only for their profession working with livestock in the Pampa grasslands, but also for becoming legendary symbols of Argentina. Martin Fierro, a book about the life of an Argentine gaucho, is considered national literature revered by the Argentine people.
7- Belief in soccer
The topic of soccer, or European football, is like a religion in Argentina. Their passion is so great that Maradona, considered the best soccer player of all time, is regularly referred to as "God" by his fans, who have gone on to (half jokingly) found the Church of Maradoniana. Many believe that Leo Messi, an Argentine soccer star who plays in FC Barcelona, will take over Maradona's title as the best soccer player in history. Two of the most important soccer teams in Argentina are River Plate and Boca Juniors.
8- Sunday morning grills
The tradition of getting together with friends on the weekend to barbecue on the grill is an important part of the Argentine culture. High quality Argentine meat is grilled with expertise making it famous around the world. Of course, a good Argentine meal cannot lack the popular chimichurri sauce.
9- Eat Argentina-style
Heavily influenced by its Italian heritage, Argentina is perhaps one of the best places on the planet to enjoy a good pizza, pasta and mozzarella cheese. Among the most popular desserts in Argentina are alfajores (traditional pastries) filled with famous Argentine dulce de leche. Argentina, with its favorable wine growing climate, is becoming more and more popular for producing magnificent wines.
10- Play polo and pato
Polo is a huge sport in Argentina where more people play than anywhere else in the world. Pato (duck), the national sport of Argentina, combines elements from both polo and basketball. The game was originally played by gauchos on horseback using a real duck, but today a ball with six handles is used. The ball must be picked up by the rider and thrown through a vertically positioned ring into a net to score.
