Culture

Argentina is a nation with a rich Spanish heritage, strongly influenced since the 19th century by European, notably Italian, immigration. Due to different ethnic immigration during the beginning of the century, the country represents a European lifestyle.

Twentieth-century Argentine literature has produced the celebrated Shadows in the Pampas (1926; translated 1935), a novel by Ricardo Guiraldes; Hopscotch (1963; translated 1966), a novel by Julio Cortázar; The Kiss of the Spider Woman (1976; translated 1979), a novel by Manuel Puig; and the stories of Ernesto Sábato. Eduardo Mallea, a novelist who wrote on existentialist themes, and Jorge Luis Borges, internationally renowned for his short stories, are major contemporary figures. The best-known poet is Leopoldo Lugones, who wrote both symbolist and naturalist verse.

There are many important Libraries, museums and galleries in the city, and it has a active theater community. The leading library of Argentina is the National Library (1810) in Buenos Aires, which has about 1.9 million volumes. Prominent among the many museums in Buenos Aires are the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences, the National Museum of Fine Arts, and such private collections as the International Art Gallery. The Museum of La Plata is famous for its collections of reptile fossils. Argentine cinema has also attained international stature.

Probably the best known demonstration of Argentine popular culture is the tango - a dance and music which has taken the imagination of romantics worldwide. Folk music is also flourishing. Sport is very important to the Argentines and soccer is one of the most practicing game.

Meat dominates Argentina's menus. Mixed grills are clearly the way to go. In this vegetarian's duress, Italian favorites, such as gnocchi are a welcome alternative. Choice Argentine ice cream reflects Italian influences. The sharing of mate, Paraguayan tea, is a ritual more than a beverage, and if offered is a special expression of acceptance.