Chilean Culture

Chileans are known as brave and hospitable people. European blood dominates in Chile and the result of it is a great number of theaters, museums, art galleries and exhibitions. Art, music and literature influences world culture. Chileans world famous Nobel prizewinners are Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda. Before the military takeover in 1973 Chilean cinematographs were the most extreme in Latin America. European composers influenced professional musical art in Chile and raised some popular composers like Aliende Saron, R. Asevedo, K. lavin and others. Folk music was very important for tyranny victims; it was often performed by political immigrants abroad during the Pinochet’s reign. 

Clothes

The majority of Chile wears European clothes that are sometimes combined with ponchos or chamanato. Chamanato is a Chilean poncho, made of bright wool that has different fretwork. The national costume consist of chamanato, sombrero, white shirt, tight pants and black or red high boots.  This costume is worn only by the participants of rodeo. During the breaks lots of musicians perform folk music.

Music and Dance

Music of Chile has Spanish origin. It is common to hear “escinaso” also known as a street song that is performed as a serenade or a Christmas carol. The most famous Chilean composer is Domingo Santa-Cruz, who is the head of Musical University of the country. Piano player Claudio Arrau and a singer Ramon Vinai are also world famous.

Ornamental Art

Big passion for dance and music is combined with love to ornamental art. Chilean Pottery, wood handicrafts, tree-wool and horse-hair platting, woolen poncho, blankets, carpets, metal accessories are known inside and outside the country. The most interesting are ceramics. Locals make little brightly colored animal figures that are very popular between tourists. 

Literature

Chilean literature, as a majority of Latin America countries, has Europe influence.  But in the XX century the world has seen a great number of great Latin America writers that also included Chileans. Chilean literature is known mostly as poems. The most famous poet is Pablo Neruda, his poems have a spirit of struggling and fight. Neruda got a Nobel Prize and a Lenin prize.

Religion 

More than 90% of people in the country are Catholics but Protestantism is spreading very quickly. Catholic architecture is very impressive, gorgeous colonial cathedrals and sanctuaries are put across the roads. 

Language

The official language is Spanish, though there are several national languages. On the north of the country around 20000 speak Aymara, and on the south around 500000 speak Mapuche.

Chilean cuisine is various and combines sea food, meat, fruit and vegetables.

Chileans are known as brave and devoted people. The world was impressed by the mine accident that took place in San-Jose. Thirty three miners were locked underground for seventy days. Around 17 days workers spent in the mine and nobody knew if they were alive. Their day bond was one spoon of tinned goods. After seventy days of horrible conditions and lack of food, miners were put up; the world press was shocked by the smiles and the laugh that surrounded that situation. Right after the accident miners went dancing. Two days later 5 workers got married.