CULTURE
Two lively and contrasting
cultural strains predominate in Chile: the cosmopolitan culture
of the affluent urban population, and the popular culture of the
peasants, which is predominantly Spanish but contains traces of
Araucanian heritage. The latter influences are strongest in Chilean
music and dance. Chile has a flourishing literary tradition and
has produced two Nobel Prize winners in literature, Gabriela Mistral
and Pablo Neruda, both poets.
Language and a common history
have promoted cultural homogeneity in the country. Even the Araucanians
and certain Aymara minorities in the north share the values of
the Chilean identity, while continuing to cherish their own cultural
heritage. Chileans have always displayed a high degree of tolerance
toward the customs and traditions of minority groups, as well
as toward Christian and non-Christian religious practices.
The flavour of local custom
and tradition in Chile is readily observable in the numerous colourful
religious festivals that take place at various localities throughout
the country. Hundreds of thousands of spectators are drawn to
these processions.
