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{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is a legitimate description when the title is already adequate; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{More citations needed|date=November 2020}}
[[File:Atardecer en el Palacio Legislativo.jpg|thumb|The [[Legislative Palace of Uruguay]].]]
{{Culture of Uruguay}}
{{Uruguay main topics}}
The '''culture of [[Uruguay]]''' is diverse since the nation's population is one of multicultural origins. Modern Uruguayan culture and lifestyle are heavily influenced by European traditions, due to the contributions of large numbers of [[Immigration to Uruguay|immigrants]] who arrived in the country from the 19th century onwards, especially from [[Italy]] and [[Spain]]. 

From the year 1858 to 1950 large waves of European immigrants began arriving to Uruguay, with the majority of the immigrants coming from [[Italy]]. Minor European immigrant groups – [[French people|French]], [[Germans]], [[Swiss people|Swiss]], [[Russians]], [[Jews]], and [[Armenians]], among others –  also migrated to Uruguay. Uruguay has century-old remains and fortresses of the colonial era. Its cities have a rich architectural heritage, and a number of writers, artists, and musicians. [[Carnaval]] and [[candombe]] are the most important examples of African influence by slaves, as well as [[Umbanda]] religious beliefs and practices. [[Guarani people|Guarani]] traditions can be seen in the national drink, [[Mate (beverage)|mate]].

==Visual arts==
===Painting and sculpture===
[[File:Casapueblo.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The Casapueblo, one of Carlos Páez Vilaró most famous art piece]]
Well-known Uruguayan painters include realists such as [[Juan Manuel Blanes]], constructivists such as [[Joaquín Torres García]], nativists like [[Carlos María Herrera]], post-impressionists such as [[Pedro Figari]] and [[Felipe Seade]], abstract artists such as [[Carlos Páez Vilaró]], and numerous others.

[[File:El entrevero.jpg|thumb|José Belloni: ''The Struggle'', 1965]]
Well-known sculptors include realists [[Pablo Atchugarry]], [[José Belloni]], and [[José Luis Zorrilla de San Martín]], as well as contemporary sculptors such as [[Juan José Calandria]], [[Águeda Dicancro]], Hugo Nantes, [[Claudio Silveira Silva]], [[Mariví Ugolino]], and [[Carlos Páez Vilaró]], who created an internationally renowned "livable sculpture", ''[[Casapueblo Uruguay|Casapueblo]]''.

===Architecture===
{{main|Architecture of Uruguay}}
Due to European migration, new forms of art and design started to enter during the formation of Uruguay. Many buildings in Uruguay are European influenced, for example, the [[Palacio Salvo]] was designed by [[Italy|Italian]] architect [[Mario Palanti]].

Many well recognized architects around the world are Uruguayan. Some famous Uruguayan architects include [[Juan Antonio Scasso]], [[Juan Giuria]], [[Leopoldo Artucio]], [[Eladio Dieste]], and [[Carlos Ott]].

[[Rafael Viñoly]] is a Uruguayan architect known for his most recognized project being the [[432 Park Avenue]] in [[New York City]]. The building stands at 1,396 feet (425.5 m) with 96 floors, making it the [[List of tallest residential buildings in the world|tallest residential building in the world]]. He is also credited for designing other buildings such as the [[Tokyo International Forum]], [[Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts]], and Uruguay's international airport [[Carrasco International Airport]].

==Modern society==
===Immigration===
{{Main|Immigration to Uruguay}}

Among the several peoples who settled Uruguay and formed the backbone of its society must be highlighted [[Spanish Uruguayan|Spaniards]] and [[Italian Uruguayan|Italians]], together with some [[Afro-Uruguayan|descendants of African slaves]]. While Spaniards being the greatest contributor to other South American countries, Italians are arguably the greatest contributor to Uruguay. There are also significant minorities: Armenians, Austrians, Basque, Britons, Bulgarians, Croats, French, Germans, Greeks, Roma, Hungarians, Irish, Scots, Jews, Lebanese, Lithuanians, Poles, Russians, Slovaks, [[Slovene communities in South America#Uruguay|Slovenes]], Swiss, and Ukrainians. There are very small Asian communities, mainly from [[Chinese people in Uruguay|China]], [[Japanese Uruguayan|Japan]] and [[Koreans in Uruguay|Korea]].<ref name="multicult">{{cite web |author=Felipe Arocena |title=The contribution of immigrants to Uruguay |url=http://multiculturalismoenuruguay.com/Docs/Articulos/ArocenaCEIC.doc.pdf |access-date=21 October 2013 |publisher=Multiculturalismoenuruguay.com |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075617/http://multiculturalismoenuruguay.com/Docs/Articulos/ArocenaCEIC.doc.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Languages===
{{Main|Languages of Uruguay}}
{{See also|Rioplatense Spanish|Uruguayan Spanish}}
[[Spanish language|Spanish]] is the de facto [[national language]], and is virtually spoken by the entire population.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-29 |title=Proponen establecer por ley que el idioma oficial de Uruguay es el español |url=https://www.sarandi690.com.uy/2020/07/29/proponen-establecer-por-ley-que-el-idioma-oficial-de-uruguay-es-el-espanol/ |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Radio Sarandí 690 AM |language=es}}</ref> The standard language is [[Uruguayan Spanish]], which is a variant of [[Rioplatense Spanish]].<ref>[https://www.cervantes.es/imagenes/file/biblioteca/situacion_espanol/uruguay_situacion_espanol.pdf Particularities of the Spanish language in Uruguay]</ref> This variant is known in the [[Hispanosphere]] for its marked [[Italian language|Italian]] influence in its intonation and vocabulary.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Meo Zilio |first=Giovanni |date=1963–64 |title=Genovesismos en el español rioplatense |journal=Nueva Revista de Filología Hispánica |volume=T. 17, No. 3/4 (1963/1964) |issue=3/4 |pages=245–263 |jstor=40297676}}</ref> Additionally, [[lunfardo]] argot is widely used among the population.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-07-21 |title=El lunfardo y su etimología |url=https://www.elpais.com.uy/tvshow/el-lunfardo-y-su-etimologia |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=EL PAIS |language=en}}</ref> 

The [[Uruguayan Portuguese]] or ''fronteiriço—''a set of varieties of Portuguese''—''are spoken in the northeast of the country, where cultural exchanges occur between communities on both sides of the [[Brazil–Uruguay border|border]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hacia el portuñol "patrimonio inmaterial de la humanidad" {{!}} Comisión Coordinadora del Interior |url=https://www.cci.edu.uy/node/95 |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=www.cci.edu.uy}}</ref> Minority languages in Uruguay include Italian, [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]], [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], and other [[Languages of Europe|European languages]], which are present in the country due to the significant waves of migration from Europe. [[English language|English]] is the most widespread foreign language among the Uruguayan people.<ref>{{Cite web |last=diaria |first=la |date=2020-07-22 |title=56% de los uruguayos tienen conocimientos de inglés, aunque solo 13,6% tiene certificación oficial |url=https://ladiaria.com.uy/educacion/articulo/2020/7/56-de-los-uruguayos-tienen-conocimientos-de-ingles-aunque-solo-136-tiene-certificacion-oficial/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522074234/https://ladiaria.com.uy/educacion/articulo/2020/7/56-de-los-uruguayos-tienen-conocimientos-de-ingles-aunque-solo-136-tiene-certificacion-oficial/ |archive-date=2022-05-22 |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=la diaria |language=es-UY}}</ref>

Since 2001, [[Uruguayan Sign Language]] is an official language.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Meyers |first=Stephen |last2=Lockwood |first2=Elizabeth |date=2014-12-06 |title=The Tale of Two Civil Societies: Comparing disability rights movements in Nicaragua and Uruguay |url=https://dsq-sds.org/article/view/3845 |journal=Disability Studies Quarterly |language=en |volume=34 |issue=4 |doi=10.18061/dsq.v34i4.3845 |issn=2159-8371 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Gestures===
{{Main|Cheek kissing}}
Uruguayan gestures are mostly adopted from [[Southern European]] culture, with hand gestures and tones being all used commonly throughout the country. A gesture that is only specifically used in Argentina and Uruguay is males kissing other males on the cheek, sometimes both cheeks, as a way of greeting. For the rest of Latin America, kissing on cheek as a form of greeting is mostly towards a male and female, or a female to another female.

==Popular culture==
===Humour===
Uruguayan humour has been present for over 200 years. Written humour has been developed by notable writers. Later on, during the civic-military dictatorship, satirical magazines such as ''El dedo'' and ''[[Guambia]]'' were notable vehicles for expressing dissatisfaction.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=19 July 2024 |date=19 July 2024 |first=María José |language=es |last=Santacreu |location=Montevideo |title=Un asunto serio: la historia del humor escrito en Uruguay |url=https://brecha.com.uy/un-asunto-serio/ |website=[[Brecha (Uruguan)|Brecha]]}}<!-- auto-translated from Spanish by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>

Modern media have been crucial in its development. The television programme ''[[Telecataplúm]]'' made history both in Uruguay and Argentina, followed by ''[[Decalegrón]]''. 

Currently the radio figure [[Orlando Petinatti]] leads the radio programme ''[[Malos Pensamientos]]''.

===Music===
{{Main|Music of Uruguay}}
{{See also|Tango}}
[[Image:Tango-Show-Buenos-Aires-01.jpg|thumb|upright|The Tango, which originated in the areas of Argentina and Uruguay]]
Uruguayans enjoy music such as [[Tango music|tango]], [[Folk music|folk]], and [[waltz]] as well as local forms such as [[candombe]], [[Milonga (music)|milonga]] and [[murga]]. Both tango and candombe have been recognized by [[UNESCO]] as [[Intangible Cultural Heritage]] of Humanity. Uruguay's annual [[Carnival]] is a major event with many unique features distinguishing it from those of its neighbours. [[Rock music|Rock]], [[jazz]], [[Pop music|pop]] and other international genres also enjoy great popularity in Uruguay.

===Motion pictures===
{{Main|List of Uruguayan films}}
{{See also|Whisky (film)}}
The first Uruguayan motion picture is "[[Carrera de bicicletas en el velódromo de Arroyo Seco]]". The film was directed by Félix Oliver, the pioneer of cinematography in Uruguay. The best reviewed Uruguayan movie is the 2004 film, ''Whisky''. Directed by [[Juan Pablo Rebella]] and [[Pablo Stoll]], with a starring cast of Andrés Pazos, [[Mirella Pascual]], and Jorge Bolani, it was well-received by film critics.

===Smoking===
{{Main|Smoking in Uruguay}}
Roughly 1/3 of Uruguayan adults smoke [[tobacco]], according to Uruguayan research groups.<ref>http://www.latimes.com on 2007-02-17</ref> On March 1, 2006, a law went into effect banning smoking in all enclosed public spaces in Uruguay, including restaurants and bars, among the toughest smoking bans worldwide and the strictest in Latin America. The penalty for businesses that allow smoking is a fine of roughly US $1,100 or a three-day closure. One opinion poll found that 70% of smokers supported the ban.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4761624.stm|title=Uruguay curbs smoking in public|date=1 March 2006|access-date=16 October 2017|website=News.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> Current President of Uruguay in that year, [[Tabaré Vázquez]], was a medic doctor specializing in [[Oncology|cancer treatment]].

==Literature==
{{Main|Uruguayan literature}}
{{See also|Generación del 45}}
[[File:José Enrique Rodó.jpg|thumb|[[José Enrique Rodó]]]]
One of Uruguay's most famous works of [[literature]] is ''Ariel'' by [[José Enrique Rodó]] (1871–1917). Written in 1900, the book deals with the need to maintain [[Spirituality|spiritual]] values while pursuing material and technical progress. [[Florencio Sánchez]] (1875–1910) wrote [[Play (theatre)|plays]] about social problems that are still performed today. [[Juan Zorrilla de San Martín]] (1855–1931) wrote epic [[poems]] about [[History of Uruguay|Uruguayan history]] (notably ''[[Tabaré (poem)|Tabaré]]''). [[Juana de Ibarbourou]] (1895–1979) and [[Delmira Agustini]] (1866–1914) were also notable poets.

The [[Generación del 45]] (Generation of '45) were of group of writers, mainly from Uruguay, who were famously known to have an influence on literature and culture of the region. Well-known writers belonged to this group such as [[Mario Benedetti]], [[Amanda Berenguer]], [[Juan Carlos Onetti]], Mauricio Müller, [[Humberto Megget]], [[Armonía Somers]], [[Idea Vilariño]], [[Emir Rodríguez Monegal]], [[Carlos Maggi]], [[Zenobia Camprubí]] and among others.

==Religion==
{{Main|Religion in Uruguay}}
Since 1919, church and state have been separated, and the constitution, as revised in 1966, guarantees religious freedom. The largest religion in Uruguay are the [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholics]], making about 66% of the population. Most Uruguayans baptize their children and marry in churches, but don't attend church that often. There is an estimated amount of 20,000 [[Jews]] in Uruguay, making it one of the largest Jewish communities in South America and in the world. Most Jews in Uruguay are [[Sephardi Jews]],  followed by [[Ashkenazim]], [[Mizrahim]], and [[Italkim]]. During European migration to South America, many [[German Jews]] and [[Italian Jews]] migrated to Uruguay. There are also several [[Evangelism|Evangelical]] [[Protestant]] groups, making 2% of the Uruguayan population. [[Macumba]] and [[Umbanda]], religions of [[Afro-Brazilian]] origin, are currently the [[fastest-growing religion]]s in Uruguay. There are a few Christian missionary organizations in Uruguay, such as Serve the City (Run by Matthew Daniels). There is also a number of [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], with 11,825 publishers and 156 congregations located within the country.

==Cuisine==
{{Main|Uruguayan cuisine}}
[[File:TipicoMateUruguayo.jpg|thumb|190px|The invigorating [[yerba mate]] in its gourd with thermos. It is a fixture in Uruguayan daily life.]]Uruguayans consume a large amount of [[beef]],<ref name="consumption">{{cite web|url=http://en.mercopress.com/2010/08/17/uruguay-world-s-leading-consumer-of-beef-with-58.2-kilos-per-capita-per-annum|title=Uruguay: world's leading consumer of beef with 58.2 kilos per capita per annum|website=En.mercopress.com|access-date=16 October 2017}}</ref> primarily at gatherings known in the continent as the ''[[asado]]''. The ''parrillada'' (beef platter), ''[[Chivito (sandwich)|chivito]]'' (a substantial steak sandwich), and [[pasta]] are the national dishes. Uruguayan cuisine is greatly influenced by [[Italian cuisine]], due to the large number of immigrants who arrived in the country in the 19th and 20th centuries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dazzo |first=Rino |date=2021-05-08 |title=Carne sí, ma sempre con pasta, milanesa, fainá, tallarines con tuco e il 29 di ogni mese, gnocchi |url=https://www.genteditalia.org/2021/05/08/carne-si-ma-sempre-con-pasta-milanesa-faina-tallarines-con-tuco-e-il-29-di-ogni-mese-gnocchi/ |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Gente d'Italia |language=it-IT}}</ref>

Other Uruguayan dishes include ''morcilla dulce'' (a type of [[blood sausage]] cooked with ground [[orange fruit]], orange peel, and [[walnuts]]) and ''[[milanesa]]'' (a [[veal]] [[breaded cutlet]] similar to the German [[Wienerschnitzel]]). Snacks include ''olímpicos'' (club sandwiches), ''húngaras'' (spicy sausage in a [[hot dog]] roll), and ''masas surtidas'' (bite-sized pastries). Typical drinks include [[Mate (beverage)|mate]], [[tea]], ''clericó'' (a mixture of white wine and fruit juice), and ''medio y medio'' (part sparkling wine and part white wine).

===Wine===
{{Main|Uruguayan wine}}
Plantings of [[Tannat]] (also known in Uruguay as ''Harriague'') have been increasing in Uruguay each year as that country's [[wine]] industry develops, and the country is considered the second most notable Tannat region after [[Madiran]], France. The Tannat wines produced here are characterized by more elegant and softer tannins and [[blackberry]] fruit notes. [[Vineyards]] in Uruguay have begun to distinguish between the "old vines" that are descendants from the original [[Cutting (plant)|cuttings]] brought over from Europe and the new [[Cloning#Horticultural|clones]] being produced today. The newer vines tend to produce more powerful wines with a higher [[alcohol level]], but less acidity and complex fruit characteristics. Some [[winery|wineries]] utilize both vines to make blends.<ref>Oz Clarke ''Encyclopedia of Grapes'' pg 241 Harcourt Books 2001 {{ISBN|0-15-100714-4}}</ref> Now the wines typically spend about 20 months in oak prior to release.<ref name="Oxford pg 679">J. Robinson (ed) ''"The Oxford Companion to Wine"'' Third Edition  pg 679 Oxford University Press 2006 {{ISBN|0-19-860990-6}}</ref> Today it is often blended with [[Pinot noir]] and [[Merlot]], and is made in a variety of styles including those reminiscent of [[Port wine|Port]] and [[Beaujolais]].

==Sports==
{{Main|Sport in Uruguay}}
{{See also|Uruguay national football team}}
[[File:Uruguay_players_with_CA_trophy.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Uruguay National Football Team winning the 2011 edition of the Copa America, hosted by Argentina]]

Sports in Uruguay have been a key element to the culture since the nation's independence.

[[Association football|Football]] ([[Spanish language|Spanish]]: ''fútbol'') is the most popular sport in Uruguay. Uruguay has won an Olympic gold medal in 1924, and another one in 1928, which were considered the most important tournaments in football, before the [[FIFA World Cup]] began in 1930, hence the four stars on the Uruguayan jersey. The first World Cup, which Uruguay won,<ref>[http://worldsoccer.about.com/cs/worldcup/a/wcupwinz.htm World Soccer<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050819130356/http://worldsoccer.about.com/cs/worldcup/a/wcupwinz.htm |date=2005-08-19 }}</ref> was held in [[1930 FIFA World Cup|1930]] in [[Montevideo]]. The [[Estadio Centenario]] was built for the World Cup, and serves to this day as the country's main football stadium.

Uruguay also won the World Cup in [[1950 FIFA World Cup|1950]], beating [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]] at the [[Estádio do Maracanã]]. The event has had astounding impacts on the history of the sport, due to Brazil being a heavily favoured team at that time, and is also known as the ''[[Uruguay v Brazil (1950 FIFA World Cup)|Maracanazo]]''.

Uruguay has the second most [[Copa América]] titles, the most important football tournament in the South American region. Uruguay currently has 15 titles to their name, the most recent being the [[2011 Copa América]] hosted by Argentina.

Uruguay has two major clubs, [[Peñarol]] and [[Club Nacional de Football]], which both have won major tournaments both nationally and internationally. Peñarol has won the [[Uruguayan Primera División]] a total of 49 times, while Nacional have won the division 46 times. Peñarol has won the [[Copa Libertadores]], the most prestigious club tournament in South America, 5 times and Nacional have won 3 times. Both teams have won the [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]] a total of 3 times (which is the present day [[FIFA Club World Cup]]). In September 2009, Peñarol was chosen as the [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics#Continental Clubs of the 20th century|South American Club of the Century]] by the [[IFFHS]].

Uruguayans are internationally known in the football world and have produced some of the biggest names of the sport. Some names include:

*[[Enzo Francescoli]]
*[[Juan Alberto Schiaffino]]
*[[Hector Scarone]]
*[[Diego Forlán]]
*[[Luis Suárez]]
*[[Álvaro Recoba]]
*[[Jose Nasazzi]]
*[[Diego Godín]]
*[[Edinson Cavani]]
*[[Diego Lugano]]
*[[Alcides Ghiggia]]
*[[Antonio Pacheco D'Agosti]]
*[[Ladislao Mazurkiewicz]]
*[[Paolo Montero]]

Other popular sports in Uruguay include [[sport of athletics|athletics]], [[auto racing]], [[basketball]], [[boxing]], [[cycle sport|cycling]], [[field hockey]], [[fishing]], [[golf]], [[handball]], [[mountaineering]], [[padel tennis]], [[polo]], [[Roller hockey (Quad)|roller hockey]], [[Rowing (sport)|rowing]], [[rugby union]], [[Sailing (sport)|sailing]], [[skiing]], [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[tennis]], and [[volleyball]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110809113827/http://portal.gub.uy/ Uruguayan Government Portal]
* [http://cvc.cervantes.es/el_rinconete/anteriores/agosto_04/09082004_02.htm Uruguayan writers in ''Centro Virtual Cervantes'']

{{Uruguay topics}}
{{Latin America topic|Culture of|Latin American culture}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Culture Of Uruguay}}
[[Category:Culture of Uruguay| ]]