Heritage and Culture

Text of Manuela Falero, Amalia Rodríguez y Camila Cruz  

Uruguay: Heritage and Culture

Tango

 Tango is one of the most authentic and genuine musical expressions of the River Plate region and is central to Uruguay’s own musical tradition.

Tango is one of the most authentic and genuine cultural expressions in the River Plate region. Born of the fusion between original African musical traditions and European and Creole instruments and rhythm, Tango is a testament to the rich cultural history of our region.

Tango has its roots in both Buenos Aires and Montevideo. Tangible examples of this are the song “La Morocha” written in Buenos Aires by the Uruguayan song writer, Enrique Saborido or “Mi Noche Triste” composed in Montevideo by Argentine Pascual Contursi in 1916.

In 2009, Tango was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Originally a genre that emerged from the outskirts of Montevideo and Buenos Aires at the end of 19th century, Tango has come a long way into what it is today. Nowadays, Tango is danced all over the world as well as in international competitions.

When we refer to Tango, we’re also making reference to the dance and the sound, in addition to the musical genre as a whole. At its core, Tango is an urban musical expression and a unique development in the musical tradition of the River Plate.

 Carnival

Uruguayan Carnival festivities are the longest of their kind in the world. They start at the beginning of January and run all the way to mid-March. Over the course of over 50 days, lively and colorful parties fill the streets with joy in every neighborhood.

The holiday starts in Montevideo with the Inaugural Parade on 18 de Julio Avenue where the participating groups march alongside their floats while the Queens of Carnival woo the audience. On the other hand, the party that really catches the attention of our visitors is the Desfile de Llamadas that takes place in the neighborhoods of Barrio Sur and Palermo, evoking a ritualistic meeting, historically orchestrated by slaves of the colonial times who would get together outside of the city during the 18th and 19th centuries. Thousands of spectators flock to see the vibrant spectacle that can be defined as a sort of communication between the three kinds of drums used in Candombe; the chico, repique and piano. The Desfile de Llamadas, is a spectacle unlike any other in the world where more than 2,000 drums can be heard playing at once. Let yourself be taken away by the rhythm declared as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Another favored activity to experience while in Uruguay is Murga, a truly authentic expression of our culture. During our sultry February nights, these carnival ensembles compete on neighborhood theater stages, otherwise known as tablados, in the Official Carnival Competition. Each group is awarded points for their humor and general satirical view on current affairs in the country combined with festive costumes, creative makeup and song. Parodists, Revues, Comedians and Lubolos are all different expressions of this unique Uruguayan theater to be enjoyed by all audiences.

Equally as entertaining and important are the carnivlas celebrated in the cities outside of Montevideo which also have their own Inaugural Parades, each with its own style. Cities closer to the border—Rivera, Artigas and Melo share similar Brazilian-style carnival themes mixed with the Uruguayan traditions.

Uruguay will celebrate its Heritage Day in tribute to La Cumparsita

The 23rd edition of Uruguay's Heritage Day, which will take place on October 7 and 8, will be called "100 years of La Cumparsita-Living and Universal Heritage", in homage to the centennial of the Uruguayan song Gerardo Matos Rodríguez, known as the tangos anthem.

Montevideo, September 20 (EFE) .- The 23rd edition of Uruguay's Heritage Day, to be held on October 7 and 8, will be called "100 years of La Cumparsita-Patrimonio live and universal, "in tribute to the centennial of the Uruguayan song Gerardo Matos Rodríguez, known as the tangos anthem.

The 2017 edition of these days will have as its axis central to remember the creation of the "Becho" Matos Rodríguez, premiered on April 19, 1917 in the bar La Giralda in Montevideo.

Eduardo Inda, defined Heritage Day as "a popular festival," adding that this "is not a regimented party, nor a law that says that people have to go out on the street, is an event visceral of the Uruguayan population, placed in the axis of the culture of the country. "

The Heritage Commission" has the duty and obligation to interact with citizens through a reflection ", said Inda today at the launch of this event.

" This reflection is the subtitle 'Living and universal heritage' because we consider that it is not the homage to La Cumparsita of the year 1917, but it is the homage to the one developed in time through hundreds and thousands of interpretations, "he said.

La Cumparsita, declared a popular and cultural anthem of Uruguay in 1998, was interpreted by great musicians like Anibal Troilo, Francisco Canaro, Donato Racciatti and Osvaldo Pugliese, in addition to appearing in numerous films like "Sunset Boulevard" and "Una Eva and two Adhesion.”

The Minister of Education and Culture of Uruguay, Maria Julia Muñoz, explained that Heritage Day began in Montevideo but spread rapidly throughout the country because "it took a deep breath in the citizenship and the Uruguayan family."

For Muñoz, this is a day when "the whole family goes out into the street, attracted by what there is to see and in this what we are going to have to listen to.”

“Sometimes we do not perceive what the cities, the places, we pass without seeing, and that day we have the opportunity to see, admire and enjoy being as a society all together, "concluded Muñoz.

This edition of Heritage Day will have more than 600 places to visit and more than 1,000 activities to do.

Some of the The most outstanding places in Montevideo to attend are the Legislative Palace, the National Library, the Santos Palace, where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs operates, and the Central House of the Bank of the Republic.