Summary
INTRODUCTION. ....................................................................................................................... 3
PURPOSE OF THE PAPER ..................................................................................................... 3
1. ARGENTINA ....................................................................................................................... 4
2. IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ............................................................................................. 5
1) Ties between Germany and Argentina ............................................................................ 5
3. CULTURE OF ARGENTINA ............................................................................................. 8
Popular culture ............................................................................................................................ 8
Nationals Holidays. ................................................................................................................... 11
CONCLUSION. ......................................................................................................................... 13
Bibliografía .................................................................................................................................. 14
INTRODUCTION.
Migration has become an increasingly important phenomenon for societies.
Patterns of migration flows can change greatly over time, with the size and
composition of migrant populations reflecting both current and historical
patterns of migration flows. (Euroestat, 2011)
Argentina has been an attractive destination for migration. Migratory
movements have influenced and shaped the argentine society historically, and
continue to do so today (Benencia, 2012). Thanks to the migrations flow over
the past century’s Argentina and Germany had close ties to each other.
Germans who emigrated directly from Germany were assimilated with the upper
middle class of Buenos Aires, but maintained strong ties to German culture
providing high-quality German instruction so that their children would not be at a
disadvantage when they returned to Germany (Wikipedia,The Free
Encyclopedia, 2014). At the early 21 century this situation was possible thanks
to severe economic crisis in 2001-02, when a considerable among of European
descendents decided to return to their grandfather’s land.
PURPOSE OF THE PAPER
The main aim of this paper is explain, the influence of Germany in Argentine,
the closed ties between both countries and the Argentine culture. Therefore is
necessary to introduce Argentina, the influence of the immigration focused on
the German immigration and give an overview of the argentine culture.
1. ARGENTINA
According to (Rock, 1987) “ The name Argentina is derived
from Latin argentum ("silver", plata in Spanish), a noun associated with
the silver mountains legend, widespread among the first European explorers
of the La Plata Basin”.
The Argentine Republic is a federal republic located in South America. With a
mainland area of 2,780,400 km2 (Censos., 2010), Argentina is the eight- largest
country in the word, the second in Latin America and the largest Spanish-
speaking one. It is bordered by Bolivia and Paraguay to the north; Brazil to
the northeast; Uruguay and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east; Chile to
the west.
Argentina’s geography varies considerably, from its extensive grasslands in the
east to the impressive Andes mountain range in the west, where the Aconcagua
(6957km), the highest summit in the western hemisphere, soars upwards. From
Jujuy to Tierra del Fuego, the Andes offer a great variety of landscapes: from
the high tableland in the northeast-dessert, with valleys, ravines and
multicolored mountains-to the lakes, forest and glaciers regions in the
Patagonia. To the north, The Argentina Mesopotamia, located between the
Parana and Uruguay rivers, is an area of low hills. The Iguazu Falls, one of the
most spectacular natural wonders in the word are in the midst of the subtropical
forest. The country’s central region is where the most well-know and extensive
grasslands (Nacion.).
Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an
export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base (DC: Central
Intelligence Agency, 2013 ).
2. IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION
Upon the independence of Argentina, the newborn country had a large territory
but was thinly populated, and like the other Latin American countries, the ethnic
composition was largely the same from the colonial-era that lasted from 16th to
early 19th centuries. Then, in the mid-19th century, a large wave of immigration
started to arrive to the country due to newly established Constitutional policies
that encouraged immigration, and due to issues in the Old World such as wars,
poverty, hunger, social unrest and pursuit for opportunities or a better life in
the New World. This immigration was mostly from Europe but also from
the Arab world, Russia and Japan (Sanchez-Alonso).
Most Argentines are descendants of the 19th and 20th century immigrants, with
about 97% of the population being of European, or of partial European descent
(Word statesmen.org).Arab descent is also significant (mostly
of Syrian and Lebanese origin), and the Jewish population is the biggest in
all Latin America (7th in the world). Mestizo population in Argentina, unlike in
other Latin American countries, is very low, as is the Black population after
being decimated by diseases and wars in the 19th century, though since the
1990s a new wave of Black immigration is arriving. (DC: Central Intelligence
Agency, 2013 ).
1) Ties between Germany and Argentina
Migration to and from Germany has a long history. There is also a long tradition
of emigration from Germany: in smaller numbers during times of prosperity, in
greater numbers during times of economic depression or political instability.
One example is the emigration in the 19th century hundreds of thousands who
left misery and poverty in Germany to seek new lives in Russia, South America,
Canada and the United States. (Interior, 2014).
Argentina and Germany had close ties to each other since the immigration of
Germans to Argentina. Between 1885 and the First World War the population of
Argentina doubled with the influx of three million European immigrants, 100,000
of whom spoke German. (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014)
A flourishing trade developed between Germany and Argentina as early as the
German Unification, Germany had a privileged position in the Argentine
economy. Later on, Argentina maintained a strong economic relationship with
both Germany and Great Britain and supported them with supplies during World
War I (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).
The military connection between Argentina and Prussia has often been
emphasized, and there can be no doubt that sympathy for Germany among the
general staff in Buenos Aires contributed to establishing Argentina's policy of
neutrality during the two world wars (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).
After World War II, under Juan Perón's government, Argentina participated in
establishing and facilitating secret escape routes out of Germany to South
America for ex-SS officials (referred as ODESSA network). Former Nazi officials
Immigrated to Argentina in order to prevent prosecution, some of them lived in
Argentina under their real names while others clandestinely obtained new
identities. (Goñi, 2002)
During the temporary Argentinean Occupation of the Falklands in 1982,
Argentina was prepared to remove its troops if they could be replaced by
"neutral" ones. Their suggestion was that the USA could represent Britain while
Germany would do so for Argentina, however Germany and the rest of
the European Union, fully recognize fellow EU state the United Kingdom as the
rightful owners of the islands and refuse to recognize the Argentine claim.
(Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).
Argentina was benefited and influenced by the arrived of a big wave of
professional Germans immigrant, most of them dedicated to Science. Germans
scientist influenced the education in Argentina. They found centers of study and
most of them turned into university teachers. Engineers, architects conducted
many public works, ports, bridges, temples, schools, etc. One of the most
important symbols of the city of Buenos “El obelico” was designed by architect
Alberto Prebisch, an Argentine of German descent, and was built by the
German company Siemens GEOPE- Bauunion - Grün & Bilfinger. Another
example is The Mercado de Frutos de Avellaneda (152,000 meters square), the
largest wool-stock of the world, was built by a German.
The influence of German culture has also impacted Argentine cuisine; this trend
is especially apparent in the field of desserts. The pastries known as facturas
are Germanic in origin: croissants, known as medialunas ("half-moons", from
German "Halbmond"), are the most popular of these, and can be found in two
varieties: butter- and lard-based. Also German in origin are the "Berliner" known
as bolas de Fraile ("friar's balls"), and the rolls called piononos. The facturas
were re-christened with local names given the difficult phonology of German,
and usually Argentinized by the addition of a dulce de leche filling. That was
also the case of the "Kreppel", which are called torta fritas in Argentina, and
were introduced by German immigrants, and similar case with the "Achtzig
Schlag" cake, which was translated as Torta Ochenta Golpes in the country. In
addition, dishes like chucrut (sauerkraut) and many different kinds of sausage
like bratwurst and others have also made it into mainstream Argentine cuisine
(Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014)
Today, most German Argentines do not speak German at home because of the
decline of the language; however, some estimates suggest that 1.8
million Argentines of non-German descent have some knowledge of German. It
is a language that can be heard all over the country, and this is partly
maintained by the continued existence of German-speaking Argentines and
some business connections. It is currently the fifth most spoken language in
Argentina (DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2013 )
3. CULTURE OF ARGENTINA
The culture of Argentina is as varied as the country's geography and is
composed of a mix of ethnic groups. Argentine writer Ernesto Sabato has
reflected on the nature of the culture of Argentina as follows “With the primitive
Hispanic American reality fractured in La Plata Basin due to immigration, its
inhabitants have come to be somewhat dual with all the dangers but also with
all the advantages of that condition: because of our European roots, we deeply
link the nation with the enduring values of the Old World; because of our
condition of Americans we link ourselves to the rest of the continent, through
the folklore of the interior and the old Castilian that unifies us, feeling somehow
the vocation of the Patria Grande San Martín and Bolívar once imagined”
(Sabato, 1976).
Popular culture
One of the Characteristics of the Argentine culture is the National identity. The
Argentine flag, the national anthem, and the escarapela (a small ribbon or bow
worn on patriotic occasions) are the objects of officially prescribed rituals that
must be followed by the population at the risk of serious sanctions. (Advameg,
Inc., 2014)
The development of a National Identity started with the Peronism,
an Argentine political movement based on the legacy of former President Juan
Domingo Perón. Perón was often compared to fascist dictators, accused of
demagoguery, and his policies derided as populist. (Wikipedia,The Free
Encyclopedia, 2014). The ideology of the legacy of Peron is often compared to
the ideology of Nationalism in Germany. (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia,
2014)
The educational system played an important role in incorporating a national
identity into the nation. Despite regional and class differences, state institutions
were quite successful in developing nationalist feelings. (Advameg, Inc., 2014).
The population at large feels very strongly about these symbols: they display
flags when the country is participating in world soccer cup matches or in war. At
a popular level, large drums are always also present at any massive
demonstration (Advameg, Inc., 2014).
Argentineans' most famous symbols are Football and Tango, but they are not
the only ones, food is also a powerful cultural symbol.
A. Tango
Tango refers to the music, the lyrics, and the dance itself and is a complex
urban product that originated in lower-class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires city.
The music, its lyrics, and the dance represent the profound transformation of
the urban landscape at the beginning of the twentieth century, with the influx of
diverse European immigrants. Tango was also a moral threat. The sensuality of
the dance and the lyrics emphasizing lowlife values and language challenged
bourgeois morality and dominant views on appropriate female behavior
(Advameg, Inc., 2014).
B. Football
Football is Argentina's most popular sport, the one with the most players and is
the most popular recreational sport, played from childhood into old age (INDEC,
2000)
Football plays an important part in the life of many Argentines. Even those
supporters who usually do not attend the matches watch them on television and
comment on them the next day with friends and co-workers. When the
Argentina national football team plays (especially during world cup matches),
streets tend to look completely deserted as everyone is watching the match.
After the victories in 1978 FIFA World Cup and 1986 FIFA World Cup, streets
were flooded with people celebrating the championship, making it impossible
not to become part of the celebration (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).
It was in 1986 when the figure of Diego Maradona exploded, becoming an icon
not only of Argentine football but of football itself. In Argentina, Maradona
became something resemblant of a god, admired by fans of every club
(Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).
Argentine fans are not allowed to travel to see their teams in away matches, as
they have been banned since 2013 (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).
There are many local rivalries in Argentine football. The most important is the
Superderby, which is contested between Argentina's two most popular and
successful teams, Buenos Aires rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors. The
English newspaper The Observer put the Superclásico at the top of their list of
"The 50 Sporting Things You Must Do Before You Die". (50 sporting things you
must do before you die, 20004)
C. .Food
Argentine asado, a barbecue that is part of the gaucho heritage, is still one of
the most important meals in the Argentine diet. Like football, it is a strongly
gendered cultural symbol, associated with manliness. Shopping for beef,
sausages, and other animal parts that go into a barbecue, as well as the
cooking itself, is a male activity (Advameg, Inc., 2014). Asados are an important
part of Argentine socializing on any occasion. The Argentine barbecue asado,
includes suculent types of meat, among them chorizo, sweetbread, chitterlings,
and morcilla (blood sausage). Thin sandwiches, known as sandwiches de miga,
are also popular. Argentines have the highest consumption of red meat in the
world (Steiger, 2010).
D. Mate
Mate drinking is also seen as a feature of the cultura rioplatense. Mate refers
both to the container where a popular infusion is prepared and to the drink itself.
The container might be simply made out of a gourd or might be carefully crafted
in silver or other metals. It is drunk with a special metal straw with holes in one
end to filter leaves. The slightly stimulating infusion is made with leaves from
the Yerba mate plant which is cultivated in northeast Argentina. (Advameg,
Inc., 2014).
Mate is not just a drink, for the Argentines means unity, friendship, family. The
Argentines spend hours drinking mate, but it is not the drink what matters, is the
conversation and the time you spend with the ones you love.
E. Etiquette
Both men and women greet each other by kissing on the cheek (Wikipedia,The
Free Encyclopedia, 2014). In very formal encounters men and women shake
hands the opposite Germany where shaking-hands is the common. They like to
do so both when arriving and when departing (Young Germany ). Germans
shake hands with everyone upon entering a room, including children.
People address each other with the colloquial form vos (singular "you,"
equivalent to tu in other Spanish speaking countries). To convey social
distance, people employ the more formal usted (to talk to elders).In Germany
the common is address each others with the person's title and surname until
invited to use their first name.
In Germany Social physical distance is common and a sign of respect.
Argentines might touch each other when talking and might feel awkward when
people of other countries, as Germans, reject physical proximity and contact.
Women and men gaze at each other, and it is still quite common that men use
piropos (flirtateous remarks) when a woman walks by.
Nationals Holidays.
Another important factor in Argentina is “Las fiestas patria”. The Patriotic
Holidays are festivities held in Latin America to commemorate the founding of
the national states as countries independent of Spain (Wikipedia,The Free
Encyclopedia, 2014).
Historic holidays include the celebration of the May Revolution (25 May),
Independence Day (9 July) and the National Flag Day (20 June).
a) May Revolution: is a public holiday of Argentina, commemorating
the May Revolution and the creation on May 25, 1810 of the Primera
Junta, which is considered the first patriotic government of Argentina
(Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).
b) Independence Day: is an annual event commemorating the
independence of Argentina from Spain. The day that Argentina becomes
a country (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).
c) Anniversary of the death of Manuel Belgrano, who created the Flag of
Argentina (Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia, 2014).
These are the three most important festivities in Argentina. In general people
celebrated this day with the Family and most of the Schools do special activities
with the kid and the parents.
In The past this festivities were really important for the society but nowadays
this traditions are starting to lose importance. Most of these festivities are being
replaced for foreign festivities as Halloween, carnival etc…
CONCLUSION.
Argentines have a feeling of belonging for Europe and for the main cultures that
made of Argentina. Argentines feel connected to Germany, Spain, and Italy
etc… because those countries helped to built Argentina, and thanks to them
and to its influence the Argentine culture is so special. Despite the fact of being
a mix of different cultures Argentina has development its own and unique
identity.
This paper demonstrated that Argentina has been influenced in various ways for
Germany. German influenced the society in ways that maybe are not easy to
see in the eye, you just may see a building in the middle of Buenos Aires, eat a
“medialuna” in a small town in the middle of la Pampa or even visit a Town in
Cordoba where just Germans are allow, all of those are little und unnoticed
details that show that we argentines are sons of Germany. Despite the facts
that Germany has been present almost since the beginning in Argentine, both
countries have grown significant apart. Nowadays Germany and Argentina just
share economics und business ties.
In the past are the days were Germans went to Argentina searching for a new
beginning, now and as a result of economic crisis, Argentines are coming back
to Europe.
Argentines have returned to their ancestors land, and time will prove of this new
flow of migration will have influence over the German society and if the
Argentines will help with the year to transform the German culture like the
Germans did in Argentina centuries ago.
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