Chile-Muskovitz

CHILE Amy Muskovitz



**Located** in Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru. Chile is slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana, and is the longest North-South trending country in the world. Santiago is the **capital**. Chile is one of South America's most stable and prosperous nations. **Temperate**: Desert in the North, Mediterranean in the central region, cool and damp in the South, low coastal mountains in the fertile central valley, and rugged Andes in the East. Known to have severe earthquakes, active volcanoes, and tsunamis. Citizens are known as Chilean: white and white-Amerindian makes up 95.4%, Mapuche makes up 4%, and other indigenous groups make up .6% of Chile.
 * INTRODUCTION: **

Spanish is the **official language**, while Mapudungun, German, and English are also spoken. Religion: Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 15.1%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.1%, other Christian 1%, other 4.6%, none 8.3%. **Literacy**: defined by those who are 15 or older who can read or write. Literacy level: 95.7% **History of the flag**: two equal horizontal bands of white and red, and a blue square the same height as the white band. The square has a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress honor. Blue represents the sky; white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red represents the blood lost to gain independence. The flag was modeled after the United States flag. National symbol: huemul (mountain deer) and Andean condor.


 * National Anthem: **
 * media type="youtube" key="SvkVX99nBUc" height="315" width="420"

= Arts and Culture: = During the period between early agricultural settlements and to the late pre-Hispanic period, northern Chile was a region of "Andean culture that was influenced by Altiplano traditions." Through the colonial period following the war, and during period dominated by Republicans, Chile's culture was dominated by the Spanish. Other European influences, mainly English, French, and German began in the 19th century and have continued to this day.

Music in Chile has a very wide range from classical and folk, to popular music. There are dominant melodies in Chilean music, especially that go with the national dance which is called the cueca. In the 1970's there was a rebirth of folk music led by many different groups including Los de Ramon and Los Cuatro Cuartos. There are also many Chilean rock bands that have had international success, such as La Ley.

Chilean food is known to represent their topographical diversity with seafood, beef, fruits, and vegetables.

Chileans call their country pais de poetas, or country of poets. Gabriela Mistral was the first Latin American to win a Nobel Prize for literature in 1945. Pablo Neruda also received the prize and is the countries most famous writer for his pieces on romance, nature, and politics. His homes are even tourist destinations.



Arts in education is not very reflective of the culture. All forms of arts are very important in Chile, however this is not seen in the school system, as there is not enough money to pay for the programs. Despite this, the country is known for its upbeat music, dance, and the famous artists that were born in Chile and represent their home country with pride.

= ARTIST PROFILE: VIOLETA PARRA = **Full Name:** Violeta del Carmen Parra Sandoval **Born in**: San Carlos, a small town in Chile

**Born:** October 4th, 1917 **Died:** February 5th, 1967, 49 years old **Cause of Death:** Suicide

**Most known for:** The renewal and reinvention of Chilean Folk Music. To help her family make money, when she was very young she would sing wherever she could like in train stations, circuses, and restaurants. After her father passed away, she moved to Santiago and with her sisters she formed The Parra Sisters, they would perform together wherever they could.

During the 50's she began to put more of her focus on painting, sculpting, and tapestries. She was the first female Latin American artist to have an exhibit at the Louvre Museum. During this time she recorded another album, two songs were in French, but one of the most famous songs was "La Carta." She also helped revive La Pena de los Parra, a community center for arts and political activism.

Her most famous song was **Gracias a la Vida** (Thanks to Life). This song remains to be one of the most covered Latin American songs in all of history. media type="youtube" key="UW3IgDs-NnA" height="315" width="420"

**Fun Fact:** Michael Buble covered this song in 2010 to help collect donations for the Chilean people affected by a massive earthquake.

= = = PROFILE OF ARTS ORGANIZATION = **LATIN IMMERSION** Spanish Immersion experience in Latin America.

Arts in the education is not an important factor in Chile, not because of a lack of interest, but a lack of funding. The most important aspect of schooling that is focused on is language, and the importance of understanding English, as the school system believes that being able to speak Spanish and English will only enhance a student’s life. After hours of searching for a program I realized the only programs that dominated in Chile were those that focused on language. Although salsa and music lessons are offered outside of school along with theater and writing, I could not find a program that integrated back to the schools.

Latin Immersion brings students from the United States to Santiago and Vina del Mar, Chile to integrate with local residents, and to be truly immersed in to the culture. This program is one that focuses on the US students learning Spanish, and sharing their English language with students around them. This organization allows students to almost teach each other through basic interaction, which is an amazing experience on its own.

After the school day is over the students are brought together again to be immersed in to everything that makes up Chilean culture. The American and Chilean students go to salsa dancing classes, musical performances, and art classes. It is only out of school that these opportunities can become available, because the school system simply has no budget whatsoever to include this in daily curriculum.

= EDUCATION = Although Chile has an extremely high literacy rate, the education programs throughout the country are very poor. Chilean government provides vouchers for education that covers 93% of primary and secondary students. This system only works off of the attendance of the students, if they do not attend school, they lose their funding. The other 7% is covered by private school students who have families that can afford their children's education. Secondary education is divided in to two-year sectors the first two years are the same at most schools, the second half focuses on vocational learning. The schools are broken down as follows:
 * Industrial Schools: electricity, mechanics, and electronics.
 * Commercial Schools: management, accountancy, and secretary skills.
 * Technical Schools: fashion, culinary, and nursery.
 * Polyvalent Schools: offering careers of more than one of those listed above.

Protests can be found very frequently in Chile which are formed by students because they are yearning for a better education. They are seeking programs that can help improve their overall knowledge.

The students are very smart which is proven by their literacy rate, however they are not given the opportunity to use their knowledge in local schools unless they can afford to be a part of the 7% of the population that can afford private schooling.



These students are working in a private school, their technology and state of the art classrooms are very nice. Art education is not a large focus in the schools, despite the amazing art history that is present in Chile, the home to immensely famous artists ranging through all works including music, painting, writing, and sculpting. Students sing their national anthem every morning, but it seems that might be the extent of their creative outlet for the day until they are old enough to be in secondary school and focus on vocational skills. Funding is the main reason that schools do not provide more art education, because teachers and students both have the interest in making it more dominant in the curriculum.


 * CONCLUSION **

This is very different than my arts education, because it was such an important factor in my daily routine. I was in art and music classes every day in elementary school, and the two classes were integrated together most of the time. My art projects were integrated with the songs we would learn in music, and would then coincide with the programs and performances we would have on a monthly basis. My art education had a strong influence on my education, and provided me with a time I could be relaxed and be myself.

It was very surprising to learn that Chile’s educational system is very corrupt. There are extremely smart students wanting to learn, and literally fighting and protesting to get free education so they can learn more and advance their knowledge, so they can further their education and go to a university. Chile is such a beautiful place and has a huge artistic and creative background, so the fact that the arts are not pushed into the educational curriculum is saddening. Not only are students missing out on a time that they can release stress and tension, but to use their creative energy. I would hope to see in the near future a change in this. There is a large focus on teaching the English language and making their students fluent, and with that focus the arts fall under the radar.

@http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1981.htm
 * SOURCES **

@https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ci.html

@http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/chile-facts/

@http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile

@http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violeta_Parra

@http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Chile

@http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/38544

@http://www.latinimmersion.com/spanish-language-course-chile-santiago.php