Uruguay Art / Cultrue Profile 2012

Uruguay  most famous literary figure is José Enrique Rodó (1871–1917), who in his essays fostered the idea of a purely Latin American culture. Other notable Uruguayan writers include the poet Juan Zorilla de San Martín, the novelist Eduardo Acevedo Díaz, and the playwright Florencio Sanchez. Most of the nation's classical music has been inspired by European music, but Eduardo Fabini, the country's best-known composer, utilized Uruguayan folk music. Styles of painting and sculpture generally follow international trends. Uruguay has a rich tradition in the arts.

The  folklore is based on songs, dances, and handicrafts of the gaucho (cowboy).

The government sponsors a national orchestra, schools of drama and ballet, and a national theater. In Montevideo, there are numerous libraries, learned societies, and museums. The most important of these are the National Library, National Academy of Letters, National Historical Museum, National Museum of Fine Arts, and National Museum of Natural History.