"acercarse" as "get to know" or "get/gain an understanding of"?

Question

The dictionary on this site gives "take an interest in" as one possible translation of "acercarse. " However, could "gain an understanding of" be a possible translation?

Here is a passage from an article: "Con la apertura de Cuba al mundo, se ha generado un creciente interés en las expresiones artísticas cubanas. Como todos saben, los cubanos son locos por la música y el baile. ¿Qué mejor manera de acercarse a un país y una cultura que a través de algo tan universal como la música?

In this context it would seem to me that "acercarse " means "to get to know" or "to gain an understanding of."

Thoughts?

An interesting observation mate , I bet our resident 'seer' will comment on this for you. - ray76, Dec 15, 2015

The resident "seer' has spoken. See my post. - Daniela2041, Dec 15, 2015

Answer 1

Or "What better way to draw closer to a country and a culture than by means of something so universal as music."

One of my favorite things about my decision to learn Spanish is all the music I have discovered. ;) - jrschenk, Dec 15, 2015

thank you Daniela. - malbecblend, Dec 16, 2015

Answer 2

Here´s your answer from the RAE in the last example:

acercar

tr. Poner cerca o a menor distancia de lugar o tiempo. Acercó la radio para escuchar las noticias. U. t. c. prnl. Se acercan las vacaciones de Navidad. U. t. en sent. fig. Los dos países se han acercado políticamente.

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It´s more understanding of something rather than knowing something.

Thank you J C , I think that I understand now. - ray76, Dec 15, 2015

so are you saying that in my example it would be correct to say " what better way to gain an understanding of a country and a culture..."? - malbecblend, Dec 15, 2015