culture of Spain

Hola,
Spain has a rich art history, too, so it's hard to answer your question exactly. In the northern part of Spain (Asturias and Galicia) the people are of Celtic heritage, so there ancient Celtic art and themes. In the southern part, the influence is more Moorish, since the Moors conquered all of Spain except the Asturias area.

("Hola", by the way, means "hello", so it's odd that you use it at the end of your post.)

Thanks, Nancy!

And, I thought Hola was the Italian equivalent of Ciao, which can be used coming or going! See how much I have to learn?! Thanks for your other insights, too... ; ^ )

"Tapas"

The food is Spain is the best, Esp the "Pintxos" in San Sebastian!

You can see pictures and details at our personal blog:

http://gadtravel.blogspot.com/

Spanish culture is quite different. I would use Flamenco for your word game. And the Moorish influence and it is much older - 1000 AD. You need to read a good guidebook and maybe a history book or two. And I think only Americans use ciao coming and going. You have some homework to do.

Gio...."As Steves points out, the only nation in the history of the world possessing a republican form of government created by a king." I'm not sure what's meant by that, since Spain isn't a republic...it's a constitutional parliamentary monarchy.

Thanks, Mark!

You've got to think of Spain as a mixture of cultures unmatched anywhere else in western Europe. Phoenecian, Greek, Roman, Visigoth, Medieval, Moorish, Renaissance, Jewish, Roma.....all those cultures play a role in what Spain is today. The most notable today, of course, is the historical legacy left by 700 years of Islamic rule over much of the country. Many of the scientists and thinkers who flourished in Spain under Moorish rulers were responsible for helping keep Greek and Roman thought alive, and passing on scientific developments from the Arab world that allowed western Europe to finally pass out of the "dark ages." The farther south you go, into Andalucia, the more that influence is seen and felt. Listen to flamenco music and watch flamenco dancing....then see if you can find examples of Arabic music and dancing, especially from North Africa....you'll be amazed at the similarities.As you move north of Madrid, that Moorish influence declines. In the mountains along the north coast, you'll find hardy Galicians and Asturians....tied to the sea, the people of this area have a strong sense of local identity in an area that was relatively untouched by the Moorish influence. They hold on strongly to their "national" identification...in Galicia, they have their own language which is more akin to Portuguese, while in Asturias, the people take pride in the fact theirs was the only "kingdom" in Iberia that was not conquered by the Moors. That nationalism is even more strongly felt in the Basque areas, where the original inhabitants came from a completely different stock than anywhere else in Spain. The language is unrelated to any other in western Europe, and is probably a remnant of the pre Indo-European languages that spread from central Asia across Europe several thousand years ago. (continued)

As you move to the northeast, you find Catalunya, with Barcelona as its capital. More cosmopolitan in its outlook than elsewhere in Spain, at least until recently, Catalunya has its own national identity as well, stemming from a kingdom a thousand years ago that stretched into southern France. Catalunya looks far more to France and the Mediterranean world than it does towards Spain in attitudes.
Also in the northeast, but closer to Madrid, you'll find the ancient kingdoms of Navarre, Aragon, and Castile. These hold a special place in Spanish hearts as the homes of Ferdinand and Isabella, the monarchs who completed the "Reconquista" from the Moors with the capture of Granada (and the Alhambra) in 1492.
A couple of things to remember about Spain. Most of the super-highways, fast trains, and tall buildings you see today are the products of only 30 years of development. Until the death of Franco in 1976, Spain had lived in political, economic, and social isolation for 40 years. Because of poor communications, regonal identities were strong, since people rarely travelled far from home.But with the establishment of a constitutional monarchy and its accession to the European Union, Spain exploded in an orgy of development that brought it from the 1940's into the 1990's in a very short period of time. Modern communications has raised fears among many that their region's unique local identity will be subsumed in the modern world. That's led to tension between regional governments and the national government in Madrid, acerbated by the practise of both major national parties of building local power bases to win seats in the national parliament....those regional power brokers require political tradeoffs in return. (continued)

However, no matter where you go in Spain, you will be welcomed. In southern Spain, you will find a free and open lifestyle, with new acquaintances treating you like they've known you forever. As you move north into the coastal mountains, you will find attitudes more reserved, but welcoming nonetheless. Just be prepared for the mealtimes....2 pm for lunch...and 9 pm or later for dinner. A good overview of Spain and Spanish life can be found in James Michener's "Iberia."
It is a fascinating country...as you will discover!

Renaissance art is to Italy what architecture is to Spain.

I must say that Norm's postings on all things Spanish have been extraordinarily helpful. Regarding use of the Italian word ciao, I believe the Spanish equivalent to be chao, meaning only goodbye. Many languages have adopted the informal term, and it may be used to say hello or goodbye, depending on the culture. Tschau-tschau!

Check out the book "Ghosts of Spain" by Giles Tremlett, which weaves Spanish history, politics, culture, art and contemporary Spain into a very rich tapestry...it's one of the best books I've read on ANY culture, but definitely the best I've read about Spain.

To be honest...when I first read this post I thought: What???

Norm's (and the other) answers gave it real value; well done. Turned out to be a good string.

There was a short period of time in southern spain when Christians, Jews and Moors accually lived together in relative harmony. That was a Renaissance in Spain.

Not sure this fits with this string, but the title of the book recommended above reminded me of a great, albeit highly fictional, historical film about Francisco Goya during the period around the French Revolution, Napoleon, and the Spanish Inquisition. Title is Goya's Ghosts...shot on location in Spain but performed in English. Good film!

I'm a little puzzled by Norm's comment "More cosmopolitan in its outlook than elsewhere in Spain, at least until recently, Catalunya has its own national identity as well..."

What do you mean by "at least until recently"? Are you referring to the fact that the Catalan language and culture has seen a resurgence since Franco?

Franco prohibited the use of Catalan in public places, such as road signs, train stations, etc. For example, place names were changed from Catalan to Spanish: Passeig de Gràcia was changed to Paseo de Gracia; Plaça d'Espanya to Plaza de España, etc.

This can be a little confusing to tourists these days because the names have now been changed back to Catalan.

Tyler...my reference was to the the city of Barcelona....some (including many who live there), view it as more "cosmopolitan" than the rest of Spain. But people in cities like Madrid and Sevilla argue they are just as cosmopolitan as those in Barcelona now. Yes, Franco did bar the use of Catalan, as he did Basque, Asturianas and Gallego.

A few additional generalizations about Spanish culture based on our travels there and on some reading:
-A culture of noise, in a sense: louder than other European countries (in bars, stores, the street)
-Personal space seems defined differently...a lot of closeness, togetherness...people move en masse, often
-Sharper regional differences in terms of language, food, history, identity than most other European nations (i.e. Catalunya vs. Basque country vs. Anadlucia vs. Madrid)
-As Steves points out, the only nation in the history of the world possessing a republican form of government created by a king...who was himself named king by a dictator. Spain's political history is FASCINATING.
-Finally, Spanish history--especially the Catholic church, the bloody Civil War, and the long period of fascist rule by Franco--seem 'alive' in the daily life of the country in a way history isn't really that present in most other nations

Just some random thoughts, albeit generalizations, every one of them.

.....JAMON is to Spain

Thx Nancy.

Excellent point, Norm! But the monarchy part, in practice, King Juan Carlos, while beloved generally speaking, is increasingly a ceremonial figure akin the the British monarchy. In fact, our Spanish guide in Sevilla last winter told us that in her opinion--and the opinion of her friends--King Juan Carlos could not have prevented the move toward republican government had he wanted to...and that's one reason why he did it. Not sure that's true--no way to tell--but sounds like some Spaniards believe that, fervently. And I meant republican with the smallest of Rs, with representative government...people choosing their representatives who then make decisions on their behalf.

Gio..."King Juan Carlos could not have prevented the move toward republican government had he wanted to...and that's one reason why he did it." Did what? Spain is a parliamentary monarchy as laid down in its constitution.....much like Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. You can't be a republic and have a hereditary monarchy! Your tour guide may not be using the term "republic" correctly....perhaps a translation issue. Yes, The King's powers are very limited, as they are for Queen Elizabeth. But Spain is not a republic!

It's "jamon", Josh, not "hamon".

Love a fun, healthy debate about terms, Norm! You'll notice, however, that I've never suggested that Spain is a Republic--but it clearly, by definition, has a republican form of government (as opposed to a dictatorship, or a monarchy, or an oligarchy, or a communist state). Among republican forms of government (that is, by definition, ANY form of government in which citizens select leaders to make decisions on their behalf, as their representatives) is federal republics (like the US, where states share power with the federal government and there is one chief executive, head of state and head of the government) AND parliamentary republics (i.e., the United Kingdom, where, as in Spain, there is a separate head of state and head of the government). Perhaps we can agree on this, then: Spain is NOT a republic, but does have a unique, still evolving form of republican government where citizens possess the vote and are free to elect (or not elect) those who lead their nation. I think this debate is a good one, and not just about definitions, since what Spain's government will look like as the 21st Century matures--and how the nation will deal with the ever-present history of the 20th Century--are key questions for anyone struggling to understand contemporary Spain.

Gio...with all due respect, you might want to check your definition of "republican." Spain does not "clearly, by definition, have a republican form of government (as opposed to....a monarchy.)" Spain IS a monarchy....it's official title is the Kingdom of Spain....as is the UK. Don't ever suggest to a Brit that his/her country has a parliamentary republican style of government....because it does not. The term is "constitutional parliamentary monarchy"....you won't find the term "republican monarchy" in political science.
The difference isn't whether there's one person who is the "chief executive," ie. head of government and head of state....versus one where there is a separate head of government and another head of state (largely ceremonial.) India is a republic....yet it has a parliament led by a prime minister (who is head of government) and a president (who is head of state.)
The difference also doesn't lie in whether "citizens possess the vote and are free to elect (or not elect) those who lead their nation...." That is a definition of democracy.
The difference is found in how the head of state is chosen. If power is vested, even theoretically, in one who is set apart from the rest of the people to rule on an inherited basis, it is a monarchical form of government....even if the powers of the monarch are circumscribed and control, in practise, rests in the hands of an elected parliament. If the head of state is elected by the people....or at least appointed by the repreentatives elected by the people, then it's a republican form of government. (continued)

Perhaps your Spanish friend was referring to the idea that Juan Carlos had far more power immediately after Franco's death....he did, and I guess he may have tried to hold onto it with the Franco political apparatus still in place. But it was Juan Carlos himself who strongly suppported a constitutional parliamentary monarchy and pushed for its adoption....with all the attendant limits on his powers...even before the constitution was drafted in 1977.
The discussion is rather moot at this point, since people in democracies generally control their own fate, whether it be a republican form of government, or a constitutional monarchy. The debate these days is more over symbolism than anything else.

Rick Steves is in Spain right now--it's fun to read his blog called "Blog Gone Europe." His descriptions of Spain are great!

I think he'd fill in the blank "jamon" as well!

Try, "Gracias", the Spanish word for "thanks"! Remember to roll the "r"!
In California where I live everyone knows a bit of Mexican Spanish, so I'm hoping when my husband and I travel to Spain next month, we can use it. Husband knows a few naughty words, too, but has promised to keep his lip zipped! Love all the previous posts. I've already learned a lot about Spain!