Spain Culture

  Culture

The Spanish culture has been influenced for centuries by the Roman Catholicism in its art, and the personal lives of the Spaniards are also extremely influenced by this religion. The church's influence is declining, just as in many other developed countries, yet 95% of the Spaniards are still called Roman Catholics. Following tradition, there is still massive participation in the many religious festivals.
Spain has produced a large number of famous artists, of which Salvador Dalí and Antonio Gaudí are probably the most famous.
The Spanish culture has a number of unmistakable, titillating features that you, as a winter visitor, will certainly appreciate. We would like to tell you about some of these features you can visit during your winter vacation.

Siesta
The siesta is the time of day when Spaniards take the time to eat and relax. The inhabitants enjoy their siesta, especially in the summer. Throughout Spain the standard siesta time is in the afternoon between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Many shops are also closed around this time, except in the city centre of big cities, where the shops are usually open six days a week between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.
An average workday in Spain therefore looks quite different to one in the rest of Europe. People usually work from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Despite a proposal in 2005 to do away with the siesta, it triumphs to this day in Spain.

Holidays
In Spain, a relatively large number of holidays, spread over the entire year, are celebrated in an exuberant manner. The many official regional holidays are difficult to summarise, and are celebrated elaborately.
The most greatly celebrated and most well-known regional holidays that you can participate in as a winter visitor are the following:
"El Pilar" in Zaragoza
On 12 October the people of Zaragoza celebrate the traditional "El Pilar" festival. In honour of the virgin Pilar, Zaragoza is filled with music, parades, flowers and theatre. On the site of the El Pilar cathedral at the Plaza de Pilar thousands of flowers are laid down. This is one of the most popular festivals in Spain and it is one you must not miss during your winter holiday in Spain!

Carnival in Cadillac, Sitges and Tenerife
Carnival in Spain easily equals the spectacle of the Brazilian or Venetian carnival. Carnival takes place at the end of February or beginning of March, depending on the liturgical calendar.
The church has taken over the originally pagan spring festival in an attempt to reduce the excesses that take place in the preparations.
These days carnival in Spain has another special meaning. During Franco's dictatorship, it was forbidden to celebrate carnival for forty years. Fortunately, Carnival was reinstated after this period.
Throughout the country parades take place, people are dressed entirely in carnival costumes, including the beautiful masks. Add to that the many ceremonial processions and music, and carnival in Spain is complete. A feast for the eyes and ears of the overwinter visitor!

Sport
One of the most important and popular sports in Spain is football. The famous football clubs Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will sound familiar to you. These clubs play at a top level in Europe, and the national football team was world champion in 2010 and has many talented players.
After football, basketball is the second most popular sport. This sport is also practised at a high level in Spain. The national basketball team was even world champion in 2006.
If you a lover of sport alongside being a winter visitor, then you will certainly be interested to visit, for example, one of the beautiful football stadiums.