España Actual
La Semana Santa Spain is today a modern democratic country It is also a very culturally rich country There are many festivals and rituals that still remain from its past
La Tomatina – Tomato Festival
La Tomatina – Tomato festival
La corrida de toros – Running of the Bulls This is refered to as ‘La Fiesta Nacional’ The Running of the Bulls takes place in Pamplona Spain
La corrida de Toros – Running of the Bulls
Spanish Entertainment
Spanish Cinema Even in the days of Franco, Spanish cinema has been very important to the people of Spain Two famous performers that are Spanish are: Antonio Banderas Penelope Cruz
Spanish Actors/ Actresses Antonio BanderasPenelope Cruz
Spanish Music Most of the youth in Spain prefer contemporary music Their music is also influenced by North American and European rock There is also a strong Latin American influence in Spanish modern music
Famous Spanish Singers Julio and Enrique IglesiasAlejandro Sanz
Bullfighting still remains very popular in Spain Many animal rights activists have called the activity ‘inhumane’ but supporters claim the bulls are reared for this purpose and so it is not inhumane
Bullfighting in Spain Cristina Sanchez - BullfightingBullfighting in Spain
Cristina Sanchez During the reign of Franco, women were not permitted to be bullfighters Many women are now involved in bullfighting, the most famous Cristina Sanchez
Las Tertulias Tertulias are regular informal social gatherings where its participants discuss issues of common interest (politics, sports etc.) People who belong to the same social circle are known as ‘contertulios’ or ‘contertulias’ Spaniards would usually meet up in a bar or restaurant
La Siesta
Spanish Siesta Siestas are dead periods when everything shuts down in Spain The traditional reason for siestas in Spain was for manual laborers to get away from the sun during the peak of the day’s heat…
The modern reason is for the Spanish to have a longer lunch period. Most Spaniards will go to their homes for lunch because the woman usually cooks a big meal for her family at lunch time
Siesta Cont’d There are two periods of siestas in Spain, siesta for business places and siestas for restaurants Shops and business places usually close from about 2 – 5 then reopen Bars usually close from 5 – 8 or 9 pm then open all nights
Siesta Cont’d Another modern reason is for workers to get a rest so they can stay up later at nights Spaniards usually stay up until 2 or 3 am into the morning going to clubs and hanging out in restaurants
Spanish night life Spanish Night lifeSpanish Bar
En España Los Deportes
Pau Gasol - basketball Fernando Alonso – Formula One racing
Rafael Nadal - Tennis Valentino Rossi - Motorcyclist
Spanish National Football TeamEl Fútbol de España Football is the national sport of Spain Spain is the defending Football World Cup Champions defeating Holland 1 goal to nil in the 2010 world cup finals
Spain boasts of many world renowned stars in many areas Fernando Alonso (racing) Rafael Nadal (Tennis) Pau Gasol (basketball) Are just a few of their international superstars
Spanish Football The Spanish football league – La Liga is one of the most famous in the world
Barcelona FC and Real Madrid are among the richest and most popular football clubs in the world They have an intense rivalry that goes back to almost a century
FC Barcelona One of the richest clubs in the world Established in 1899 by a group of Swish, English and Spanish players Current defending La Liga champions The most successful club in Spanish Football
FC Real Madrid One of the most storied football franchises in the world Voted by FIFA as the most successful football Club of the 20 th Century Was first established in 1902
España – el país de muchas contradiciones y enorme posibilidades!