1. Culture of Western Europe
A culture is a way of life of a group of people--the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept.
Celts, Saxons, Romans, Vikings, Visigoths all fought for control of Western Europe but these faded from power as Modern European Nations emerged.
A people of a nation share a common language and a common history.

2. Languages Of Europe
Over 200 native languages in Europe
Most can be put into three categories
Germanic -( English and German). The largest native group with 20% of European speaking a Germanic Language.
Romance -( Italian, French & Spanish). These language come from Latin- the language of the Roman Empire- Romance.
Slavic- mostly Northern and Eastern European Countries. Include Russia. Written in the Cyrillic Alphabet.

3. Languages Of Europe
The European Union ( EU) recognizes 23 official languages in Europe.
Because of the language diversity European school children usually learn 1-2 other languages in addition to their native one.
Over ½ ( 400 million) Europeans speak English because it is often a choice for their 2nd language.

4. Religion in Western Europe
Christianity is still the major religion of Western Europe.
Most Christians are either Catholic or Protestant.
Immigration from Africa and Asian has brought many Muslims to Europe, especially to the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
Muslims follow the Islamic faith.
The Holocaust nearly wiped out all the Europe’s Jewish population.

5. Immigration Brings Changes
Most of the population increases in Europe have been caused by immigration. Most immigrating to Europe have been from Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe, looking for work or trying escape political oppression.
This multiculturalism creates a diverse culture for Europe but also causes racial tensions.
To avoid these problems a few countries have tried to restrict immigration.

7. Germany:Language Follow the link to here a song sung in German!!
The official language of Germany and Austria is German. - Germanic Language
Follow the link to here a song sung in German!!
HALLO, WIE GEHT’S?
“Hello, How are you?”

8. Germany: Literacy Rate
The literacy rate in Germany is %
Students in Germany must attend school through the 9th grade. After that students either go to a trade school or keep attending public school until the 13th grade if they want to go to college. ( roughly 18 years old)

9. Oktoberfest
Bavaria – the old name of Germany. The culture of Germany and the high Alps region is called Bavarian Culture.
“Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival held each year in Munich, Germany, (Bavaria), running from late September to early October. It is one of the most famous events in Germany and the world's largest fair, with some six million people attending every year. The Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture”- Definition from Wikipedia.com
Children dressed in tradition Bavarian Dress
Yodeling is traditional form of music commonly found at Oktoberfest.
Wurstl- tradition Bavarian Sausage

10. Germany Customs Christmas
St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6th in Germany as well as in other European countries. On the evening before the 6th, children place their newly cleaned shoes in front of the door in the hope that Nicholas might fill them with nuts, fruits, chocolate, and sweets.
Traditions: The Christmas Tree originated in Germany. A fir tree was brought in to the house and decorated with candles in honor of the Advent. Later candies and stripes of cloth were tied to the tree for decorations.

11. West Berlin

13. France: Language -French is one of the Romance Languages
-French is the official language of France
-French is one of the Romance Languages
Je t'aime (Lara Fabian) - cover by Gisella

14. France: Literacy Rate
The Literacy rate in France is 99% Children in France must go to school until they are 16 years old.

15. France: Customs Bastille Day
“Liberté, égalité, fraternité”- Liberty, Equlaity, Fratinity ( motto of the French Revolution & France)
The Bastille is a medieval fortress and prison in Paris. Many people in France associated it with the harsh rule of the Bourbon monarchy in the late 1700s. On July 14, 1789, troops stormed the Bastille. This was a pivotal event at the beginning of the French Revolution. Fête de la Fédération was held on July 14, This was a way to celebrate the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in France.

16. France: Traditions Christmas
In France during Christmas there are family reunions, gifts, and candy for the children. There are also gifts for the poor and people give to charities. Because France is 80% Roman Catholic and most families attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

17. United Kingdom

18. United Kingdom: Language
English is the official Language of the United Kingdom. It is a Germanic Language. Other Languages commonly spoke in the UK are Gaelic (Irish), Celtic (Scottish), and Welsh (Wales)

19. United Kingdom: Literacy Rate
The Literacy Rate is 99%.
The UK is home to some very famous and old university's such as Oxford (England), Cambridge (England), & St. Andrews (Scotland).

20. United Kingdom: Traditions
The United Kingdom has been steeped in traditions and customs for centuries. Some of the unique celebrations are the Highland Games (Scotland), Guy Fawkes Day (England), Boxing Day (England), and Cheese Rolling (England).

21. Highland Games: Traditions
Highland games are events held throughout the year in Scotland and other countries as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain aspects of the games are so well known as to have become emblematic of Scotland, such as the bagpipes, the kilt, and the heavy events, especially the caber toss. While centered on competitions in piping and drumming, dancing, and Scottish heavy athletics, the games also include entertainment and exhibits related to other aspects of Scottish and Gaelic culture.

22. BOXING DAY: Traditions
Customs
BOXING DAY: Traditions
Boxing Day is so called because it was the custom on that day for tradesmen to collect their Christmas boxes or gifts in return for good and reliable service throughout the year.
Boxing Day is also St. Stephen's Day. St Stephen was a little known saint who achieved eternal fame by being the first Christian to be martyred for his faith by being stoned to death shortly after Christ's crucifixion. He's also named in the Christmas song Good King Wenceslas
Shopping
How It Got Started
Boxing Day originated in England in the middle of the nineteenth century under Queen Victoria. It is spent with family and friends at open gatherings with lots of food, fun, friendship and love.

23. United Kingdom: Customs
In England afternoon tea is a custom that has carried on for centuries. Traditionally at four o’clock every afternoon, afternoon tea is served hot with small pastries or sandwich's.

24. Ireland

25. Ireland: Language
Irish Gaelic is recognized as the first official language of the Republic of Ireland. The other official language, which is more commonly used, is English. Around 30% of the 3.5m population are able to speak Irish, and 5% use it regularly.

26. Ireland: Literacy Rate
Education is compulsory for children in Ireland from the ages of six to sixteen or until students have completed three years of second-level education.

27. Ireland: Customs St. Patrick’s Day
March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day and it is the National Holiday in Ireland. St. Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland and March 17th is the date that St. Patrick is said to have died. St. Patrick’s Day parades are held in most towns in Ireland and in a number of countries throughout the world to celebrate the national holiday. Many people wear a plant called ‘shamrock’ on St. Patrick’s Day. It is an unofficial but perhaps more recognized symbol of Ireland. It is said that St. Patrick used the three leaves of the shamrock to explain the Christian concept of the Trinity.

28. Ireland: Traditions for Christmas
There are various ways the Irish celebrate Christmas but for most its about spending time with loved ones, gift giving, and enjoying good food such as traditional Christmas mince pies. A Christmas tree is usually erected in the family home on the first day of the holy advent calendar. In Old Ireland, so to speak, holly and ivy was used to decorate the Irish home before the Christmas tree was introduced. A large candle is placed in the front window of the family home, to symbolize guidance for Mary & Joseph before the birth of Christ. The symbolic candle is explained to the children but they are also told the candle helps Santa find his way to their home.