Guide to Culture in Spain

Spain is alive for the artistic culture and tradition from Flamenco Dance to Revolutionary Architecture, from Modern Artist to Hollywood Starlets, Spain feeds of its energetic Culture. Flamenco is an expression of passion used in dance, hand claps, guitar, vocals and vibrant costumes Flamenco expresses the artist’s life and passion. The term Flamenco refers to both a style of music and a form of dance, as music Flamenco is characterized by the use of the guitar as a percussive instrument and the use of hand and foot tap as part of the rhythm, as dance Flamenco features intricate hand movements, foot stomping and twirling.

Flamenco was born out of exile when Gypsies arrived in Spain from India in the 15th Century they were forced to change the way they dressed, spoke and lived. Instead of conforming they fled to treacherous mountain regions where authorities could not find them and during this time they developed Flamenco. A true Flamenco dance is not choreographed it is spontaneous and lively so that no two performances are ever the same.

Pablo Picasso is one of Spain’s most admired painters born in Andaluthia in 1881 Picasso became one of the most influential artist of the 19th Century co-founding the artistic movement Cubism, Picasso was a child prodigy but in his teens he rebelled against the traditional or classical modes of painting and began depicting the world as he felt it not how he saw it. Picasso’s most famous work to pick fragmented bases and heightened colors. Salvador Dali is another of Spain’s famous trade of exports, Dali worked in Paintings Sculpture and Film and he left his mark on all this builds, Dali was influenced by the work of Psycho-Analyst Freud and he used art to depict the unconscious world. One of Dali’s most recognizable motifs, the image of Melting Clocks came to him when he saw a piece of Camandar Cheese going soft in the sun.

Glamour girl Penelope Cruz is leading the pack when it comes to promoting Spain as the Glam Capital of the World. Cruz who initially studied Ballet turned to acting when she was 15, since then she has become the first Spanish Actress to be nominated for an Academy Award. Cruz’s personal life has regularly made headlines her 3 year relationship with Tom Cruise was made public after split from former wife Nicole Kidman. She then went on to date Matthew Mc Conaughey to force to become ½ of the Spanish power couple Cruz Bardem. Aside from being linked to Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem has gained fame in his own right, in 2008 Bardem became the first Spanish actor to win an Oscar, and he received the best supporting actor award for his portrayal of the homicidal maniac in Joel and Etahn Coen No country for Old Men. Bardem’s success impacted the whole of Spain; the people were proud of their nation and supportive of the actor. Bardem’s families were especially pleased.

Monica Bardem This is a personal achievement for Javier an achievement that he choose share with his fellow actors and dedicate to Spain. I feel proud of him because he has reached the high point that neither him nor us thought he was going to reach, his career had certainly pointed that way and I’m very happy for him.

Mariangeles It’s very important for him personally and as an actor but also in Spanish cinema in general, right, such an award recognizing his talent in Hollywood the Birth place of Cinema that’s huge.

After his Oscar high, Bardem plunked straight into a light hearted role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona a woody Allen movie set and filmed in Barcelona.

Javier Bardem The movie came to Spain, everybody felt truly honored about having and welcoming somewhere like Woody Allen to our own country, having in mind that – Spain is a country that really adore Woody Allen’s work.