Guide to Spanish culture for visitors and Brits living in Spain

Spain is probably one of Europe´s most diverse countries. This is part of the reason so many British holidaymakers end up living in Spain - there is simply so much on offer that everyone is sure to find some element of Spanish culture and lifestyle that draws them. For some it is the glorious weather, and its promise of sun, sand and sangria, that appeals. Others are enticed by the energy of Spanish music and flamenco and fiesta, while the highbrow are seduced by the world-renowned artistic legacies of El Greco, Velezquez, Dali, Miro, Picasso and Gaudi.

With fewer people in a bigger country, Spain has more space for pine forests, wild coastal scenery, natural parks, olive and orange groves, golf courses and even volcanic landscapes! People living in Spain and her islands eat out more, they engage with their neighbours in energetic street parties and noisy festivals, and the bars stay open later. All in all, Spanish culture and daily life is relaxed, family friendly, and less stressed than in the UK.

Who are the people living in Spain today?

The majority (97%) of the 44 million people living in Spain today speak the country´s official language: Castilian Spanish. Catalan is spoken by 17%, while Galician and Basque languages are spoken by 7% and 2% respectively. There are also a number of local dialects such as Valencian and Andalusian.

Most young people living in Spain speak some English but outside the tourist resorts and big cities, it may be necessary to gain at least a smattering of Spanish. Although some 97% of those living in Spain are officially Roman Catholic (an influence which is clearly reflected in popular Spanish culture ie fiestas), less than a quarter are thought to be regular churchgoers.

Spanish culture - bullfighting

For most foreigners living in Spain, bullfighting is the only serious negative in Spanish culture. However, it is necessary to understand that it holds a special place in Spanish culture and, while it may offend British sensibilities, Spaniards consider it an important artistic expression. In the absence of understanding, it is best to simply avoid it.

Spanish culture - siesta

One feature of Spanish culture that all foreigners living in Spain seem happy to embrace wholeheartedly is the siesta. But the long, lazy lunch break which has typified Spanish life for generations may soon be a thing of the past. In January 2006, Spanish civil servants were forced to give up their customary long lunch break, and had to rush back to their desks within the hour. Probably many suffered from unfamiliar indigestion, but most would have enjoyed finished work two hours earlier than normal.

The Government´s intention is that productivity, which is low in Spain, will be boosted by introducing the typical European 9-5 schedule. It remains to be seen whether the private sector will embrace this shorter working day pattern.

Spanish culture - fiestas and festivalsAll Spanish towns and cities celebrate their own traditions and anniversaries, patron saints and the seasons in their own way but nearly all include Spanish music, colourful spectacles and good-natured fun and games. These celebrations are in addition to the national holidays of Christmas, Easter, Ascension, All Saints Day etc. and are an excellent way for foreigners living in Spain to learn more about local Spanish culture.

Unless book-length, any list of Spain´s festivals is going to be incomplete. The following list is no exception, but it concentrates on the areas that hold the best fiestas each month.

January : Numerous festivals are held in Mallorca and Ibiza, mainly in the third week. Fireworks are a major feature of the celebrations. The month also sees parades for Three Kings Day (Epiphany) throughout Spain.

February: Carnivals are held throughout Spain in the weeks before Ash Wednesday. Among the best are those in Sitges, Catalonia, and Santa Cruz in Tenerife. The Sevilla Tapas Fair is a tasty event, too.

• March: The end of winter is celebrated in many Spanish cities but it is biggest in Valencia with the Las Fallas Fire Festival. Explosions, bonfires, and the burning of papier mache caricatures (usually of politicians) ensure the town, its inhabitants and up to two million visitors are suitably warmed up. In complete contrast, Jerez plays host to an annual flamenco festival.

April and Easter: Sevilla and Toledo are arguably the best places to experience Semana Santa (Easter Week) but it is observed in most communities. Grand processions of costumed characters and parades of huge sculptures are typical of the events wherever they are held.

May: Madrid´s nine-day celebration of the Festival of San Isidro begins on the Friday before 15 May each year when many of those living in Spain´s capital dress up in national costume. A wide programme of events, including many Spanish music and dance performances, is held in the city´s squares and parks. Bullfighting plays its part.

June: Barcelona is the place to be in June to enjoy a continuous programme of Spanish culture. This includes the Grec Performance Arts Festival, the Sonar Festival of Advanced Music & Art, the Festa de la Musica and the Marato festival. Granada also holds its International Festival of Music and Dance while Huelva hosts the huge annual pilgrimage of La Romeria del Rocio. Santander holds its summer rock festival.

July: This is the bullrunning month! The best-known event is Pamplona but similar bull runs are held in Zumaia and Tudela. Jazz festivals are held in Getxo, Vitoria and San Sebastian while Alvila, near Madrid, is host to a festival of Spanish music and bullfighting. The Casabermeja festival is dedicated to flamenco.

August: Something for everyone. A celebration of classical music is held in Santander, canoe racing takes place on the Sella river in Asturias, the messy Tomatina turns Bunol, near Valencia, red, and Albarino hosts a wine fair. Assumption Day (15 August) is celebrated by a huge number of fiestas.

September: Spanish culture goes epicurean with a host of festivals celebrating food and drink. These include Cava Week in Barcelona, the Paella festival in Sueca in Valencia, and the San Mateo wine-harvesting fiesta in Logrono in Rioja.

October: Catalonia stokes its fires in Girona and Banyoles while Columbus celebrations, although nationwide, are biggest in Zaragoza.

November: One of the best-observed national dates is All Saints´ Day on 1 November when families take flowers to the graves of their loved ones. The Granada Jazz Festival is a big event on the Spanish musical calendar.

December: Christmas celebrations begin 8 December. Barcelona holds a popular Christmas market and Madrid has a Christmas Fair in the Plaza Major.

Spanish culture - late nights of Spanish music and flamenco

What impact the loss of the siesta will have on Spain´s legendary late nights remains to be seen. For the moment, most people living in Spain continue to be sociable long after the sun has gone down.

El paseo, a leisurely stroll through the streets or the beach promenade, kicks off the evening and is an important part of Spanish culture. On a warm night, pavement terraces quickly fill up as people sit and relax and watch the world go by. A few tapas are eaten, to stave off hunger until dinner is eaten at about 10pm after which most flamenco bars launch into their emotionally charged repertoires of defiant dance and tragic lyrics. Later still, the nightclubs start thumping out international dance rhythms rather than traditional Spanish music, and their clients return home only in the small hours of the following day. It is no wonder coffee is so strong. The long, fun nights mean everyone living in Spain needs a heavy dose of caffeine to get them started in the morning!