There are many customs and traditions attributed to Spanish culture, which are especially evident during the many festivities and celebrations. Many have evolved during the years but still have their roots in times long gone by. Here we are going to focus on:
- Ham
- Tapas
- Flamenco
- Bullfighting
- Siesta
Ham
There is nothing more Spanish than jamón serrano. This country ham is a national treasure shared in Spain by all walks of life. Cured for at least a year, it has a much deeper flavor firmer texture than its closest relateive, Italian prosciutto. Serve as a 'Tapa' with cheese and olives, or in your favorite Spanish recipe.
Tapas
Spain is one of the few places you can get something for free, as there are many bars where you get a bit of food with every drink you buy.
This is the name given to a wide variety of appetizers or snacks in Spanish cuisine.
Spanish tapas is at the very heart of their lifestyle and culture. Everywhere you go in Spain you will find lively and noisy bars serving small plates of superb flavours and local delicacies.
It is essentially a style of eating rather than a form of cooking.
Tapas means sociability, friends and family. The Spanish in general won't drink without eating something as well.
A very typical Spanish expressions related to this is " ir de tapas" o "ir de pinchos", which consists of going from one bar to the next and enjoying a different ""tapa" in each until you have essentially had your meal.
Flamenco
Flamenco is a genuine Spanish art, and to be more exact a genuine Southern Spanish art. It is an art form of music and dancing. The dancing is very expressive and each part of the body may move in a coordinated way. Flamenco shows are common in Andalucia with daily performances. We have also what we call "Tablaos Flamencos".
“Tablaos” are clubs dedicated to Flamenco dance and song. They are the best places to see a unique flamenco performance that will captivate the audience. In flamenco, heartfelt song, accompanying guitar, rhythmic tap-dance and clapping, all come together with the dance of great artists, who often appear anonymously. You will notice how you are unconsciously infected by the emotion and feeling that this musical genre transmits.
“Tablaos” tend to be decorated in a typically Spanish way, with embroidered silk shawls, photographs of famous people, bullfighting clothes and capes. There are many flamenco clubs in Spain, although they are most frequently found in Andalusia. At a “tablao” you can have a drink, sample some tapas, or even dine on some full-blown Spanish cuisine.
You cannot miss one of these shows.
Bullfighting This is a traditional spectacle of Spain in which some bulls are baited in a bullring. This tradition involves professional “toreros” who execute various formal moves which can be interpreted and innovated according to the bullfighter's style or school. The bullfight usually concludes with the killing of the bull by a single sword thrust which is called “estocada”.
Ham
Bullfighting
The Sagrada Familia is a large Roman Catholic Church that you can see in Barcelona. This church was designed by the catalan architect Antoni Gaudi who devoted most of his life to this project. Although incomplete, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in November 2010 was consecrated and proclaimed a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI. This building is the number one most visited attraction in Barcelona catering to over 2,000,000 visitors per year.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
Spanish into English