Western culture (sometimes equated with Western civilization or
European civilization) refers to cultures of European origin.
Western culture began with the Greeks, was enlarged and strengthened by the Romans, reformed and modernized by the fifteenth-century Renaissance and Reformation, and globalized by successive European empires that spread the European ways of life and education between the sixteenth and twentieth centuries. European Culture developed with a complex range of philosophy, medieval scholasticism and mysticism, Christian and secular humanism. Rational thinking developed through a long age of change European culture and formation with the experiments of enlightenment, naturalism, romanticism, science, democracy, and socialism. With its global connection, European culture grew with an all-inclusive urge to adopt, adapt, and ultimately influence other trends of culture. The term "Western culture" is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and technologies. Specifically, Western culture may imply:
The concept of western culture is generally linked to the classical
definition of the Western world. In this definition, Western culture is the set of literary, scientific, political, artistic and philosophical principles which set it apart from other civilizations. Much of this set of traditions and knowledge is collected in the Western canon. Finland culture • The Finnish-speaking part of the population are called Finns, possibly including a subculture of Swedish-speaking Finns. Finns are somewhat genetically distinct from other Europeans. The major Y-haplogroup in Finland is haplogroup N. Y-haplogroup I is another haplogroup prevalent in Finland. The Finnish language is not an Indo-European language, and belongs to Finno-Ugric family of languages. Finns are traditionally divided to subgroups (heimo) according to dialect, but these groupings have only a minor importance due to 20th century urbanization and internal migration. • The Finnish society encourages equality and liberalism with a popular commitment to the ideals of the welfare state; discouraging disparity of wealth and division into social classes. Everyman's right (Ministry of Environment, 1999) is a philosophy carried over from ancient times. All citizens have access to public and private lands for agrarian activities or leisure. Finns value being close to nature, the agricultural roots are embedded in the rural lifestyle. Finns are also nationalistic, as opposed to self-identification with ethnicity or clan. Family structure • Family structure • The Finnish family life is usually understood to be centered on the nuclear family, rather than the extended family. There are usually one or two children in a family. Traditionally, men were the wage-earners and women remained in the home and care for children. However, since the Second World War, gender roles have changed. Today, both men and women are dual wage-earners. The welfare system allows for generous parental leave with income-based benefits (Leitner, A. & Wroblewski, A., 2006). Finnish parents have the option to take partial or total leave they are entitled to. A majority of mothers opt to take longer leave, up to one year. Finland's divorce rate is 51% of marriages being dissolved (Statistics Finland, updated 5/07). Cohabitation is also common. • Youth seek independence and typically move from their parents' residence around the age of twenty and relocate to youth hostels or apartments. Females tend to leave the family home earlier in pursuit of education. Males remain in the home longer due to obligations to the military. Members of the extended family typically live apart • Dance music • Notable Finnish dance and electronic music artists include Jori Hulkkonen, Darude, JS16, DJ Proteus, Fanu, DJ Muffler, and DJ Orkidea. music • Folk music • Much of the music of Finland is influenced by traditional Karelian melodies and lyrics, as comprised in the Kalevala. Karelian culture is perceived as the purest expression of the Finnic myths and beliefs, less influenced by Germanic influence, in contrast to Finland's position between the East and the West. Finnish folk music has undergone a roots revival in recent decades, and has become a part of popular music. • Popular music • Modern Finnish popular music includes a renowned heavy metal music scene, in common with other Nordic countries, as well as a number of prominent rock bands, jazz musicians, hip hop performers, pop music and dance music acts such as Bomfunk MCs, Darude and Waldo's People. The producer JR Rotem, who has a Finnish and Israeli descent, is common in a lot of Finnish hit songs and in America. Music from Russia such as t.a.T.u and Tokio Hotel is common in that country as well. Finnish electronic music such as the Sähkö Recordings record label enjoys underground acclaim. Iskelmä (coined directly from the German word Schlager, meaning hit) is a traditional Finnish word for a light popular song. Finnish popular music also includes various kinds of dance music; tango, a style of Argentine music, is also popular. One of the most productive composers of popular music was Toivo Kärki, and the most famous singer Olavi Virta (1915–1972). Among the lyricists, Sauvo Puhtila (born 1928), Reino Helismaa (died 1965) and Veikko "Vexi" Salmi are a few of the most notable writers. The composer and bandleader Jimi Tenor is well known for his brand of retro-funk music. • Rock and heavy metal music • • • Apocalyptica's Perttu Kivilaakso playing metal music live. • The Finnish rock music scene emerged in the 1960, pioneered by artists such as Blues Section and Kirka. In the 1970s Finnish rock musicians started to write their own music instead of translating international hits into Finnish. During the decade some progressive rock groups, such as Tasavallan Presidentti and Wigwam, gained respect abroad but failed to make a commercial breakthrough outside Finland. This was also the fate of the rock and roll group, Hurriganes. The Finnish punk scene produced some internationally respected names including Terveet Kädet in 1980s. Hanoi Rocks was a pioneering 1980s glam rock act that left perhaps a deeper mark in the history of popular music than any other Finnish group by being an influence for groups such as Guns 'n' Roses. SPANISH CULTURE • Spanish Characters • Spanish characters are easy to find and identify with. With such an abundance of brilliant writers, Spain has become home to numerous personalities who have been created to excite and entertain audiences all around the world. Characters such as Don Juan and Don Quijote have been revamped several times to work in several types of media. Be sure to check it out and get to know the characters that have won over Spain. • Symbols • There are several symbols that form part of the traditional culture. Some are more noticable than others but each has an emotional or historical significance that has kept the attention of audiences all around the world. • Here are a few to get you thinking about Spanish history and culture! • History of Spanish Dance • The concept of Spanish dance immediately conjures up images of the strumming guitars, stomping feet and bright dresses of flamenco. While many people make this common connection between Spain and flamenco, a plethora of traditional dances from Spain's various regions weave into the lengthy history of Spanish dance. For example, not many people would ever expect to visit Spain and hear the music of bagpipes and tambourines floating through the air, yet it is the traditional music accompanying Spanish dance across northern Spain • Traditional Spanish Dances • Jota Aragonesa: This typical dance hails from the north of Spain, namely Aragón, and features a fast tempo as couples dance with their hands raised high above their heads playing castanets. Moorish influences are probable, as it is loosely attributed to a Moorish poet who was kicked out of Valencia during the 12th century. Sardana: Several couples join hands and dance in a closed circle in this traditional dance from Catalonia. Muñeira: Danced in twos or alone along to the music of bagpipes, this traditional "Miller's Dance" is typical throughout Galicia and Asturias. Zambra: The zambra began as a Moorish dance, but with monarchs Fernando and Isabel's reconquista of Spain, the Moors were able to conserve the dance by adapting it to Spanish dance customs. Bolero: One of the oldest and most traditional dances of the history of Spanish dance, the bolero is a quick Spanish dance boasting sudden pauses and sharp turns. Fandango: At one point the most famous dance of Spain, the fandango is a lively, happy Spanish danced in two's. Paso doble: A quick one-step Spanish dance. Flamenco: A passionate dance hailing from gypsies, flamenco is internationally famous. Learn more! Sevillana: Lively and joyous dance typical of Seville and reminiscent of flamenco that features four distinct parts. • Spanish Eating Customs: Meals • A normal day's breakfast- or desayuno- typically consists merely of a cup of coffee, although it's also commonplace to accompany your steaming café con leche with a croissant or other pastry. While an American traditional breakfast has pancakes, bacon, and eggs, the Spanish "traditional" breakfast consists of the vastly popular churros, served sprinkled with sugar or dunked in hot chocolate. Spaniards eat their lunch, or comida, between 2:00 and 4:00 in the afternoon. Serving as the day's main meal, it is traditionally quite a bit larger than the dinner meal, or cena. A typical lunch will have several courses. The first course is the lighter part of the meal, usually consisting of a salad or soup, while the second course is normally your typical fish or meat dish. A dessert can be a simple piece of fruit, a typical Spanish flan, or a sweet pastry or cake. While there are of course many people who eat full meals, the Spanish dinner (cena) is traditionally much smaller than the midday comida. It often consisting of something lighter like a salad, a sandwich, or a selection of tapas. Spaniards eat late for this final meal of the day- even more so on weekends and during the summer- sitting down to eat anytime from 9:00 until 11:00 in the evening • Spanish Eating Customs: Siesta • No, it's not a myth. Yes, the infamous siesta really does exist. It began long ago as after eating the large mid-day meal farmworkers needed to rest and digest before going back out to work the fields. While this daily break doesn't necessarily include a nap, businesses and stores do shut down for about two hours and many people return home to eat with their families. Spanish Eating Customs: Wine • Whether out at a restaurant or in the home with the family, it is very typical to drink wine along with a meal. So common, in fact, that restaurants offering a menú almost always include wine in the advertised price. Spanish Eating Customs: Coffee • Coffee is quite the Spanish phenomenon. Many Spaniards drink several cups of their favorite caffeinated beverage in the course of a single day. Coffee also traditionally follows a Spanish meal and is served after the dessert. To fit in with the locals, ask for a café con leche (coffee with milk), a café solo (coffee without milk), or a café cortado (coffee with some milk). Spanish Eating Customs: Tipping • While its practice is completely voluntary, many restaurant patrons choose to leave a modest tip of around 5-10% after a meal. DRINK • Spanish Wine • From the refreshing finos of Andalusia to the rich red wines of La Rioja, Spain serves up a wine culture delightful to the palates of both connoisseurs and amateurs alike. With 50 wine regions boasting red, white, sparkling, rosé, and sherry wines spread throughout the country, Spain is the 3rd largest wine producer in the world. With a reputation like that, you can imagine the abundance and unmatched quality of the vineyards and their products • Spanish Wine Regions • If you're looking to really delve into and learn about the intricacies of the Spanish wine culture, many of the vineyards and bodegas - some of which are hundreds of years old and feature stunning architecture - offer tours and of course generous samplings. The regions of Ribera del Duero, Priorat, and especially La Rioja boast their deliciously hearty red wines. For top-notch white and sparkling wines, Catalonia's Penedes region is the place to be, while the Galician region of the Rias Baixas has earned quite a reputation for its array of fruity white wines. Spanish Wine: Sherry • One of Spain's most famous contributions to the international wine scene is its sherry (jerez). In fact, all of the world's genuine sherry comes from the region surrounding the small Spanish city of Jerez- which lends its name to its wine product. The sherry varieties, ranging from the light and refreshing manzanillas and finos to the darker and stronger olorosos and Pedro Ximénez, are Spanish wines that are popular throughout Spain, especially in Andalusia, and the world. • Spanish Wine: Cava • Cava, Spain's tasty response to France's champagne, is a sparkling Spanish wine that hails principally from the Spanish wine regions of Catalonia, Aragón, and Navarre. Like with sherry, its international presence once again puts Spain on the wine radar, as it is now the 2nd largest producer of sparkling wines in the world.