The power of flamenco

Flamenco is a kind of Spanish folk music and dance which come from Andalusia. It grew up from Andalusian, Romani and Hindu music (motion of fingers, feets and hands). Some people say that flamenco comes from hindu dance katak.
Nowadays many flamenco's dancers are Romani people.

Typical women costume is a long, red or black dress with furbelows and high heel shoes. Men wear black or brown trousers, white shirt, heavy heels and hat.

Very important role plays Spanish  guitar, castanets and rhythm which is achieved by rhythmic stamping of the feet and emotional intensity and expressive use of arms.   




 Castanets

There are differents kinds of flamenco:

• Flamenco puro: dancer dances solo, it has influence gitano music and style
• Classical flamenco: the most popular flamenco in Spain, not to many hips movements, long arms and the body is tightly held 
• Flamenco nuevo: the newest style of flamenco, pared-down costumes, it has a lot of influence from other styles of music and dance

In present time flamenco is very popular all over the world. In many countries are established school where people learn flamenco. There are more flamenco schools in Japan than in Spain. 

Languages in Spain

When you came to Spain you will see subtitles in a different languages. Especially it is easy to see it in northern and eastern Spain. These diversities are connected with  Spanish history and culture.

There are four languages in Spain: Catalan/Valencian, Galician, Basque and Spanish (Castilian). Over 89% Spaniards can speak Spanish, 9% Catalan, 5% Galician and 1% Basque. Of course there are other languages which you can meet on the street e.g. English, French, Russian, Chinese and many others.

 Spain




During Franco's regime it was forbidden to use other languages than Spanish. Catalan was treated as a dialect of Castilian. People could not spoke in these language in public places. Also Basque was forbidden. There was common opinion that it was rustic language and belonged to not educated people.

In present times situation has changed significantly. In Catalan and Basque Country people speak their languages every day. Children at school learn Valencian or Galician (it depends where they live). There are TV channels and press in regional languages.



Different languages are also cause to separation some of regions in Spain e.g. Catalonia, Basque Country, Island of Baleary and Valencia.

Spanish cuisine- Paella

One of the most popular dish in Comunidad Valenciana is paella. For many foreigners it is traditional Spanish rice dish. But for Spaniards is a typical Valencian meal which is recognized in all country.

There are many kinds of paella but the most popular it is: Paella Valenciana (white rice, green vegetables, meat (rabbit, chicken) and beans, Paella de Marisco (seafood, green vegetables) and Paella Mixta (freestyle combinated). Significant ingredient it is saffron which give yellow colour of dish.


  Yummy:):)

Probably word paella come from old French paelle which means " frying pan". It is important paella has two handles. Nowaday Valencians call paella for all type of frying pan.
In ancient times paella was eating by workers during the break at work. Now you can buy it in a restaurant.
Also in Moorish Spain paella was served. From that time rice became popular in Spain. In present times many restaurants all over the world serve similar dish e.g. risotto, arroz con pollo, pilaf.

  This is a recipe for Mixed Paella

• Make a broth from seafood, chicken, onions, garlic, bell peppers and bay leaf.
• Heat oil in a paellera.
• Sear red bell pepper strips and set aside.
• Sear crustaceans and set aside.
• Season meat lightly with salt and sauté meat until golden brown.
• Add onions, garlic and bell peppers. Sauté until vegetables are tender.
• Add grated tomatoes and sauté.
• Add dry seasonings except for salt.
• Add rice.
• Braise rice until covered with sofrito.
• Add broth.
• Add salt to taste.
• Add saffron (and/or food coloring) and mix well.
• Simmer until rice is almost cooked.
• Replace crustaceans.
• Continue simmering until rice and crustaceans are finished cooking.
• Garnish with seared red bell pepper strips.

Ir de tapas

When you came to Spain you have to try tapas. It is a appetizer which is very popular and delicious. In some region they call it bocas or pintxos. The word tapas come from "tapar" which mean "cover". Probably tradition come from Andalusia where people cover their glasses with sherry by slice of bread or meat to protect from fruit flies. Later Spanish started to add jamón or other products to the tapas.

There are different kinds of tapas e.g.: fuet, banderilla, jamon serrano, mariscos, olives, oreja, patatas bravas, tortilla espanola. 
Big impact for Spanish cuisine had Ancient Rome and Moors who conquered Spain for many years. Actually Spain belonged to Arab Empire over 700 years. Till today it is easy to find influence Arabic (especially in Andalusia) cuisine for tapas e.g. almonds, citrus fruits and fragrant spices.



 Tapas

Also after descubrimiento de América (1492) Spanish cuisine began use new products e.g. tomatoes, sweet and chili peppers, maize and potatoes. 

Tapas are also known in other countries. For example in Middle Eastern it is mezze and in China dim sum. 

Corrida de toros- Bullfighting by Spanish Style

Corrida is the most Spanish custom which fascinates and shocks people all over the world. I will try to present both sides of  the spectacle.

Corrida de torros or la fiesta takes place in Spain, Portugal, southern France, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela and Philippines.
Bulls before fighting have an extremely good life. They spend their time grazing on the meadows, everybody takes care about them and gives them whatever they need. For Corrida's followers it is an honor for  a bull to die on the arena with applause of the spectators. They treat it as an art which connects in one perfect piece of music, dancing, horse riding and amazing costumes.



Opponents of bullfighting talk about animals rights, barbaric blood sport and torturous death. In many countries people vote against this kind of entertainment. In Spain in two provinces: Catalonia and Basque Country it is forbidden to organize it.

Spanish Corrida
Bulls are about four or six years old. There are three matadors and everyone fights with two bulls. Matadores are assisted by two picadores, three toreros and a mozo de espadas.  Picadores ride on a horseback with a lance. Horses are also protected by padded cover to prevent death by bleeding. Anyway many of these beautiful animals had died during bullfighting.

The toreros irritate the bull by yellow- pink capa (sheet). Next, one of the picador on the horseback hits his lanca into the bull's neck as well. Also banderilleros try to stick short lancas (banderilleros) into the bull's neck. The Lancas have colorful ribbons which have to annoy bulls as well. After that when animal is weaker and his head is lower  the matador comes. He has a red muleta and tries to make the bull tired. When animal is exhausted, he sticks lanca into his spinal cord. If matador kills the bull by first time, the audience will admire him with an applause. If  he does not kill it he will try again.

 Muleta

And this is over. Bull is dead. Matador can cut an ear of the bull. If the performance was fantastic the audience let matador cut other ear. Sometimes a tail.
The dead bull is covered by sheets and moved by horses and mules.



 Corrida's opponents picture

The largest Corrida takes place in Mexico City on the Plaza Mexico. The oldest one in Sevilla in Spain on the La Maestranza (from 1765).

Bonfires of San John

The biggest holiday in Alicante takes part between 19th and 29th of June. This is Hogueras de  San Juan (Bonfires of San Joan). It is celebrated around San John's eve on the 23 of the June.

 People make bonfires, drink hot chocolate and teenagers jump over the fires. Every district of Alicante prepares parades, wooden figures, fireworks, flowers, sports events, traditional garments and food. You can see corrida on the Plaza de Torros as well.

It is very important to organize this festival. Every district has their own group of people who prepare Hogueras. A barraca ( group of friends) raise money for drinks, food and music. Only people from the right district can participate in it. There are also commissions which make fires and take part in different events during the whole year. Relationship between people from district is very close and it is important to know each other.

During the Hougeras there's an election of Beauty and Infantil Beauty. It is very popular among Spanish from Alicante.



Many people from all Spain come to Alicante to see festival. It is also interesting for tourists from abroad who came for holiday.
24th the June is also celebrated in other Spanish regions (e.g. Catalan, Galicia). For citizens of Catalan is Catalan's National Day.

Visit Spain- Parque Huerto Lo Torrent

How to spend free time in Alicante? One of the best way is  to go to  a nearby town San Vicent Del Raspeig to visit Parque Huerto lo Torrent. You can get the directly form Plaza de los Luceros in Alicante by bus line 24. It takes about 20 minutes.

There is amazing park with fontaine, mediterranean trees, playground, playing field. You can relax there with your friends and family.
Many people come there because is very quiet. It is a typical place for Spanish siesta.

Blue sky and fontaine

Spanish children are playing football.