ENGLAND

Culture of England


The culture of England refers to the idiosyncratic cultural norms of England and the English people. Because of England's dominant position within the Inted Kindom in terms of population, English culture is often difficult to differentiate from the culture of the United Kindom as a whole. However, there are some cultural practices that are associated specifically with England.

Architecture and gardens

English architecture begins with the architecture of the Anglo-Saxons; at least fifty surviving English churches are of Anglo-Saxon origin, although in some cases the Anglo-Saxon part is small and much-altered. All except one timber church are built of stone or brick, and in some cases show evidence of reused Roman work. The architectural character of Anglo-Saxon ecclesiastical buildings ranges from Copic-influenced architecture in the early period; Early Christian basilica influenced architecture; to, in the later Anglo-Saxon period, an architecture characterised by pilaster-strips, blank, arcading, baluster shafts and triangular-headed openings. Almost no secular work remains above ground.

Other buildings such as cathedrals and parish churches are associated with a sense of traditional Englishness, as is often the palatial 'stately home'. Many people are interested in the English country house and the rural lifestyle, as evidenced by visits to properties managed by English Heritage and the National Trust. 

Folklore

English folklore is the folk tradition that has evolved in England over the centuries. England abounds with folklore, in all forms, from such obvious manifestations as semi-historical Robin-Hood tales, to contemporary urban myths and facets of cryptozoology such as the Beast of Bodmir Moor. The famous Arthurian legends may not have originated in England, but variants of these tales are associated with locations in England, such as Glastonbury and Tintagel. 

Examples of surviving English folk traditions include the Morris dance and related practices such as the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance and the Mummers Plays. In many, usually rural places, people still gather for May Day festivals on the first of May to celebrate the beginning of summer. This traditionally involves local children skipping around a maypole each carrying a coloured ribbon, resulting in a multi-coloured plaited pattern. The festival traditionally features Morris dancing and various festivities, culminating in the crowning of a 'May Queen'. Many regional variations of the festivals exist; the oldest still practised today is the "Obby Oss festival of Padstow, which dates back to the 14th century.

Literature

Due to the expansion of English into a world language during the British Empire, literature is now written in English across the world. Writers often associated with England or for expressing Englishness include Shakespeare (who produced twotetralogies of history plays about the English kings), Jane Austen, Arnold Bennett, and Rupert Brooke (whose poem "Grantchester" is often considered quintessentially English). Other writers are associated with specific regions of England; these include Charles Dickens (London), Thomas Hardy (Wessex), A. E. Housman (Shropshire), and the Lake Poets (the Lake District). In the lighter vein, Agatha Christie's mystery novels are outsold only by Shakespeare and The Bible.

Music

England has a long and rich musical history. The United Kingdom has, like most European countries, undergone a roots revival in the last half of the 20th century. English music has been an instrumental and leading part of this phenomenon, which peaked at the end of the 1960s and into the 1970s.

The achievements of the Anglican choral tradition following on from 16th century composers such as Thomas Tallis, John Taverner and William Byrd have tended to overshadow instrumental composition. The semi-operatic innovations of Henry Purcell did not lead to a native operatic tradition, but George Frederick Handel found important royal patrons and enthusiastic public support in England. The rapturous receptions afforded by audiences to visiting musical celebrities such as Haydn often contrasted with the lack of recognition for home-grown talent. However, the emergence of figures such as Edward Elgar and Arthur Sullivan in the 19th century showed a new vitality in English music. In the 20th century, Benjamin Britten and Michael Tippett emerged as internationally-recognised opera composers, and Ralph Vaughan Williams and others collected English folk tunes and adapted them to the concert hall. Cecil Sharp was a leading figure in the English folk revival.

Finally, a new trend emerged out of Liverpool in 1962. The Beatles became the most popular musicians of their time, and in the composing duo of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, popularized the concept of the self-contained music act. Before th

e Beatles, very few popular singers composed the tunes they performed. The "Fab Four" opened the doors for other English acts such as The Rolling Stones, Cream, The Hollies, The Kinks, The Beatles, The Who, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Genesis,Iron Maiden and Pink Floyd to the globe.

Some of England's leading contemporary artists include Eric Clapton, Elton John, George Michael, Blur, The Spice Girls, Bloc Party, Arctic Monkeys, Robbie Williams, Oasis,The Smiths, Radiohead, David Bowie, Coldplay, Muse and Mumford and Sons.

Philosophy

English philosophers include Francis Bacon, Sir Thomas More, John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Thomas Paine, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill and Bertrand Russell.

Religion

Christianity is the most widely practiced and declared religion in England. The Anglican Churc of England is the established church of England holding a special constitutional position for the United Kingdom. After Christianity, religions with the most adherents are Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, Buddhism, the Bahá'í Faith, the Rastafari movement and Neopaganism. There are also organisations which promote irreligion, atheist humanism, and secularism.

INDIAN CULTURE

The culture is refers to the intellectual development envolved out of the physical and mental training acquired in the course of the ages in a country.

India has an ancient and diverse culture, and some topics of India`s culture are:

• Religions


• Festivals



• Rituals



• Monuments



• Costumes



• Music



• Dance



• Language



• Literature

One part really important of Indian culture is also about respecting elders, honoring heroes and cherishing love. Indian culture has a very high level of tolerance, humanity and unity.




















Religions became an important part in the culture and places of worship became community centers. India has two popular beliefs; Buddhism by the Buddha and Jainism by the Saint Mahavir.



The flower Garlands are really important for India`s costumes, Indian people are famous for welcoming whit flower garlands. In the Indian marriages the exchange of garlands between bride and groom is a ritual in itself. People also offer flower garlands to gods and goddesses during their prayers.










The India`s dresses are really beautiful. Very traditional and ethnic yet contemporary Indian Saris are famous worldwide. It is worn whit a blouse that covers the upper part of the body. The Sari is the traditional dress of India which also modifies as per material, drape and style with each region. The woman folk carry a Duppatta, which is a soft and delicate material of reasonable length thrown over the shoulder.

France Society and Culture

There are many aspects why we consider France is one of the most interesting countries in the world.

BON APPETIT
Cuisine
. Food is one of the great passions of the French people. . French cooking is highly refined and involves careful preparation, attention to detail, and the use of fresh ingredients. . It varies by region and is heavily influenced by what is grown locally.


French Family Values
. The family is the social adhesive of the country and each member has certain duties and responsibilities.. The extended family provides both emotional and financial support. . Despite their reputation as romantics, the French have a practical approach towards marriage. . Families have few children, but parents take their role as guardians and providers very seriously.


Relationships - Public vs. Private
. The French are private people and have different rules of behaviour for people within their social circle and those who are not.. Although the French are generally polite in all dealings, it is only with their close friends and family that they are free to be themselves.. Friendship brings with it a set of roles and responsibilities, including being available should you be needed. Friendship involves frequent, if not daily, contact.


Etiquette & Customs in France

Meeting Etiquette
. The handshake is a common form of greeting. . Friends may greet each other by lightly kissing on the cheeks, once on the left cheek and once on the right cheek. . First names are reserved for family and close friends. Wait until invited before using someone's first name. . You are expected to say 'bonjour' or 'bonsoir' (good morning and good evening) with the honorific title Monsieur or Madame when entering a shop and 'au revoir' (good-bye) when leaving. . If you live in an apartment building, it is polite to greet your neighbours with the same appellation.

Dining Etiquette
If you are invited to a French house for dinner:. Arrive on time. Under no circumstances should you arrive more than 10 minutes later than invited without telephoning to explain you have been detained. . The further south you go in the country, the more flexible time is. . If invited to a large dinner party, especially in Paris, send flowers the morning of the occasion so that they may be displayed that evening. . Dress well. The French are fashion conscious and their version of casual is not as relaxed as in many western countries.

CULTURE Religion Religious Practitioners. The Catholic Church has four ecclesiastical provinces, which encompass the whole island, thus crossing the boundary with Northern Ireland. The Archbishop of Armagh in Northern Ireland is the Primate of All Ireland. The diocesan structure, in which thirteen hundred parishes are served by four thousand priests, dates to the twelfth century and does not coincide with political boundaries. There are approximately twenty thousand people serving in various Catholic religious orders, out of a combined Ireland and Northern Ireland Catholic population of 3.9 million. The Church of Ireland, which has twelve dioceses, is an autonomous church within the worldwide Anglican Communion. Its Primate of All Ireland is the Archbishop of Armagh, and its total membership is 380,000, 75 percent of whom are in Northern Ireland. There are 312,000 Presbyterians on the island (95 percent of whom are in Northern Ireland), grouped into 562 congregations and twenty-one presbyteries. Literature The literary renaissance of the late nineteenth century integrated the hundreds-year-old traditions of writing in Irish with those of English, in what has come to be known as Anglo-Irish literature. Some of the greatest writers in English over the last century were Irish: W. B. Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Frank O'Connor, Seán O'Faoláin, Seán O'Casey, Flann O'Brien, and Seamus Heaney. They and many others have constituted an unsurpassable record of a national experience that has universal appeal. Music Singing is a favourite pastime in Ireland and traditional Celtic music is an important part of the Irish culture. Some of the traditional musical instruments consist of the button accordion, harp, tin whistle, fiddle, bedhran (drum), and Uilleann pipes. For additional information on the instruments of Irish music. Contemporary music is also very popular in Ireland and Ireland boasts many famous musicians and bands such as; Enya, and U2. There is plenty of opportunity in Ireland to enjoy classical, pop, rock and jazz concerts. Dancing The Irish word “céili” is used to describe an informal evening of traditional Irish music and dancing. Irish step-dancing is performed mostly with the legs and feet while the arms hang stiffly at the side. The traditional Irish dress for Irish female dancers are copies of the traditional Irish peasant dress and feature elaborate Gaelic designs. The shoes are similar to ballet shoes which are laced over the feet and the ankles. The male's costume is less elaborate; men wear plain kilts or pants and jackets and folded cloaks hanging from the shoulders, called brats. RiverDance and Lord of the Dance have brought international acclaim to Irish music and dance. RiverDance is an exciting performance of music, dancing and singing. The performance depicts the evolution of Irish culture and its influence on other cultures through immigration during the potato famine. The Lord of the Dance is an outstanding dance performance and a celebration of the Celtic heritage. St Patricks Day Traditions March 17th marks the day of St Patrick, celebrated by millions of people around the world. In Ireland, St Patrick’s Day was always held as an important religious day to celebrate the teachings of Christianity by St Patrick. Halloween Traditions in Ireland To-day Halloween is celebrated all around the globe but the Halloween Holiday has its history firmly planted in Ireland. Halloween is also known as Samhain, All Hallows Eve, Hallowmas and Hallowtide. It is celebrated on 31st October but the holiday of Halloween is not just celebrated on the one day any more as the Christian holidays of All Saints Day, November 1st and All Souls Day, November 2nd are celebrated as well. Celebrating Christmas in Ireland Most, if not all, Irish families decorate their homes with lights, tinsel and baubles. A Christmas tree is usually erected in the family home on the first day of the holy advent calendar. The tree will be beautifully decorated with an angel on top, presents will lay underneath as seen with many family homes around the world.

CULTURE

Religion

Religious Practitioners.  The Catholic Church has four ecclesiastical provinces, which encompass the whole island, thus crossing the boundary with Northern Ireland. The Archbishop of Armagh in Northern Ireland is the Primate of All Ireland. The diocesan structure, in which thirteen hundred parishes are served by four thousand priests, dates to the twelfth century and does not coincide with political boundaries. There are approximately twenty thousand people serving in various Catholic religious orders, out of a combined Ireland and Northern Ireland Catholic population of 3.9 million. The Church of Ireland, which has twelve dioceses, is an autonomous church within the worldwide Anglican Communion. Its Primate of All Ireland is the Archbishop of Armagh, and its total membership is 380,000, 75 percent of whom are in Northern Ireland. There are 312,000 Presbyterians on the island (95 percent of whom are in Northern Ireland), grouped into 562 congregations and twenty-one presbyteries. 

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Literature

The literary renaissance of the late nineteenth century integrated the hundreds-year-old traditions of writing in Irish with those of English, in what has come to be known as Anglo-Irish literature. Some of the greatest writers in English over the last century were Irish: W. B. Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Frank O'Connor, Seán O'Faoláin, Seán O'Casey, Flann O'Brien, and Seamus Heaney. They and many others have constituted an unsurpassable record of a national experience that has universal appeal.

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Music

Singing is a favourite pastime in Ireland and traditional Celtic music is an important part of the Irish culture. Some of the traditional musical instruments consist of the button accordion, harp, tin whistle, fiddle, bedhran (drum), and Uilleann pipes. For additional information on the instruments of Irish music.

Contemporary music is also very popular in Ireland and Ireland boasts many famous musicians and bands such as; Enya,  and U2. There is plenty of opportunity in Ireland to enjoy classical, pop, rock and jazz concerts. 

Dancing

The Irish word “céili” is used to describe an informal evening of traditional Irish music and dancing. Irish step-dancing is performed mostly with the legs and feet while the arms hang stiffly at the side. The traditional Irish dress for Irish female dancers are copies of the traditional Irish peasant dress and feature elaborate Gaelic designs. The shoes are similar to ballet shoes which are laced over the feet and the ankles. The male's costume is less elaborate; men wear plain kilts or pants and jackets and folded cloaks hanging from the shoulders, called brats.
RiverDance and Lord of the Dance have brought international acclaim to Irish music and dance. RiverDance is an exciting performance of music, dancing and singing. The performance depicts the evolution of Irish culture and its influence on other cultures through immigration during the potato famine. The Lord of the Dance is an outstanding dance performance and a celebration of the Celtic heritage. 

St Patricks Day Traditions

March 17th marks the day of St Patrick, celebrated by millions of people around the world. In Ireland, St Patrick’s Day was always held as an important religious day to celebrate the teachings of Christianity by St Patrick.

Halloween Traditions in Ireland

To-day Halloween is celebrated all around the globe but the Halloween Holiday has its history firmly planted in Ireland. Halloween is also known as Samhain, All Hallows Eve, Hallowmas and Hallowtide. It is celebrated on 31st October but the holiday of Halloween is not just celebrated on the one day any more as the Christian holidays of All Saints Day, November 1st and All Souls Day, November 2nd are celebrated as well. 

Celebrating Christmas in Ireland

Most, if not all, Irish families decorate their homes with lights, tinsel and baubles. A Christmas tree is usually erected in the family home on the first day of the holy advent calendar. The tree will be beautifully decorated with an angel on top, presents will lay underneath as seen with many family homes around the world.

Culture of Japan

The culture of Japan is the result of a historical process that begins with the immigration from the continent of Asia and the islands of the Pacific Ocean, followed by a strong cultural influence of China and, later, a long period of isolation with the rest of the world until the end of century XIX, where it receives an immense foreign influence and that is increased after the end of World War II. This gave as is result a culture different from other Asian cultures.

In Japan, the personal interrelations are very influenced by the ideas of honor, obligation and respect; this represents a custom that is different from the individualistic and liberal culture from the western countries.

Traditional Clothing
In Japan two types of clothes can be found: traditional and the modern one.

In traditional clothes the kimono stands out, this is a long showy article used by women, men and children in special times. Also the sleeves of the kimono differentiate from the married women to the single women.

Other articles used by the Japanese are: yukata, which is a kimono light of summer; hakama, a ceremonial article; jinbei, pledges masculine light used like pajamas; and jūnihitoe, a feminine article similar to a kimono and used by the noble.

With respect to Japanese modern clothes, some tendencies like ganguro exist, that, is a feminine fashion characterized to use clothes of designers, to have the bronzed skin and the use of many accessories.
Another modern fashion in Japan is the Lolita fashion that are inspired by the infantile Victorian fashion derivations of the subcultures gothic, punk, etc.

Another modern fashionable form that began in Japan is cosplay, which consists of disguising itself of some personage who appears in some Japanese mass media: like animates, musical sleeve, videogames, videos, etc.

Mass media
In Japan there are around 100 million equipment of television in use, and it is considered as the main form of entertainment and information of the population. The programming of television, enough is varied, mainly with soap operas, the news, games, animates, sports, etc. There are six national networks of television. As far as the radio, the main chains are the NHK, the Japan Radio Network and the National Radio Network. Five important newspapers at national level exist. In addition, there are newspapers in English like the Japan Times.

Cuisine
The Japanese cuisine owns a cooking past length that has been developed in a specialized gastronomy for each station. The foods are based on five rich carbohydrate foods: rice, wheat, oats, kidney bean and millet. The plates generally are salty. A standard Japanese food always consists of a cup of Japanese rice and support a cup of soup and a variety of plates like fish, meat, vegetables, etc.
In recent years, Japanese food has become fashionable and popular in the U.S., Europe and many other areas.

ReligionOne of the practiced religions more in Japan is the Shinto that is simultaneously the native religion of Japan and that is exclusive of that country, it was the unique religion that existed before the arrival from the buddhism to Japan and marked Japanese mythology remarkably. The Japanese buddhism is the religion practiced mainly in Japan, arrived at the country of Korea. The Christianity is introduced to Japan in 1549. A century practically finished later, surviving only in the area isolated around Nakasaki. At the moment this religion has 1.4 million faithfuls, who include a high percentage of important people in the education and subjects public.

Sports

Kodokan Judo
Judo is a fun sport, an art, a discipline, a recreational or social activity, a fitness program, a means of self-defense or combat, and a way of life. It is all of these and more. Judo comes from the fighting system of feudal Japan. Judo was introduced into the Olympic Games in 1964 and is practiced by millions of people throughout the world today. People practice Judo to excel in competition, to stay in shape, to develop self-confidence, and for many other reasons. But most of all, people do Judo just for the fun of it.