United Kingdom of Great Britain and NorthIreland is one of the most significant countries in Europe. The heir to the largest empire ever to exist, it is the center of centuries-old cultural traditions. Great Britain is the place where many famous writers, artists and musicians were born and worked. Throughout its history, it has influenced the culture of the whole world and at the present stage of development has not become less significant.
UK culture is often mistakenassociated with English. However, the latter is only a part of the whole, although quite impressive. The state unites England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The nations that make them differ both in their origin and in their traditions, and therefore the history of the culture of Great Britain is a constant interaction and penetration of national peculiarities into each other. In addition, a significant imprint on her left a colonial past. Traces of the influence of peoples and territories that were subordinate, are well felt in the culture of the state today. The reverse is also true: the UK has had a significant impact on the development and formation of the language, certain arts, as well as public institutions in Canada, Australia, South Africa, the USA, New Zealand and Ireland.
On the territory of modern Britain inCeltic tribes lived in ancient times. At the beginning of our era the Romans came to the islands, followed by the invasion of the Anglo-Saxons. All these peoples laid the foundation of the modern culture of the state, provided its initial multilayered character. The descendants of the Celts are the Scots and the inhabitants of Wales, and the Anglo-Saxons - the British. The Normans and the Vikings also had a great influence on the emerging cultural traditions.
Культура Великобритании и язык неразрывно связаны.As in any state that unites several nations, here you can hear a different speech. The official language is English. About its prevalence in the world, perhaps, everyone knows. There are international negotiations in English, tourists communicate. It is studied all over the world as a second language. This almost ubiquitous prevalence is a result of the past influence of the British Empire.
Active in the UK alsoScottish and two Celtic languages, Welsh and Gaelic are used. The first is well recognizable in Europe, others more often remain within the borders of the state. Scottish and Gaelic are the national languages of Scotland. Welsh has long been used in Wales.
Культура Великобритании во многом отразилась в buildings of ancient cities. Many tourists are planning a trip to the United Kingdom just to admire the architecture of the island nation, to feel the special atmosphere inherent in the northern countries.
Interesting as ancient buildings of England and buildingsthe days of the Roman conquest, preserved in Scotland, and the modern architecture of cities. UK contains a whole range of styles. Here, walking through the streets, you can explore samples of classicism, Romanesque, Gothic and Anglo-Saxon directions. Famous architectural monuments of culture of Great Britain:
Нужно заметить, что такое обилие архитектурных monuments should not try to cover in one trip - the impressions will be blurry. Britain deserves to return to it more than once.
Соединенное Королевство — место не только handmade masterpieces. Here, nature itself has created a large number of attractions, and the cultural and historical life of the state is inextricably linked with them. For a long time, the famous White Rocks of Dover greeted travelers arriving from the continent by sea. Sung in many works, they gave the second name of England. The name "Albion" was formed from the Latin word for "white."
Not less famous is Beachy Head, elevating one hundred and sixty meters above the sea. Unfortunately, this beautiful chalk cliff has notoriety: it ranks third in the world in the number of suicides.
British culture is a significant contribution toworld poetry and prose. The works of English, Scottish and Irish authors are translated into many languages and are, without exaggeration, in all libraries.
Англия подарила миру Шекспира.And although the opinions of scientists about his personality differ, his contribution to literature is invaluable. At various times it was here that John Milton, Thomas More, Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson, Jane Austen, Lewis Carroll, Bronte's sisters, Herbert Wells, John Tolkien, Somerset Maugham and many others were born. Scotland is the birthplace of Arthur Conan Doyle and Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert Burns. Only the enumeration of these names demonstrates the greatness of the contribution of Great Britain to world literature. Many genres originated here, and some subjects captured the minds of millions of people around the world (the legend of King Arthur, the works of Shakespeare, the worlds of Tolkien).
UK culture and traditions are unthinkable without"Music". In the state are popular a variety of directions. On the streets you can hear rock, jazz and heavy metal, as well as the national music of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The classical trend developed in the UK thanks to such composers as William Bird, Henry Purcell, Edward Elgar, Gustav Holst, Arthur Sullivan, Ralph Vaughan-Williams and Benjamin Britten.
Great Britain - the birthplace of the famous Liverpoolfoursomes The Beatles have had a huge impact on pop music around the world. They are still the best-selling group of all time. The idols of many music lovers from various countries appeared here: Queen, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and so on.
UK culture is numerousart galleries, a considerable place in which is given to works of authors who were born and worked here. Their names and works are an integral part of European art. William Turner, John Constable, Samuel Palmer, William Blake - representatives of the romantic trend in painting. No less famous landscape painter Thomas Gainsborough, as well as portrait painters Joshua Reynolds and Lucien Freud. On the territory of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland in past times masters of various genres worked. All of them are represented at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
Monuments of nature and culture of Great Britain - notthe only thing she is famous for. Residents of the country are attributed special qualities that create a national character. True, in most cases, when characterizing the mentality, they mean the British, although they extend it to all British citizens. The Scots, the Irish and the inhabitants of Wales are not at all similar to each other, as well as to the main nation of the state.
So the English are very polite people, nottolerating familiarity and discussion of personal topics during, for example, lunch. They are a bit stiff and always strive to follow traditions. The inhabitants of England are often described in literature as elegant, delicate sense of style, preferring the classics and somewhat conservative. However, such a portrait is rather conditional and corresponds more likely to a collective image than to any particular person.
Great Britain:The country's culture, especially its art and national character - attracts many researchers. A lot of scientific works and artistic works have been written about England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. However, none of them compare with the impression of a trip to the United Kingdom. The charm of old streets and quiet suburbs, the speed and lights of business centers, the beauty of nature and the secrets of ancient ruins - all this is worth it to return to the UK again and again.
