Gr7 SS Learn 2.7 Cultural Diffusion in Europe and Russia

europe

Explore the Culture of Europe

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europe

Europe may be the second smallest continent, but it’s home to over 746 million people and 52 countries, making it one of the most culturally diverse regions in the world. From snowy Scandinavia to sunny Spain, Europe is full of unique languages, religions, customs, and traditions. Over time, shifting borders, wars, and migrations have changed the cultural and linguistic makeup of many areas. Some regions that were once united are now divided by new countries and languages, while others have blended together over centuries. Although there are around 160 distinct cultural groups across Europe, we can understand the continent more easily by organizing it into broader cultural regions—like Western, Eastern, Southern, and Northern Europe. Each of these areas shares common traits, but also holds its own rich identity and history.

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Ethnic Cultures

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Languages

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Religion

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Click play to listen to the Norwegian National Anthem.

Culture

Performing Arts

Music

Europe showcases a wide array of performing arts. Opera originated in Italy and is a combination of music and theatre. In operes, singers use their voices to express emotions and tell stories, often wearing elaborate costumes and performing on large, fancy stages.

Europe has been the cradle of musical innovation and home to some of the world's most renowned composers including, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven nadn Johann Sebastian Bach from Germany and Austria.

Push play to hear an excerpt from "Madama Butterfly"

Push play to listen to "The Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart.

Literature

Food Culture

The origins of pizza can be traced back to Naples in Italy. When Italian King Umberto and Queen Margherita visited Naples in 1889, a baker named Raffaele Esposito made them a pizza topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil. That pizza was named the Margherita Pizza.

European literature has a rich and diverse history, spanning many centuries and encompassing a wide array of genres and styles. William Shakespeare is best known for plays and poems such as "Romeo & Juliet" and "Hamlet", to name a few. Other important authors include Mary Shelly who wrote "Frankenstein" and Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Cantebury Tales."

Push play to learn more about thie history of pizza.

Architecture through the ages

The Eiffel Tower

The Colosseum

Acropolis

La Sagrada Familia

Barcelona, Spain

Paris, France

Rome, Italy

Athens, Greece

Paris, often referred to as the "City of Lights" is a cultural and artistic hub. The Eiffel Tower, an iconic symbol of France, stands as a testament to architectural brilliance. The Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889 by French engineer Gustave Eiffel. The tower stands 324 meters tall and was the tallest man-made structure built at that time.

La Sagrada Familia is a unique basilica designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. Construction began in 1882 and Gaudi took over the project in 1883. Gaudi's vision for the basilica was ambitious and the Sagrada Familia is a symbolic representation of his Catholic faith. Despite Gaudi's death in 1926, construction continues to this day.

The Colosseum is a massive, ancient amphitheater in Rome. It was built by the ancient Romans around 70-80 AD and held events like gladiator contests. The Colosseum could hold 50,000 people and is a symbol of Roman engineering brilliance.

The Acropolis is an ancient citadel atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the city of Athens. It was built in the 5th century BCE. The Acropolis is a majestic temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.

More Than Classical

We may think of Mozart and Beethoven when we think of European music but the United Kingdom has had a massive influence on contemporary popular music. The "British Invasion" of the 1960s introduced global audiences to iconic bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones which influenced the trajectory of rock and pop music worldwide for decades to come.

Religion in Europe

Christianity is the predominant religion in Europe, with its roots deeply embedded in the continent's history and culture. The majority of Europeans adhere to various Christian denominations including Roman Catholicism, Protestantism and Eastern Orthodoxy. The influence of Christianity is evident in the architectural marvels of cathedrals, churches and religious art in Europe. Despite a decline in religious observance in some regions, Christian traditions continue to impact European socieities, influencing moral values, hoildays and cultural practices.

European Ethnic Cultures

Every country in Europe has a deep and fascinating history that has developed over thousands of years. These cultures have been shaped by geography, ancient civilizations like the Greeks and Romans, the lasting impact of the Roman Empire, and major events like the Renaissance. In addition, each nation’s story includes its own mix of conquests, wars, shifting borders, and cultural exchanges.Because of this complex past, Europe is home to a wide variety of ethnic groups, each with their own language, traditions, and identity. Take a look at the eight major cultural areas of Europe on the map to the right. These regions help us understand how Europe’s many ethnic cultures are grouped.

European Literature

A short list of Europe's most famous literary works and authors:

• Divine Comedy – Dante Alighieri
• The Canterbury Tales – Geoffrey Chaucer
• Don Quixote – Miguel de Cervantes
• Faust – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
• Frankenstein – Mary Shelley
• Romeo and Juliet – William Shakespeare
• Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
• Wuthering Heights – Emily Brontë
• Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
• The Lord of the Rings – J.R.R. Tolkien
• 1984 – George Orwell
• Brave New World – Aldous Huxley

Languages

There are three major divisions of European languages:

Romance These languages dominate western Europe and Mediterranean Europe and include: French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Romanian

Germanic These languages are found in central, northern, and northwestern Europe and include: German, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Icelandic

Slavic These languages are found in eastern and southeastern Europe and Russia and include: Polish, Czech, Slovak and Russian

An example of French

An example of Russian

An example of German

Teatro alla Scala

La Scala, also known as Teatro alla Scala, is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. Located in Milan, Italy, it first opened its doors in 1778 and quickly became a center for musical excellence. Over the centuries, it has hosted the world premieres of many legendary operas, including "Nabucco" by Giuseppe Verdi and "Madama Butterfly" by Giacomo Puccini. Today, La Scala remains a symbol of Italy’s rich cultural and musical history.