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Catalonia Contemporary Culture and Tradition

For over 700 years, the Catalan people have celebrated a diverse heritage through their language, arts, festivals, and traditions. Nowhere is this better witnessed than Barcelona. Barcelona is known around the world as one of Europe's epicenters of cultural activity. Annually, families flock to the location, to take in all things uniquely Barcelona.Barcelona's inhabitants are bilingual with a use of two different languages. Castillano or Castilian is used with Catalan as the official languages of the region. Catalan is considered a Romance language with roots dating back to the 10th Century, when it was widely used in areas of science, philosophy, finance, religion, and literature. Throughout the region's history, the language has gone through several periods of abolition and political upheaval. Today, over 10 million inhabitants use the language, and its popularity is witnessed in mainstream Catalonian culture. Castillian Spanish is used as the other dominant language of the area.Theater is popular in modern Catalonian culture. Barcelona gives families a variety of options from traditional to contemporary. Several theaters have performances in Catalan and/ or Castilian Spanish. Traditional performances are offered in the Palace of Catalan with classical guitar, orchestra music, and flamenco performances. Goya is considered truest to the Barcelona theater scene, from a historical perspective. Built in 1917, the theater hosts a variety of performances, including classical productions, dances, and musicals. Gran Teatre del Liceu is considered the best theater in Barcelona. Opera is performed in the theater and has a history dating back to the late 1840?s. Traditional artists, in Catalonian, include artists specializing in ceramics, in a trade dating back to the 13th century. Traditionally this craft is passed down amongst family members. Pottery has an important place in Catalonian culture; specific areas are entirely devoted to the craft. Areas include La Bisbal d'Empord? and Quart, specializing in indoor and outdoor pottery in Costa Brava, Miravet in Terres del Ebre with ceramic olive oil jars, and Verdu which specializes in black pottery. Outside of Catalan's artistic and theatrical culture, specific festivals are considered typical of the Catalonian culture, including Correfocs. Correfocs or ?fire runs? is a festival symbolized by amazing dancers with pyrotechnical skill parading down the street. Performances symbolized the fight between good and evil. Devils are known by locals as putting on an entertaining show. Celebrations include a parade of music and firecrackers, as groups of devils dance between the firecrackers using pyrotechnical skills, putting on a show. Festivities culminate with Lucifer in the town square while a fire show and fireworks continue to be set off. When touring Catalonia on a cultural excursion, book online through Barcelona Point's website a comfortable Catalonia accommodation e.g. a hotel in Barcelona. Traveling anywhere in Catalonia with a family is easily with Barcelona Point hotels or apartments. Family friendly rates like the first child free, early booking discounts and last minute specials, as well as amenities like fresh water pools and bicycle rental make Catalonia an ideal destination for Spain holidays.