One of the most notable countries in the world’s past and present, Spain reigns over the majority of others in the scope of sports. Since young, I had always been a keen sports fan, stressing the importance of keeping track of the ongoing statistics for baseball, basketball, soccer, and tennis. My mom always cut snippets of sports news from the newspaper for me; my dad always called me over whenever the television is broadcasting a sporting event; I even created a small blog of sports updates a few years ago. How excited was I when we arrived at this jewel of sports? To be able to visit this headline authority in one of my most passionate hobbies is truly a dream come true. Frequently mentioned teams tend to originate from Spain, including basketball, tennis, cycling, golf, and soccer. Though Spain excels in its diverse range of sports, the country’s most remarkable one is football. Since the latter part of the 20th century, football has dominated the throne of Spanish sports. Spaniards consider it a way of life- they ‘eat, drink, and breathe soccer’ (http://maggiemaddy.weebly.com/sports.html). Spanish teams flounce the world charts to top the standings and freshen their records. Noteworthy teams include La Liga, Real Madrid, and the Futbol Club (FC) Barcelona. Out of these striking potential, FC Barcelona represents the domination of Spanish sports. The grandeur of this team is phenomenal: occupying five European Cups and three FIFA World Cups among many other honors. The team hones some of the best world talents in history, presently including Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., and Luis Suárez. This asset definitely contributes to the striking treasures Spain bears, and is just among the many reasons it is such a diverse and culturally acute nation.
It was a blur of the facades of churches, historical sites, and tall buildings denoting Spanish Catholicism’s role in life today. Towering centers of churches, both ancient and contemporary, are still preoccupied in my mind as the tip of my pen hovers over the paper. Once a world power and inspiration in religion, the dynamics of Spain have been fading in the last few decades. Standing for centuries’ worth of rule, the Catholic church is losing command due to both the mass waves of migrants and Europe’s ever-growing secular attitudes. Times ago, Spain established the splendour of their state religion with multiple churches and cathedrals. Though the nation has a wealth of these historic architecture, its actions and campaigns for preservation have been ineffective to render these buildings in desperate need of restoration. Including the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, one of the most holy places in Spain and a place of pilgrimage since the ninth century, these ancient churches have been unattended for a duration of time. This loss of concentrated faith is a sad fact in the linings of Spain. I had been excited to visit this renowned state of orthodox religion exemplary in the world. Today, I only witnessed the fading yet magnificent churches of the past with a decline in the attendants to the Mass. There had traditionally been close relations between the nation and the Catholic church. However, many factors contributed to enable Spain a secular country; the Catholic Church has lost tremendous authority and influence since the past few decades. Further catalysts have been allowing legislation contrary to the church’s teaching to pass. The recent refugee crisis and immigration enabled Islam to rise up to a catch behind Catholicism. 68% of the nation claims Christian Catholic, though a lesser percentage denotes those who are as devout as those of centuries ago. Spanish religion was a pivotal component in making the country such a unique one; restoration and renewed faith, even in differing religion, would be a huge benefactor to enable Spain its glory and sublime culture.
Spain is definitely one of a kind when conversing its holidays and traditions. At home, I would always fantasize over the huge skirts Spanish women wear, the catchy music the radio occasionally blares, and many other festivities hosted and indigenous to the country. Among numerous others, the most appealing one to me was Las Hogueras de San Juan, or the Bonfires of Saint John. Uncommon elsewhere, this nation-wide holiday is celebrated in the city Alicante. Denoted as somewhat extravagant, attending this annual holiday for the past week was phenomenal. The sights and shouts and savory of the fiesta are inextricable in my mind. This holiday originated in 1928, and had thus achieved world-wide recognition for both Spain and this autochthonous festival. Opening on the midnight of the summer solstice, the festival commenced by lighting up dynamic bonfires
constructed of elaborate wood and paper maché. These mad bonfires are the physical representation of Spain’s festive strength, and also the most significant part of the Hogueras. It is of tradition for participants to leap over these fires as a symbolic protection against illness. Despite this, I hadn’t the courage to jump over them today; the flames were literally licking the sky! On the opening night, sumptuous fireworks dominated the skyline above the picturesque castle of Santa Barbara just above the bay of Alicante. As the festivities wore on for nights, parties provided rocket blasts, balloons, parades, and daily fireworks at midnight. In addition, an annual tradition to select the next Belleza del Fuego, or Beauty of the Fire, ensued in search for the reigning queen of the festivals. The Hogueras is only one of the multitude of vibrant holidays Spain hosts. It was certainly an inspirational and frenzied experience attending it for the past week, and definitely provided me a lifetime of singing, dancing, fires, and smoke!
journal by: Sunni Lin
It was a blur of the facades of churches, historical sites, and tall buildings denoting Spanish Catholicism’s role in life today. Towering centers of churches, both ancient and contemporary, are still preoccupied in my mind as the tip of my pen hovers over the paper. Once a world power and inspiration in religion, the dynamics of Spain have been fading in the last few decades. Standing for centuries’ worth of rule, the Catholic church is losing command due to both the mass waves of migrants and Europe’s ever-growing secular attitudes. Times ago, Spain established the splendour of their state religion with multiple churches and cathedrals. Though the nation has a wealth of these historic architecture, its actions and campaigns for preservation have been ineffective to render these buildings in desperate need of restoration. Including the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, one of the most holy places in Spain and a place of pilgrimage since the ninth century, these ancient churches have been unattended for a duration of time. This loss of concentrated faith is a sad fact in the linings of Spain. I had been excited to visit this renowned state of orthodox religion exemplary in the world. Today, I only witnessed the fading yet magnificent churches of the past with a decline in the attendants to the Mass. There had traditionally been close relations between the nation and the Catholic church. However, many factors contributed to enable Spain a secular country; the Catholic Church has lost tremendous authority and influence since the past few decades. Further catalysts have been allowing legislation contrary to the church’s teaching to pass. The recent refugee crisis and immigration enabled Islam to rise up to a catch behind Catholicism. 68% of the nation claims Christian Catholic, though a lesser percentage denotes those who are as devout as those of centuries ago. Spanish religion was a pivotal component in making the country such a unique one; restoration and renewed faith, even in differing religion, would be a huge benefactor to enable Spain its glory and sublime culture.
Spain is definitely one of a kind when conversing its holidays and traditions. At home, I would always fantasize over the huge skirts Spanish women wear, the catchy music the radio occasionally blares, and many other festivities hosted and indigenous to the country. Among numerous others, the most appealing one to me was Las Hogueras de San Juan, or the Bonfires of Saint John. Uncommon elsewhere, this nation-wide holiday is celebrated in the city Alicante. Denoted as somewhat extravagant, attending this annual holiday for the past week was phenomenal. The sights and shouts and savory of the fiesta are inextricable in my mind. This holiday originated in 1928, and had thus achieved world-wide recognition for both Spain and this autochthonous festival. Opening on the midnight of the summer solstice, the festival commenced by lighting up dynamic bonfires
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| image source: https://www.zhinsta.com/profile/26717026/ |
journal by: Sunni Lin
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