Traditions, culture of Great Britain and language. Monuments of nature and culture of Great Britain. History of the UK culture

United Kingdom of Great Britain and NorthernIreland - one of the most significant states of Europe. Heir to the largest empire ever built, it is the focus of centuries-old cultural traditions. Great Britain is the place where many famous writers, artists and musicians were born and created. Throughout its history, it has influenced the culture of the whole world and at the present stage of development has not become less significant.

Multilayered

The culture of Britain is often mistakenis associated with English. However, the latter is only part of the whole, although quite impressive. The state unites England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The peoples that make them differ both in origin and in traditions, and therefore the history of British culture is a constant interaction and penetration of national peculiarities into each other. In addition, the colonial past also left a notable imprint on it. Traces of the influence of peoples and territories that were in submission are well felt in the culture of the state today. The opposite is also true: Great Britain has had a significant impact on the development and development of the language, certain art trends, as well as public institutions in Canada, Australia, South Africa, the United States, New Zealand and Ireland.

Foundation

On the territory of modern Britain inthe distant tribes lived the Celts. At the beginning of our era, the Romans came to the islands, then the Anglo-Saxons invaded. All these peoples laid the foundation of the modern culture of the state, ensured its original multilayeredness. The descendants of the Celts are the Scots and inhabitants of Wales, and the Anglo-Saxons are the English. A great influence on the emerging cultural traditions was also provided by the Normans and Vikings.

Familiar everywhere

UK culture and language are inextricably linked. As in any state uniting several nationalities, one can hear different speech here. The official language is English. About its prevalence in the world, perhaps, everyone knows. English is being negotiated internationally, tourists are communicating. It is studied all over the world as a second language. This almost universal prevalence is the result of the past influence of the British Empire.

Active in the UK alsoUse Scottish and two Celtic languages, Welsh and Gaelic. The first is well recognized in Europe, the others are more often within the borders of the state. Scottish and Gaelic are the national languages ​​of Scotland. Welsh has long been used in Wales.

Architecture

The culture of Great Britain was largely reflected in thebuildings of ancient cities. Many tourists plan a trip to the United Kingdom with the aim of admiring the architecture of the island state, to feel the special atmosphere inherent in the northern countries.

Interesting as the ancient buildings of England and buildingstimes of the Roman conquest, preserved in the territory of Scotland, and modern architecture of cities. The UK holds an entire palette of styles. Here, walking along the streets, you can study samples of classicism, Romance, Gothic and Anglo-Saxon directions. Famous architectural monuments of the UK culture:

• Westminster Abbey is a magnificent example of late Gothic. It is here that the British monarchs are crowned.
• Tower - a fortress, founded in the second century of our era, which was once a prison, and a zoo, and a mint. Its walls are remembered by William I and Richard the Lionheart.
• Trafalgar Square is one of the symbols of London.
• Big Ben is the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster, which dates back to 1859.
• The ruins of the abbey in Glastonbury.
• Ancient palaces of Scotland.
• Buckingham Palace.

It should be noted that such an abundance of architecturalmonuments it is not necessary to try to cover for one trip - impressions will turn out to be blurry. Great Britain is worthy to return to it more than once.

The greatness of nature

The United Kingdom is not only a placeman-made masterpieces. Here a large number of attractions created by nature itself, and with them the cultural and historical life of the state is inextricably linked. The famous white cliffs of Dover from ancient times meet travelers coming 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".

Cape Bichy Head, towering a hundred and sixty meters above the sea, is no less famous. Unfortunately, this beautiful Cretaceous rock is notorious: it ranks third in the world in the number of suicides.

Literature

The culture of Great Britain is also a significant contribution to theworld poetry and prose. The works of English, Scottish and Irish authors are translated into many languages ​​and are, without exaggeration, in all libraries.

England gave the world Shakespeare. And although the opinions of scientists about his personality diverge, his contribution to literature is invaluable. At different times, it was here that John Milton, Thomas More, Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson, Jane Austen, Lewis Carroll, Bronte sisters, Herbert Wells, John Tolkien, Somerset Maugham and many others were born here. Scotland is the birthplace of Arthur Conan Doyle and Walter Scott, Robert Lewis Stevenson and Robert Burns. Only the enumeration of these names demonstrates the greatness of the contribution of Great Britain to the world literature. Many genres originated here, and some plots captured the minds of millions of people around the world (the legend of King Arthur, works of Shakespeare, Tolkien's worlds).

Music

UK culture and traditions are unthinkable without"Music". In the state, a variety of popular destinations. On the streets you can hear rock, jazz and heavy metal, as well as 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 still remain 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.

Visual art

UK culture is numerousart galleries, a considerable place in which is given to the 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 the past times masters of various genres worked. All of them are represented at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

National Features

Monuments of nature and culture of Great Britain - notthe only thing she is famous for. Special qualities that create a national character are attributed to the inhabitants of the country. True, in most cases, when characterizing mentality, they mean the British, although they apply 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 British 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.