1. España Actual

2. La Semana Santa Spain is today a modern democratic country It is also a very culturally rich country There are many festivals and rituals that still remain from its past

3. La Tomatina – Tomato Festival

4. La Tomatina – Tomato festival

5. La corrida de toros – Running of the Bulls This is refered to as ‘La Fiesta Nacional’ The Running of the Bulls takes place in Pamplona Spain

6. La corrida de Toros – Running of the Bulls

8. Spanish Entertainment

9. Spanish Cinema Even in the days of Franco, Spanish cinema has been very important to the people of Spain Two famous performers that are Spanish are: Antonio Banderas Penelope Cruz

10. Spanish Actors/ Actresses Antonio BanderasPenelope Cruz

11. Spanish Music Most of the youth in Spain prefer contemporary music Their music is also influenced by North American and European rock There is also a strong Latin American influence in Spanish modern music

12. Famous Spanish Singers Julio and Enrique IglesiasAlejandro Sanz

13. Bullfighting still remains very popular in Spain Many animal rights activists have called the activity ‘inhumane’ but supporters claim the bulls are reared for this purpose and so it is not inhumane

14. Bullfighting in Spain Cristina Sanchez - BullfightingBullfighting in Spain

15. Cristina Sanchez During the reign of Franco, women were not permitted to be bullfighters Many women are now involved in bullfighting, the most famous Cristina Sanchez

16. Las Tertulias Tertulias are regular informal social gatherings where its participants discuss issues of common interest (politics, sports etc.) People who belong to the same social circle are known as ‘contertulios’ or ‘contertulias’ Spaniards would usually meet up in a bar or restaurant

17. La Siesta

18. Spanish Siesta Siestas are dead periods when everything shuts down in Spain The traditional reason for siestas in Spain was for manual laborers to get away from the sun during the peak of the day’s heat…

19. The modern reason is for the Spanish to have a longer lunch period. Most Spaniards will go to their homes for lunch because the woman usually cooks a big meal for her family at lunch time

20. Siesta Cont’d There are two periods of siestas in Spain, siesta for business places and siestas for restaurants Shops and business places usually close from about 2 – 5 then reopen Bars usually close from 5 – 8 or 9 pm then open all nights

21. Siesta Cont’d Another modern reason is for workers to get a rest so they can stay up later at nights Spaniards usually stay up until 2 or 3 am into the morning going to clubs and hanging out in restaurants

22. Spanish night life Spanish Night lifeSpanish Bar

23. En España Los Deportes

24. Pau Gasol - basketball Fernando Alonso – Formula One racing

25. Rafael Nadal - Tennis Valentino Rossi - Motorcyclist

26. Spanish National Football TeamEl Fútbol de España Football is the national sport of Spain Spain is the defending Football World Cup Champions defeating Holland 1 goal to nil in the 2010 world cup finals

27. Spain boasts of many world renowned stars in many areas Fernando Alonso (racing) Rafael Nadal (Tennis) Pau Gasol (basketball) Are just a few of their international superstars

28. Spanish Football The Spanish football league – La Liga is one of the most famous in the world

29. Barcelona FC and Real Madrid are among the richest and most popular football clubs in the world They have an intense rivalry that goes back to almost a century

30. FC Barcelona One of the richest clubs in the world Established in 1899 by a group of Swish, English and Spanish players Current defending La Liga champions The most successful club in Spanish Football

31. FC Real Madrid One of the most storied football franchises in the world Voted by FIFA as the most successful football Club of the 20 th Century Was first established in 1902

32. España – el país de muchas contradiciones y enorme posibilidades!