Even if the United Kingdom and Spain are two countries with different history, cultures, and traditions, they are quite similar in other aspects. These two countries, located in Europe, share more than it could appear. From politics to gastronomy, going through social and economic aspects, there are some areas where the UK and Spain match.

The monarchy

Both counties are constitutional monarchies, which means that, even if they count with a king or queen (king in both cases), the royal power is limited by the law and the parliamentary system. In the United Kingdom, the monarchy is represented by King Charles III and his royal family, while in Spain is represented by King Felipe VI. Both monarchies have a mainly ceremonial and symbolic role, contributing to social cohesion and international representation.

Football

Sports unite people, and in the case of these countries, football is the most popular sport played. They have a rich football tradition, with professional leagues and important national selections. The British Premier League is one of the most followed leagues all over the world, while the Spanish League also has a great international standing, especially thanks to teams like Real Madrid or Barcelona. The competitions between those teams are meaningful events, not only in their countries but also internationally, showing the passion that both countries feel for this sport. Plus, both in the UK and Spain, football is lived as an essential part of the daily life and the popular culture.

Tourism

Tourism is a key sector for the economy of both countries. Spain is one of the most visited destinations all over the world, especially because of its weather, rich history, and its beaches. Cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla or Valencia attract millions of tourists every year. On the other hand, the United Kingdom is also a popular destination, with London, Edinburgh and other historical as key attractions. Tourism in both countries represents a significant source of money and employment, and in both cases, tourist promotion politics play an important role in their economies.

Parties and celebrations

In the UK, celebrations like Christmas, New Year and Saint George are celebrated with a great enthusiasm. Spain is famous for its colourful festivals like the Feria de Abril in Sevilla or the Tomatina in Bunyol. In both cultures, parties are an important way to connect the community and celebrate traditions transmitted generation through generation.

Literature

The UK and Spain have a rich literary tradition that has impact in the international culture. The United Kingdom in the cradle of great authors like William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens or J.R.R. Tolkien, whose plays are still studied and admired all over the world. Spain has also an impressive literary tradition, with authors like Miguel de Cervantes, whose book Don Quijote de la Mancha is considered one of the most important in history. Both countries value deeply literature as a way of cultural expression and a way to transmit their history, philosophy and values.

Despite the cultural, political, and historic differences that exists between the UK and Spain, both countries share a series of similarities that unite them in a lot of aspects. From their symbolical monarchies to their love to football, literature, and celebrations, the United Kingdom and Spain show that, even if they are different, the nations can find similar points that enrich their history and collective identity.

 

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AUTHOR: Maria Pilar Casabán

PHOTO: Lina Kivaka