Coparison_of_to_Spainsh_Cultures

Cultural Similarities and Differences: Mexico and Venezuela Cultural similarities and differences of Mexico and Venezuela are at times difficult to measure and sometime to observe if not immersed within the two cultures. Each country is proud of their cultural heritage and are, to their people obviously unique. Mexico and Venezuela are Spanish speaking countries with each possessing their own dialect and inflection on the language. This is the same with many of the customs found in each of these countries. We will examine four areas; Visual Arts, Dance, Music, and Theater to illustrate the many similarities and differences within each of these cultures. Visual Arts Visual Arts in Mexico and Venezuela are very important in both countries because it focuses and emphasize their culture, their geographical profile and history. Through its paintings and galleries it can be express on how important their country is to them. For example muralists, Diego Rivera from Mexico has been identifying as the best painter for its 1933 mural titled “Man at the Crossroads.” Another famous artist in Mexico who is known for her paintings that reflect realism, symbol, and indigenous culture of Mexico is Frida Kahlo; she expresses her physical connection to her country through her paintings. In Venezuela Rosalba Gudiño, is known as a fused glassed artist. Milan Kriz whom became a citizen of Venezuela in 1983 and lives in Caracas Venezuela became a popular artist. His art pieces focus on a wide spectrum of classical and modern raw materials and techniques. Some sculptures are made from the following materials: wood, marble, coral, bronze, and even epoxy resin and bronze-ready positive originals in clay. The majority of his paintings are made of oil on canvas and oil on formic. Visual arts are very traditional in both countries because the traditions of their countries that they are proud off and express it through their arts and sculptures. Dance Dance is considered a form of art which changes between different cultures and used as a way to express something, tell a story, something spiritual or even just for plain exercise. Cultures often change from country to country. However they can have similarities as well. Mexico and Venezuela both have different forms of dances that are considered traditional due to their culture. Mexico like Venezuela have dances that give the country character that’s helps the country’s desire for a national identity. Mexico dances are made up by European and African heritages. They represent the important part of the country’s pre-Hispanic history. Unfortunately, most these dances were eliminated or modified. However a few of the dances made it through the modification in which they have become popular which ended up creating the dances nationally and internationally especially after the Mexican War of Independence and the Mexican Revolution. Just like Mexico, Venezuela’s dances form an important part of the Venezuelan culture. Most of the dances in Venezuela were adapted from Europe in the 19th century. The national dance of Venezuela is Joropo which consists of 36 different steps while also being a dance for couples. Salsa is also one of the most popular dance forms in this country. However, salsa is also a popular dance form in Mexico as well. Both culturally and historically, Mexico and Venezuela along with other countries in Central America, share much of the surrounding regions such sand dances and surrounding regions. Music Mexico and Venezuela loves music no matter what part of the country you are in. With the research found Mexico and Venezuela have many similarities and very little differences when it comes to music. Each country embraces and celebrates their cultures music in their separate ways. Just as each country has their own dance, they also have their own music t go along with that dance. Due to both countries being Spanish speaking countries, all of the lyrics to the music in both countries are in Spanish. Another similarity is the different and exotic instruments that are used in the countries music. Each country uses instruments that we may not use here in the United States. When it comes to the differences in music, each country has their own tradition or commonly known music. For Mexico, the traditional music would the mariachi music, ("Mexican Music & Dance", 2012). For Venezuela their commonly known music is their own salsa, merengue and other imported styles, as well as the distinct joropo and llanero music, ("Carnaval.com Presents... Vz Music", 2006). Each instrument is used help bring that significant sound to each style of music. For example, with the mariachi music, you have the trumpets, guitars and violins that stand out to make that mariachi sound. With the music in Venezuela you have the Afro-Venezuelan instruments to give it that Venezuela n sound. Theater Early Theater in Mexico was developing in Spain around the time of the Spanish invasion. Spain continued influencing theater up until the Mexico revolution in the early 20th century. Around the early 19th century tent show was the new normal, these was mainly comedy plays it perfect opportunity for new thespians rather than performing in old theaters. In 20th century nationalism guided the Mexican Spanish to be the language use for writing plays. Modern day Mexican theater uses more dramatically Style Theater provided by different cultures and identities thru Mexico. This new international style of theater replaces the folklore and violence performances of previous century that was outdated. Venezuela’s theatre tradition began in the late 1700s and has been progressively growing ever since. The national theatre became established some thirty years ago, and is now based in Caracas. Venezuela is not noted for its cinema; few Venezuela organizes Festival International for theater in April every year. The festival is being held since 1976 and is rated as one of the best of the cultural events in Venezuela. It is marked by performances of some of the top theatre groups of Venezuela and Latin America. Some of the important theatres, which serve as the venue of these performances, are Teatro Teresa Carreno, Alteneo de Caracas and Teatro El Paraiso. films are made and foreign films are favored. Conclusion Mexico and Venezuela both share similar values and customs that are steeped in both countries cultural heritage that has been handed down from generation to generation. These are very proud people who embrace their historic past and intertwine this past with today’s modern society. While Americans tend to move forward and leave the past behind it is on the contrary that these two countries strive to maintain their past way of life and bring it into their daily lives. Mexico and Venezuela are two countries with a proud heritage that share both similarities and differences making each unique in their own way of life. References Abenteuer (N.D) Retrieved from http://www.abenteuer-venezuela.de/eng/Facts%20About%20Venezuela%20eng.htm Carnaval.com presents... VZ Music. (2006). Retrieved from http://carnaval.com/venezuela/music/ Mexican Music & Dance. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.elmonterey.com/extras/music-and-dance/ Milan Kriz (2005) Retrieved from http://www.milankriz.com/vitae_frames.htm Venezuela Culture (2012) Retrieved from http://www.mapsofworld.com/venezuela/culture What Latin America.com (N.D) Retrieved from http://www.whatlatinamerica.com/latin-theatre/mexico-theatre.html Wikipedia Folk Dance of Mexico (2012) Retrieved from http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_dance_of_Mexico 40 Vacations (N.D) Retrieved from http://40vacations.com/venezuela/culture.php