Is bullfighting the maximum expression of Andalucian culture? Or is it Flamenco?

Dancer Carmen Amaya

ANDALUCIA A recent study, titled Los andaluces y la Cultura, by the Barómetro Andaluz de Cultura (BACU2010), an organization that ostensibly measures the culture of the region (is such a thing possible?), says that flamenco is the artistic expression that obtains the most consensus in an association of the word 'culture'. Curiously, bullfighting is what least approval obtains. Flamenco is perceived also as a bridge between the general dimension of culture, in a very specific dimension. Bullfighting, on the other hand, is the element that is least perceived as identifying Andalucian culture, with some 40% of Andalucians even denying its cultural character. Equally, and staying with BACU 2010, there is a 'high intensity' of consolidated opinion of what exactly the word 'culture' actually means. Thus it is the general opinion that it covers such concepts as the visual arts, music, literature, science, etc. The opinion is somewhat less consensuous about manifestations related specifically to the regional identity of Andalucía, such as popular ferias, Holy Week processions, pilgrimages, bullfighting, and so on. Some 60% of the people>>>

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of Andalucía are of the opinion that culture means 'having a good education and a lot of knowledge', whereas other concepts, such as the simple enjoyment of the visual arts, a respect for traditions or the appreciation of the value of knowledge, are valued less.

There is also a strong consensus about how 'useful' culture is on a daily basis (the opinion of around 70%) with leisure time given more importance than family life and certainly a long distance from the working life or business (about 30%).

Formal education is taken as being of major importance (75%) because of its effect on the cultural development of Andalucía. This well ahead of the development in technology or traditions.

Among the more representative, though not the most significant, expressions of the culture of Andalucía, popular fiestas and celebrations such as ferias, pilgrimages and Holy Week processions take up 55.5% of the consensus, followed by historical patrimony (49%), its own idiosyncracies (34%), flamenco (33%), art and creativity (16%) and bullfighting (15%).

This second such study -the first was in 2008- is undertaken with finance from the Junta de Andalucía's Department of Culture via an agreement of cooperation with the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC, Superior Council for Scientific Research). Its principal objective is to analyse the evolution of popular opinion in Andalucía in matters relating to culture and the consumption of cultural goods, as well as perceptions and attitudes towards such matters.