Spain observed by foreign reporters; more cultural diversity in one book is sheer impossible.
“Vaya Pais,” the original title is coordinated by a Swiss journalist (Werner Herzog) and portraits the country and its people by means of eighteen short stories. Written by the same number of journalists from nine different countries (The UK, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, the US, France, Mexico, Italy and The Netherlands). The book is presented by a journalist from El Pais, under the title; eighteen pairs of eyes and a single “Amor”…
IT is the same “AMOR” – does it need a translation? – that recently has been elected as the most beautiful Spanish word. (http://www.escueladeescritores.com/modules.php?name=Actividades&file=tienes-la-palabra).
“Amor” or not, this book is a jewel for everybody interested in Spain or culture. You will read about Spain as a country full of controversies, but you are also given insight in the culture of each of the author. One of the most striking details is that a few journalists wrote their article in their own language, whereas most wrote in Spanish. And language is where it starts with if you are to understand any country.
This (language) theme is written by Herzog himself and deals with the so-called “egocentrics” of the language. Where in most languages we say – “I’m coming or I’ll be with you in a moment,” this viewpoint is switched in Spain; where they utter the same in a different way – “I’m going to you”. Now or shortly. So it’s not the other person who gets the center of attention, but the subject who is expressing the phrase – mentioning that he will leave soon. (You just have to wait for him).
In fact this is not only a Spanish issue, but equally true for most South and Middle American dialects.
Spaniards do not get drunk. That is also interesting, more if you know who raised this topic. One of the brilliant habits is that people in Spain eat nearly always when they drink. First they eat and alcohol comes second. Ok, I can tell you that there are these minor exceptions, but it does seem true most of the time.
Most people who dwell on this territory for some time know that it is one of the most noisiest countries in the world, after I think lead by Japan. And it is just Masako from Japan raising this topic. But she mentions the difference with the inward drawn Japanese where Spaniard are much more outgoing, not only in frequenting restaurants, cafes and bars, but also referring to being more extraverted. It is nearly impossible to find nobody on the street during whatever hour during the day.
Catalunya is mentioned a few times in the book, together with the struggle for independence. And about the special relation between Catalunya and Holland in this (soccer) area, due to the influence of Johan Cruyff. Who is also very fond of the Catalan Community, but this love didn’t influence him to learn the Catalan Language.
The book is full of short precious anecdotes and other contributions for example from Portugal; about the Iberian Peninsula “that seems to stop at the Portuguese border.” About the demonstrations that “do not exist here. In France, we raise our voice about anything we do not agree with.” Its about solidarity “up to a certain level.” About information – “sometimes there is just not any available,” very annoying if you are used that it is there. About the Spanish patience when there is a roadblock. And about the soap you can write down when you have lived in an apartment for some time; never a dull moment. And about the talk shows where you should really try hard figuring out who is talking; all at the same time…
Indeed; what a country. It’s hard to understand this country, the people. But this book gives you some more clues. Con Amor…
- Vaya Pais, Werner Herzog (coord.) Aguilar 2006 -