Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku International Multiculturalism Centre Azerbaijani Multiculturalism Textbook for Higher Education

7.10. Multiculturalism in Spain

During the period of the Emirate of Cordoba in Spain, the followers of the three monotheistic religions – Christianity, Islam and Judaism – lived side by side in peace, hence the expression ‘Spain of three civilizations’. Monuments representing the unity of the three cultures are especially numerous in the southernmost region of Spain, Andalusia.

The phrase ‘Toledo of three cultures’ is popular among tourists visiting the city. Toledo is a reflection of a forgotten period of tolerance and proof of the favourable multicultural conditions that existed in Spain in the past. The famous Toledo School of Translators (Escuela de Traductores de Toledo) is a good example of the success­ful coexistence of different civilizations. The old manuscripts discovered by Christians there were translated by Christians, Muslims and Jews. One of the most interesting monuments is the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca, which was built in 1180 and is considered one of oldest synagogues. It is unusual in that it was built by Muslims, not Jews.

The peaceful coexistence of the three cultures ended in the late 15th century. Spain has managed to preserve its multicultural environment despite the period of the Spanish Inquisition and the

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tough years of the Franco dictatorship. This is confirmed by the art form flamenco. The Spanish word flamenco was first mentioned in the 19th century, when the art form emerged. Flamenco is the result of a combination of different ethnic groups. It is often thought to be part of Gypsy (Romany) culture, and the Gypsies played the major role in the emergence of flamenco. Although the most famous flamenco musicians, singers and dancers are often ethnic Gypsies, we should not forget the contribution of Arab-Muslim, Andalusian and Jewish ethnic groups to the formation of this art. The signs of Arab music are obvious in some of the flamenco singing styles. This similarity manifests itself in such forms of flamenco as granaina, siguiriyas and soleares. But what brought these ethnic groups together? As noted above, these ethnic groups were historically able to live together in peace. However, political persecution brought the ethnic groups closer together. From 1492, the Jews, Gypsies and Arabs were subject to persecution in Spain, because of the policy of Christianization pursued by the kings of Spain. It is possible to see in the translations of flamenco songs the protest of different people against oppression and their feelings of sadness. This style was mastered by the Gypsies who immigrated to Spain in the 15th century, but flamenco is an art form shared among a number of cultures.

Having passed through tough socio-political periods in the 20th century, Spain has experienced a revival of a transparent multicultural environment in recent decades. Modern Spanish society has undergone changes in social structure as a result of evolution in the cultural and religious spheres in the country over the last decades. Society has moved from cultural and religious uniformity to multiculturalism. The ‘Unified Spain’ project of Francisco Franco, who was known as a dictator and ruled Spain for about 40 years, was never realized. Although the project aimed to create a society with a single religion, the socio-political processes

in the country in the last quarter of the 20th century prevented it. Spain is distinctive for its multifaceted culture and has maintained its multiculturalism. One of the main reasons for the survival of Spanish multiculturalism is that after Franco’s dictatorship, national Catholicism lost its monopoly of the state administration. Catholicism had been the dominant religion in the country for 500 years from 1492, but was weakened when it did not receive official status in the Constitution adopted in 1978. Article 16 of the Constitution clearly states that no religion will receive official status at the state level and that religious communities in Spanish society will be taken into consideration by government bodies. Moreover, since the 1980s, a wave of migrants from various regions of Africa, Latin America and other regions began to arrive in Spain. The result is that Muslims and Christians, followers of two of the greatest religions of the world, are returning to the rules of coexistence.

Analysis of the sociopolitical and demographic situation after the year 2000 shows the positive impact of the immigration process on public consciousness in Spain. The demographic situation is changing from that in the 20th century. The growth of immigrants this century heralds the creation of a broader multicultural environment in the country in the near future.

There is no need to visit the big cities in Spain in order to see a multicultural country. Even in the medium-­sized and smaller towns, people in different national dress and shops selling speciality produce are signs of racial, and cultural diversity. There are signs of multiculturalism in educational institutions as well. Young women wearing headscarves and fashionable clothes, faces of various colours and features and the variety of languages and music create an atmosphere of diversity.

An ideal multicultural environment has been observed in Spain in recent decades. Not only followers of the three monotheistic

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religions, but also members of dozens of religious and ethnic groups can live together in peace and safety. The tolerance and multiculturalism that existed in the Middle Ages in Spain have indeed left their mark on the country of 47 million people, though this multiculturalism has not always been evident.