The first in-depth yet accessible introduction to Galician history and culture for both lay and specialized readers. Of all the differentiated regions comprising contemporary Spain, Galicia is possibly the most deeply marked by political, economic and cultural inequities throughout the centuries. Possibly due to the absence of a nationally awarelocal bourgeoisie and the enduringly colonial structures informing Spanish-Galician economic and cultural relations, processes of national construction in the region have been patchily successful. However, Galicia's cultural distinctness is easily recognisable to the observer, from the language spoken in the region---the contemporary variant of old Galician-Portuguese---to the specific forms of the Galician built landscape, with its unique mixture of indigenous, imported and hybrid elements. The present volume offers English-language readers an in-depth introduction to the integral aspects of Galician cultural history, from pre-historical times to the present day. Whilst attention is given to the traditional areas of medieval culture, language, contemporary history and politics, the book also privileges compelling contemporary perspectives on cinema, architecture, the city of Santiago de Compostela and the urban qualities of Galician culture today. Helena Miguelez-Carballeira is a Senior Lecturer in Hispanic Studies at Bangor University, and Director of the Centre for Galician Studies in Wales.

About the Author
Senior Lecturer in Hispanic Studies at Bangor University.

Reviews
This volume is especially welcome, as it offers an English language study of the culture of a region which has hitherto received little attention. . . . [S]hould also be of use both to undergraduates as well as research students gathering material for their dissertation . . . [and] to anyone with a general interest in Spanish cultural history. . . . * REFERENCE REVIEWS *
Helena Miguelez-Carballeira further cements her status as a leading scholar in [Galician Studies]. A Companion to Galician Culture exemplifies the extent to which the field of cultural studies can expand our knowledge of Galicia. The contributors to this volume offer insightful comments on the history and place of Galician culture... and open up potentially productive lines of further study and investigation. * BULLETIN OF SPANISH STUDIES *



Book Information
ISBN 9781855662773
Author Helena Miguelez-Carballeira
Format Hardback
Page Count 245
Imprint Tamesis Books
Publisher Boydell & Brewer Ltd
Weight(grams) 1g