The Culture of Madrid

A Fun Guide for Kids

Javier Reyes
February 13, 2024

The Culture of Madrid: A Fun Guide for Kids

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a city that has a lot of culture and history. Culture means the way people live, the things they do, the food they eat, the music they listen to, the art they make, and the stories they tell. Madrid has a very rich and diverse culture, because it has been influenced by many different people and places over time. Madrid is also a very friendly and welcoming city, where people love children and families. Here are some of the things you can learn and enjoy about the culture of Madrid.

Photo by Florian Wehde on Unsplash

The Language of Madrid

The main language spoken in Madrid is Spanish, which is also the official language of Spain. Spanish is a beautiful and expressive language, with many words and sounds that you may not know. For example, did you know that the letter ñ (pronounced like “ny”) is unique to Spanish, and that it makes words like niño (boy) or mañana (tomorrow)? Spanish also has many words that come from other languages, such as Arabic, Latin, or French. For example, the word azúcar (sugar) comes from Arabic, the word escuela (school) comes from Latin, and the word chocolate (chocolate) comes from French. Spanish is also a very musical language, with many songs and poems that you can learn and sing along. For example, do you know the song “La Cucaracha” (The Cockroach), or the poem “Platero y yo” (Platero and I)?

The Food of Madrid

The food of Madrid is very delicious and varied, with many dishes and flavors that you can try and enjoy. Food is very important in Madrid, because it is a way of sharing and celebrating with family and friends. People in Madrid usually eat four meals a day: breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner. Breakfast is usually light, with bread, butter, jam, or pastries, and coffee, milk, or juice. Lunch is the main meal of the day, and it is usually eaten around 2 pm. Lunch can have many courses, such as soup, salad, meat, fish, vegetables, cheese, fruit, or dessert. Snack is a small meal that is eaten around 5 or 6 pm, and it can be anything from a sandwich, a cake, a yogurt, or some nuts. Dinner is the last meal of the day, and it is usually eaten around 10 pm. Dinner is similar to lunch, but lighter and smaller. Some of the most typical foods of Madrid are:

Tapas and raciones: Tapas are small portions of food that are served with a drink, such as wine, beer, or soda. Tapas can be anything from olives, cheese, ham, croquettes, tortilla (a thick omelet with potatoes and onions), or patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy sauce). Raciones are bigger versions of tapas that are good for sharing with a group of people. Tapas and raciones are a great way to taste different foods and have fun with your friends.
Cocido madrileño: Cocido madrileño is a hearty stew that is made with chickpeas, meat (beef, pork, chicken, sausage), vegetables (carrots, potatoes, cabbage), and broth. The cocido is usually served in three parts: first, the broth with noodles; second, the chickpeas and vegetables; and third, the meat. Cocido madrileño is a perfect dish for cold days, and a very traditional food of Madrid.

Bocadillo de calamares: Bocadillo de calamares is a simple but yummy sandwich that is made with fried squid rings in a crusty bread roll. It is one of the most popular street foods in Madrid, and you can find it in many bars and kiosks around the city. Bocadillo de calamares is usually eaten with a squeeze of lemon juice and mayonnaise or alioli (garlic sauce). It is a cheap and satisfying snack that you can eat at any time of the day.
Churros con chocolate: Churros con chocolate is a sweet treat that is made with fried dough sticks dipped in thick hot chocolate. Churros are made with flour, water, salt, and oil, and are shaped into long or spiral forms. They are deep-fried until golden and crispy, and sprinkled with sugar. Chocolate is made with milk, sugar, and cocoa, and cooked until thick and smooth. Churros con chocolate is a typical breakfast or snack in Madrid, and you can find it in many cafes and churrerías (churro shops). It is a decadent and indulgent delicacy that will make you happy.

The Music and Art of Madrid

The music and art of Madrid are very diverse and creative, with many styles and expressions that you can listen to and admire. Music and art are very important in Madrid, because they are a way of expressing and communicating feelings, ideas, and stories. People in Madrid love music and art, and they have many places and events where they can enjoy them. Some of the most typical music and art of Madrid are:

Flamenco: Flamenco is a type of music and dance that comes from the south of Spain, but that is very popular and appreciated in Madrid. Flamenco is a very passionate and expressive art form, that combines singing, guitar playing, clapping, and dancing. Flamenco has many different styles, such as fandango, soleá, bulería, or sevillana. Flamenco is usually performed in small venues called tablaos, where you can watch and listen to the artists up close. Flamenco is a very beautiful and emotional music and art that will touch your heart.
Zarzuela: Zarzuela is a type of musical theater that is unique to Spain, and that is very characteristic of Madrid. Zarzuela is a mix of spoken and sung scenes, that tell stories of love, humor, drama, or history. Zarzuela has many different genres, such as comedy, tragedy, or romance. Zarzuela is usually performed in large theaters called teatros, where you can see and hear the actors, singers, dancers, and orchestra. Zarzuela is a very entertaining and amusing music and art that will make you laugh and cry.
Museums: Madrid has many museums where you can see and learn about the art and history of Madrid, Spain, and the world. Museums are very interesting and educational places, where you can discover and explore many things. Some of the most famous and important museums in Madrid are:

Prado Museum: The Prado Museum is one of the most famous and visited art museums in the world, and it has a very impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints. The Prado Museum has many works by Spanish artists, such as Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, and Murillo, as well as by other European masters, such as Titian, Rubens, Bosch, and Caravaggio. Some of the most famous paintings in the museum are Las Meninas by Velázquez, The Third of May 1808 by Goya, The Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch, and The Descent from the Cross by Rogier van der Weyden.
Reina Sofía Museum: The Reina Sofía Museum is a modern and contemporary art museum, that has a very diverse and innovative collection of paintings, sculptures, installations, and photographs. The Reina Sofía Museum has many works by Spanish artists, such as Picasso, Dalí, Miró, and Tàpies, as well as by other international artists, such as Kandinsky, Duchamp, Warhol, and Hockney. The most famous painting in the museum is Guernica by Picasso, which is a powerful and symbolic representation of the horrors of war.

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is an art museum that has a very comprehensive and varied collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum has works from different periods and styles, such as Renaissance, Baroque, Impressionism, Expressionism, and Pop Art. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum has works by artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Dali, and Kandinsky.

Questions:

Language Influence: How has the Spanish language been influenced by other languages such as Arabic, Latin, or French?
Cultural Foods: What are some typical foods from Madrid and how do they reflect the city’s culture?
Artistic Expression: In what ways do music and art play a role in expressing Madrid’s culture?

Spanish Word:

Ñ (eñe): A letter unique to the Spanish alphabet, pronounced like “ny,” used in words like “niño” (boy) or “mañana” (tomorrow).

Activity Suggestion:

Create a Cultural Scrapbook: Kids can make a scrapbook that includes pictures and descriptions of Madrid’s culture, such as traditional foods, famous art pieces from Madrid’s museums, and elements of flamenco music and dance. This hands-on activity encourages exploration and creativity while learning about Madrid’s rich cultural heritage.