Culture of Fratanica

The culture of Fratanica refers to the arts, customs, and social institutions within the geographical location of Fratanica or its overseas territories. The culture has been influenced by various geographical, historical, and intellectual movements, such as the development of Ardouinian Christianity, the Epoch of Rationale and Emotion and the older traditions from various nation-states. Fratanica has a varied and storied culture, and different regions hold different customs and celebrations.

Language

The main language in Fratanica is English, with three nationally recognized "central languages": French, Scerian, and German. English, French, and German became common as a result of international trade and interactions, as well as the foundations of diaspora. The most traditional language is Scerian, which originated from the Kingdom of Sceria in 1185. This language system was developed in an effort to solidify the Kingdom's rule and create a new system of communication for subjects to learn. The use of Scerian faded slightly after the kingdom was broken up into different states, but resurged during the existence of the Sovereign Kingdom of Boulon.

Currently, the Fratanican education system emphasizes bilingualism in its schools. Through the education pipeline, students are taught mainly in English, but are required to gain proficiency in one of the three aforementioned languages. Students are tested on their bilingual proficiency through the Federal Education Certification Examination. Furthermore, many job opportunities in Fratanica recommend or require bilingual communication, further cementing the importance of bilingualism in Fratanican culture and society.

Literature

Current literature is wide-ranging and may encompass different characteristics, depending on the region. Common themes in Fratanican literature include individual and group empowerment, self-reliance, power of words, and the role of man. A resurgence in empiricism and logical reasoning has also impacted Fratanican literature.

The foundation of Fratanican literature is in theological literature and folklore, due to permeance of Ardouinian Christianity and the various structures of other societies from nations which now make up current-day Fratanica. The emphasis of the power and awe of God, his likeness, and mythology surrounding both religion and society was considered to be most important.

Intellectual literature gained momentum due to religious and philosophical changes throughout the late 18th and early 19th century. Noted authors, such as Walter Heine and Arthur De Guignes, wrote philosophical and thinking-man fiction novels which still hold large weight in Fratanican society. This literature coincided with the Epoch of Rationale and Emotion, which championed the values of logical reasoning, religious contemplation, and social individualism for the harmony of society. Human emotion, awe of nature, and imagination had become secondary elements to this era as well.

The early 20th century, with the rise of authoritarianism and dictatorial power, saw a stark increase in nationalist and patriotic books. Authors worked to create a distinct Fratanican literature identity, characterized by the values of national duty, social productivity, and group think. Many elements of literature from the Epoch of Rationale and Emotion were banned or condemned.

Music

Main article: Music in Fratanica

Music in Fratanica is widely varied, due to different geographical and historical influences. The most popular music genres currently are rock, pop, electronic music, and sentimental ballad. Fratanica's music culture is blended with both modern musical movements and traditional music from historical nation-states. It is very difficult to characterize Fratanican music under one umbrella, due to its fragmented and region-oriented nature.

The advent of classical music had created an impetus for famous classical composers and musicians.

Cinema

Main article: Cinema of Fratanica

Fratanican cinema has been an integral part of their national culture since the early 20th century. Motion pictures were introduced to Fratanica in the first half of the 1920's through international interaction. During the late 1920's and early 1930's, the first vestiges of cinema began to take shape. Notable early film directors included Leon Prausnitz and Julien Tourneur, who helped to launch the popularity of Fratanican cinema. Their works had attracted many Fratanicans to motion pictures. The first mass cinema viewing took place in Tussel, involving Prausnitz's motion picture Quietude in Tussel. Early Fratanican works are characterized by the Fratanican fidelity movement, which combined the ideals of national loyalty with dramatic impact, power of man, and adversarial hubris.

By the early 1950's, with the transition of power and the creation of a new federal republic, cinema had become synonymous with Fratanican culture. Movie theaters were built en masse throughout Fratanica, films became synonymous with different regions, and cinema viewings became a commonplace form of recreation. New avant-garde and romantic elements had replaced much of the emphasis on national pride and united identity.

Today, the Fratanican film industry has held international acclaim and has captivated many Fratanican audiences. The film industry is somewhat decentralized, but Drouis is considered the "cinema capital" of Fratanica. A wide variety of genres, such as action, comedy, thriller, and romance, are all captured within this film industry. Cinema remains an important part of society to this day, available to all social classes.

Sports

Sports are an important part of Fratanican culture, with many people participating in and watching sports. Association football is the most popular sport in Fratanica, followed by basketball, athletics, volleyball, and golf.

Sports are also considered an important leisurely and recreational activity, with many Fratanicans joining local sports clubs. There are currently around 131,300 sports clubs throughout Fratanica representing various sports, with approximately 31.3 million members combined.

Many universities maintain sports clubs and teams under the Fratanican University and College Athletics Organization, which oversees 531 universities and colleges' teams competing across various leagues. However, sports in tertiary education institutes are not incentivized or important, and collegiate sports teams do not serve as feeders for professional sports in Fratanica.

Architecture

Fratanican architecture is an amalgamation of various styles from different historical eras and geographical locations. Architecture throughout Fratanica is widely varied, and there is no single defining characteristic of Fratanican architecture.

Science

Fratanica has been the home to many important scientists, particularly in the realms of biology, chemistry, medicine, and natural sciences. Furthermore, the nation invests heavily in research and development, in order to revolutionize the future and increase modernization. Agricultural sciences, social sciences, and physics have also gained some favor over the last century, but are still not as well-practiced in the scientific community.

The emergence of information systems and electronic systems has also swept the scientific community. As a result, electronic and computer sciences have experienced an increase, both in the workforce and in studies. Technology and engineering have become important realms of science for Fratanican research groups and educational institutions.

Media

Fratanica has a television market of 37.5 million households. There are many different national and regional channels which align with Fratanican federalism. 78% of these households have cable or satellite TV, and the rest can view free-to-view and public channels. News, reality, and drama are the most popular TV genres.

Book publishers in Fratanica publish around 450,000 new titles each year, and produce around 850 million copies each year. Fratanica's largest annual book fair is the Ville-des-Mers Literature Festival, which supports international deals and literature traditions.

The largest newspaper publications are the Viras Observer and Dansburg Times. Tabloids have also become a legitimate form of publication, ramping up in popularity due to the increasing sensationalism and online connections.

Cuisine

Fratanican cuisine depends on the region, however, simplicity and freshness are emphasized in daily diets. There is a high consumption of meats such as beef, chicken, lamb, and pork, as well as moderate consumption of fish like herring, cod, and halibut. Paired with the main dish, the accompaniments are often various side dishes consisting of vegetables, grains, and bread products. Legumes, fruits, and vegetables constitute much of the snacking within households. Fermented alcoholic drinks, particularly the native fermented fruit drink beldore and wine, are consumed relatively frequently within many households.

Fratanicans often eat together, and cuisine is seen as a familial bond due to the strong emphasis on the nuclear family and moderate support of the extended family. Food is a symbol of unity and celebration, thereby culminating into family gatherings and celebrations with communal meals. Therefore, families will often share numerous side dishes, while retaining their individual main meals.