by Anna Kleckerova
I would like to share my experience with you. I was born in the Czech Republic. That is in the center of Europe. But, I also spent one year in America, and I will continue probably my life here for the next several years. I’d like to compare the two cultures.
Let’s start with Europe because it is still closer to me. Countries in Europe are very old. There were many wars in Europe’s past, yet a lot of culture was saved. We can find a very old colosseum in Rome where gladiators were fighting for their lives. Venice is well know for her transportation through canals on boats. Paris has its Eiffel Tower and the most famous museum in this world, the Louvre. We can find any culture in this museum. It is too big to see all of it in one day, and it makes you want to go to France again and again. Also if you decide to take a tour through Europe, you hve to visit definitely Prague. This capital city also has really old culture, and it is in pristine condition. You can find here Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, the astronomical clock and so many others sights.
In summary, Europe has really old history, and there are so many different types of architecture such as gothic, renaissance, symbolism, romanticism, realism, baroque, rococo, secession, and others.
America, on the other han
d, isn’t as old as Europe, so it is not easy to find such deep culture here. Everyone knows of the Statue of Liberty that is in New York that Mr. Eiffel made for America. This country took a culture from other countries–like Asia, Africa and Europe. Immigrants brought their own ideas and cultures from their homelands. In America, there is no one culture; it is a mixture of many, many different cultures. American people are so proud of their country, and they show it on every corner with flags and the Pledge of Allegiance. Also, there are so many states in America and each of them has a different accent, dialect, food and culture.
While America doesn’t have as long and as rich a culture as Europe, you can find here beautiful architecture, national pride, and a diverse culture.
Your observations are great. I studied in Italy a very long time ago when I was in college. I remember being overwhelmed when I arrived. I realized the great artists like Michaelangelo or DaVinci could have walked on the same streets on which I stood. Our country is such a “baby”.