Gallician

Gallician refers to the language and culture associated with Galicia, an autonomous community in northwestern Spain.

Language:

• Gallician (Galician: galego) is a Romance language closely related to Portuguese. They share a common origin in medieval Galician-Portuguese. Over time, the languages diverged due to political and geographical separation.
• It is one of the official languages of Galicia, alongside Spanish (Castilian).
• The Royal Galician Academy (Real Academia Galega) is the official institution responsible for regulating the Gallician language.
• Gallician has a significant literary tradition, both historical and contemporary.

Culture:

• Gallician culture is distinct from that of other regions of Spain, with influences from Celtic, Roman, and Germanic traditions.
• Traditional music, including the use of bagpipes (gaita gallega), is a prominent feature.
• Galician cuisine features seafood, meat, and regional specialties like empanada (a savory pie).
• The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route ends in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia's capital, contributing significantly to the region's cultural significance.