When you think about the UK, often the first country to spring to mind is England; with almost 50 million people it makes up over 80% of the UK’s total population.
London? Football? Bridget Jones? Pubs and beer? Does this sum up England for you?
We asked some people living in England what they think about life there…
If you’re asked about the culture of England what do you say?
‘Very diverse in terms of values, living standards and interests.’
'Creative society, multicultural with much new creativity stemming from the meeting of different cultures, particularly in music, literature and enterprise.'
'Culture is all pervasive and almost impossibly diverse in England…For me, the most important elements are film and television, music, sport and architecture.'
'Morris dancing, football, football hooligans, beer louts, pretty country.'
What one thing represents England for you?
'Football.'
'St George’s cross – his flag is associated with the national football team.'
'London – our capital city and a great example of the old and the new combining together to make a world class city.'
'St George: what else is there that isn’t British?'
Do you think England is a multicultural country?
'Yes – there are people from all over the world living in England.'
'In some ways England has always been multicultural; we are an invaded nation…even before the Second World War we were never a homogenous nation; local cultures, traditions and ways of life were often stronger than the national identity. After the War, immigration from a number of different places has led the country to become, in many parts, a real melting pot of lifestyles, creeds, colours and societies.'
'Yes, it is because it is such a mix of identities that [England] finds a definition of itself very problematic.'
'In the cities and large towns – yes, because larger populations mean greater cultural diversity. Rural populations can still be very insular and unwelcoming though.'
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