Culture of Gerenia
The culture of Gerenia is based on Meeredres' indigenous heritage, and influenced by the Micrasian environment. Gerenian culture can be seen to build upon ascetic environmental realities and traditional livelihoods, and the ideals of closeness to nature and self-sufficiency.
Arts
Literature
Historically, the main Gerenia literary form was the short story, but novels are achieving popular success. Since most of Gerenians have roots in planet Meeredres, literature in Gerenia often centres around the relation between Meeredres, Micras, and people. Some of the best-selling works are based on experiences of the authors, and they usually take place during recent times.
Music
Traditional Gerenian music, especially the dance of folklore songs, is part of all the rituals. Lirically, the songs concern themselves with the most important events in the life of people (birth, adulthood, wedding, and death) and native mythology but, in contrast with most similar forms, they do not have any legendary heroes.
Accompaniment to the songs is played on various traditional instruments, the most important of which is the cadar, a type of guitar with four strings. Other instruments played are the sornet, the flute, and the trumpet.
Architecture
The type of constructions that can be found in Gerenia varies according to the region. Log houses are characteristic of Maremedres and the northern coast. In central Gerenia, single farms are more popular, and in the south, buildings are generally made of bricks (or adobe, in villages and minor settlements). The largest cities and towns have a rather modern architecture.
Education
The history of formal education in Gerenia dates back to the foundation era, when many schools were founded, especially in the biggest cities. The oldest university is the University of Isherwood, founded in late 2012.
Today, education in Gerenia is divided into general, vocational and hobby education. The education system has four levels, which include the pre-school, basic, secondary and higher education. The Gerenian educational system consists of provincial and municipal, public educational institutions. There are currently 182 schools in Gerenia.
Way of life
People
Family structure
Gerenian family life is nowadays centered around the nuclear family. Members of an extended family typically live apart, and youths seek independence and typically move from their parents' residence around the age of twenty.
The divorce rate is close to 7%. Divorce was legalized in early 2014, though many Gerenians reject the idea of divorcing, which helps explain the low rate.
Festivities, holidays, and traditions
Gerenian holidays are based on Meeredrian traditions. Notable among these is the Gereniade, the Gerenian Midsummer, a festival where the Nature Forces are revered. During the Gereniade, people go to the countryside (or any non-urban environment), burn bonfires ("lemsede"), dance and have large banquets.
Other holidays are days dedicated to honour labour, solidarity, and forgiveness.
Language
The main language is Gerenian, though English is widely spoken, especially in the cities. Spanish is the third language in the country.
Cuisine
Historically, the cuisine of Gerenia has been simple peasant or fisher's food. The most typical foods in Gerenia are taber bread (a hollow piece of rye bread filled with garaman, cheese, and meat), hajade, siwot, karand, potatoes, goat (in the south), and milk-related products.
See also
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