Angie Zulay Castillo Valencia
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New Orleans culture.
New Orleans is a city located in Louisiana - the United States, which has managed to
build its own, unique, and distinctive culture over the years. In this essay, I will talk about some
aspects of the culture of New Orleans that, from my point of view, are extremely relevant and
important to mention if you want to talk about New Orleans. At first, I will talk about the cultural
transitions that New Orleans has had, and I will mention some characteristics that remain of some
of them. Later, I will analyze several of the cultural attractions of New Orleans (places, events,
music among others). Finally, I will mention some attractive "unconventional" cultures or
traditions of New Orleans. The above shows that New Orleans is a city with great cultural
attractions and thanks to them it has managed to become one of the most recognized tourist
destinations in the world.
First, New Orleans is a city with a distinctive culture even though since its inception it has
been influenced by several dominant cultures. New Orleans started as a French colony, later in
1763 France ceded the territory to Spain for services rendered against England. Later, in 1801
Napoleon Bonaparte (unilaterally) decided to retreat from Louisiana to France and it remained
that way until in 1803 the United States bought the territory. Each of the betrayals built into the
construction of what we know today as New Orleans. The French Quarter is just one of the
reminders that one day it was French and Spanish territory (thanks to the constructions that the
Spanish made in this place). Despite the above, New Orleans managed to build its own culture, a
culture that managed to harmonize the traditions of the French, Spanish, and North American
colonies to build a unique city, a multicultural city.
On the other hand, New Orleans has many cultural attractions, places, events, traditions,
and its music is just a few of them. The French Quarter or Vieux Carre is the most iconic and
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oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. Although it was founded in 1718 by the French in 1850 the
French Quarter had fallen into disrepair and was recovered by Baroness Michaela Pontalba, who
was the daughter of the Spanish official. In this neighborhood there are several of the most
important historical buildings of the city, for that reason, it is common for tourists to be offered a
tour of this place. In addition, Bourbon Street is the most recognized in the city for the great
nightlife that takes place there; It is the perfect place to enjoy the great music and atmosphere that
characterizes New Orleans culture, and best of all, it is in the heart of the French Quarter. Finally,
Mardi Gras, also known as "Fat Tuesday" or "Shrove Tuesday" is one of the most famous
celebrations in the world and the largest carnival that takes place in New Orleans. This carnival is
traditionally celebrated by the natives before Ash Wednesday and is celebrated to mark the last
day one must enjoy culinary and carnal pleasures.
Finally, New Orleans is the right place for those who want to know or enjoy
"unconventional" cultural traditions. Indeed, one of the more overcooked customs in New
Orleans is the practice of Vudú by some of its black residents. In fact, several of the tours offered
in the city consist of visiting mysterious places at night or visiting "supposedly" haunted places.
Ultimately, these cultural attractions have made New Orleans receive thousands of visits since
many tourists only go to the city to have an approach with these spiritual or unconventional
customs "and to confirm with their own hand if what is said about the city is true.
As I have expressed throughout the text, New Orleans is a city with a unique culture, a
culture that draws from various sources to the point of harmonizing them. The Mardi Grass, the
French Quarter, and the vudú practiced by some of its black residents are just some of the
attractions of its culture. It is that Creole culture (as some call it) that has made the place a great
Angie Zulay Castillo Valencia
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tourist attraction, it is not only the architecture or its gastronomy that makes it receive millions of
visitors a year, but also mainly its customs, its rites, and its traditions.
