Spain, Eurovision, and the making of National Identity through the “Other”
Introduction: Why National Identity Matters
When Spain enters Eurovision, it is not just joining a music contest. The event gives Spain a chance to show its identity to others. Watching Spain take part makes me realize that national identity is not fixed or natural. Instead, it grows over time through history, politics, culture, and by comparing itself to others.
Many scholars believe that national identity is created by society, maintained through shared symbols, memories, and institutions, and made stronger by drawing a line between “us” and “them.” Spain shows this clearly. Its identity has been shaped by its past as an empire, years under dictatorship, regional differences, and the shift to democracy. Following Anna Triandafyllidou’s theory of the “Other,”(1998) I suggest that Spain’s national identity develops through both internal and external comparisons, especially in its regional tensions and its relationship with Europe.
Defining National Identity
National identity refers to a collective sense of belonging among individuals who perceive themselves as members of the same nation. It arises from shared narratives, historical experiences, symbols, cultural practices, and political values, rather than biological factors. According to Triandafyllidou (1998), nations construct their identities both internally and through comparison with significant 'Others,' which are groups or nations that help delineate membership boundaries.
This process consistently encompasses two dimensions: fostering internal unity and distinguishing differences from others. The 'Others' may be external, such as other nations, or internal, including minorities, migrants, or regional groups. Notably, this process is primarily symbolic; identity is maintained through narratives, traditions, political discourse, and cultural events, rather than through objective characteristics (Triandafyllidou, pp. 594–600).
Aspects of Spain’s National Identity
History and Political Values
Spain’s national identity has been influenced by its imperial past, its part in the Atlantic slave trade, the effects of civil war, and the legacy of Franco’s dictatorship (Davis, A). These events created lasting tension between the central government and the regions. After Franco died in 1975, Spain started moving toward democracy, embracing pluralism and aiming to join a united Europe.
Spain’s choice to join NATO in 1982 mattered for foreign policy and showed its move away from authoritarianism toward Western democracy. Today, Spain’s roles in NATO, the EU, and the UN reflect a civic identity based on democracy and working with other countries. Triandafyllidou notes that Spain’s ties with Europe help it rethink its identity and leave behind its past isolation. Still, issues like Gibraltar show that international relations continue to influence how Spain views itself.
Language, Culture, and Demographic Diversity:
Castilian Spanish is Spain’s official language, written in the Latin alphabet and classified as an Indo-European Romance language (26WQ UCOR 1400 Country). However, Spain is not culturally homogeneous. Regional identities and minority languages coexist with national institutions, creating ongoing tension between unity and diversity.
Cultural traditions, such as festivals, music, and public celebrations, reinforce both national and regional identities. Eurovision contributes by providing Spain a global platform to project a modern, creative image while retaining elements of its cultural heritage.
Spain’s population is predominantly ethnically Spanish (84.8%), with significant Moroccan (1.7%) and Romanian (1.2%) communities, reflecting recent migration trends (26WQ UCOR 1400 Country). Roman Catholicism remains the majority religion (58.2%), though a considerable portion of the population identifies as atheist (16.2%) or agnostic (10.8%), indicating a shift toward secularism.
Within Triandafyllidou’s framework, migrant and minority communities serve as internal Others, subtly redefining Spain’s national boundaries by challenging conventional notions of cultural homogeneity (pp. 600–602).
National Identity and the “other”
Triandafyllidou’s Theory of Othering
Triandafyllidou separates external Others, like foreign nations or rivals, from internal Others, such as minorities or subnational groups. Both help set the symbolic boundaries of belonging. She says national identity is strongest when these Others are seen as threats, whether cultural, political, or territorial. (Triandafyllidou, pp. 600–603).
Spain External Other
For much of the twentieth century, Franco's dictatorship kept Spain apart from democratic Europe. After Spain became a democracy, it worked to join the European community. Joining NATO and building closer ties with the EU helped Spain move beyond its authoritarian past.
In this context, Spain’s main contrast is not with Europe, but with its own authoritarian past and other non-democratic regimes. By comparing itself to what it wants to move beyond, Spain reinforces its modern democratic identity. Europe is not an 'Other' as Triandafyllidou describes, but rather the ideal Spain wants to reach. For example, Eurovision places Spain with other European countries in a shared cultural space, showing belonging instead of difference.
Spain Internal Other
Spain’s most significant internal Others are its regional communities, particularly Catalonia and the Basque Country. These groups maintain distinct linguistic and cultural traditions and periodically advocate for political independence.
Triandafyllidou explains that internal Others challenge national cohesion by questioning the boundaries of belonging from within (pp. 601–602) In Spain, regional movements compel the nation to continually renegotiate the definition of “Spanishness.” These tensions persist and remain central to Spain’s national identity.
Significant Other and Spain’s Identity
Spain’s most influential significant Others are internal. Regional groups and growing migrant populations challenge the notion of a unified national identity. Demographically, Spain comprises substantial Moroccan and Romanian communities in addition to its majority Spanish population, while religious identification has shifted toward secularism (26WQ UCOR 1400 Country). Triandafyllidou argues that minority and migrant communities become significant internal Others when they are perceived as culturally, politically, or territorially threatening. This dynamic reshapes cultural boundaries and compels Spain to continually renegotiate the criteria for national belonging (Triandafyllidou, A., pp. 600–603).
Spain's withdrawal from Eurovision in response to Israel's participation prompts consideration of whether Israel qualifies as a significant Other within Triandafyllidou's framework. For Israel to serve as a true external Other, it would need to be perceived as a direct threat to Spain’s identity or territorial integrity. However, Spain's withdrawal appears to reflect political solidarity rather than an identity-defining contrast. Therefore, Israel is more accurately characterized as a politically contentious actor in Spain's foreign policy, rather than as a significant Other in the theoretical sense applied here.
Conclusion
Spain's national identity has been influenced by its authoritarian history, transition to democracy, persistent tensions with regional movements such as the Catalan and Basque groups, and the increasing presence of migrant communities that continually redefine the boundaries of belonging. These factors interact to produce a national identity that is simultaneously unified and fragmented, outward-looking yet subject to ongoing internal debate.
Triandafyllidou's framework of Othering demonstrates that national identity is not static but rather an ongoing and contested process. In the Spanish context, national identity is shaped by a conscious departure from dictatorship, isolation, and authoritarianism, while simultaneously confronting questions of inclusion and belonging. The persistence of regional languages, distinct cultural traditions, and evolving demographic patterns ensures that the concept of "Spanishness" remains dynamic and unresolved.
Triandafyllidou's perspective underscores that national identity is not simply declared but is continually negotiated. In Spain, this ongoing process is influenced by internal diversity as well as the nation's position within Europe and the broader international context.
Word: 1,293
References
Benedicto, J. (n.d.). Cultural structures and political life: The cultural matrix of democracy in Spain.
Bollen, K and Diez Medrano, J. (1998). Who are the Spaniards? Nationalism and identification in Spain. European Sociological Review. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3005540
Central Intelligence Agency. (2024). Spain. The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/spain/
Davis, A. (2020, November). The Death of Franco. Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective. The Ohio State University. https://origins.osu.edu/milestones/death-franco-spanish-civil-war
Spain country information sheet. (2026). 26WQ UCOR 1400 country information sheet – Spain. Seattle University.
Spain. (2026). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Spain
Triandafyllidou, A. (1998). National identity and the “other”. Ethnic and Racial Studies, (593–612).
Viñas, A. (1988). Spain and NATO: Internal debate and external challenges. In J. Chipman (Ed.), NATO’s Southern allies: Internal and external challenges. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203168509-8
Introduction: Why National Identity Matters
When Spain enters Eurovision, it is not just joining a music contest. The event gives Spain a chance to show its identity to others. Watching Spain take part makes me realize that national identity is not fixed or natural. Instead, it grows over time through history, politics, culture, and by comparing itself to others.
Many scholars believe that national identity is created by society, maintained through shared symbols, memories, and institutions, and made stronger by drawing a line between “us” and “them.” Spain shows this clearly. Its identity has been shaped by its past as an empire, years under dictatorship, regional differences, and the shift to democracy. Following Anna Triandafyllidou’s theory of the “Other,”(1998) I suggest that Spain’s national identity develops through both internal and external comparisons, especially in its regional tensions and its relationship with Europe.
Defining National Identity
National identity refers to a collective sense of belonging among individuals who perceive themselves as members of the same nation. It arises from shared narratives, historical experiences, symbols, cultural practices, and political values, rather than biological factors. According to Triandafyllidou (1998), nations construct their identities both internally and through comparison with significant 'Others,' which are groups or nations that help delineate membership boundaries.
This process consistently encompasses two dimensions: fostering internal unity and distinguishing differences from others. The 'Others' may be external, such as other nations, or internal, including minorities, migrants, or regional groups. Notably, this process is primarily symbolic; identity is maintained through narratives, traditions, political discourse, and cultural events, rather than through objective characteristics (Triandafyllidou, pp. 594–600).
Aspects of Spain’s National Identity
History and Political Values
Spain’s national identity has been influenced by its imperial past, its part in the Atlantic slave trade, the effects of civil war, and the legacy of Franco’s dictatorship (Davis, A). These events created lasting tension between the central government and the regions. After Franco died in 1975, Spain started moving toward democracy, embracing pluralism and aiming to join a united Europe.
Spain’s choice to join NATO in 1982 mattered for foreign policy and showed its move away from authoritarianism toward Western democracy. Today, Spain’s roles in NATO, the EU, and the UN reflect a civic identity based on democracy and working with other countries. Triandafyllidou notes that Spain’s ties with Europe help it rethink its identity and leave behind its past isolation. Still, issues like Gibraltar show that international relations continue to influence how Spain views itself.
Language, Culture, and Demographic Diversity:
Castilian Spanish is Spain’s official language, written in the Latin alphabet and classified as an Indo-European Romance language (26WQ UCOR 1400 Country). However, Spain is not culturally homogeneous. Regional identities and minority languages coexist with national institutions, creating ongoing tension between unity and diversity.
Cultural traditions, such as festivals, music, and public celebrations, reinforce both national and regional identities. Eurovision contributes by providing Spain a global platform to project a modern, creative image while retaining elements of its cultural heritage.
Spain’s population is predominantly ethnically Spanish (84.8%), with significant Moroccan (1.7%) and Romanian (1.2%) communities, reflecting recent migration trends (26WQ UCOR 1400 Country). Roman Catholicism remains the majority religion (58.2%), though a considerable portion of the population identifies as atheist (16.2%) or agnostic (10.8%), indicating a shift toward secularism.
Within Triandafyllidou’s framework, migrant and minority communities serve as internal Others, subtly redefining Spain’s national boundaries by challenging conventional notions of cultural homogeneity (pp. 600–602).
National Identity and the “other”
Triandafyllidou’s Theory of Othering
Triandafyllidou separates external Others, like foreign nations or rivals, from internal Others, such as minorities or subnational groups. Both help set the symbolic boundaries of belonging. She says national identity is strongest when these Others are seen as threats, whether cultural, political, or territorial. (Triandafyllidou, pp. 600–603).
Spain External Other
For much of the twentieth century, Franco's dictatorship kept Spain apart from democratic Europe. After Spain became a democracy, it worked to join the European community. Joining NATO and building closer ties with the EU helped Spain move beyond its authoritarian past.
In this context, Spain’s main contrast is not with Europe, but with its own authoritarian past and other non-democratic regimes. By comparing itself to what it wants to move beyond, Spain reinforces its modern democratic identity. Europe is not an 'Other' as Triandafyllidou describes, but rather the ideal Spain wants to reach. For example, Eurovision places Spain with other European countries in a shared cultural space, showing belonging instead of difference.
Spain Internal Other
Spain’s most significant internal Others are its regional communities, particularly Catalonia and the Basque Country. These groups maintain distinct linguistic and cultural traditions and periodically advocate for political independence.
Triandafyllidou explains that internal Others challenge national cohesion by questioning the boundaries of belonging from within (pp. 601–602) In Spain, regional movements compel the nation to continually renegotiate the definition of “Spanishness.” These tensions persist and remain central to Spain’s national identity.
Significant Other and Spain’s Identity
Spain’s most influential significant Others are internal. Regional groups and growing migrant populations challenge the notion of a unified national identity. Demographically, Spain comprises substantial Moroccan and Romanian communities in addition to its majority Spanish population, while religious identification has shifted toward secularism (26WQ UCOR 1400 Country). Triandafyllidou argues that minority and migrant communities become significant internal Others when they are perceived as culturally, politically, or territorially threatening. This dynamic reshapes cultural boundaries and compels Spain to continually renegotiate the criteria for national belonging (Triandafyllidou, A., pp. 600–603).
Spain's withdrawal from Eurovision in response to Israel's participation prompts consideration of whether Israel qualifies as a significant Other within Triandafyllidou's framework. For Israel to serve as a true external Other, it would need to be perceived as a direct threat to Spain’s identity or territorial integrity. However, Spain's withdrawal appears to reflect political solidarity rather than an identity-defining contrast. Therefore, Israel is more accurately characterized as a politically contentious actor in Spain's foreign policy, rather than as a significant Other in the theoretical sense applied here.
Conclusion
Spain's national identity has been influenced by its authoritarian history, transition to democracy, persistent tensions with regional movements such as the Catalan and Basque groups, and the increasing presence of migrant communities that continually redefine the boundaries of belonging. These factors interact to produce a national identity that is simultaneously unified and fragmented, outward-looking yet subject to ongoing internal debate.
Triandafyllidou's framework of Othering demonstrates that national identity is not static but rather an ongoing and contested process. In the Spanish context, national identity is shaped by a conscious departure from dictatorship, isolation, and authoritarianism, while simultaneously confronting questions of inclusion and belonging. The persistence of regional languages, distinct cultural traditions, and evolving demographic patterns ensures that the concept of "Spanishness" remains dynamic and unresolved.
Triandafyllidou's perspective underscores that national identity is not simply declared but is continually negotiated. In Spain, this ongoing process is influenced by internal diversity as well as the nation's position within Europe and the broader international context.
Word: 1,293
References
Benedicto, J. (n.d.). Cultural structures and political life: The cultural matrix of democracy in Spain.
Bollen, K and Diez Medrano, J. (1998). Who are the Spaniards? Nationalism and identification in Spain. European Sociological Review. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3005540
Central Intelligence Agency. (2024). Spain. The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/spain/
Davis, A. (2020, November). The Death of Franco. Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective. The Ohio State University. https://origins.osu.edu/milestones/death-franco-spanish-civil-war
Spain country information sheet. (2026). 26WQ UCOR 1400 country information sheet – Spain. Seattle University.
Spain. (2026). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Spain
Triandafyllidou, A. (1998). National identity and the “other”. Ethnic and Racial Studies, (593–612).
Viñas, A. (1988). Spain and NATO: Internal debate and external challenges. In J. Chipman (Ed.), NATO’s Southern allies: Internal and external challenges. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203168509-8
Comments
Post a Comment