The United Kingdom (UK), as an urbanised island nation and a major world power, has preserved and developed elements of unique cultural heritage and symbolism. UK culture follows the pattern of how UK and British people customarily live. With this human activity, the language, arts, science and technology, and religion of the UK have taken significant roles in the development of its culture.
Referring to its official language, the United Kingdom has not yet established its own; and so it uses English as its de facto language. However, indigenous languages are being promoted within the UK by individual countries.
The Celtic languages of the Island were important in the preserved native literature of the UK — since this literature was written in Celtic. From 6th century until today, the literary tradition of Welsh and of Irish poetry has represented an unbroken tradition, making the Ulster Cycle particularly relevant to Northern Ireland.
The UK has a vibrant theatre tradition, as is seen in other island nations. Theatre arts were first introduced to UK by the Romans; shortly after, auditoriums were built across the country for theatre performances. In the 16th and 17th century, during the supremacy of Elizabeth I, theatrical dramas and arts flowered; this period was also nicknamed the ‘Age of Shakespeare’. Approximately 40 plays written by William Shakespeare, a prominent playwright, are still performed in theatres across the globe.
UK was largely a Protestant Christian nation, as evident in the dominance of the Protestant churches that are continually spreading in the land. Protestantism has continued to increase, although UK is a secularised society.