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symbols - page 1
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turkey and the eu - page 1
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romanian!
If Europe is defined by the values we can all agree with, and to which we all have the right to contribute, do we want to be part of it? In other words, can we arrive at an accord with someone who has a different lifestyle, and learn to respect each other? Or is there a danger that if too many strangers arrive too quickly, it will undermine the fragile consensus?
The picture in the background is of the beautiful bridge built in 1566 by the Ottoman Turks in the town of Mostar, in Bosnia, as a symbol of unity between peoples. Until 1993, it joined the Muslim and Croat quarters across the River Neretva. This bridge was deliberately destroyed by a Croat tank, apparently as a symbol that these two peoples now hated each other. In the eyes of the EU, this war was a symbol of everything that Europe was trying to leave behind. Today, the bridge is in the process of reconstruction, some of the workers being Turks, and it will open again this year. The new bridge will re-unite the town in a physical sense – let’s hope that it will also be a symbol of the re-unification of souls.
This is the flag of St George, the patron saint of England. Unfortunately, it is mainly used nowadays by xenophobes and football supporters as a symbol of nationalism. England for the English! Their idea of identity as true Englishmen is often very unpleasant, as is the case with any nationalism. And – as with any nationalism – it’s based on myths.
St George was indeed a historical person, who lived in Roman times in what today we’d call Turkey. He wasn’t English, and never visited England. Clearly, he didn’t speak English either, as the language didn’t exist then. So it’s strange that he should become a symbol of the nationalists. In fact he was a good Christian, generous, kind, and in the end martyred for his faith by the Emperor Diocletian ... maybe not such a bad symbol for a football supporter.
