Easter and our history

Easter is an essential part of our European culture. It is not necessarily about religion. But it is certainly about our roots, history, traditions and the associate narrative. And all that has nothing to do with bunnies and chocolate eggs. Let’s not mix civilisation with cocoa.

Immigration and integration

In the EU context, immigration cannot be seen just from the number of people that keep entering the European territory. Very often the debate is about new arrivals and how the numbers compare with past figures. That’s not the most current concern, I would say. Particularly now, that the arrival numbers are down. Immigration is above all about the integration of those already in.

Integration has many facets and the discussion should as much as possible focus on this issue.

In some countries, the immigrants have become very visible. They are now part of our daily public experience, as we walk the streets or enter the shopping malls and other open spaces. Visibility brings attention, also some degree of concern, and the political parties in those countries know that. That’s why the issue has become a central theme in the political arena. And it will be very present during the forthcoming EU parliamentary elections.

My take is that we should try to focus the political discussions on the issue of social integration. And be clear that such an issue calls for efforts from both sides, the one receiving the new populations and the one we call the immigrants.

Brussels diverse ethnic mix

Some statistical figures want us to believe that one in four residents of Brussels follow the Muslim faith. This is a very current subject, as one can imagine, after this week´s bombings. A number of people cannot think about these events without linking them to the Muslim presence in the city, particularly to the Muslim youth. It is of course unfair. But some communities have reached a share of the total population that makes them powerful components of the city tissue. And that has an impact on the human landscape we see in the streets of certain areas, as it has also a bearing on the behaviour of some teenagers in the schools where they form the majority of the students.

These are new societal developments that need to be properly researched. The social scientists in city universities should indeed spend more time on these matters. There aren´t enough academic studies on this changing social environment and its short and long term implications. And as a result, what we know about the diverse communities is based on anecdotal evidence, on personal stories and media reports. It is now urgent to go much further in our knowledge of the city´s cultures and ethnicity. That is for sure one of the conclusions we should draw this week. 

European should mean tolerance

I have been asked what could be the positive angle from which to look at today´s EU. Good question. And like all good questions, it is better to leave it open. To find the answer to such a question should be a collective endeavour for all of us. Each could bring a part of the answer and then we can construct the puzzle. Because part of European positive narrative is about giving a voice to everyone, from each corner of the Continent, and accepting each nationality as equal. In a Continent that has spent centuries at war with itself, that´s a big change for the better. And a good example for other regions of the world that are still engulfed in conflict and hatred. 

Living in Beijing

Beijing is a fascinating place, a friend of mine who lives there told me today. I am sure it is. But if you do not speak Mandarin, as it is his case, you lose most of it. You live just in the margins of life as it happens in that big city. And you feel very small, just an ethnically minuscule dot in a society that has very little respect for Westerners. And you also live in an illusory world, far disconnected from a society that is profoundly different and extremely materialistic. 

Azerbaijan

I have walked every street of old Baku in Azerbaijan and I like it. This is a city of Shia culture, like in Iran, but so different from Iran. Baku is a very Westernised place. It is very culturally open and diversified, with excellent ballet and opera performances on show. It might not be the best example of transparent governance. But it is a good case study for those who want to find out how politics can change the mind sets of the population.   

Prejudices

Copyright V.Angelo

Different approaches are welcome as long as they sustain a common project. 

We cannot fall into the trap that sees some Europeans as just part of the decoration and little less. Some people in Brussels and in some Northern capitals are again tempted to look at nations from that perspective. We all know that arrogance and contempt have filled the history of Europe with wars and pain.