So that Europe does not fade from history

Description

So that Europe does not fade from history

Political awareness and spiritual resources

Philippe Herzog
Collection « Europe 21 »

Europe is like a rudderless ship. Its nation states are grappling with recurrent crises; its Union inspires neither fervour nor hope. Europe once sought to embody Civilisation and to make History, but it no longer knows where it is heading. The past is slipping from our grasp, we no longer imagine a brighter future, and we remain stuck in the present. This is not irreparable. We must develop a critical awareness of our own history and adopt a different vision of the world at a time of profound upheaval. Europe will fall out of history if it cannot meet the challenge of building a new civilisation on a global scale, one grounded in the wisdom and fraternity of nations.
Like opening a Russian doll, I shall address three issues in turn:
• redefining the European idea and political project;
• reinventing our democracy;
• and regenerating our spiritual resources.
As the poet Apollinaire wrote from the trenches of the Great War: “It is high time to rekindle the stars.”