The Erasmus Lecture 2004 Identity in change – a European dilemma?
Stig Strömholm
Whether there is or has ever been such a thing as European identity of some real substance and what changes that identity, if found to exist, undergone in the course history; at time why it was lost, no longer exists, cannot be said have existed all, are questions which among favourite subjects certain kind after-dinner speech welcoming concluding addresses academic – indeed, late, also political gatherings. The fact these thus frequently dealt with branch oral literature not above suspicion does mean they devoid importance should avoided serious contexts. It seems clear, on other hand, can treated intellectual honesty only formulated way answers determined, first place, by clear choice criteria for establishing difference, but an equally explicit geographical chronological perspectives application take place. obvious broader chosen historical perspective, narrower range those elements life history retained minimum over time. If you adopt truly multi-secular one still room French thinker aptly called les grands récits , ‘the great tales’, myths peoples tribes engaged founding, migration, conquest defeat, must admitted very modest identifiable remains. Likewise, observer who insists referring whole area, today Europe, contemporaneousness, likely find meagre catch his nets, were because change travel least, travelled, too distant past different speeds vast area.
European Review