Cultural diversity and European identity

2010 ◽  
pp. 124-145
Author(s):  
Hugh Collins
Author(s):  
Franca Bellarsi

Key words: European ecocriticism, Canadian ecological identity, federation, European nature, European identity, diversity, fragmentation, bioregional network, eco-comparatist, multilingual ecocriticism European ecocriticism is distinguished from ‘ecocriticism made in USA’ by geo-physical fragmentation, the absence of shared encounters of the human with the non-human, and linguistic and political heterogeneity. There is no unitary continental consciousness. However, linguistic and cultural diversity can be an asset rather than a disadvantage, if it is allowed to steer European ecocriticism in a new direction. The European terrain invites ecocritics to become multilingual eco-comparatists, paying special attention to how linguistic representation aids and hampers environmental consciousness.  Palabras clave: eco crítica europea, identidad ecológica canadiense, federación, naturaleza europea, identidad europea, diversidad, fragmentación, red bioregional, eco-comparatista, eco crítica multilingüe. La ecocrítica europea se distingue de la ecocrítica ‘made in USA’ por la fragmentación geofísica, la ausencia de encuentros compartidos de lo humano con lo no-humano y por la heterogeneidad lingüística y política. No hay una conciencia continental unitaria. Sin embargo, la diversidad cultural y lingüística puede ser una ventaja más que una desventaja si se la permite dirigir la ecocrítica europea en una nueva dirección. El terreno europeo invita a los ecocríticos a convertirse en eco-comparatistas multilingües, prestando especial atención a cómo la representación lingüística ayuda y obstaculiza a la conciencia medioambiental.


Author(s):  
Katarzyna Skrzypczak

The present article addresses the question of cultural identity of today’s Europe and the shape it should take. Such issues as relation between European identity and national identities in the context of the continent’s cultural diversity are considered from interdisciplinary perspective. Two paradigms presented in the article: the essentialist and constructivist approach to identity serve as a starting point for reflection on the basis of the European identity as well as on its future form.


2006 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 28-30
Author(s):  
Elona Nazaj

The journey of the concept of Europe has been from myth to legend to war to stability. European unity is based, essentially, on the recognition of historic and linguistic diversity, the cultural variety and the national roots that make it unique. It is this huge cultural diversity that gives Europeans their European identity. I firmly believe that we cannot understand the idea of Europe without understanding its fundamental desire for universality. Europe has been built gradually on the basis of a sincere and deep-seated acknowledgement of diversity, and it is precisely because of this that it aspires to form the basis of a larger and more universal whole. Europe has more than its fair share of past glory and regrets and possesses both great diversity and a deep cultural unity.


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