It has been hard not to notice in recent days the difference in attitude between European Union member states on solidarity towards the refugees crisis in Europe. Germany and Sweden have decided to show solidarity. Demonstrations in various European countries have shown a welcoming attitude towards the refugees from war zones in Syria and elsewhere. … Continue reading »
nationalism
Politics and Archaeology, Russian Style
August used to be the silly season: a time for “the emergence of frivolous news stories”. This year, according to Patrick Barkham of the UK’s Guardian newspaper, Russia’s Vladimir Putin has been providing some of the silliness, citing pictures of Putin “looting undersea pottery” as classic silly story fodder. The imagery was irresistible for media … Continue reading »
Of people and things: Egyptian protest and cultural properties
In a post on the Berkeley Blog, Samuel Redman makes an argument that urges protection of antiquities be emphasized in the face of current events in Egypt, arguing that mummies are “shared global heritage”. I addressed similar questions in writing a post on my Ancient Bodies, Ancient Lives blog about unconfirmed reports of possible damage … Continue reading »
We’re number one!
Some fans at Olympic games have been known to complain about the chest-thumping, U-S-A! U-S-A! nationalism the American fans display. (But at least there are no complaints about American soccer hooliganism!) Our national pride appears in so many other situations as well – flag-waving parades, the national anthem before almost every gathering, and so on … Continue reading »