How can European History be written? Whose history is it and in what way do we refer to the past? Is Europe an obstacle or an integrated part in national history writing and debate? How do non-Europeans conceive Europe and what are the shared characteristics of European historical identity?
This book provides an insight into various attempts at interpreting, writing, and presenting "European History". Experts from all over Europe not only examine the cognitive challenges and obstacles to such an enterprise, they also show ways in which history is used and abused in order to achieve political goals. By looking into national discourses of both long established and young democracies they reflect on the (re)construction processes of national myths and stereotypes. At the same time their studies show how the challenging of deeply rooted taboos sometimes helps to discover new ways of selfreflection and tolerance. Finally the book presents a perspective account of how different concepts of "Europe" are represented in non-European cultures, in the topical debates of various European societies and in the new media of a young generation.
The examples given can be used to diagnose the current state of affairs as it concerns history in a growing Europe. They may also indicate the way Europe will grow and flourish if the people relate the awareness of their past and their historical perception of the world and of themselves to the future of Europe.
This book provides an insight into various attempts at interpreting, writing, and presenting "European History". Experts from all over Europe not only examine the cognitive challenges and obstacles to such an enterprise, they also show ways in which history is used and abused in order to achieve political goals. By looking into national discourses of both long established and young democracies they reflect on the (re)construction processes of national myths and stereotypes. At the same time their studies show how the challenging of deeply rooted taboos sometimes helps to discover new ways of selfreflection and tolerance. Finally the book presents a perspective account of how different concepts of "Europe" are represented in non-European cultures, in the topical debates of various European societies and in the new media of a young generation.
The examples given can be used to diagnose the current state of affairs as it concerns history in a growing Europe. They may also indicate the way Europe will grow and flourish if the people relate the awareness of their past and their historical perception of the world and of themselves to the future of Europe.