Milija Gluhovic: Learning
Europe:
European identity and citizenship for the new millennium
In
recent years the concepts of "Europe" and "European
citizenship" have been intensely contested both in the field of social
sciences and arts. In my paper, I propose that the question of a
European
identity is crucially related to what image of Europe is constructed
and how
the demarcation between proverbial "Europeans" and the Other is
shaped. Who is included and who is excluded, and on what grounds? For
contemporary postmodern Europe this is a crucial question, especially
since
with its millions of (illegal) immigrants and denizens, Europe has many
minority groups within its boundaries that are often perceived to
injure its
cultural and social cohesion. I will analyse several multilateral
European
theatre projects which engage these issues essential for the emergence
of a
notion and practice of European citizenship. These will include: Learning
Europa (2004) by Armin Petras, part of the European Theatre
Convention
initiated project "The Refugees of Europe," Goran Stefanovski's Hotel
Europa (2000), centred around the themes of migrations, refugees,
and
homelessness, and the Intercult's project SEAS (2004-2005) developed
and
performed in many harbours of Europe, which reflects on the cultural
impact of
an "expanded" Europe.