National Identity and European Unity: a Symbolic Approach
National Identity and European Unity: a Symbolic Approach

Summary/Abstract: A symbolic approach of the European Unity takes us to the main European symbols. Some of themalready officially recognized by the European Union (the flag, the anthem, Europe Day and the currency) originate in the national symbols. These were designed to strengthen the national unity and the sense of belonging to a large community like the nation, but at the same time generating a differentiation from the others, members of other national communities and thus leading to the alterity or even violence. The issue that I will address in this study is whether it can be a European identity based on symbols originally linked to national identity without creating new alterities and differences. Are they compatible with the values of tolerance, of equality of chances or with the ideal of unity in diversity promoted by the European Union? We will argue in favor of an affirmative answer, while warning about the dependence of European symbols on their national substrate. The paper will be divided in two parts. In the first one, after a general introduction to the problem, I will focus on the European flag and anthem/hymn and in the second part I will analyze the meanings of the European currency, the Europe’s Day and of some religious symbols and places.

• Details
• Contents