With Brexit looming large on the 31th of January, we will discuss with Professor Kalypso Nikolaïdis (Saint Anthony’s) her recently published book Exodus, Reckoning, Sacrifice – Three meanings of Brexit (Unbound, June 2019).
Exodus, Reckoning, Sacrifice offers a very different take on Brexit to those found in most news segments or opinion pieces. Kalypso Nicolaidis examines Britain’s relationship with the EU through the lens of Greek mythology, using three key archetypes to analyse the differing visions of the world that have clashed so dramatically over this issue.
‘Exodus’ makes Brexit a story about British exceptionalism ; both a British problem and a testimony to the EU’s incapacity to accommodate exceptions.
‘Reckoning’ brings the story back to the EU’s shores, with Brexit a harbinger of terrible truths which we lump together under the easy label of euroscepticism.
And ‘Sacrifice’ contends with the ironic possibility that after and perhaps because of Brexit, the EU will live up to the pluralist ideals that define both the best of Britain and the best of Europe.
Do you agree with these three meanings of Brexit ? Would you like to link the narratives of Brexit to other mythologies ? Either you already read the book, want to discover it, or simply want to give your opinion about Brexit two days before it happens, come and discuss !
No debate experience or political background is necessary. We value diversity of perspectives and opinions.
Free refreshments will be provided at 7pm and the session starts at 7:15 promptly.
