Couto Mixto Bruxelas ASBL, the Galician Cultural Society of Brussels is delighted to host professors Syd Morgan and Dr. Alan Sandry from Swansea University for an afternoon discussion on the theme
" Wales / Galicia: Identities and Societies"
Date : Thursday 5th September 2013 at 18pm
Venue: Libraria Orfeu bookshop , Rue du Taciturne 43 Willem de Zwijgerstraat,
Brussels 1000
(Metro Maalbeek)
Galicia and Wales are among the lesser known cases of territorial identities of Western Europe, in spite of the fact that in some respects they constitute more distinctive cases than other countries or regions that come more often to mind. Of a similar size and population, they were integrated into their respective kingdoms around the same time in the late 17th century, a process that in both cases was certainly not pacific or consensual.
Their native languages are the two more widely spoken ones after the main official languages of Spain and the UK yet they have often tended to support broadly Unionist political outlooks. Characterised by a rather atomised civic culture, their support for devolution was more tepid and trailing more determined calls for autonomy coming other parts of their respective states.
They are also among the less economically developed areas within their respective states. After a few decades of enjoying for the first time in centuries of their own political institutions they now face similar dilemmas: keeping a vibrant identity and language in the face of globalization, developing new economic dynamics to resist the pull of centralization of Madrid or London or avoiding the drama of tens of thousands youth taking the well-trodden path of emigration of their ancestors.
Professors Sandry and Morgan together with several members of the Couto Mixto Bruxelas will engage with the audience a lively tour of the, history, sociology, politics and geography of Wales and Galicia.
We will also be joined by other well-known personalities from both countries living and working in Brussels. We invite anyone interested in learning about our respective lands and sharing experiences about cultural diversity in Europe to join us in a friendly discussion.
Admission is free. The conference will be held in English. Please confirm attendance by writing to coutomixtobruxelas@gmail.com
Profiles:
Dr Alan Sandry is a Research Officer at the European Institute of Identities at Swansea University, Wales. He is also a Research Associate at the Institute of Contemporary European Studies, Regents University London, England. He is the author of Devolution in the United Kingdom (Edinburgh University Press, 2007) and Plaid Cymru: An Ideological Analysis (Welsh Academic Press, 2011).
Mr. Syd Morgan is a Research Officer at the European Institute of Identities at Swansea University, Wales. He formerly lectured in Politics and History at University of Wales Institute Cardiff. He was the Founding Editor of Radical Wales magazine, (1983 – 1991). In 2011 he was made an Honorary Member of the Centre Maurits Coppieters, Brussels.
About Couto Mixto Bruxelas
Couto Mixto ASBL, a cultural association made up by young Galician expats living and working in Brussels whose main purpose is the promotion of the Galician culture in Europe’s capital
