European integration is mostly seen as a technocratic, depoliticised project, without much feeling. But that approach is proving problematic as our society becomes increasingly political and emotional – think migration and refugee approaches, saving the euro and the climate.
How do collective emotions influence the course of the European Union? This is what Annette van Soest and Mathieu Segers discuss with Roxane van Iperen, author of, among others, The Sisters of Auschwitz, De genocidefax, Eigen welzijn eerst and her new book Dat beloof ik.
Reading recommendations from this episode:
- Roxane recommends Moments of Reprieve by Primo Levi and Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy;
- Mathieu is very curious about Roxane’s new book Dat beloof ik, which will be in shops from mid-May, and tips Philip Roth’s The Human Stain;
- Annette recommends If This Is a Man/The Truce by Primo Levi;
- Editor Pieter tips Curriculum vitae by Victor Klemperer;
- Chief editor Freek recommends Shake hands with the devil van Roméo Dallaire for a second time because of Roxane’s book De Genocidefax;
- You can read Mathieu’s essay in the European Review of Books here.
Activity tips from this episode:
- Join us for Minister Ollongren’s Europe lecture followed by a live broadcast of Café Europa;
- Join us at Café Europa Live in The Hague at Nieuwspoort on 5 July.
Collaboration with Haagsch College
We make the podcast Café Europa together with our partner Haagsch College. Haagsch College is an initiative of Freek Ewals (former BNR Nieuwsradio) and Vincent Rietbergen (former NOS). They produce substantive productions such as theater tours with Rutger Bregman, Joris Luyendijk and Thomas Erdbrink. And in-depth live streams and podcasts about current events.
