euro|topics - Edwy Plenel

Plenel, Edwy

3 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.

Le Soir - Belgium | 25/04/2008

Aimé Césaire's words echo in today's world

Columnist Edwy Plenel considers that Aimé Césaire, the French writer who died April 17th, had a message that still rings true today. "Césaire represents the revolt of the universal against the western tradition that betrayed it. Against a Europe that betrayed itself. Against a civilisation that became barbaric. Against a culture that dishonours itself. ... To read Césaire today is to understand that the refusal of colonialism is still important; it's a compass for our troubled and uncertain times. What was, and still is, in the balance, if not humanism, universalism and the worries of the world? ... And if, far from appearing to be ridiculous, [his words] haven't lost any of their meaning, their force, it's because they ring true in the present, from Iraq to Afghanistan via the Middle East, with this North American banalisation and official sanctioning of torture at the heart of a new civilising crusade... ."

Le Soir - Belgium | 28/03/2008

Edwy Plenel is worried about a new war of religions

The French columnist Edwy Plenel is opposed to overly radical critics of Islam such as the Italian journalist Magdi Allam or the Dutch populist Geert Wilders. "The global condemnation of Islam in itself - and not just the political acts committed by violent minorities who proclaim it - is no less condemnable than the similar attitude towards other religions. All forms of monotheism have encountered their share of intolerance, inquisitors and sectarians. ... Beneath the apparent provocation, which encourages the extremists on the other side, it is a hateful refrain that is targeting those who practice this religion, the Muslims of Europe, our fellow citizens. And it would be a real victory for Osama bin Laden if our Judeo-Christian West ends up resembling him by adopting parallel hatred, with the Muslim 'Other' reduced to a religious identity and becoming an arch-enemy."

Le Soir - Belgium | 04/05/2007

A new political era in France?

For the French journalist Edwy Plenel, who has had a regular column in the Belgian daily for a few months, Ségolène Royal can already savour a great victory. "She might not find herself president of the French Republic on Sunday, May 6th. But she has already pulled off the exploit of succeeding to show that she could be, that she has what it takes: the character, the competency, the dignity, the deep-focus and the over-all insight. ... Freedom is always disturbing because of how proud and untamed, it needs to be to impose itself. No matter how the results on Sunday turn out, Ségolène Royal has already imposed her independence. However, contrary to what is said by those who are bothered by this, she did not obtain her freedom by renouncing her kin and her principles or by following fashion. As her reflexes, her repartee and her anger indicate, she is unscrupulously left-wing."

» Index of Authors

Bookmark this page at