Posts tagged “nationalism”

ChittahChattah Quickies

  • [from steve_portigal] A Flag Isn’t Just A Flag In Soccer-Crazed Germany [NPR] – [Reminds me of some of the discussion we had at UPA after my presentation on culture, around German tension over signs of national pride] Some bars in Berlin and elsewhere are offering "flag-free public viewing" of all soccer matches. One garden bar is offering "all the games, all the goals, none of the national anthems." They offer a big willkommen for all "who love the game but don't want to be forced to watch it surrounded by patriotism, nationalism, chauvinism and colonialism, and who don't want to feel forced to support Germany." Achim Trautvetter helped create an alternative outdoor World Cup watching zone near an old industrial site in Potsdam just outside Berlin. He and the other organizers are gearing up for a big crowd Saturday. There are a humongous viewing screen, a canopy against the sun, lots of seating and plenty of beer and bratwurst in a friendly, flag-free surrounding. Co-organizer Max Dalichow says, "We all know about the German trauma and extreme nationalism."

French Flag is Lowered

This just confirms my feelings about my Canadian flag…I have wanted to fly it in some manner near my home over the past 2 years, but have always felt that someone would interpret a pro-Canadian expression as somehow being anti-American, when in fact, it would have merely been an expression of the need for nationalism we all felt after 9/11.

Hotel Sofitels across the country are temporarily removing the French tricolor flying outside and replacing them with state flags. “Some of our general managers decided maybe our flags would hurt some of our clients,” said Sofitel communications manager Paul Charoy. “It was just to show goodwill, it was not to make any problems or talk in the press.”
But the gesture has led to unwanted media attention in the United States and criticism of the Sofitel chain back home in France, Charoy said. “Sometimes you want to do something to make people happy and you make a mistake,” he said

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