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Darkest Hour? Churchill Myth-Making and the Great Brexit Fiasco

  • International Institute for Peace 5 Möllwaldplatz Wien, Wien, 1040 Austria (map)

The Sir Peter Ustinov Institute and the International Institute for Peace (IIP) kindly invite you to the lecture

“DARKEST HOUR? CHURCHILL MYTH-MAKING AND THE GREAT BREXIT FIASCO”

by Prof. Dr. Robert Knight

Date:           Monday, 3 June 2019

Time:           7:00 pm               

Venue:         International Institute for Peace (IIP); Möllwaldplatz 5/2, 1040 Wien

Registration:         registration@iip.at

          https://www.iipvienna.com/registration

Welcome: Hannes Swoboda, IIP

Speaker: Robert Knight, University College London

Moderator: Maryia Hushcha, IIP

Content:

In his lecture Dr Robert Knight argues that an important explanation for the current Brexit crisis lies in Britain’s longstanding mythmaking about the Second World War. In particular a cultural memory of the crisis of 1940 has encouraged delusions and self-delusions. One striking example is the false – and absurd – analogy between Britain’s current position in relation to the EU and its war-time isolation. Dr Knight argues that this – supported by the virtual sacralisation of Winston Churchill – has led to a ‘politics of fantasy‘. He will illustrate this by examining the recent much-acclaimed film Darkest Hour, exploring the role played in one scene by Thomas Macaulay’s famous poem Horatiusand concluding that the film was sophisticated but highly effective Brexit propaganda.

Robert Knight is Sir Peter Ustinov guest Professor at the University of Vienna and honorary fellow of the Institute of Advanced Studies, University College London.

The Discussion will be held in English. 

The IIP invites to snacks and drinks after the event!

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