A cultura: língua comum da Europa?

Abstract

Europe and culture: the two words are frequently associated, but are also, one and the other, equally badly defined. Which Europe? Which culture? The idea of culture, wrote Paul Valery, holds for us a very ancient link with the idea of Europe. CuIture is Europe's common language, stated Fernando Braudel. On the other extreme, an equally great number of people won't stop repeating, like Julien Benda in 1946: Europe or, more exactly, a consciousness of Europe beyond the diversity of its parts, never existed, as a consciousness of the United States does, beyond the diversity of its forty-eight (nowadays flfty) states. Europe, the idea of Europe, the European consciousness, or the European cultural identity does not exist. Europe's culture is essential, according to some; it's just an empty word, according to olhers. Talking about Europe and culture, let's sail across these commonplaces.