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Something Understood

Religion & Ethics

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life, taking a spiritual theme and exploring it through music, prose and poetry

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Something Understood: Europe

Embracing the Classical

18/06/2017

Europe

BBC Radio 4 - Something Understood, Europe

Mark Tully considers how the UK might continue to share a European identity post-Brexit.

Mark Tully, with help from Lord Stephen Green, trade minister in the recent coalition government, considers how the UK might continue to share a European identity post-Brexit.

Mark Tully with help from Lord Stephen Green, trade minister in the recent coalition government, considers how the UK might continue to share a European identity post-Brexit.

Quoting current British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's hopes that the UK should be more engaged than ever with Europe after its departure from the European Union, they discuss where Britain should find its cultural centre of gravity in a changing world.

Lord Green identifies fundamentally important human values that have arisen from European traditions, despite Europe's violent history - human fulfilment, social compassion and the recognition of the importance of the individual, and the rights and responsibilities that accompany that recognition.

Mark asks what part Christianity played in the formation of a European identity and if there is any future for it as a binding force now the idea of religion dominating European public life has diminished.

And finally, there is a reminder in the music of Mozart that the treasures of Europe are Britain's treasures too.

Producer: Adam Fowler
A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4.

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