• Date: September 30th, 2024
  • Time: 18:30
  • Location: Press Club Brussels, Rue Froissart 95, 1040 Brussels

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MCC Brussels is pleased to invite you to the launch of Professor Frank Furedi's latest book, The War Against the Past: Why the West Must Fight for its History, published by Polity Books. The evening will feature a conversation between Professor Furedi and Bruno Waterfield, (Brussels correspondent, The Times) on the book’s themes, followed by a wine reception.

About the Author
Professor Frank Furedi has been a dynamic presence in Brussels for the past two years since founding the think tank MCC Brussels to challenge the status quo and shake up the Brussels bubble. An internationally renowned sociologist, author, and media commentator, Professor Furedi serves as an Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent in Canterbury. He has published over 25 books, translated into 16 languages, and is known for his insightful analysis of cultural developments in Western societies.

The Book: The War Against the Past : Why the West Must Fight for its History
In his latest book, Professor Furedi explores the current cultural crusade against history, where the past is often dismissed as toxic. From toppling statues to erasing historical terms from our vocabulary, there is an ongoing effort to make the past an object of disdain. Furedi poses essential questions: What is driving this cultural shift? What are the dangers of erasing or condemning Western history?

Furedi argues that a society that loses touch with its past is left in a permanent crisis of identity. In The War Against the Past, he provides a passionate defense of history, emphasizing the importance of preserving our collective wisdom and challenging the delegitimisation of Western ideals and accomplishments.

Praise for The War Against the Past

  • "This lucid analysis of the culture wars' historical front makes a vital contribution to the defence of liberal democracies." — Nigel Biggar, University of Oxford and author of Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning
  • "This book is like a bolt of lightning…. Furedi’s analysis is brilliant, and the need for action is urgent. We must end the war against the past." — Jonathan Haidt, NYC Stern School of Business
  • "Deeply researched and brilliantly written… a clarion call to action." — Robert Tombs, University of Cambridge

About Professor Frank Furedi, executive director, MCC Brussels
With an illustrious career spanning decades, Professor Furedi has established himself as a thought leader in cultural and social analysis. His recent works include Populism and the European Culture Wars (2017), 100 Years of Identity Crisis (2021), and The Road To Ukraine: How the West Lost Its Way (2022). As the Executive Director of MCC Brussels, he continues to engage in thought-provoking debates and influence cultural discourse.

About Bruno Waterfield, Brussels correspondent, The Times
Bruno Waterfield is based in Brussels. As one of the longest-serving newspaper correspondents in the city, he has covered the European Union as it has lurched from crisis to crisis, then Brexit and beyond. He covers general news in Belgium and the Netherlands as well, from euthanasia in Flanders to magnet fishermen in Amsterdam, and more. A devotee of Belgian beer and food, his favourite pastimes in Brussels usually involve drinking dark Trappist beers in “brown bars” paired with convivial arguments about European politics, history or literature. 

Join us for an ideas-filled evening to celebrate the launch of The War Against the Past and gain insights from one of today’s most influential thinkers. We are delighted that copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing by the author.

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