British voters have chosen to leave the European Union. The Leave campaign in the 23 June referendum received 51.9% of the votes. What will happen next? The answer to one question leaves many others open: When will Britain leave? The Treaty of Lisbon includes a process for leaving the Union. The British government must inform … Continue reading “Brexit”
The Irish Republic has organised a whole year of commemorations of the centenary of the Easter Rising, which took place on Easter Monday, 24 April 1916. It was one of the founding events of the Irish Republic, but was and remains an equivocal and divisive rebellion. It is an excellent topic for a Lieux et … Continue reading “The Easter Rising, Dublin 1916”
More than 200 countries participated in the Olympic Games in Brazil in August. At the Opening Ceremony, each team marched behind its national flag. But right at the end, just before the host nation, came a team that is unique in Olympic history: a team of 10 refugees from four countries. They marched behind the … Continue reading “An Olympic First: a Refugee Team”
Queen Elizabeth II is now officially Britain’s longest reigning monarch. On 9 September, 2015, she overtook Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years, seven months and two days, from 1837 to 1901. Elizabeth ascended to the throne on 6 February 1952, after the death of her father King George VI. He, as a second son, … Continue reading “Queen Elizabeth II: Longest Reign”