Branding National Myths and Symbols: How to Include the EU in Turkey

The national identities of these existing EU members are not represented in the symbols of EU. These symbols are based on, and are a duplication of, the Greco-Roman symbols, with Christianity added in. When Pope Leo crowned King Charles of Franks in 800AD, as Charlemagne, his crowning blended these three themes into one. Greco-Roman symbols were merged into Christianity and, moved Eastern Roman Empire (or Byzantine Empire) from Byzantium back to Rome, to become the Holy Roman Empire. The Renaissance thinkers and artists revived (thus reinforcing) these Greco-Roman symbols and myths to underpin their work. All three ideologies from therein became blurred into one. Samir Amin writes that the addition of Hellenism was necessary for the creation (and maintenance) of this new European identity, to be able to distinguish itself from its others: Byzantine Empire to any Moslem empires. This subtle but very obvious shift pivoted Greece (and its cultural symbols) as the centre of all European (west) learning who adopted classical Greek cultural symbols as their own.

The symbol for EU culture is two lines drawn straight up and down, with another line on top that curls towards itself at both corners. The drawing symbolises a Doric column to represent culture, learning and modernisation/civilisation. Does this Doric column also represent Europe's Norse culture, or its Arab-Islamic heritage, or its various alliances with Moslem empires such as the Ottoman Empire? These Doric columns were later adopted as the logo of UNESCO, as a representation of all of the world's nations that are united in a common goal.

EU's official and non-official symbols connect its member-nations through their Christian faith (without specifying various denominations), but make no allowances for Abraham's other children. Furthermore, these EU symbols omit member-nation's flag colours, national heroes, cultural myths and symbols, or languages. Charlemagne is accepted as the Father of Europe, and thereby of the EU. But does his filial duty extend over his children in Türkey? As the Father of Europe, Charlemagne has buildings and rooms named after him. Type in the words, Father of Europe into Google, and the first hit is, Charlemagne. No other words are necessary to find him. In the spirit of 'united in diversity' would two Father Figures join together in their filial duties over their Abraham's children? EU's unification with Türkey would look something like this. A statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Father of Türks, in his western tailored suit and tie standing outside the EU Council of Minister's Building or the Charlemagne Building. These two Father Figures would then be visually be united in their common goal, as they would be united in their diversity.

There have been no commemorative EU postage stamps that celebrate all the member-nations being united in their diversity. Granted that one day the EU will print its own set of postage stamps, but what would they look like? Would Türkey's identity, as a candidate country, be taken into consideration in their creation process? Assuming that the national identity of Türkey was included in the drawing of these postage stamps they might look a bit like these two stamps. The Father of Europe would be portrayed as standing next to the Father of Türks. Atatürk next to Charlemagne. Atatürk, dressed in his celluloid collar, white bow tie, as the ever the western gentleman, looking over his adopted children. Twelve yellow stars encircling his image with the words EU- Türkiye Cumhriyeti (EU-Republic of Türkey) above his head. In reciprocation and in keeping with the spirit of being 'united in diversity' Türkey would have Charlemagne in his ceremonial robes and Frankish crown, encircled by the same Twelve Stars with the words Türkiye Cumhriyeti -EU underneath.

The Euro echoes the same themes. There are no member-nation's heroes on the obverse side of the Euro. Their images are kept for the reverse side. The Euro is written with the Greek letter, epsilon, as an acknowledgement of Greece being the cradle of European civilisation. Pauliina Raento points out that it is epsilon which unifies Europa's name, her Hellenic culture, and her country as the cradle of European culture and civilization.

The myth of Europa is one example of 'united in diversity'. Europa's myth unites three continents in Ancient and Modern worlds. Europa, Homer tells us, was born in Asia Minor, or in the east, in Anatolia or modern day Türkey. After Europa was abducted by Zeus in his form as a white bull, she spent her adult life with him and their three boys in Crete, Greece. Posthumously, Europa is considered as the geographical mother of a land mass, called after her, Europe. To complete this circle, Europa needs to acknowledge her filial and ancestor duties towards her Asia Minor children.

These are some of the examples of the hurdles which should be on Türkey's EU accession Agenda talks. Symbols like these will exasperate and perpetuate the existing mutual misunderstandings between Türkey and the EU. No matter how much each of them would like to understand the other, ultimately, without an adjustment of these symbols, their attempts will be luke-warm and ineffective.


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