okay good evening and thank you very much TEDx for inviting me here now if
much TEDx for inviting me here now if
much TEDx for inviting me here now if one of you here or if any of you all of
one of you here or if any of you all of
one of you here or if any of you all of left immediately to go to Heathrow took
left immediately to go to Heathrow took
left immediately to go to Heathrow took a plane to Latvia we landed there this
a plane to Latvia we landed there this
a plane to Latvia we landed there this evening and then got on a bus and went
evening and then got on a bus and went
evening and then got on a bus and went into a village any village in Latvia and
into a village any village in Latvia and
into a village any village in Latvia and we wanted to speak to somebody we’d have
we wanted to speak to somebody we’d have
we wanted to speak to somebody we’d have a problem first we’d have to look for a
a problem first we’d have to look for a
a problem first we’d have to look for a house that was lit that would be a
house that was lit that would be a
house that was lit that would be a problem then once we had found found a
problem then once we had found found a
problem then once we had found found a house with a lit window and knocked on
house with a lit window and knocked on
house with a lit window and knocked on the door the chances of the person
the door the chances of the person
the door the chances of the person answering the door being old really
answering the door being old really
answering the door being old really quite old would be very high and why
quite old would be very high and why
quite old would be very high and why because they’re the only people left in
because they’re the only people left in
because they’re the only people left in the village the younger generations
the village the younger generations
the village the younger generations have already gone into the towns and the
have already gone into the towns and the
have already gone into the towns and the chances they’ve gone from the towns out
chances they’ve gone from the towns out
chances they’ve gone from the towns out to Western Europe or into the United
to Western Europe or into the United
to Western Europe or into the United States the countryside is empty it’s the
States the countryside is empty it’s the
States the countryside is empty it’s the same story in Russia west of the Urals
same story in Russia west of the Urals
same story in Russia west of the Urals and the same story again I’m just
and the same story again I’m just
and the same story again I’m just choosing three examples in Albania where
choosing three examples in Albania where
choosing three examples in Albania where it’s where the people have moved in from
it’s where the people have moved in from
it’s where the people have moved in from the countryside into the towns and then
the countryside into the towns and then
the countryside into the towns and then if they’ve got the money and the
if they’ve got the money and the
if they’ve got the money and the qualifications they leave the cities and
qualifications they leave the cities and
qualifications they leave the cities and go elsewhere as well in Albania it’s
go elsewhere as well in Albania it’s
go elsewhere as well in Albania it’s known as the great departure and the
known as the great departure and the
known as the great departure and the population of the country is shrinking
population of the country is shrinking
population of the country is shrinking noticeably and worryingly but it’s not
noticeably and worryingly but it’s not
noticeably and worryingly but it’s not just Eastern Europe where you have these
just Eastern Europe where you have these
just Eastern Europe where you have these problems for instance there is a large
problems for instance there is a large
problems for instance there is a large area in northeastern Spain just in it’s
area in northeastern Spain just in it’s
area in northeastern Spain just in it’s still Spain by the way folks just inland
still Spain by the way folks just inland
still Spain by the way folks just inland from the coast which occupies maybe
from the coast which occupies maybe
from the coast which occupies maybe about 15 to 20 percent of the total land
about 15 to 20 percent of the total land
about 15 to 20 percent of the total land area of Spain which has known as the
area of Spain which has known as the
area of Spain which has known as the Sarnia salt America or the the kalto
Sarnia salt America or the the kalto
Sarnia salt America or the the kalto Iberian range of mountains the
Iberian range of mountains the
Iberian range of mountains the depopulation there is so great that the
depopulation there is so great that the
depopulation there is so great that the population density of this area is less
population density of this area is less
population density of this area is less than that of Lapland in northern Finland
than that of Lapland in northern Finland
than that of Lapland in northern Finland in fact it’s known as the Spanish
in fact it’s known as the Spanish
in fact it’s known as the Spanish Lapland
Lapland
Lapland because there is nobody there you go
because there is nobody there you go
because there is nobody there you go there you’ll go to village
there you’ll go to village
there you’ll go to village after a village which has been abandoned
after a village which has been abandoned
after a village which has been abandoned and maybe you will meet one really quite
and maybe you will meet one really quite
and maybe you will meet one really quite old person still living there because he
old person still living there because he
old person still living there because he doesn’t want to leave or she doesn’t
doesn’t want to leave or she doesn’t
doesn’t want to leave or she doesn’t want to leave their natal home place so
want to leave their natal home place so
want to leave their natal home place so what’s happening in other words in rural
what’s happening in other words in rural
what’s happening in other words in rural Europe in many areas the countryside is
Europe in many areas the countryside is
Europe in many areas the countryside is being emptied people are leaving and
being emptied people are leaving and
being emptied people are leaving and have been doing so for a decade from
have been doing so for a decade from
have been doing so for a decade from this is the accumulated effect of
this is the accumulated effect of
this is the accumulated effect of several decades leaving to an abandoned
several decades leaving to an abandoned
several decades leaving to an abandoned countryside where fields are no longer
countryside where fields are no longer
countryside where fields are no longer cultivated and the forests are beginning
cultivated and the forests are beginning
cultivated and the forests are beginning to reclaim their ground providing a
to reclaim their ground providing a
to reclaim their ground providing a perfect setting for wolves bears and
perfect setting for wolves bears and
perfect setting for wolves bears and other animals which are now being seen
other animals which are now being seen
other animals which are now being seen in greater in greater numbers so but
in greater in greater numbers so but
in greater in greater numbers so but then some people think well that’s ok we
then some people think well that’s ok we
then some people think well that’s ok we can convert it into a leisure tourist
can convert it into a leisure tourist
can convert it into a leisure tourist space and the urbanites can go out to
space and the urbanites can go out to
space and the urbanites can go out to see it but then the question really
see it but then the question really
see it but then the question really becomes is are we converting ural your
becomes is are we converting ural your
becomes is are we converting ural your rural Europe into a vast pleasure park
rural Europe into a vast pleasure park
rural Europe into a vast pleasure park for disenchanted urbanites and that’s
for disenchanted urbanites and that’s
for disenchanted urbanites and that’s what I want to talk about today I’ll do
what I want to talk about today I’ll do
what I want to talk about today I’ll do it quite quickly now of course there are
it quite quickly now of course there are
it quite quickly now of course there are lots of different responses that one can
lots of different responses that one can
lots of different responses that one can make and a majority of them certainly
make and a majority of them certainly
make and a majority of them certainly the ones you’ll know about them I know
the ones you’ll know about them I know
the ones you’ll know about them I know about come from governments whether
about come from governments whether
about come from governments whether international regional international
international regional international
international regional international national regional and so on down some of
national regional and so on down some of
national regional and so on down some of those succeed but I want to concentrate
those succeed but I want to concentrate
those succeed but I want to concentrate on what I like to think of is the
on what I like to think of is the
on what I like to think of is the unexpected low level initiatives and I’m
unexpected low level initiatives and I’m
unexpected low level initiatives and I’m going to concentrate on two types and
going to concentrate on two types and
going to concentrate on two types and the first is counter urbanization the
the first is counter urbanization the
the first is counter urbanization the people who have deliberately left towns
people who have deliberately left towns
people who have deliberately left towns for their own reasons and gone to live
for their own reasons and gone to live
for their own reasons and gone to live in the countryside and it starts with
in the countryside and it starts with
in the countryside and it starts with the people I did fieldwork with 15 years
the people I did fieldwork with 15 years
the people I did fieldwork with 15 years ago in the West of Ireland who went out
ago in the West of Ireland who went out
ago in the West of Ireland who went out there incomers what a locally known
there incomers what a locally known
there incomers what a locally known rather pejoratively I think as blow ins
rather pejoratively I think as blow ins
rather pejoratively I think as blow ins hippies about my age but then they were
hippies about my age but then they were
hippies about my age but then they were of course in their 20s and 30s who wish
of course in their 20s and 30s who wish
of course in their 20s and 30s who wish to follow their peace-loving
to follow their peace-loving
to follow their peace-loving and established themselves and what they
and established themselves and what they
and established themselves and what they saw as the magical Wonderland of the
saw as the magical Wonderland of the
saw as the magical Wonderland of the West of Ireland they were followed about
West of Ireland they were followed about
West of Ireland they were followed about ten years later by crust is much more
ten years later by crust is much more
ten years later by crust is much more politicized products of the Thatcherite
politicized products of the Thatcherite
politicized products of the Thatcherite UK and in the last 20 years by people
UK and in the last 20 years by people
UK and in the last 20 years by people who the hippies of the crushes rather
who the hippies of the crushes rather
who the hippies of the crushes rather dismissively called suburban eyes people
dismissively called suburban eyes people
dismissively called suburban eyes people who want to go out and live in the
who want to go out and live in the
who want to go out and live in the countryside but take a lot of the
countryside but take a lot of the
countryside but take a lot of the benefits of the towns with them thanks
benefits of the towns with them thanks
benefits of the towns with them thanks to the net and other sources now the
to the net and other sources now the
to the net and other sources now the hippies when they first went out there
hippies when they first went out there
hippies when they first went out there were able to make their own kitchen
were able to make their own kitchen
were able to make their own kitchen Gardens live on the dole and perhaps
Gardens live on the dole and perhaps
Gardens live on the dole and perhaps grow a bit of dope as well but after a
grow a bit of dope as well but after a
grow a bit of dope as well but after a few years the Irish government rather
few years the Irish government rather
few years the Irish government rather leant on that closed that Avenue for
leant on that closed that Avenue for
leant on that closed that Avenue for them and so a number of them who wish to
them and so a number of them who wish to
them and so a number of them who wish to stay turned into small businessman and
stay turned into small businessman and
stay turned into small businessman and some succeeded and of course some didn’t
some succeeded and of course some didn’t
some succeeded and of course some didn’t but what they did in that process was
but what they did in that process was
but what they did in that process was they created and what I call an
they created and what I call an
they created and what I call an alternative economy one bit one of
alternative economy one bit one of
alternative economy one bit one of homeopaths masses yogurt teachers
homeopaths masses yogurt teachers
homeopaths masses yogurt teachers biodynamic farmers producers of organic
biodynamic farmers producers of organic
biodynamic farmers producers of organic foods aroma therapists cheese makers and
foods aroma therapists cheese makers and
foods aroma therapists cheese makers and even an estate agent or two who realized
even an estate agent or two who realized
even an estate agent or two who realized that the disjunction in the price of
that the disjunction in the price of
that the disjunction in the price of housing in the UK and Ireland was so
housing in the UK and Ireland was so
housing in the UK and Ireland was so great he could sell houses in the West
great he could sell houses in the West
great he could sell houses in the West of Ireland to like-minded people such as
of Ireland to like-minded people such as
of Ireland to like-minded people such as him in the UK for what the people in the
him in the UK for what the people in the
him in the UK for what the people in the UK thought were very low prices but
UK thought were very low prices but
UK thought were very low prices but which the Irish were extremely happy to
which the Irish were extremely happy to
which the Irish were extremely happy to receive some of these hippies ex-hippies
receive some of these hippies ex-hippies
receive some of these hippies ex-hippies are now surprisingly well-off because
are now surprisingly well-off because
are now surprisingly well-off because they bought land at a time when it was
they bought land at a time when it was
they bought land at a time when it was cheap held onto it worked it maybe
cheap held onto it worked it maybe
cheap held onto it worked it maybe developed it maybe not and now found
developed it maybe not and now found
developed it maybe not and now found that because of the the the rebirth of
that because of the the the rebirth of
that because of the the the rebirth of the era of the Gaelic Tiger that their
the era of the Gaelic Tiger that their
the era of the Gaelic Tiger that their property is quite valuable the other
property is quite valuable the other
property is quite valuable the other chain I want to just discuss a number of
chain I want to just discuss a number of
chain I want to just discuss a number of the changes they made is they didn’t
the changes they made is they didn’t
the changes they made is they didn’t just set up this alternative economy
just set up this alternative economy
just set up this alternative economy they also created new styles of
they also created new styles of
they also created new styles of education for instance the stein aryan
education for instance the stein aryan
education for instance the stein aryan school that they establish in Skara Finn
school that they establish in Skara Finn
school that they establish in Skara Finn County Clare is now
County Clare is now
County Clare is now the largest in the country and about 40%
the largest in the country and about 40%
the largest in the country and about 40% of its intake are not just the children
of its intake are not just the children
of its intake are not just the children of these alternatives but the children
of these alternatives but the children
of these alternatives but the children of farmers and local people as well
of farmers and local people as well
of farmers and local people as well they also exemplified what we might call
they also exemplified what we might call
they also exemplified what we might call new kinds of relations new ways of
new kinds of relations new ways of
new kinds of relations new ways of living together which the up until then
living together which the up until then
living together which the up until then really quite traditional heavily
really quite traditional heavily
really quite traditional heavily Catholic way of life had forbidden or
Catholic way of life had forbidden or
Catholic way of life had forbidden or had regarded as unthinkable on top of
had regarded as unthinkable on top of
had regarded as unthinkable on top of that we could see them as innovators in
that we could see them as innovators in
that we could see them as innovators in general whether they were being
general whether they were being
general whether they were being enterprising or prepared to put their
enterprising or prepared to put their
enterprising or prepared to put their head above the parapet as the locals
head above the parapet as the locals
head above the parapet as the locals would put it and say something that time
would put it and say something that time
would put it and say something that time had come for change there’s a lot of the
had come for change there’s a lot of the
had come for change there’s a lot of the locals they themselves admit they
locals they themselves admit they
locals they themselves admit they weren’t prepared to do that
weren’t prepared to do that
weren’t prepared to do that on top of that they also built they also
on top of that they also built they also
on top of that they also built they also provided a number of new house building
provided a number of new house building
provided a number of new house building styles a lot of them when they started
styles a lot of them when they started
styles a lot of them when they started came in their own vans caravans and so
came in their own vans caravans and so
came in their own vans caravans and so on bought a small plot of land and then
on bought a small plot of land and then
on bought a small plot of land and then proceeded either to renovate an
proceeded either to renovate an
proceeded either to renovate an abandoned house or to build their own
abandoned house or to build their own
abandoned house or to build their own here’s an example of one where the
here’s an example of one where the
here’s an example of one where the carrot where the van was still in the in
carrot where the van was still in the in
carrot where the van was still in the in a side area of the the land with their
a side area of the the land with their
a side area of the the land with their house but in this particular house what
house but in this particular house what
house but in this particular house what you can see if you look closely into the
you can see if you look closely into the
you can see if you look closely into the left-hand window is they actually built
left-hand window is they actually built
left-hand window is they actually built the house around the caravan or some of
the house around the caravan or some of
the house around the caravan or some of these examples where this is a
these examples where this is a
these examples where this is a particular cheese maker who decided to
particular cheese maker who decided to
particular cheese maker who decided to indulge their their tastes in fairy tale
indulge their their tastes in fairy tale
indulge their their tastes in fairy tale pterence or another house again which is
pterence or another house again which is
pterence or another house again which is near which is of the same complex of the
near which is of the same complex of the
near which is of the same complex of the cheese maker and one of their stores but
cheese maker and one of their stores but
cheese maker and one of their stores but then there up there are people with
then there up there are people with
then there up there are people with other skills for instance this house was
other skills for instance this house was
other skills for instance this house was put up by a carpenter an English
put up by a carpenter an English
put up by a carpenter an English carpenter on part of the borough which
carpenter on part of the borough which
carpenter on part of the borough which is a cast limestone landscape where as
is a cast limestone landscape where as
is a cast limestone landscape where as where if you look for the top window as
where if you look for the top window as
where if you look for the top window as the locals say the next parish is Boston
the locals say the next parish is Boston
the locals say the next parish is Boston ie you’re looking out across the
ie you’re looking out across the
ie you’re looking out across the Atlantic and he told me the locals said
Atlantic and he told me the locals said
Atlantic and he told me the locals said you’re gonna put up a house of wood it
you’re gonna put up a house of wood it
you’re gonna put up a house of wood it will not last
will not last
will not last ten years later the house is still there
ten years later the house is still there
ten years later the house is still there was still there and the locals had
was still there and the locals had
was still there and the locals had rather quietly come back and said can
rather quietly come back and said can
rather quietly come back and said can you show us how you make one in the
you show us how you make one in the
you show us how you make one in the garden he’s married to a Dutch artist he
garden he’s married to a Dutch artist he
garden he’s married to a Dutch artist he also built a studio for her so you’re
also built a studio for her so you’re
also built a studio for her so you’re looking at some very different housing
looking at some very different housing
looking at some very different housing styles which they were using and which
styles which they were using and which
styles which they were using and which some people have now began begun to
some people have now began begun to
some people have now began begun to imitate on top of that these income as
imitate on top of that these income as
imitate on top of that these income as these blow ins also revitalized local
these blow ins also revitalized local
these blow ins also revitalized local life in a variety of different ways such
life in a variety of different ways such
life in a variety of different ways such as local drama groups establishing film
as local drama groups establishing film
as local drama groups establishing film clubs community cafeteras
clubs community cafeteras
clubs community cafeteras or community coops for community
or community coops for community
or community coops for community employment schemes as well as setting up
employment schemes as well as setting up
employment schemes as well as setting up well-regarded whole food stores and tele
well-regarded whole food stores and tele
well-regarded whole food stores and tele cottaging businesses perhaps they are
cottaging businesses perhaps they are
cottaging businesses perhaps they are best known though again an example of
best known though again an example of
best known though again an example of themselves putting their hands above the
themselves putting their hands above the
themselves putting their hands above the parapet for their environmental activism
parapet for their environmental activism
parapet for their environmental activism and the sustained campaign that some of
and the sustained campaign that some of
and the sustained campaign that some of these people have been prepared to fight
these people have been prepared to fight
these people have been prepared to fight entering a broad coalition with farmers
entering a broad coalition with farmers
entering a broad coalition with farmers and with other people who were against
and with other people who were against
and with other people who were against government initiatives which they
government initiatives which they
government initiatives which they thought were environmentally very
thought were environmentally very
thought were environmentally very damaging and finally they have also said
damaging and finally they have also said
damaging and finally they have also said the way of life of these people and what
the way of life of these people and what
the way of life of these people and what they’ve done
they’ve done
they’ve done we served as a model for an organization
we served as a model for an organization
we served as a model for an organization a very successful organization called
a very successful organization called
a very successful organization called rurals resettlement Island a completely
rurals resettlement Island a completely
rurals resettlement Island a completely volunteer-run organisation which raises
volunteer-run organisation which raises
volunteer-run organisation which raises money to rebuild and renovate old
money to rebuild and renovate old
money to rebuild and renovate old abandoned unwanted houses in the West of
abandoned unwanted houses in the West of
abandoned unwanted houses in the West of Ireland and then rehouse families from
Ireland and then rehouse families from
Ireland and then rehouse families from disadvantaged backgrounds in rundown
disadvantaged backgrounds in rundown
disadvantaged backgrounds in rundown slums of Dublin to give them an
slums of Dublin to give them an
slums of Dublin to give them an opportunity to raise their family and
opportunity to raise their family and
opportunity to raise their family and what they see as a much as a much better
what they see as a much as a much better
what they see as a much as a much better environment which offers their them and
environment which offers their them and
environment which offers their them and their children a much better quality of
their children a much better quality of
their children a much better quality of life and in the 10 years it closed down
life and in the 10 years it closed down
life and in the 10 years it closed down about five years ago because it was for
about five years ago because it was for
about five years ago because it was for various reasons but in the 10 years that
various reasons but in the 10 years that
various reasons but in the 10 years that rural resettlement Ireland ran they were
rural resettlement Ireland ran they were
rural resettlement Ireland ran they were able to resettle 800 fam
able to resettle 800 fam
able to resettle 800 fam from Dublin and the example of that the
from Dublin and the example of that the
from Dublin and the example of that the model of the example was so great that
model of the example was so great that
model of the example was so great that the Irish government funded a number of
the Irish government funded a number of
the Irish government funded a number of imitate Ori initiatives elsewhere and
imitate Ori initiatives elsewhere and
imitate Ori initiatives elsewhere and then it was taken up by the EU as a
then it was taken up by the EU as a
then it was taken up by the EU as a model again for attempting to resettle
model again for attempting to resettle
model again for attempting to resettle families in rural areas in different EU
families in rural areas in different EU
families in rural areas in different EU countries right so much for Ireland but
countries right so much for Ireland but
countries right so much for Ireland but you can see similar but relation events
you can see similar but relation events
you can see similar but relation events in France for instance in the parque
in France for instance in the parque
in France for instance in the parque nationale de 7 in southern france what
nationale de 7 in southern france what
nationale de 7 in southern france what you have there was a group of young
you have there was a group of young
you have there was a group of young people exurban eins or anti counter over
people exurban eins or anti counter over
people exurban eins or anti counter over lights called lay neo who’ve moved into
lights called lay neo who’ve moved into
lights called lay neo who’ve moved into the area and then have captured the
the area and then have captured the
the area and then have captured the moral terrain and the grudging
moral terrain and the grudging
moral terrain and the grudging acceptance of the locals who were mainly
acceptance of the locals who were mainly
acceptance of the locals who were mainly old men and women as the young had left
old men and women as the young had left
old men and women as the young had left by what is known as their praxis of
by what is known as their praxis of
by what is known as their praxis of belonging there their actions leading to
belonging there their actions leading to
belonging there their actions leading to them becoming seen to be residents and
them becoming seen to be residents and
them becoming seen to be residents and those actions include because that they
those actions include because that they
those actions include because that they occupy the land they are the ones who
occupy the land they are the ones who
occupy the land they are the ones who come to produce what has seen as
come to produce what has seen as
come to produce what has seen as authentic local goods and they are the
authentic local goods and they are the
authentic local goods and they are the ones who rebuild ruined farmed how
ones who rebuild ruined farmed how
ones who rebuild ruined farmed how ruined farmhouses in what has seen as
ruined farmhouses in what has seen as
ruined farmhouses in what has seen as authentic a manner and they are the ones
authentic a manner and they are the ones
authentic a manner and they are the ones who have the education and thus to a
who have the education and thus to a
who have the education and thus to a certain extent the confidence to
certain extent the confidence to
certain extent the confidence to negotiate the local bureaucracy and the
negotiate the local bureaucracy and the
negotiate the local bureaucracy and the administration and they are the ones who
administration and they are the ones who
administration and they are the ones who carry the vision of patrimony in other
carry the vision of patrimony in other
carry the vision of patrimony in other words of heritage held by both the
words of heritage held by both the
words of heritage held by both the administrators who run the Parque
administrators who run the Parque
administrators who run the Parque Nacional and the children of the
Nacional and the children of the
Nacional and the children of the remainders in other words the absent EES
remainders in other words the absent EES
remainders in other words the absent EES who are seeing their homeland being
who are seeing their homeland being
who are seeing their homeland being taken over and transformed or revived in
taken over and transformed or revived in
taken over and transformed or revived in a slightly different fashion by these
a slightly different fashion by these
a slightly different fashion by these incomers and the result some geographers
incomers and the result some geographers
incomers and the result some geographers who studied this have Felicity
who studied this have Felicity
who studied this have Felicity felicitous Lee phrased the chestnut
felicitous Lee phrased the chestnut
felicitous Lee phrased the chestnut economy but the area is also well known
economy but the area is also well known
economy but the area is also well known because just northwest of the park in
because just northwest of the park in
because just northwest of the park in the larzac plateau in the 1970s
the larzac plateau in the 1970s
the larzac plateau in the 1970s the government the French government
the government the French government
the government the French government proposed to massively increase some
proposed to massively increase some
proposed to massively increase some military and military encampment there
military and military encampment there
military and military encampment there the protest reaction against this
the protest reaction against this
the protest reaction against this massive rebuilding or extension of a
massive rebuilding or extension of a
massive rebuilding or extension of a military camp took decades and it was
military camp took decades and it was
military camp took decades and it was mainly led by politicized neros it was a
mainly led by politicized neros it was a
mainly led by politicized neros it was a coalition of Maoists anarchists
coalition of Maoists anarchists
coalition of Maoists anarchists socialists hippies ecologists
socialists hippies ecologists
socialists hippies ecologists revolutionaries pacifists intellectuals
revolutionaries pacifists intellectuals
revolutionaries pacifists intellectuals and members of the Catholic clergy and
and members of the Catholic clergy and
and members of the Catholic clergy and the years they were there mounting these
the years they were there mounting these
the years they were there mounting these protests led ultimately successfully led
protests led ultimately successfully led
protests led ultimately successfully led to a number of them becoming permanent
to a number of them becoming permanent
to a number of them becoming permanent residents and in fact the whole area the
residents and in fact the whole area the
residents and in fact the whole area the larzac plateau to a great extent now is
larzac plateau to a great extent now is
larzac plateau to a great extent now is seen as a beacon achieved enormous
seen as a beacon achieved enormous
seen as a beacon achieved enormous semi-mythical status and is a beacon of
semi-mythical status and is a beacon of
semi-mythical status and is a beacon of the anti-globalization movement and now
the anti-globalization movement and now
the anti-globalization movement and now in fact the number of permanently based
in fact the number of permanently based
in fact the number of permanently based activists out numbers the number of
activists out numbers the number of
activists out numbers the number of native born and bred okay a more modern
native born and bred okay a more modern
native born and bred okay a more modern variant of these hippies or Neos or
variant of these hippies or Neos or
variant of these hippies or Neos or crushes are people known as lifestyle
crushes are people known as lifestyle
crushes are people known as lifestyle migrants in other words people who are
migrants in other words people who are
migrants in other words people who are who are taking advantage of cheap
who are taking advantage of cheap
who are taking advantage of cheap flights and the net to go and live in
flights and the net to go and live in
flights and the net to go and live in another part of Europe for the sake of a
another part of Europe for the sake of a
another part of Europe for the sake of a better quality of life and as some of us
better quality of life and as some of us
better quality of life and as some of us know there are large numbers in France
know there are large numbers in France
know there are large numbers in France especially rural southwest France and
especially rural southwest France and
especially rural southwest France and also there are the notorious very large
also there are the notorious very large
also there are the notorious very large housing estates built just inland from
housing estates built just inland from
housing estates built just inland from coastal Spain which act as as really to
coastal Spain which act as as really to
coastal Spain which act as as really to a certain extent as little England’s
a certain extent as little England’s
a certain extent as little England’s where you can have say thousands of
where you can have say thousands of
where you can have say thousands of Brits who are able to live their whole
Brits who are able to live their whole
Brits who are able to live their whole life in English and who maybe only leave
life in English and who maybe only leave
life in English and who maybe only leave the estate in order to go to the beach
the estate in order to go to the beach
the estate in order to go to the beach or go to the airport but rather in these
or go to the airport but rather in these
or go to the airport but rather in these places and also in some southwest France
places and also in some southwest France
places and also in some southwest France one can ask the question even though
one can ask the question even though
one can ask the question even though they might occupy the same geographical
they might occupy the same geographical
they might occupy the same geographical area as some of the local residents
area as some of the local residents
area as some of the local residents it’s as though they’re living in
it’s as though they’re living in
it’s as though they’re living in different spaces and they and they are
different spaces and they and they are
different spaces and they and they are just in a sense gliding by one another
just in a sense gliding by one another
just in a sense gliding by one another as opposed to productively interacting
as opposed to productively interacting
as opposed to productively interacting now as well as movement from the cities
now as well as movement from the cities
now as well as movement from the cities into the countryside
into the countryside
into the countryside you also have incumbents as we well know
you also have incumbents as we well know
you also have incumbents as we well know from beyond Europe and some of these can
from beyond Europe and some of these can
from beyond Europe and some of these can be very well established but still
be very well established but still
be very well established but still marginalized or ignored communities for
marginalized or ignored communities for
marginalized or ignored communities for instance in parts of Bergerac the
instance in parts of Bergerac the
instance in parts of Bergerac the wine-growing areas of Southwest France
wine-growing areas of Southwest France
wine-growing areas of Southwest France there are now decades long-established
there are now decades long-established
there are now decades long-established communities of Moroccans who worked in
communities of Moroccans who worked in
communities of Moroccans who worked in the vineyards firstly the first
the vineyards firstly the first
the vineyards firstly the first generation and their children with
generation and their children with
generation and their children with education now have jobs in in local
education now have jobs in in local
education now have jobs in in local towns and so on but these
towns and so on but these
towns and so on but these well-established groups of resident
well-established groups of resident
well-established groups of resident North Africans are not on the whole even
North Africans are not on the whole even
North Africans are not on the whole even recognized by French people there in
recognized by French people there in
recognized by French people there in fact when a colleague of mine and
fact when a colleague of mine and
fact when a colleague of mine and anthropologist say to to locals that’s
anthropologist say to to locals that’s
anthropologist say to to locals that’s what she was studying some people said
what she was studying some people said
what she was studying some people said well what are you studying them for you
well what are you studying them for you
well what are you studying them for you know they don’t have an identity who are
know they don’t have an identity who are
know they don’t have an identity who are they they just a few workers off off in
they they just a few workers off off in
they they just a few workers off off in different places or others would would
different places or others would would
different places or others would would say I didn’t even know there were any
say I didn’t even know there were any
say I didn’t even know there were any Moroccans out there more recent examples
Moroccans out there more recent examples
Moroccans out there more recent examples of this kind of shift occur in places
of this kind of shift occur in places
of this kind of shift occur in places like say Greece where Albanians who I
like say Greece where Albanians who I
like say Greece where Albanians who I talked about at the very beginning have
talked about at the very beginning have
talked about at the very beginning have moved into rural areas where they are
moved into rural areas where they are
moved into rural areas where they are reviving the very successfully in some
reviving the very successfully in some
reviving the very successfully in some cases the rural Greek economy providing
cases the rural Greek economy providing
cases the rural Greek economy providing cheap labor and some of those who can
cheap labor and some of those who can
cheap labor and some of those who can regularize their own status work in the
regularize their own status work in the
regularize their own status work in the fields and in construction they hold two
fields and in construction they hold two
fields and in construction they hold two jobs and then use the cash raised to buy
jobs and then use the cash raised to buy
jobs and then use the cash raised to buy buildings to buy their own holdings
buildings to buy their own holdings
buildings to buy their own holdings revive abandoned farms or set up their
revive abandoned farms or set up their
revive abandoned farms or set up their own local businesses and most of it and
own local businesses and most of it and
own local businesses and most of it and most Albanians as far as I understand in
most Albanians as far as I understand in
most Albanians as far as I understand in Greek cities like Athens and
Greek cities like Athens and
Greek cities like Athens and Thessaloniki have a rather bad image but
Thessaloniki have a rather bad image but
Thessaloniki have a rather bad image but in the villages in the root Greek
in the villages in the root Greek
in the villages in the root Greek countryside where they’ve established
countryside where they’ve established
countryside where they’ve established themselves and shown themselves to be
themselves and shown themselves to be
themselves and shown themselves to be hard work workers on the fields an
hard work workers on the fields an
hard work workers on the fields an enterprising Bangor and holdings
enterprising Bangor and holdings
enterprising Bangor and holdings putting up their own houses starting
putting up their own houses starting
putting up their own houses starting their own businesses they are seen to be
their own businesses they are seen to be
their own businesses they are seen to be making a positive contribution and
making a positive contribution and
making a positive contribution and they’re valued as such and then
they’re valued as such and then
they’re valued as such and then unsurprisingly some very local women and
unsurprisingly some very local women and
unsurprisingly some very local women and that leads to the schools being able to
that leads to the schools being able to
that leads to the schools being able to stay open but if we now shift to Italy
stay open but if we now shift to Italy
stay open but if we now shift to Italy to the heel of Italy into the area known
to the heel of Italy into the area known
to the heel of Italy into the area known as Calabria I want to look at one
as Calabria I want to look at one
as Calabria I want to look at one particular village down there where in
particular village down there where in
particular village down there where in the 1990s there were race riots by the
the 1990s there were race riots by the
the 1990s there were race riots by the locals against the income of fruit
locals against the income of fruit
locals against the income of fruit pickers well today if you go to that
pickers well today if you go to that
pickers well today if you go to that same village you’ll find it very
same village you’ll find it very
same village you’ll find it very different why because they mayor
different why because they mayor
different why because they mayor courageously for stalled village decline
courageously for stalled village decline
courageously for stalled village decline by welcoming migrants why did he do this
by welcoming migrants why did he do this
by welcoming migrants why did he do this he did it because the village the
he did it because the village the
he did it because the village the migrants coming off the boats from North
migrants coming off the boats from North
migrants coming off the boats from North Africa he did it because the village
Africa he did it because the village
Africa he did it because the village receives government subsidies for doing
receives government subsidies for doing
receives government subsidies for doing so the village Palazzo is now a welcome
so the village Palazzo is now a welcome
so the village Palazzo is now a welcome center orienting migrants setting
center orienting migrants setting
center orienting migrants setting themselves up setting them up with jobs
themselves up setting them up with jobs
themselves up setting them up with jobs teaching Italian to their children and
teaching Italian to their children and
teaching Italian to their children and distributing free food tokens this makes
distributing free food tokens this makes
distributing free food tokens this makes a lot of economic sense as the cost of
a lot of economic sense as the cost of
a lot of economic sense as the cost of keeping italians of keeping Myron’s in
keeping italians of keeping Myron’s in
keeping italians of keeping Myron’s in in these villages is four times less
in these villages is four times less
in these villages is four times less than having them in than housing them in
than having them in than housing them in
than having them in than housing them in for accommodation in a holding center
for accommodation in a holding center
for accommodation in a holding center with all the difficulties and the
with all the difficulties and the
with all the difficulties and the dreadful experiences of those areas on
dreadful experiences of those areas on
dreadful experiences of those areas on top of that of course reviving the
top of that of course reviving the
top of that of course reviving the population in this way keep schools open
population in this way keep schools open
population in this way keep schools open means that abandoned houses are
means that abandoned houses are
means that abandoned houses are reoccupied and traditional trades are
reoccupied and traditional trades are
reoccupied and traditional trades are kept alive by migrants who learn them
kept alive by migrants who learn them
kept alive by migrants who learn them and on top of that their residence
and on top of that their residence
and on top of that their residence generates jobs in the social services
generates jobs in the social services
generates jobs in the social services all of us will know all too well about
all of us will know all too well about
all of us will know all too well about the ten about the hundreds of thousands
the ten about the hundreds of thousands
the ten about the hundreds of thousands of migrants fleeing war-torn Syria or
of migrants fleeing war-torn Syria or
of migrants fleeing war-torn Syria or government oppression and conflict in
government oppression and conflict in
government oppression and conflict in Afghanistan and other areas around
Afghanistan and other areas around
Afghanistan and other areas around we all know that a few very miserable if
we all know that a few very miserable if
we all know that a few very miserable if you have come to England and that some
you have come to England and that some
you have come to England and that some also have been accepted into Spain of
also have been accepted into Spain of
also have been accepted into Spain of the ones who have gone and who’ve come
the ones who have gone and who’ve come
the ones who have gone and who’ve come who went to Spain a few have become
who went to Spain a few have become
who went to Spain a few have become shepherds in villages in this area which
shepherds in villages in this area which
shepherds in villages in this area which is being a ban in las sarony adult
is being a ban in las sarony adult
is being a ban in las sarony adult america which is otherwise virtually
america which is otherwise virtually
america which is otherwise virtually abandoned and and start to look after a
abandoned and and start to look after a
abandoned and and start to look after a very large flocks of sheep and goats and
very large flocks of sheep and goats and
very large flocks of sheep and goats and other forms of livestock at first you
other forms of livestock at first you
other forms of livestock at first you might think why would a person who came
might think why would a person who came
might think why would a person who came sometimes from a relatively well-to-do
sometimes from a relatively well-to-do
sometimes from a relatively well-to-do background in Syria or elsewhere choose
background in Syria or elsewhere choose
background in Syria or elsewhere choose to put up with being a shepherd
to put up with being a shepherd
to put up with being a shepherd the advantages are great in one sense is
the advantages are great in one sense is
the advantages are great in one sense is if you look if you make if you regard
if you look if you make if you regard
if you look if you make if you regard your job as an investment for the future
your job as an investment for the future
your job as an investment for the future because you are provided with an income
because you are provided with an income
because you are provided with an income you are provided with a house and the
you are provided with a house and the
you are provided with a house and the beginnings of a community which you can
beginnings of a community which you can
beginnings of a community which you can help establish and perhaps more
help establish and perhaps more
help establish and perhaps more importantly your children will have an
importantly your children will have an
importantly your children will have an opportunity of going to school in a
opportunity of going to school in a
opportunity of going to school in a country which still remains one of the
country which still remains one of the
country which still remains one of the major developed economies in the country
major developed economies in the country
major developed economies in the country in that sense being prepared to become a
in that sense being prepared to become a
in that sense being prepared to become a shepherd in a village is shall we say a
shepherd in a village is shall we say a
shepherd in a village is shall we say a way of trying to guarantee a good future
way of trying to guarantee a good future
way of trying to guarantee a good future for your children given the turmoil in
for your children given the turmoil in
for your children given the turmoil in your home country but and I’m some up
your home country but and I’m some up
your home country but and I’m some up now if we just try and look back over
now if we just try and look back over
now if we just try and look back over this what I’ve been presenting really
this what I’ve been presenting really
this what I’ve been presenting really very quickly is a range of what I call
very quickly is a range of what I call
very quickly is a range of what I call alternative country sides and we don’t
alternative country sides and we don’t
alternative country sides and we don’t have to think in terms of government
have to think in terms of government
have to think in terms of government programs some do help but many
programs some do help but many
programs some do help but many initiatives may be homegrown even
initiatives may be homegrown even
initiatives may be homegrown even homespun and many may not even need any
homespun and many may not even need any
homespun and many may not even need any external support sort of finish we have
external support sort of finish we have
external support sort of finish we have to give up the idea because it’s the
to give up the idea because it’s the
to give up the idea because it’s the reality of the countryside as one of
reality of the countryside as one of
reality of the countryside as one of stable communities self-sustaining and
stable communities self-sustaining and
stable communities self-sustaining and self reproducing that has long gone and
self reproducing that has long gone and
self reproducing that has long gone and ever more so in rural Europe instead we
ever more so in rural Europe instead we
ever more so in rural Europe instead we should think of rural populations as
should think of rural populations as
should think of rural populations as much more
much more
much more than they were in the past as a constant
than they were in the past as a constant
than they were in the past as a constant flux of depopulation and of repopulation
flux of depopulation and of repopulation
flux of depopulation and of repopulation where residents may not be permanent
where residents may not be permanent
where residents may not be permanent simply long home but to be valued
simply long home but to be valued
simply long home but to be valued nonetheless for that so that here these
nonetheless for that so that here these
nonetheless for that so that here these villages and their surrounding land
villages and their surrounding land
villages and their surrounding land becomes spaces which accommodate
becomes spaces which accommodate
becomes spaces which accommodate multiple approaches multiple ways of
multiple approaches multiple ways of
multiple approaches multiple ways of viewing the world and participating in
viewing the world and participating in
viewing the world and participating in it thanks very much
it thanks very much
it thanks very much [Applause]
”
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