I am sure you have noticed all these flags poping up every where since the world cup has started. Cars, balconies, t-shirts proudly display people's support to their national football team. Some went even further, repainting their entire house! (see picture below)
Well, these flags have now gradually disappeared in Switzerland since the elimination of the "Nati" but Berlin still looks very "patriotic"!
For some activists in Germany, a new game has developped: to steal these flags! 1 point for the small ones on cars, 2 points for the bigger ones, 15 points for a jersey, and 100 points for the 100m2 flag (already stolen twice!!)
Flags have huge meanings in people's mind. It recalls the foundations and unity of a country, its values and often what people have fought for. We do not certainly perceive the UN flag (peace) the same way as we look at the confederate flag (slavery). As Europe is being shaken down because of the financial crisis, countries favor their own selfish interests: how often have we heard recently "let the Greek, the Spanish, the Portuguese - and soon to come the Brit, the French, the German... clean their own mess alone?) ; Adenauer, Schumann, Monnet pushed for a common European reconciliation to avoid countries ending up in an other J.P Sartre "Huis Clos" ("no exit"). Hopefully, as far as today (and with the notorious exception of the French team), the only "hell" coming out of this South African world cup have been the Vuvuzelas!!
OK for the Flag, but even more OK to cheer for the best attitude and nice plays!
Below our vision of "hell is other people" (J.P Sartre) - smokers tend to become an alienation from society....click to enlarge
