The arts of war: can Europe’s artists embrace the idea of ‘armed pacifism’?

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Philip Oltermann, European culture editorJanuary 28, 2026 at 05:16 PM
The arts of war: can Europe’s artists embrace the idea of ‘armed pacifism’?

AI Summary

medium article 4 min

The article discusses the role of art in Europe, particularly film, in exploring complex issues like militarization and pacifism. It highlights the European Film Awards and the recognition of "Fiume o Morte!", a documentary about a historical event with proto-fascist origins. The director, Igor Bezinović, used his acceptance speech to acknowledge anti-militarization protests in Germany, connecting the film's themes to contemporary concerns. The article suggests that pacifism is central to European identity, contrasting it with a history of conflict and militarization. It implies that European art often favors stories of collaboration and anti-heroes over military glorification, reflecting a cautious approach to martial mindsets.

Keywords

arts 80% war 80% pacifism 70% europe 70% european film awards 60% militarization 60% politics 50% film 50% conscription 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Positive
Score: 0.30

Source Transparency

Source
The Guardian - World News
Political Lean
Center-Left (-0.40)
Far LeftCenterFar Right
Classification Confidence
90%
Geographic Perspective
Europe

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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