Overview Eurafrica

queen of sheba , salomo, colgne dome window around 1280

the term coined in high imperial period of nineteenth century. played role in technocratical fantasies, e.g. atlantropa vision in 1920s , 30s (compare failed desertec project). aimed integrate african colonies providing raw materials europe. erich obst 1 of propagators during world war ii.

the 1920s saw richard von coudenhove-kalergi founding first popular movement united europe. paneuropean union saw eurafrican alliance using european colonies dowry important base of europes ability found third pillar against americas , asia. coudenhove-kalergis belief had racial undertones claimed eurafrika combine european high culture , african primitive vitalism benefit both continents. luiza bialasiewicz refers karl haushofers vision of eurafrican pan-region base of vision of eurafrica central third of world.

the partnership discourse grew mere political , economic exchange enhanced relevance attached sphere of emotions , sexuality in interwar period.

eurafrica remained remote political dream until end of world war ii. gained actual political impact part of driving forces european unity. given geographical , legal positioning, former french territory algeria, in 1950s part of european union, focal point of french vision of eurafrique.

léopold sédar senghor s concept of eurafrique closely connected négritude put african cultural achievements, including sub-sahara region, on same level european ones , saw them part of same cultural continuum. senghors elégie pour la reine de saba, published in elégies majeures in 1976 uses queen of sheba legend love poem , political message. senghor s use of africanité / negritude involved in including arab-berber africa .

the revolutions of 1989 in eastern bloc lead unforeseen changes , overtook well, @ least temporarily, traditional interest in closer european-african cooperations. against basic foundation narrative, large european expansion in recent decades eastbound , not cross-mediterranean.

in 2009, german christian-democratic thinktank, konrad adenauer foundation, noted lack of level playing field on political , economic issues , tried focus on future spiritual , cultural perspectives of eurafrica instead.