The Abduction of Europa

The refugee crisis and the ascent of right-wing populism remind Europe of its hybrid origin and the search for a solution must start from there.

Europe – you might know it – is a woman. According to Greek mythology, she was the beautiful daughter of a Phoenician king who was abducted by the mighty God Zeus. The story goes like this: Godfather Zeus falls in love with Europa. In order to deceive his jealous wife Hera, Zeus takes on the form of a white bull to approach Europa as she plays at a beach in Sidon, a city in what is today known as Lebanon.