“[H]ow can the public debate necessary to make the EU a genuine ‘land of immigration’ take place if there is no common, democratic European ‘public sphere’, and no space for genuine intra-European political debate? The desire for such debate is connected to the need for a common sphere of social and public interaction within the EU, the absence of which is in part attributable to the lack of a common langauge”

Dario Melossi (2012): The Process of Criminalization of Migrants and the Borders of ‘Fortress Europe’

In the absence of a common language, there is art. In the absence of a common, democratic public sphere there are common narratives that evolve. Schengen becomes politicised. Non-compliant border controls contested. Films are made. Songs are played.

‘Festung Europa’ via Aspekte. German band.

‘Fortress Europe’ via Google. British band.

‘Fort Europe’ via Youtube. Swedish band.

‘Schengen’ via a French friend. French singer.

‘Schengen macht frei’ via Global Voices. Turkish band.

PS (updated):Nobody has said the European Public Sphere needs to be newspaper based. Nobody has said the European Public Sphere can only discuss the bright side of life. Nobody has said that audiovisual art could not bridge the language divide.