Campaign Aims to Redefine Englishness with 50 Cultural Artefacts
A new campaign is underway to collect 50 objects that encapsulate Englishness, aiming to shift the conversation away from reductive debates over symbols like the St George's flag. Supported by figures including Green party politician Caroline Lucas, musician Billy Bragg, and law professor Kojo Koram, the A Very English Chat initiative encourages people to share five cultural artefacts that define their English identity by 2026.
Moving Beyond Divisive Symbols
Andy Green, the founder of the campaign, which is funded by donations, stated that the goal is to "take the heat" out of polarising discussions around Englishness. He expressed concern that England is "tearing itself apart" similarly to trends observed in America, urging action to avoid further division. With St. George's Day approaching on 23 April, the campaign seeks to foster a richer, more inclusive dialogue.
Diverse Contributions and Cultural Artefacts
The campaign welcomes a wide range of contributions, which can include:
- Objects such as a Morris Minor car or a beach windbreak
- Food items like chicken tikka masala or Marmite
- Historical documents such as Magna Carta
- Music, including the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
- Nature and places that hold personal significance
These artefacts will be used to create items like decks of cards, posters, T-shirts, and tea towels for St. George's Day celebrations.
Support from Prominent Figures
Sarah Lucas, author of Another England, highlighted the timeliness of the project, noting that it could help discover more compelling and inclusive stories of national identity. Billy Bragg emphasised that patriotism involves caring about one's country, while Kojo Koram praised the initiative for offering a generous and unifying approach to identity conversations.
The campaign is backed by the Jo Cox Foundation's More in Common Network and other social groups, aiming to build social capital and encourage community-driven storytelling.
