Frank Füredi's New Book The War Against the Past: Why The West Must Fight For Its History, was Presented After Cancellation Attempt

The unexpected cancellation of Frank Füredi’s book launch revived the debate around free speech, further drawing attention to the dangers of cancel culture, a central theme of his latest work, The War Against the Past: Why the West Must Fight for its History.

Held at the Brussels Press Club, the book was introduced through a thought-provoking debate between the author and journalist Bruno Waterfield (The Times). This exchange provided the audience with deeper insights into the book’s central themes, including the rewriting of history, the question of identity, and the cultural war against the West’s past.

In his opening remarks, John O’Brien, Director of Communications at MCC Brussels, emphasized the relevance of the topic, referencing the cancellation of the book launch at its original venue. He highlighted the growing influence of contemporary trends that attempt to alter or erase certain parts of history, thanking the Brussels Press Club for supporting the event.

Professor Frank Füredi described the emerging movement to discredit and erase Western history and values as both highly problematic and toxic. In his book, Füredi examines the cultural trends behind the toppling of statues and the renaming of institutions, as well as broader efforts to nullify the significance of historical figures by focusing on moral failings, whether misunderstood or legitimate.

According to Füredi, this cultural crusade threatens to sever society’s connection to its past, which could lead to an identity crisis and the loss of humanity’s shared wisdom and heritage.

During the debate, Bruno Waterfield offered a critical perspective on Füredi’s views. He argued that reviewing and reassessing the past is essential for progress, particularly when dealing with historical wrongs such as colonialism, slavery, and racism. Waterfield questioned whether clinging to established historical narratives benefits modern societies striving for justice and inclusion.

The debate between Füredi and Waterfield focused on the role of history in shaping present-day identity. Füredi defended the preservation of historical heritage, arguing that efforts to rewrite the past according to current political interests should be resisted. He warned that rejecting Western history could lead to a fractured society, lacking common cultural foundations.

In contrast, Waterfield argued that revising and correcting history is necessary for moral progress. He emphasized that societies must confront and reevaluate their darkest historical periods to build a more inclusive future. While Füredi saw this as an attempt to erase history, Waterfield viewed it as a way to deepen society’s understanding of the past and better reflect modern values.

The book launch of The War Against the Past unfolded as a stimulating debate, engaging the audience and offering a platform for opposing views on history and identity. While Füredi championed the preservation of Western historical narratives, Waterfield advocated for a more critical and inclusive approach to understanding the past.

The event highlighted the importance of maintaining open dialogue about social memory and historical understanding, with both sides agreeing that approaching history requires balance and honesty.