MAY 68

Caroline de Bendern: 'leave campaign was lies and xenophobia'

Activist, who became symbol of 1968 protests when she was photographed in Paris, prepares to march against Brexit

Abigail Frymann Rouch

      Her image has been symbolic of the national mood once before. Recreating a 19th-century masterpiece of Lady Liberty leading the French to revolution, a statuesque portrait of Caroline de Bendern emerged as a defining image of the protests that swept Europe in the summer of 1968.

      Now almost five decades on, the British former model and disinherited aristocrat is taking to the streets again – to demonstrate her opposition to Brexit and fly the flag for the European Union at this week’s Unite for Europe march.

      Thousands of pro-EU protesters are expected at marches in Edinburgh and London on Saturday, where speakers will include the Liberal Democrat leader, Tim Farron. De Bendern says the atmosphere will be different from her first foray into political action. In 1968, “there wasn’t all this hate,” she said.

      The March-June protests brought together students, artists, leftists and workers demanding better working conditions, sexual liberation, and political and social reform. Political change and cooperation was similarly needed today, she said. Now 76 and living in France, De Bendern told the Guardian she was concerned at Britain breaking away from the EU at a time of Russian activism.

      “We need to form a bloc against countries like Russia who want to destroy Europe and ... absorb it,” she said, recalling allegations of Russian interference in the EU referendum and the US presidential elections. “Why would they interfere in the referendum if they haven’t got some idea behind it?” With the future of the union under strain, she said, “England is going to become isolated”.

“The whole [leave campaign] was lies and xenophobia,” said De Bendern, who dated rock musician Lou Reed in New York and counted artist Andy Warhol and model Nico as friends.

The activist also voiced concerns about her status as a British national in France. She said she loved Britain, where she visited family two or three times a year, but had lived in France since 1968 and was applying for dual nationality in case her ability to live in France was jeopardised by Britain’s exit from the EU. She said she is “scared shitless” of an election win by Marine Le Pen, who has threatened to introduce restrictions on dual nationality.

Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a) Caroline de Bendern had a portrait statue made in the summer of 1968.

b) Caroline de Berdern used to be a model.

c) Nowadays Caroline is worried about Britain leaving de European Union.

d) Caroline fears that she may be expelled from France if Brexit happens.

Question 2:[2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text.

a) What differences are there between the protests of May 1968 and nowaday’s protests against Brexit, according to Caroline?

b) Why has she decided to apply for dual nationality?

Question 3:[1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

a) Representative, typical. (Paragraph 1)

b) Earlier, previous. (Paragraph 2)

c) To leave, become separate. (Paragraph 4)

d) Alone, separated from. (Paragraph 5)

e) Put at risk. (Paragraph 7)

     Question 4: [1.5 POINTS] Choose the most suitable answer (a, b, c or d) according to the text and write down your answer.

1. Caroline de Bendern is an activist

1. when she became a symbol of May 68.
2. who became a symbol of May 68.
3. became a symbol of May 68.
4. that she became a symbol of May 68.

2. If Caroline hadn’t participated in the protests,

1. she wouldn’t have been disinherited.
2. she hadn’t been disinherited.
3. she would have been disinherited.
4. she would had been disinherited.

3. Thousands of pro-EU protesters ...

1. expect to participate in marches in Edinburg and London on Saturday.
2. expected to participate in marches in Edinburg and London on Saturday.
3. are expected to participate in marches in Edinburg and London on Saturday.
4. are expected they will participate in marches in Edinburg and London on Saturday.

Question 5 [3 POINTS] Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic: What can we all do to make changes in society?

KEY

Question 1:

1. False. A statuesque portrait of Caroline de Bendern emerged as a defining image of the protests that swept Europe in the summer of 1968.
2. True. The British former model.
3. True. Now 76 and living in France, de Bendern told the Guardian she was concerned at Britain breaking away from the EU.
4. True. The activist also voiced concerns about her status as a British national in France. . She said she loved Britain, where she visited family two or three times a year, but had lived in France since 1968 and was applying for dual nationality in case her ability to live in France was jeopardised by Britain’s exit from the EU.

Question 2:

1. In 1968 students, artists, leftists and workers together were demanding better working conditions, sexual liberation, and political and social reform. Today, she feels there’s hate involved. Moreover, some countries such as Russia want to absorb Europe.
2. She is afraid of having to leave France if Britain leaves the EU. Specially if Marine Le Pen wins the elections as she has threaten to restrict dual nationality.

Question 3:

1. Symbolic
2. Former
3. To break away / break away / breaking away
4. Isolated
5. Jeopardise

Question 4:

1. b. who became a symbol of May 68.
2. a. she wouldn’t have been disinherited.
3. c. are expected to participate in marches in Edinburg and London on Saturday.