In an age where Europe's soul is battered by the relentless tides of globalisation, multiculturalism, and cultural amnesia, Guardians of Heritage: The Iliade Institute's Call to Action, emerges as a blazing torch of defiance and hope. Published by the Iliade Institute, the torchbearer of the European New Right, this manifesto is a call to reclaim and revitalise the continent's civilisational identity. Dedicated to the indomitable spirit of Dominique Venner and echoing the intellectual fire of Alain de Benoist, Guillaume Faye, and Giorgio Locchi, this book is nothing short of a masterpiece, a rallying cry for Europeans to stand unapologetically for their heritage. From a Euro-nationalist perspective, Guardians of Heritage is a triumph, weaving a powerful narrative of roots, resilience, and rebirth that resonates with every patriot who dreams of a Europe true to its ancestral glory.
A Triad of Truth: Structure and Vision
The book's structure, divided into "Roots," "Being in the World," and "Becoming," is a masterstroke, crafting a seamless journey from the foundations of European identity to a bold vision for its future. Each section builds on the last, creating a cohesive manifesto that is both philosophical and practical, a rare feat in an era of shallow sloganeering.
Roots: The Bedrock of Our Being
The opening section, "Roots," is a thunderous rejection of the liberal myth of the "abstract man," a rootless, homogenised figure stripped of history and belonging. The Iliade Institute boldly asserts that identity is forged in the crucible of biology, family, and culture, a trinity that defines Europeans as heirs to a 5,000-year legacy. The nuanced treatment of biological belonging is particularly striking, acknowledging genetic heritage while celebrating cultural transmission as the lifeblood of civilisation. The authors' defence of family as the "bridge that links nature and culture" is a poignant antidote to the atomised, individualistic malaise of modern Europe. This section is a love letter to our ancestors, reminding us that to forget our roots is to betray our future.
Being in the World: Living as Europeans
The second section, "Being in the World," is a blueprint for living European values in a world that seeks to erase them. The authors champion a rooted ecological ethos, urging Europeans to reconnect with their landscapes, Stonehenge's megaliths, the Parthenon's columns, the cathedrals' naves, as sacred expressions of our genius. Their critique of consumerism is razor-sharp, exposing the spiritual void of a society obsessed with "having" over "being." The balanced approach to technology, advocating its use to serve European ideals rather than enslave us, is a refreshing call to master progress without losing our soul. This section inspires with its vision of a life aligned with the Homeric triptych: nature as foundation, excellence as goal, beauty as horizon.
Becoming: A Conservative Revolution
The final section, "Becoming," is the book's crowning glory, a visionary manifesto for a European renaissance. The call for a "conservative revolution," reminiscent of the interwar German movement but adapted for today's challenges, is electrifying. It rejects petty nationalisms for a grand civilisational empire, a Europe united by its shared heritage from Homer to quantum physics. The emphasis on community-building and education as bulwarks against cultural erosion, is practical yet inspiring, offering actionable steps for patriots to transmit our legacy to future generations. The authors' vision of Europe as a "continental power with a special calling" is a bold rebuke to the European Union's soulless bureaucracy, rekindling the dream of a sovereign, vibrant civilization.
Why This Book Shines
Guardians of Heritage is a tour de force for several reasons. First, its intellectual rigour is unmatched, weaving philosophy, history, and geopolitics into a compelling case for European identity. The Iliade Institute, under Philippe Conrad's leadership, channels the New Right's anti-egalitarian, anti-universalist ethos, while embracing Christianity's role in shaping Europe's noble traditions, a departure from earlier anti-Christian strains that strengthens its appeal to traditionalists like those in Academia Christiana. The book's rejection of the "Great Replacement," popularised by Renaud Camus, is not mere rhetoric but a battle cry against demographic and cultural erasure, backed by sobering statistics: 60% of French citizens fear this threat, a figure likely understated.
Second, the book's balance is its genius. It tackles thorny issues, ethnic identity, cultural preservation, without descending into extremism, offering a vision that is radical yet accessible. The section on "Being in the World" masterfully integrates practical advice, like fostering local traditions, with lofty ideals, such as re-enchanting the world with beauty. This pragmatism makes it a handbook for activists, from young identitarians to seasoned patriots, as seen in the Institute's vibrant conferences and the planned Cercle Europa in Paris.
Third, its timing is impeccable. As Britain burns with migrant hotel protests, Epping, Leeds, Bournemouth, and the state clamps down on free speech, Guardians speaks directly to a Europe in crisis. The UK's £3 billion asylum hotel debacle, coupled with incidents like the Epping assault, mirrors the book's warning of a civilisation "on the edge of the abyss." Its call to resist globalisation and reclaim sovereignty, resonates with the 62% of Britons who feel their communities are changing without consent. This is not just a book, it's a lifeline for a continent under siege.
Guardians of Heritage is more than a book, it's a movement. Its prose, both poetic and polemical, stirs the soul, invoking Nietzsche's "land of our children" and Venner's sacrifice at Notre-Dame to awaken a slumbering continent. For Euro-nationalists, it is a vital text, articulating the urgency of defending Western civilisation against the twin threats of multiculturalism and consumerist decay. The authors' practical proposals, building communities, educating youth, rejecting universalism, empower readers to act, whether through grassroots activism or supporting initiatives like the Iliade's colloquia.
In a world where Europe's heritage is mocked, its borders breached, and its people silenced, this book is a defiant roar. It challenges us to answer: Will we let our cathedrals crumble, our stories fade, our identity dissolve? Or will we rise, as the Iliade Institute urges, to forge a Europe that is once again the "land of our fathers" and the hope of our children? Guardians of Heritage is not just a read, it's a revolution. Every European patriot must heed its call. And there is plenty here of relevance to Aussies as well.