The Western world and many of its time-honoured values, beliefs and social systems -- human rights, multiculturalism, the welfare state, democracy itself -- seem to be on the verge of collapse, and there are very few grounds for optimism about what will take their place.
And when one looks at the societies and political systems that are now emerging and rising to power in the world scene despite their total disrespect for the individual and her/his dignity, for the environment, for pluralism, for freedom of thought and speech, for history and memory, then one cannot but remember Orwell's ominous words from Nineteen Eighty-Four:
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.
Yet the urge to be there and witness history unfolding is irrepressible, as well the desire to mitigate it somehow, however modestly, however discreetly, by leaving a mark on those who will at once suffer and be held responsible for its consequences in the future.
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