As early as the third century, St Maurice, an Egyptian, became leader of the legendary Roman Theban Legion. Ever since, there have been richly varied encounters between those defined as ‘Africans’ and those called ‘Europeans’. Yet Africans and African Europeans are still widely believed to be only a recent presence in Europe.

Olivette Otele is Professor of the History of Slavery at the University of Bristol and Vice-President of the Royal Historical Society. She traces a long African European heritage through the lives of individuals both ordinary and extraordinary. She uncovers a forgotten past, from Emperor Septimius Severus, to enslaved Africans living in Europe during the Renaissance, and all the way to present-day migrants moving to Europe’s cities. By exploring a history that has been long overlooked, she sheds light on questions very much alive today—on racism, identity, citizenship, power and resilience.

Olivette is in conversation with Madhu Krishnan.

BSL interpreter: Omoyele Thomas.

Festival of Ideas is presented by Bristol Ideas. Find out more here: https://www.bristolideas.co.uk/

African Europeans is published by Hurst and is available to buy here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/african-europeans/olivette-otele/9781787381919

This event was a co-production with Bristol Old Vic, as part of their programme ‘Black History, Black Present, Black Future’. You can find out more at https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/mini-series/black-history-black-present-black-future

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