Commemorative Brexit football scarf
Artist / Maker
Date
Use: January 2020
Object Name
Inventory Number
C.2020.018.001
Physical Description
Blue and red scarf featuring the EU and UK flags and the words: ‘Always United’ and ‘United in diversity, 1973-2020’.
Content Description
Commemorative football scarf designed and commissioned by Rory Palmer, former British MEP, in January 2020 in order to mark the UK’s departure from the EU. On 23 June 2016, the British people voted in favour of the UK leaving the European Union in a referendum. The process that led to the UK’s departure from the EU was dubbed ‘Brexit’ (a portmanteau of ‘Britain’ and ‘exit’).
Exhibition Theme
5. Europe now -> 5.1. Headlines of our time -> 5.1.7. Brexit (not on display)
Material / Technique
Knitted wool
Dimensions
H x W 17,50 x 150,00 cm
Curator’s Note
Following the result of the referendum, the UK triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, setting in motion its departure from the EU on 31 January 2020, after 47 years of membership. For the first time in its history, the EU – a project shaped for and by growth – started shrinking rather than expanding.
The commemorative football scarf was designed and commissioned by Rory Palmer, a former UK Labour Party MEP, in January 2020. He wanted to mark the UK’s departure from the EU by gifting the scarf to his friends and colleagues in the European Parliament as a celebration of their work together. The message on the scarf reads ‘Always united’ and ‘United in diversity, 1973-2020’ to symbolise the ongoing friendship between the UK and the EU. In January 2020, it was donated to the collection of the House of European History.
The House of European History has collected a variety of objects from the Remain and Leave campaigns, including personal memories, political symbols and protest materials – all of which represent diverse aspects of this historic event.
Inscription
Inscription
Always united
Inscription
United in diversity 1973-2020
Credit line
Acquired 2020. EU, EP, House of European History, Brussels.
This entry about an object of the House of European History has been compiled and reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. We continuously endeavour to revise and improve our records. We especially welcome additional information from our visitors. Please contact us if you have any queries.
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