Atlas of Stateless Nations in Europe: Minority People in Search of Recognition

This unique atlas takes us on a panoramic tour of the stateless nations in Europe today. It maps their physical and linguistic character, and graphically summarises their history, politics and present position. The Alsacians, Basques, Catalans, Corsicans, Frisians, Scots and the Welsh are all peoples who are not sovereign and are fighting for their cultural and political identity. Others - the Irish, Poles and the Baltic nations - were recently stateless but are now fully fledged nation states. As fascinating for the student as for the activist, this atlas depicts the marvellous mosaic that is Europe today, and paints a picture of a future Europe of flourishing small nations: peaceful, self-supporting and lively.

Review from An Phoblacht, the Irish Republican Newspaper:

THE ‘Atlas of Stateless Nations in Europe’ by Breton author Mikael Bodlore-Penlaez is an informative introduction to the various ethnic, linguistic and cultural minorities striving for autonomy and independence throughout this continent.

The book provides the reader with a fascinating insight into a “hidden Europe” where people’s identities have either been suppressed or overlooked. It ranges from the more well-known peoples such as the Basques, Catalans and Flemish to often unheard of minorities such as the Ladins, Aromanians and the Arpitans.
Highly-detailed maps and illustrations showing the demographic, linguistic and cultural breakdown of the various European regions are included throughout the book along with information on groups who had previously been described as ‘minorities’ but who have now attained national independence. Indeed, since the break-up of the Soviet Union, many minority regions have emerged as independent nations.

Overall, the ‘Atlas of Stateless Nations in Europe’ is a long-overdue work which paints a fascinating picture of modern Europe while making the reader question what Europe could be like in years to come.

This book will be a valuable addition for anybody who is interested in international affairs, linguistics, politics or European history.