Lecture 1 - "The Circle Widens"

This lecture originally aired on November 10, 2014.

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In Part One of her CBC Massey Lectures, Adrienne Clarkson tells the story of the village of Eygalires in France: how it got its freedom in medieval times, and how this revolutionized society. For the first time the villagers had ownership of their lives, they were free to be citizens. As vassals to a great lord, personal identity was defined by this relationship; freedom brought with it a new concept: we can be who we want to be, both as a society and as individuals.

Adrienne Clarkson on Belonging

10 years ago

Duration 4:02

The former governor general talks about the paradox of citizenship on the eve of the Massey Lecture series kickoff.

Related links from Canada Writes:

• 6 books Adrienne Clarkson wants you to read (and 1 that she doesn't)
• The 2014 CBC Massey Lectures Reading List
• Tell us your true story of belonging for a chance to win $1,000