This lecture airs on CBC Radio One on November 10.

It is society that makes it possible for us to develop ourselves as human beings. Personal relationships enrich us, work makes us feel useful, and goals give us purpose. We are part of a group, as we are all born biologically from a union. And it is as part of a group that we yearn to belong... The people in this village belonged to an entity, which gave them an idea of citizenship -- owning their own freedom, not being beholden to anyone..."

Adrienne Clarkson

In Part One of her CBC Massey Lectures, Adrienne Clarkson tells the story of the village of Eygalières 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.



Watch Adrienne Clarkson in conversation with Debra Arbec from CBC News Montreal

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Related websites:

• Canada Writes - 6 books Adrienne Clarkson wants you to read (and 1 that she doesn't)
  
  

• Canada Writes - The 2014 CBC Massey Lectures Reading List
  
  

• Canada Writes - Tell us your true story of belonging for a chance to win $1,000