"South American Football: Passion, Revolution and Glory"

Does international sport encourage international peace and understanding, or exaggerate and amplify conflict based on national identities? The current Olympic Games in Paris are putting that dilemma to the test.

Against the backdrop of South America's volatile politics, oppression and inequality, Dr Knijnik's new book Tales of South American Football: Passion, Revolution and Glory (issued by Fair Play Publishing) paints vignettes of football games, players, politicians and the sport itself. Dr Knijnik captures the heat, both political and literal, in his descriptions of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, their "beautiful games", and the visceral struggles in South American societies. He analyses the social and political context of football on the content where jogo bonito (the beautiful game, a nickname for soccer popularised by Brazilian footballer Pelé) is a force that both divides and unites.

Dr Knijnik's research has alerted him to the struggle between traditional football (the old supporters, who represented the passion) and modern football (the new management representing neoliberal forces). He asks to what extent football has initiated change in South America since its introduction. How has this game of the colonisers been appropriated and transformed to suit different South American cultures? Does modern football in South America remain a revolutionary tool? In this address he will talk about how football has influenced the South American struggles for democracy and transitional justice.

REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 4:00PM AEST ON Tuesday, August 13.

We welcome participants in-person at the Glover Cottages, tickets to be pre-paid . Once the limit for in-person attendees is reached, tickets will no longer be sold on the website or at the door.

Refreshments will be served from 6pm at Glover Cottages. The event will start at 6.30pm AEST (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne time), Tuesday August 13 .

For further information please email nswexec@internationalaffairs.org.au