Imagine that the whole world is just one street. On this street there are a few buildings, just like multi-family-houses. Each house is one continent. So Europe is one of seven houses on this street. It’s not too big, it’s not too small. Just as big as you need to move in with so many families as we have countries in Europe. And each country is one family.
We moved in very long, long time ago. We had bigger and little disputes between the neighbors. It’s obvious that there was once a flood (example: Swedish Flood), sometimes for a short period somebody tried to throw out the others (example: World Wars). But overall our life here isn’t so bad. Sometimes we visited ourselves and drunk tee and share our gossip news (example: kings and queens and princes from the Middle Ages until the Age of Enlightenment) and we tried to fix our neighbor strategy. We borrowed our money each other and shared our discoveries (example: process of the industrial revolution). For some years we try to live in peace and we even plant our flowers together on the verandas. In the meantime we don’t need to visit each other personally, we just call (there are so many packages on good terms now!) or we send an e-mail.
Some of us founded even a union, a living community. Every now and then one of our neighbors assumes a leadership and tells us what we should do and motivates us to do it.
And this is a task for you:
Imagine you want to have one of your neighbors as your guest. Which one of us would it be? Everybody knows that you have to act a host well, but what does it mean to you? There is a Polish idiom „A guest at home is like God would be at home”. What would you serve to eat? What would you discuss with your visitor? Which room of your apartment would you show him and why? What would you try to hide under the rug swept or what would you have placed for these days in your basement? How would you introduce your family and which members of your family would you like to have on your side?
And if you were a guest? How do you imagine that? What are you expecting from your neighbour? What should he show you? What are you looking particularly at? Is it the family situation or emancipation of your neighbor’s wife? Or is it the trophies from the whole world collected by your neighbor?
Which advices would you give to your neighbor anyway?
Cogito ergo sum (I think, so I am). Share your opinion with us! Write your comment below!
Prof. Władysław Bartoszewski remembers on his way to the anniversary celebrations becuase of the 20th anniversary of the Fall of Berlin Wall that this fall was a surprize for him. He said to journalists that he didn't expect that he will manage to be alive at that moment.
20th Anniversary of fall of Berlin wall. 1989 do you remember where you were when heard the news? I remember the day when the Berlin Wall finally colapsed. Will people ever be as happy as they were on that day?
Gazeta Wyborcza [a daily paper in Poland, well-known – AB] writes: chancellor Merkel thanked Poland, Solidarnosc and Lech Wałęsa for their contribution to the Fall of communism 20 years ago. She said that the activities of "Solidarnosc" gave courage to people from opposition movement in the former GDR.
It is a great gesture from the chancellor Merkel! Additionally, she was accompanied by Wałęsa, Michaił Gorbatschov and former GDR opposition members. Super! Merkel appreciated Poland!
Claire, 20 years ago, I watched people standing on the Berlin Wall. They celebrated democracy! Now, I just realized that I remember when and how the Berlin Wall came down like it would be a great step of mankind. But I work with people that don't remember that. I'm kind of surprised!
As somehow a product of a European program, I felt always as a European.
As I watched the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall and I felt great because of many Polish symbols (as a Polish girl) and Europeans symbols (as European). I admired the presentation of Germany for the world. I live in this country already a half of my life and sometimes I even feel somehow „being German“, because I am connected with Germany through many experiences, people, places.
And I was ashamed. Berlin was sparkling; Berlin was shining and trembled with the spirit of freedom. Then, I thought about Polish, native 4th June 1989 and the celebrations of the anniversary in the last year. Compared to the celebration in Berlin, the Polish anniversary of 4th June was rather extinguished camp fire, not even glowing. However, in the history 4th June 1989 was not less important than the Fall of the Berlin Wall. And Polish people are indeed able to celebrate and having fun what you can see f.e. during Majowka (celebrations because of 1st and 3rd May).
My conclusion: Poland doesn’t want and can’t present itself and care about itself. We pull the chestnuts out of the fire and then we fall into the bog of conflicts, noises, private matters.
Becuase of 4th June, we, the editorial team at Scholar Online suggested celebrating this anniversary Europe-wide. We appealed to Polish radio and television stations (f.e. TVN, Superstacja, RMF FM, Radio Zet, Polskie Radio) and newspapers (f.e. Polityka, Newsweek Polska, Rzeczpospolita, Gazeta Wyborcza, Super Express, Fakt) and there came no reaction. Nothing. Not even one. We appealed to the Polish politicians who are active. Every Polish deputy got information mail from us. And which reactions followed? Almost nothing. The German President Köhler wrote us back words of honour for Poland faster than the Polish President. Just these two politicians answered to our appeal.
We requested non-material support by spreading the idea – it does not cost anything. The same people, who could unite them, are not able any more 20 years later to promote Poland. Times of affairs came and people write to the editorial team at Scholar Online requests about Polish affairs and Polish politicians, and I am ashamed, when I have to answer these requests. (I am ashamed for f.e. Chlebowski, Drzewiecki and even Agent Tomek). Instead of showing positive examples in the Gallery of Europeans – we invited Polish European deputies, Polish deputies, Polish Prime Minister and the President of the European Parliament Prof. Jerzy Buzek to present them in this Gallery of Europeans. The Polish political scene doesn’t present itself or present itself in a negative perspective. The exceptions are Prof. Władysław Bartoszewski and Wojciech Olejniczak. Where is the rest of them? It was just a request to the politicians to present their vision of Europe and Poland. A paper work takes an afternoon for pupils from 6th – 9th grade. We know it for sure, because we get sometimes such papers sent by pupils, who underline that they learn more about neighbours through our program.
However, if the Polish political scene and Polish media have no interest in positive projects, ideas and motivated people who put oneself out for better understanding between Europeans and better presentation of Poland and Polish citizens, then I am not wondering anymore why West looks at us through false stereotypes. Or are these stereotypes not false at all? Maybe I am one of the exceptions that confirm the rule.
In this year, we had many occasions to show us from the best side and to shine more than Berlin today. The domino, which was put in motion in Berlin among all through Lech Wałęsa and Jerzy Buzek, was a very nice gesture from the German side to Poland. But in the middle was the Wall. The Wall of Berlin. Berlin, so German. The reunification of Europe didn’t pass at 4th June in the polling places or in August 1989 with the human chain in the Baltic countries and not in Hungary, but in Germany. The Wall is media-hyped and Germans used it in the maximal range. I admire them very much. It coulnd’t be more beautiful – after 20 years. Although the weather wasn’t the best (it was raining), the atmosphere was perfect. And Poland had June, shining sun and more missed opportunities. One exception was the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II in September, although even then you could see tensions between Polish President and Polish Prime Minister.
At this moment, I am ashamed as a Polish citizen. I am ashamed how my daily fight for Poland, image of Poland and how we (inclusive me) is seen in the West and I feel like Don Kichot. And the windmills are this time Polish. Poland as the Christ of nations. Poles as the greatest penitents. Polish President would like to celebrate coming anniversaries of the outbreak of Warsaw Uprising and not the anniversaries of 4th June.
PS. Why complain finally Poles to everyone and want to be recognized? Why they don’t complain to themselves? The blames should be directed to us, politicians that we have chosen and mediat hat we follow. We create the reality.
I went to Germany to study there. And I know how Poland is seen here. It is changing, but the majority of Germans still thinks the same way about Poles as 20 years ago. Thank to such politicians and silly media, I am not wondering why we have to collect losses. The citizens on them own won't change much, when media show something different. As we know that there is a dictatorship in Belarus, we know that Poland is a mess. I was yesterday with my friends under the Brandenburger Gate and I kept proudly the Polish flag. My friends had their, German flags. I found the gesture of Merkel very nice to invite and present Polish politicians, but she underlined the statement that the Berlin Wall was the most important. It was a slug into face. The whole year 1989 was important. This is experience of Europe. And the Berlin Wall became a symbol of Solidarnosc, because Solidarnosc is still dividing itself. I thank to all Polish politicians for bringing us to the random position and that we have to appreciate gestures of others. We don't show what we managed.
Two things.
one is good and another not.
1) Watching the Berlin wall come down
2) and 9/11.
Just a bit of history.
I was surprized that Polish media (newspapers and TV and radio) are not willing to promote such great projects like this one. That's no good sign. However, we have still the team at Scholar-Online and we appreciate all of you!
Majority of Americans Believe Fall of Berlin Wall Was Beginning of New World Order: In fact, looking back at this historic day, three-quarters of Americans (75%) say the people of Eastern Europe are much freer now than they were then. In addition, three in five U.S. adults (59%) agree that the fall of the Berlin Wall was the beginning of a “new world order”. Also, three-quarters of Americans (72%) say the reunification of what used to be East and West Germany is a good thing with 46% saying it is a very good thing. Just 2% believe it is a bad thing.
When it comes to who is most responsible for the fall of the Berlin Wall, a plurality of Americans (43%) believe it was Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Sr. and pressure from Western countries that was most responsible. Three in ten (30%) however, believe it was the people of Germany and 27% of Americans say Mikhail Gorbachev and like-minded leaders in the Eastern European countries are most responsible. There is also an age difference in opinion on this. Over half of those aged 55 and older (53%) say it was Western leaders and their pressure that was most responsible. Two in five of those aged 18-34 (40%) believe it were the German people themselves and those 35-44 and 45-54 years old (33% and 29%, respectively) are more likely to believe leaders in the East were most responsible for the fall of the Berlin Wall.
While it is an important change, the fall of the Berlin Wall may not be the most important change over the past twenty years. When asked which is the most important change over the past twenty years, the break-up of the Berlin Wall and the liberation of Eastern Europe or the growth of terrorism, over three-quarters of Americans (77%) say terrorism while 23% believe it is the liberation of Eastern Europe.
(after BBC World News America/ Harris Poll latest survey @ http://www.businesswire.com)
Be Lovefool is a very nice idea! I liked the book and I will participa in the summer campain for lovefools
Helena
13-06-2010 18:59
Anna, this is a great project! You are a truely interesting and creative person! Don't stop integrationg Europe!
Peter
07-06-2010 21:51
Ich beneide Scholar Online, da das Team stets so viel erlebt! Ihr seid überall! Weiter so! Verunsichere Europa!
BK
22-05-2010 17:51
Flutwelle in Mittel- und Osteuropa. Mein Mitleid für alle Betroffenen aus Tcheschien, Polen und anderen Ländern!
Jule
15-05-2010 18:27
Polen und Russen setzten den Versöhnungskurs bei der 65. Siegesparade in Moskau fort. Scholar fördert die europäische Freundschaft. Mach weiter so!
Marie
14-04-2010 18:17
10th April Smoleńsk was tragic. But much more tragic is what is happening in Poland right now. RIP was yesterday. Now, it's fight club!
Luise
11-04-2010 23:17
Lech Kaczynski wird uns auch in Deutschland fehlen. Der tödlich verunglückte Präsident war mehr als die eine Hälfte eines Zwillingsduos an Polens Spitze.
Chrissi
11-04-2010 12:27
I'm sending my love, prayers, and DEEPEST sympathies to the people of Poland. May God be with you through this tragic time.
Peter
10-04-2010 20:11
Es wird vermutet, dass das Flugzeug von Kaczynski beim Landeanflug im dichten Nebel Baumkronen gestreift hatte. Mein Beileid an Polen.
Tom
10-04-2010 18:23
Polish president killed in plane crash in Russia..... This is just tragic. My prayers go out to the entire country.
alan
10-04-2010 17:09
ich bin kein Fanatiker der PIS, dennoch der Zusammenhang mit Katyn ist schockierend für mich.
Yaro
10-04-2010 16:47
President Lech Kaczynski wanted to revisit the past. He did it unwillingly. I am sorry for Poland for loss of the President and much of the nation's ruling elite.
Joline
10-04-2010 16:45
Tragedy in Russia: President of Poland and many important politics are dead in plane crush. Poland, we pray with you!
CLX
10-04-2010 13:04
I still can't belive. Polish president Lech Kaczynski and other important people died in crush plane near Smolensk. It's Polish tragedy.
Raik
10-04-2010 12:56
#RIPLechKaczynski My condolences for families of Lech Kaczynski and other victims of the plane crash near Smolensk, Russia. Poland, we pray with you!
#423 | Karolina dnia 09.11.2009 19:21
Prof. Władysław Bartoszewski remembers on his way to the anniversary celebrations becuase of the 20th anniversary of the Fall of Berlin Wall that this fall was a surprize for him. He said to journalists that he didn't expect that he will manage to be alive at that moment.