This is what I wrote yesterday evening:
...
I am sitting in front of the TV and watching the live concert from Belgium which is a part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the European Union. I'm watching and I have the strange feeling that there's something wrong about it.
The idea was to show performers from all of the 27 member countries. And the fact is that for two hours only a few countries have been presented: Italy, Belgium, Germany, UK, Spain and France. I'm wondering where the diversity is.
I can understand: it's a show and there is competition. In order to win against the competitors it has to show something familiar, something easy to be "sold". So the other countries - "eaten by dogs" as we say in Bulgaria.
Is this the entertainment reflection of the economic attitude? If the market laws are viable everywhere, then I guess the answer of my question is obvious.
But probably the more important question is whether this policy should continue? Let's forget about entertainment, let's talk about geopolitics.
It's clear enough that nowadays the European Union is suffering from an illness for which a cure hasn't been invented yet. While the Union was initially established for the purposes of free trade and cooperation between country members, and with the vision for peace in Europe after the hard years during the WW II, 50 years later there's a need for refreshment.
Europe today is not quite different from what it's always been: an area with smaller or bigger patches of nations, mixed ethnic origins and common history with sometimes opposite perceptions in neighbouring countries.
Once perceived as the centre of the known world, today the continent is struggling to remain on the top. With the dawn of the industrial revolution and the rise of the information technology revolution, the continent's problems have turned into only a small part of the huge information flows crossing the world.
After the "reunification" of Europe in 1989, the polarized two parts of the continent have officially become "one". And while the unification of the geographic definition of Europe has never happened - as Europe as a continent has always been one, it is mostly considered that the impact is mainly on the economical/political definition of Europe - or the European Union.
Facing the fact that Eastern European countries could be and already are members of the Union, the past divide of "us" and "them" and the belief that being "us" is better than being "them" is no longer a fact.
But till now there probably hasn't been much improvement in the mindset of the "old" members. I agree, major changes happen in the long run, but this may include changes both in the positive and the negative direction.
Being together means having identical values and a common vision. No common vision and values - no existence in the long run. Or at least no meaningful existence. Thrown in the backyard of the world by the BRIC or reaching a synergy growth - the choice is clear.
And the path…?
2 comments:
You left a comment about Europe on my blog and I wanted to write you earlier, but once again Blogger made troubles. Concerning the concert, it was just fun and not commercial at all, that's why a lot of singers (who should come) didn't show up, it wasn't worthwhile they are too famous already. The once who came are convinced Europeans (like Nana Mouskuri from Greece). That's why there weren't more ! Every country was invited to participate.
Creating a united Europe is very difficult. There is already the language barrier and then the big difference between western countries which were "free" during the last 50 years, while the Eastern countries were not. See, already the reunification from both Germanies created a lot of difficulties and people are still not liking each other. Once the big economic gap doesn't exist anymore between the European countries, then it will be different. But for people there have been already a lot of progresses ! I live since 1959 in Belgium (best is read http://gattinatravels.blogspot.com/) there I wrote the story of myself who assisted at that time to the creation of Europe and I was 14 years old ! When I started working here, I needed a workpermit because I am German, this doesn't exist anymore since a very long time. Borders are not existing either anymore, there are so many positive things which have happened during the years, but nobody thinks about the beginning anymore. It is not easy to put people together who lived separeted and even in wars for so many years before. I feel European and I really am, I am German, my husband is Italian, we live in Belgium, our son has two nationalities (italian/german) is domicilated in London but works in Amsterdam. His fiancee is dutch ! So isn't that Europe??
Yes, I have to admit you're also right: no one is forced to participate. I also agree on what you've written: it always needs some time to get used to the change. From my perspective we're just in the beginning of realizing that changes has already happened. I truly believe in the vision of united Europe. I have felt the spirit of the multicultural environment myself: in the organization I'm a member of - AIESEC. I've already seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears the clashes between different perspectives (based on the differences in national characteristics). I've also seen that everything is possible because when there's a will, there is a way. The only thing we need to realize is that this is the right way, that there is no turning back and that today we face temporary difficulties for the purpose of future well-being.
Post a Comment