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I myself come from Latvia, one of the Baltic States, historically Eastern Europe but geographically – Northern Europe. It’s only a couple of days left until the official day of entry - the 1st of May.
There is quite an amount of people who are exited and happy, people who don’t care as well as people who feel scared of the unknown waiting for us “over there”.
Isn’t it funny –“over there”- as if in reality we would be crossing a big lake and entering “blue yellow doors”.
Almost 14 years ago we began a totally new journey. We “broke the wall” and started to look “over the bricks to the West”. It’s been a while since we found the right direction where we seemed to be willing to go. We wanted to “return to Europe”.
And here we are standing right in front of these doors.
One simple question rises in my mind: “Are we ready?”
Many people have waited for this day to come, as an example I myself and people from Club the “House” – Youth for the United Europe/JEF Latvia -a youth non governmental organization. For the past 9 years we have been working hard to spread the idea of EU all around Latvia as well as – bringing the name of the country outside its borders. In a way our dream has come true, and we think – yes, this is the time.
For many people “West” is the place of escape. A place to run to - away from Latvia, this society, the standards of living. Escape - searching for a better life. And who would not be willing to live a good life?
After living for a longer while in Norway, Denmark and England, I have understood one thing:
If everyone is going to “run away” – who is going to stay? There is a necessity of experience and the chance to see things from a different perspective in each person’s life. At the same time we are the only ones who have the possibilities of building our own society the way we want it. We are the only ones who have the chance to build a “better life” here in our country.
A lot of people look towards EU as “the Shining Light of help”. There are rumors that “EU is going to help us, develop our country and make our lives better!” At the same time, people are scared of giving and sharing things they own with others. People are scared of immigrants coming to our country because they would invade Latvia, as some have mentioned.
Sometimes one gets a feeling that – everyone is willing to receive but not willing to give. People not only In Latvia but all around the world have to understand that you have to put effort yourself if you are willing to see your country developing the good way. It is just the question of who is willing to do it.
These types of feelings, attitudes and emotions we have inherited from the times when people in the Soviet Union were behind the “Wall”. I myself experienced only the last five years before the collapse of the Soviet Union, nevertheless I have been influenced a lot by the society around. It is only the next generations that will be able to look at things differently. And right now, I may say – the European way.
We are at the moment creating a better future not only for us but mostly for our kids, the future generation.
No one knows for sure how the new 25 countries will cooperate, but right now there is no way back. The future – is in our hands. There is a lot work to do to step over the bricks that are still there, left from the wall. It won’t be easy. It never is. But we have the chance to make changes in what we believe; we have the chance to influence our future.
We have the chance to experience freedom in a democratic way.
Let’s enjoy it and try making the best of it for us and all around.
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Comments
Erik Schattenmann | May 1st, 2004
Hi Sandra,
This is by far the most exciting article I have read on this site about the European integration. Welcome on board. I am more than happy that I can share a common future with people like you.
Erik from Austria
Sandrella | May 1st, 2004
Willing to give Lili Smits | May 6th, 2004
You touch upon all issues concerning the reunification lightly.
Like most people i had a posotive outlook on the reunification, but since we(countries as Holland or Slovenia) are net payers, we are concerned about the competition, and the stance as voiced by some youngsters in an interview I saw:" we are concerned that African and Asian people will overflow our country." On the 5th of may there was an MTV documentary on racism and fascisme around the football fields, especially in Poland. And we heard about SS revivals and celebrations.So right now we are wondering wether this might have been a really stupid and not in the least scary move to open up the borders. Towards a people who'd rather stick to themselves and have views far removed from uniting internationally.
It might be a move forward to the former east european nations but to me it feels like a standstill and having to start allover in converting viewpoints that reflect the thirties of the last century instead of the new millenium.
Sandra you are welcome and I hope you can spread your point of view widely.
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