You want to see the future of Europe? Travel the Balkans
#380
Friend of Democracy,
It is not the first time I have travelled by train from Germany to and through the Balkans, as I am doing now.
Here is why I love this area in southeastern Europe.
This region has no facade, no glitter. It seems to me more real. Longing for prosperity but in many places still poor. To be honest, I like that as well. In being poor, humanity becomes more visible. People's lives do not disappear behind tinted car windows or behind villa walls. At least the lives of most of the people here don‘t.
But it is more than that. The Balkans are more than missing prosperity. They may give us a glimpse into the future of Europe as a whole. Because the Balkans have been for so long what other parts of Europe are about to become: a melting pot.
For centuries, the Balkans have been between the West and the East, with Christians and Muslims, democracies and autocracies, war and peace, and many different languages and influences.
Perhaps nowhere else in Europe have so many different cultures met. And still meet. For example, in the vibrant metropolis of Belgrade, with its progressive movements and free public transport. At the same time, the country, Serbia, is falling into autocracy. And with many rural areas, not only in Serbia, where one would be glad to have public transport at all. Where the car remains the only means of transportation, and with bars where one finds only men, smoking, drinking beer, and often addicted to gambling. With the women at home. Doing all the unpaid care work.
Those differences can be seen almost everywhere in Europe. On the Balkans, however, the differences seem bigger, with the 20th century still very alive. Only with socialism vanished.
Perhaps the Balkans will show us, or even might guide us, whether and how it's possible to live in peace and democracy despite the diversity of people. Or rather, BECAUSE people are so diverse. If it works here, it will work anywhere, I guess. It's wonderful to travel this hope.
See you in Democracy,
Johannes Eber
Interesting thought!