Ukrainians and Poles can very well relate to each other. Paul Robert Magocsi said in his History of Ukraine that Poland is more aristocratic while Ukraine is more democratic, but Polish aristocracy is very democratic while Ukraines democracy is aristocratic. Anne Applebaum: For those who live in larger nations, I’m not sure that this emotion is even comprehensible. Certainly the insistent declaration “we are here” isn’t part of any big nation’s national anthem. the Polish national anthem itself begins with the words “Poland has not yet perished, so long as we are alive.” The lyrics date from an era when the nation did not figure on maps of Europe: In the 19th century the country was carved up by the empires of Russia, Prussia and Austria... Indeed, the Ukrainian national anthem begins with almost exactly the same phrase: “Ukraine has not yet perished, nor her glory, nor her freedom.” These lyrics, based on a poem written in the second half of the 19th century, also date from an era when Ukraine did not figure on any maps of Europe. But it was sung anyway, during the very brief moment when Ukraine also enjoyed independence after World War I, and then again in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. For those who live in larger nations, I’m not sure that this emotion is even comprehensible. Certainly the insistent declaration “we are here” isn’t part of any big nation’s national anthem. But those who live in geographically insecure nations can perhaps empathize with one another somewhat better.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 23:38:06 +0000
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