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02.11.01, 09:36
POLAND SUFFERS EUROPEAN IDENTITY CRISIS
According to a new survey, Poles believe they are seen as second class by the
EU and are unsure whether they want to join.
Kate Connolly
Thursday November 1, 2001
The Guardian
Poland's new prime minister, Leszek Miller, and his coalition government of the
Democratic Left Alliance and the smaller Polish Peasant party, faces an uphill
task to put the country back on track in its negotiations for membership of the
European Union.
Poor economic growth, high unemployment, rising poverty and controversial
agricultural reforms have to be dealt with by the former communist and
politburo member, and fast. Poland, the largest of the 12 would-be member
countries waiting to join, is in danger of failing to make the first
enlargement wave.
Now Mr Miller has the added headache of a Polish identity crisis to deal with.
A new study published earlier this week suggests that Poles are the most
pessimistic of all the citizens of candidate countries. The poll, conducted by
the European Society for Opinion and Market Research, suggests that the Polish
nation feels unwelcome and feels it is viewed as "second class" by member
states.
It has to be said, the Poles are possibly the most image-conscious of any of
the candidate countries and the ones most concerned with appearing to be
modern. It is no coincidence that they feel a great affinity with the USA and
its obsession with branding and "newness".
It is also no surprise that they are fed up with the Polish stereotype that is
like a stuck record: that they are thieves, beggars, and liars. A report I once
wrote about an Polish pig farmers' initiative, illustrated with the picture of
a fat, satisfied pig, drew cries of criticism from my friends and acquaintances
in Warsaw. "Don't you realise the damage you've done?" one of them
asked. "Everyone reading that will automatically equate pigs and Poles."
We argued about it for a while - I suggested that instead the article
demonstrated the innovative nature of the Poles. Finally, we agreed to disagree.
This view of their sensitivity is confirmed by Daniel Debomy, who headed the EU
attitudes survey, which was funded by the European Commission. "The Poles are
worried their image in the rest of Europe is bad ... but they are not anti-
European," he says.
Indeed, support for membership remains relatively high: around 60% of Poles are
in favour of accession - this has risen at times to 72% - although 44% feel the
EU will gain more from the changes than Poland will.
But, in more than any other of the candidate countries, there is a groundswell
of opinion that joining the EU will threaten the country's identity. The debate
has spread throughout society, so that it is even discussed in artistic circles.
Some artists have expressed their worries about opening Polish culture to a
world market. Wojciech Siemion, a film actor, wants Polish culture to be given
special protection when the country joins. The president of the painters'
association, Geno Malkowski, however, argues that joining the EU will be
positive for Poland and for other European cultures.
"My belief is that any culture which is cut off from life is dead and will
never make its mark in history," Mr Malkowski said recently. One leading
newspaper editor even tried to launch a congress of intellectuals for the
defence of culture, but came under pressure from Leszek Miller's Democratic
Left Alliance to "tone down" his ideas.
Last summer, in an attempt to appeal to the Poles' image consciousness, and to
reform false and misplaced ideas about Poland in the rest of Europe, the
government launched an $18m dollar publicity campaign. Its ambassador to the
EU, Jan Truszcynski, said it was an attempt to tackle an "uncomfortable
situation" and "stereotypical fears" - a reaction to the high level of
opposition in other countries towards Poland's EU bid.
But, within the country, in both rural and urban areas, it is hard to hide the
real enthusiasm. The word "Euro" has become a byword for quality and good
service: "Euromarket", "Eurocineplex", "Eurogas" and "Europroduct" are just a
few examples of its use on the road from Lodz to Warsaw.
The royal blue of the European flag is the colour scheme chosen by increasing
numbers of car dealerships, supermarkets and even restaurants. And the yellow
stars do much to brighten up the odd drab hoarding.
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2001
