Editor's Note: Solidarity lives on
The Poles were surprised to realize that they are a nation that hasn't forgotten the meaning of 'solidarity'. The world was no less astonished to see that this Polish solidarity was not a 'miracle of history' that occurred just once.
What Poles have achieved with the help and support of Pope John Paul II is still alive in this nation.
Freeing itself from the yoke of communism and initiating the 'refolution' in Europe was not a coincidence, but the result of a unique strength, which is still dear to the hearts of Poles.
The death of the Pope has awoken the Poles. They have opened their eyes, left their homes, looked around at each other and realized that they are a society. What binds them is not only the race to catch up with the rich countries of the European Union. These shallow, prosaic, day-to-day concerns are not the most important things. And for sure they are not enough to lead a decent and a happy life.
Now the key question, which is being asked to a lesser and greater extent by everyone in Poland and abroad, is how will things change in Poland after the Pope's passing away.
Were the events of the last week just a mere manifestation of grief or was it really a deeper catharsis?
I believe it's the second. I want to believe it, because I want the world, however trivial or pompous it may sound, to be a better place.
That is why I find so interesting the thesis of some sociologists who claim that we might be witnessing the birth of an alternative model of civilization, a civilization of unity and bonds. Some claim that the 21st century is the age of great longing for spirituality and higher ideas, which can be satisfied by neither a new car nor another successful business transaction. This is a vision of a better life and a better world, especially in the spiritual sense. Without forgetting its mundane aspect, this is something worth believing in.
Poles have over the last few days shown to themselves, as well as the whole world, that they have a great need for spirituality, that they can satisfy this need, and that they once again have a chance to initiate great changes in Europe. They have the opportunity to be the architects of this civilization of bond and unity.
Eliza Durka
Editor-in-Chief
What Poles have achieved with the help and support of Pope John Paul II is still alive in this nation.
Freeing itself from the yoke of communism and initiating the 'refolution' in Europe was not a coincidence, but the result of a unique strength, which is still dear to the hearts of Poles.
The death of the Pope has awoken the Poles. They have opened their eyes, left their homes, looked around at each other and realized that they are a society. What binds them is not only the race to catch up with the rich countries of the European Union. These shallow, prosaic, day-to-day concerns are not the most important things. And for sure they are not enough to lead a decent and a happy life.
Now the key question, which is being asked to a lesser and greater extent by everyone in Poland and abroad, is how will things change in Poland after the Pope's passing away.
Were the events of the last week just a mere manifestation of grief or was it really a deeper catharsis?
I believe it's the second. I want to believe it, because I want the world, however trivial or pompous it may sound, to be a better place.
That is why I find so interesting the thesis of some sociologists who claim that we might be witnessing the birth of an alternative model of civilization, a civilization of unity and bonds. Some claim that the 21st century is the age of great longing for spirituality and higher ideas, which can be satisfied by neither a new car nor another successful business transaction. This is a vision of a better life and a better world, especially in the spiritual sense. Without forgetting its mundane aspect, this is something worth believing in.
Poles have over the last few days shown to themselves, as well as the whole world, that they have a great need for spirituality, that they can satisfy this need, and that they once again have a chance to initiate great changes in Europe. They have the opportunity to be the architects of this civilization of bond and unity.
Eliza Durka
Editor-in-Chief
