The future of Ukraine is in Europe
That is what European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said to the Ukrainian prime minister in a discussion concerning Ukraine's possible entry into the European Union. Ukraine has always been at the geo-political and cultural crossroads between Western Europe and the Byzantine East, and easily absorbed influences from both.
A perfect visual example of this was the strong Baroque influence that went into the building of Ukrainian churches and the painting of icons. This unique blend of Baroque and Byzantine traditions came to be known as the "Kozak"(after the famous warriors of Ukraine) or "Mazepa"(since this art form flourished under Mazepa's rule) style. This while Russia was deeply suspicious of Baroque art forms as "covert Catholicism".
So there is absolutely no question that Ukraine's glorious past has a place in Europe's heritage, and it should be no question that its hopefully bright future should have a place as well with Europe. That's not the question. The real question is to which Europe will Ukraine's future share in. The Europe which embraces its glorious heritage or the Europe which seeks to dissociate itself from it? The Europe envisioned by the E.U. represents the latter, while Ukraine should really wish to associate itself with the former.
The late Pope John Paul II was a strong advocate for the former vision of Europe. He uttered these strong words to his own nation in relation to their decision to enter "Europe". His words are as much true today as they were when he first spoke them in 1991. And they have equal relevance to the Ukrainian nation as it did for the Poles:
“Giving in to desire, to sex, to consumption: that is the Europeanism that some supporters of our entry into Europe think we should accept. But we mustn’t become part of that Europe. We were the ones who created Europe, and with much more effort than those who claim exclusive rights to Europeanism. What is their criterion? Freedom. But which freedom? The freedom to take the life of an unborn child? Brothers and sisters, I protest against this concept of Europe held by the West. And this message must be shouted loudly from this land of martyrs. Europe is waiting for redemption. The world needs a redeemed Europe.”
May Ukraine's future be with the cause of a redeemed Europe!
A perfect visual example of this was the strong Baroque influence that went into the building of Ukrainian churches and the painting of icons. This unique blend of Baroque and Byzantine traditions came to be known as the "Kozak"(after the famous warriors of Ukraine) or "Mazepa"(since this art form flourished under Mazepa's rule) style. This while Russia was deeply suspicious of Baroque art forms as "covert Catholicism".
So there is absolutely no question that Ukraine's glorious past has a place in Europe's heritage, and it should be no question that its hopefully bright future should have a place as well with Europe. That's not the question. The real question is to which Europe will Ukraine's future share in. The Europe which embraces its glorious heritage or the Europe which seeks to dissociate itself from it? The Europe envisioned by the E.U. represents the latter, while Ukraine should really wish to associate itself with the former.
The late Pope John Paul II was a strong advocate for the former vision of Europe. He uttered these strong words to his own nation in relation to their decision to enter "Europe". His words are as much true today as they were when he first spoke them in 1991. And they have equal relevance to the Ukrainian nation as it did for the Poles:
“Giving in to desire, to sex, to consumption: that is the Europeanism that some supporters of our entry into Europe think we should accept. But we mustn’t become part of that Europe. We were the ones who created Europe, and with much more effort than those who claim exclusive rights to Europeanism. What is their criterion? Freedom. But which freedom? The freedom to take the life of an unborn child? Brothers and sisters, I protest against this concept of Europe held by the West. And this message must be shouted loudly from this land of martyrs. Europe is waiting for redemption. The world needs a redeemed Europe.”
May Ukraine's future be with the cause of a redeemed Europe!
posted by Perun at 1:50 PM
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