Sunday 9 November 2014

A celebration under dark clouds

Today is the 25th anniversary of the fall of Communism and the wall that divided  Europe and the world. 
I was 13 years old when I saw people with simple tools and bare hands, not only trying but actually tearing down the wall that captivated millions of Europeans in the grip of communism. What I saw in Berlin together with the fight for indipendence in the Baltic States and the struggle for liberation in Poland and in Romania helped shape my liberal and humanist values ​​that are such a big part of who I am.

In the 25 years that have past, democracy have grown strong roots in most eastern European states that used to be imprisoned by a communist dictatorship. Fast EU membership has integrated Europeans after decades of division by imaginary borders and walls. The economic and social development has followed and despite the financial crisis the integrated Europe have created the world's largest economy and social safety nets.

Unfortunately, the reactionaries and populists on both the right and left wing have taken a new grip on the people of Europe and they are doing what they can to strengthen internal borders, build new walls and divide Europe once again.

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