Why We Must Celebrate Europe Day
"It had come back to him simply that what he had been looking at all summer was a very rich and beautiful world, and that it had not all been made by sharp railroad men and stockbrokers."
- "The American" (Henry James, 1877)
It was Henry James, author of classic novels such as "The Wings of a Dove", who first told tales of Americans encountering Europe and Europeans. His stories allowed him to explore issues related to perception, and how his writing were compared to impressionist painting, resonating to generations of readers. His books come to mind during this time of the year, when the continent celebrates Europe Day, which falls on the 9th of May.
Unlike Saint Patrick's Day, a public holiday in Ireland, many Americans find it hard to relate to Europe Day. The only link was V Day, when Nazi Germany surrendered to Allies of World War II, marking the end of the Second World War. Only a few from that period would survive to witness the dramatic changes in the political landscape (in Europe) during the succeeding decades. Whether or not the US is interested or not, like it or not, she'll be affected by ongoing events in the continent. After all, the then major powers of Europe played a part in America's political affairs, when she was a young nation.
The world benefited from Europe. In ancient times, Greece was the center of the world. Pericles's rule of Athens, which was considered that civilization's Golden Age, would introduce a political system that would be followed by many countries a few millennia later. Hellenization, the spread of ancient Greek culture following the campaigns of Alexander the Great, would continue through the centuries. But it was Charlemagne who would lay the foundations of Europe, when he became the first emperor in western Europe. This came after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Then the disagreement between the State and the Church, the consequence akin to a domino effect. (Reformation. Renaissance. Age of Exploration. Age of Enlightenment. Industrial Revolution.) The next centuries saw the rise and fall of dynasties, the birth and dissolution of kingdoms. This would go on until the twentieth century.
It was after World War II when it was first thought that an integration would be an escape from any form of extreme nationalism. The end of conflict between states is also desired, which is easier said than done, but the past is the best teacher. Then there's another aim, which is to make the continent an economic force. This is what the European Union (EU) is partly about, still a work in progress. There'll be setbacks, but the vision of one Europe is still possible.
All of these make up Europe's storied past. The continent reeks of culture, its landmarks lure tourists from different parts of the world. Learning a Romantic language seems cool, but this, along with traveling, can be good ways of observing Europe Day. It's really about the birth of EU, but there's more to the continent than that.
