20 years ago, I was at an amazing concert. Vienna Philharmonics in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace played the first of – now conventional – concerts beginning the summer. "Concert for Europe" due to the fact that it was named after Bobby McFerrin, the unparalleled, de facto He welcomed the fresh countries that joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. For many of us, the dream was fulfilled. For many, this has been the consequence of hard work, smart policy and efforts to guarantee that the values contained in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union – and so dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the regulation of law, human rights, pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice and solidarity – are actually respected. And although we inactive deficiency a lot to full implement some, we have taken a gigantic step forward, towards what is truly common in the Union.
That evening the gardens around the Viennese palace were full of people – any in evening costumes, others in full relaxation. Around there were tents in which you could buy brätwurst, applelstrudel, Ottakringer or weissgespritz. The talk was intertwined with a miracle of music, celebrating the accession of 10 “new” countries to the European Union. The musicians we utilized to perceive to erstwhile they played their fresh year's performance at the Wiener Musikverein Gold Hall, not only did Strauss save us that evening. They played Chopin, Smetana, Glazunova, Sibelius... And Beethoven was there. They played composers from countries entering the European Union, or possibly better said, renewing their full membership in the community of European nations, reuniting in the union. We sat on the lawn under Glorietta listening to music, sunk in conversations. 2 Poles, the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary and 2 young Austrians. We were 20 years old, we were just out of college. We started our lives at the best possible time, due to the fact that on May 1, 2004, he opened up opportunities for us that generations before us were hard to number on.
These chances are... any dreams from yesterday, due to the fact that present – and for those graduating present – many of the possibilities that delighted us at that time were everyday. Scholarships, travel, open labour market, Community regulations that frequently simplify life (just look at the unified tips of telephone chargers) or laugh/absurd (a case of simple banana, designation of carrots as fruit or a directive on ladder construction). However, this everyday life is much more, due to the fact that we see how Poland has changed, by how many roads, bridges, playgrounds, cultural facilities, schools and another kinds of investments we see a sign: "Founded from EU funds". It's a everyday thing that didn't let PiS excesses, which we needed to avoid authoritarianism. This everyday life, which the young have successfully fought for in the elections of 15 October 2023, but which they should not take with certainty before the first elections to the European Parliament, in which today's twenty-year-olds will participate. due to the fact that that is what the upcoming European elections are about – about our safe, unchangeable everyday life. Our local "now" and "morrow" but besides about a unchangeable Community future. About unity, which is value.
After 20 years of memorable enlargement, we are no longer talking about the old and fresh Union (although for years this word has fallen into various, frequently reluctant Europeanism and prone to fuel the division of circles). We have undergone further enlargements, and there are already associate States in line that recognise EU values and the stableness of the community as a safety measure. They have gained a "European perspective" which requires a fresh definition today; they have gained time, although on many issues – besides for interior safety – they would request hard deadlines. They got... a chance, like we utilized to. And I don't think they're gonna waste it. And it's not just due to the fact that – like we utilized to – they dream, but they just know that present the Union is the best option, that being outside simply doesn't pay them.
***
Sometimes I ask the question: Where were you on 1 May 2004, the day we had our dream of joining the European Union? About this step ending the way we, as a state, society and individuals, went from the strike at Gdańsk Shipyard, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the circular Table meeting, the first free elections of 4 June 1989? The road was not simple, alternatively full of turmoil, different to our climate of hurricanes, day-old frosts or large silence, which could sometimes prevail between us. A silence from which, despite political differences, we managed to leave, due to the fact that we were united by a perspective... European. So: Where were you / where were you on May 1, 2004? And question two, present more important: where will you be on June 9, 2024? I'm certain I'll be very conscious in putting my vote in the ballot box.
