Excellent essay and very good insights about the history of Eastern Europe and the lens through which these countries are seen. Let's pray that going forward the world can see this part of Europe as the vibrant and resilient place that it is.
An interesting piece that you wrote here. It is such a shame that Eastern European people are viewed that way by many (or most?)people in the West. I don’t know what else say. I have always been curious about Eastern Europe, even when I was a kid. I can’t imagine not being interested in it. Then again, I see everyone as people first, other things like stereotypes are second. I wish more people felt that way.
When I was growing up, the countries of Eastern Europe were “behind the Iron Curtain” and definitely not travel destinations. The Cold War was very real …on bot sides of that “curtain.”
As late as 1975, when a friend scrimped together $ to visit family in Hungary, she returned with tales of strict city-to-city passport controls, machine-gun-carrying guards checking everyone’s papers on trains leaving Budapest, and family prohibitions on talking to anyone not “known” to the family.
It’s joyful to watch as the walls and barbed wire come down and once again nations can “share a radish or two and a beer.” Let us never very careful to not let those barriers ever be rebuilt.
As an American of Estonian descent, I always used 'Northern European' to describe my heritage to avoid the 'Eastern European' stigma. Since February of 2022, with Ukraine's heroic defense, with the leadership and assertiveness being provided by the Baltic States, Poland, Czech Republic, with the quiet support from Romania and Bulgaria, with the foot dragging Western-European Putin/Russian apologists, I've been proud to claim my Eastern European heritage.
I've always been drawn more to Eastern Europe than Western. Something about it speaks to me and I can't articulate what it is. They've been dismissed and looked down on for far too long and I'm doing my small part to help change that. A lot of things we take for granted as being part of a democracy have their origins in Eastern Europe. Not England or anywhere else in Western Europe. That needs to be honored and talked about.
I have a HUGE book picked out to fill in some of my gaps in Eastern European history. It starts in the 1780s and traces the region through to when it was published. Nearly 1,000 pages. Which is exactly how I like my history books. It looks like a great companion to Snyder's The Reconstruction of Nations.
Let me know later if you find this book to be good, so I can recommend it to others. It’s hard to find good unbiased books on Eastern European history.
Tim Snyder’s book “Bloodlands” recounts (in gory detail) the suffering and murder that Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Czechoslovakia, the Baltic countries and other lands suffered between 1920 and ~1949. He counts approximately 14 million people murdered by either the Soviet or Nazi governments. Tens of thousands who had fled west during the war were force-shipped back to Russia (by American military, no less) only to be either shot or transported to the Siberian or Kazakhstan Gulag areas. Yes, Poland was raped and destroyed, and its ~recent revival is testimonial to the heart and strength of its people. Similar can be said, I believe, about Ukraine (and if it ever becomes free, about Belarus.)
There is a reason his book is called Bloodlands. I wish more people read it and understand what Eastern Europe went through and how many times it was betrayed and sacrificed. I don't want it to be repeated with Ukraine, even though we see how many people want to repeat it either due to pursuing their selfish interests, ignorance, stupidity, cruelty, or everything combined.
I've only just read this now. I needed to be in a headspace to pay attention and absorb it.
This post makes me very sad - as I knew it would. I've been processing thoughts along these lines for most of the last 2.5 years. Not so much the comparison with Western Europe, although it's 100% valid; more just the perspective on Eastern Europe.
I find it difficult to express how it makes me feel much beyond sadness. I can't change the past. But, given our involvement in Yalta, it makes me worried that we're lining up to repeat history. And that...makes me angry. God forbid.
I am very thankful that I am learning more about all the countries of Eastern Europe, even as my focus is on Ukraine. And I do pray that one day you all will be able to be yourselves, and flourish.
I agree, Laurel. It makes me so sad, too. It’s hard to describe in words. Thank you for your support! I hope to share more about Eastern Europe in this newsletter: its culture, history, and beautiful places.
I’m late in getting around to reading this one but am glad that I did. Both of my parents grew up living under communism in Poland during the Cold War and all of my grandparents survived as teenagers the German and Russian invasions and occupations during WW2. There are no words really. But thank you for yours, Darya.
I was introduced to your writings by my father, Mike Childers. I think you may know him! This is a very good essay and provides a unique insight into the difficult history of Eastern Europe. I have begun my research for a project that I will be working on for the next few months in my free time that looks to examine the history of Ukraine. This is in its very early stages but I am already running into issues finding reliable sources on the ancient history. I have found plenty of academic articles that contradict and argue with one another, specifically if Ukraine has a history. You address this in your article here and that prompted me to comment.
Hi Nathan! Glad to see you among my readers! It's such a shame that there are "historians" who argue that Ukraine ever had history...If you haven't watched this course by Timothy Snyder, "The Making of Modern Ukraine," I highly recommend it! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh9mgdi4rNewfxO7LhBoz_1Mx1MaO6sw_
I am getting ready to start this video now. I just finished the article "Does Ukraine Have a History?" written by Mark von Hagen. It was published in 1995 and I do not agree with many of his views. Ukraine has a very mixed history and most of that is due to occupation, but that does not mean it does not have its OWN history.
I would assume that the old articles were heavily influenced by Russian propaganda and bias towards Ukrainians. Unfortunately, many modern articles are influenced by it, too.
You beautifully summarized what few in the west know about Eastern Europe, under the domination of Russia.
In my country, Canada, there are many of Ukrainian origin, a country caught between competing empires, which Russia ended up controling for centuries. Many of their ancestres arrived in Canada as prisoners of war, being conscripted in the Russian army. But they refused to be considered Russians. Ever since the first Canadian census, they were always classified as Ukrainian.
It is sad that many in the west, as you say, see eastern Europe through the eyes of Russian imperialism
Thank you for your feedback and support, André! I hope more people will be willing to see the truth and stop viewing Eastern Europe through Russian colonial lenses. I also hope to do my part in educating people and challenging the damaging stereotypes that surround my native region.
Excellent essay and very good insights about the history of Eastern Europe and the lens through which these countries are seen. Let's pray that going forward the world can see this part of Europe as the vibrant and resilient place that it is.
Thank you, Lydia! I hope to live to see the day when it happens and, meanwhile, do what I can to bring it closer.
An interesting piece that you wrote here. It is such a shame that Eastern European people are viewed that way by many (or most?)people in the West. I don’t know what else say. I have always been curious about Eastern Europe, even when I was a kid. I can’t imagine not being interested in it. Then again, I see everyone as people first, other things like stereotypes are second. I wish more people felt that way.
Thank you, Tracy! I wish that, too!
When I was growing up, the countries of Eastern Europe were “behind the Iron Curtain” and definitely not travel destinations. The Cold War was very real …on bot sides of that “curtain.”
As late as 1975, when a friend scrimped together $ to visit family in Hungary, she returned with tales of strict city-to-city passport controls, machine-gun-carrying guards checking everyone’s papers on trains leaving Budapest, and family prohibitions on talking to anyone not “known” to the family.
It’s joyful to watch as the walls and barbed wire come down and once again nations can “share a radish or two and a beer.” Let us never very careful to not let those barriers ever be rebuilt.
As an American of Estonian descent, I always used 'Northern European' to describe my heritage to avoid the 'Eastern European' stigma. Since February of 2022, with Ukraine's heroic defense, with the leadership and assertiveness being provided by the Baltic States, Poland, Czech Republic, with the quiet support from Romania and Bulgaria, with the foot dragging Western-European Putin/Russian apologists, I've been proud to claim my Eastern European heritage.
I agree, the term “Eastern European” should be associated with bravery, resilience, talent, and strength because this is exactly what it represents.
I've always been drawn more to Eastern Europe than Western. Something about it speaks to me and I can't articulate what it is. They've been dismissed and looked down on for far too long and I'm doing my small part to help change that. A lot of things we take for granted as being part of a democracy have their origins in Eastern Europe. Not England or anywhere else in Western Europe. That needs to be honored and talked about.
I agree with you, Rachel!
I have a HUGE book picked out to fill in some of my gaps in Eastern European history. It starts in the 1780s and traces the region through to when it was published. Nearly 1,000 pages. Which is exactly how I like my history books. It looks like a great companion to Snyder's The Reconstruction of Nations.
Let me know later if you find this book to be good, so I can recommend it to others. It’s hard to find good unbiased books on Eastern European history.
Tim Snyder’s book “Bloodlands” recounts (in gory detail) the suffering and murder that Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Czechoslovakia, the Baltic countries and other lands suffered between 1920 and ~1949. He counts approximately 14 million people murdered by either the Soviet or Nazi governments. Tens of thousands who had fled west during the war were force-shipped back to Russia (by American military, no less) only to be either shot or transported to the Siberian or Kazakhstan Gulag areas. Yes, Poland was raped and destroyed, and its ~recent revival is testimonial to the heart and strength of its people. Similar can be said, I believe, about Ukraine (and if it ever becomes free, about Belarus.)
There is a reason his book is called Bloodlands. I wish more people read it and understand what Eastern Europe went through and how many times it was betrayed and sacrificed. I don't want it to be repeated with Ukraine, even though we see how many people want to repeat it either due to pursuing their selfish interests, ignorance, stupidity, cruelty, or everything combined.
I've only just read this now. I needed to be in a headspace to pay attention and absorb it.
This post makes me very sad - as I knew it would. I've been processing thoughts along these lines for most of the last 2.5 years. Not so much the comparison with Western Europe, although it's 100% valid; more just the perspective on Eastern Europe.
I find it difficult to express how it makes me feel much beyond sadness. I can't change the past. But, given our involvement in Yalta, it makes me worried that we're lining up to repeat history. And that...makes me angry. God forbid.
I am very thankful that I am learning more about all the countries of Eastern Europe, even as my focus is on Ukraine. And I do pray that one day you all will be able to be yourselves, and flourish.
And...Poland is also beautiful.
I agree, Laurel. It makes me so sad, too. It’s hard to describe in words. Thank you for your support! I hope to share more about Eastern Europe in this newsletter: its culture, history, and beautiful places.
I’m late in getting around to reading this one but am glad that I did. Both of my parents grew up living under communism in Poland during the Cold War and all of my grandparents survived as teenagers the German and Russian invasions and occupations during WW2. There are no words really. But thank you for yours, Darya.
Thank you, Paul! I’m really sorry that your family went through that ❤️🩹
Darya,
I was introduced to your writings by my father, Mike Childers. I think you may know him! This is a very good essay and provides a unique insight into the difficult history of Eastern Europe. I have begun my research for a project that I will be working on for the next few months in my free time that looks to examine the history of Ukraine. This is in its very early stages but I am already running into issues finding reliable sources on the ancient history. I have found plenty of academic articles that contradict and argue with one another, specifically if Ukraine has a history. You address this in your article here and that prompted me to comment.
Thank you for your unique perspective!
Hi Nathan! Glad to see you among my readers! It's such a shame that there are "historians" who argue that Ukraine ever had history...If you haven't watched this course by Timothy Snyder, "The Making of Modern Ukraine," I highly recommend it! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh9mgdi4rNewfxO7LhBoz_1Mx1MaO6sw_
I am getting ready to start this video now. I just finished the article "Does Ukraine Have a History?" written by Mark von Hagen. It was published in 1995 and I do not agree with many of his views. Ukraine has a very mixed history and most of that is due to occupation, but that does not mean it does not have its OWN history.
I would assume that the old articles were heavily influenced by Russian propaganda and bias towards Ukrainians. Unfortunately, many modern articles are influenced by it, too.
You beautifully summarized what few in the west know about Eastern Europe, under the domination of Russia.
In my country, Canada, there are many of Ukrainian origin, a country caught between competing empires, which Russia ended up controling for centuries. Many of their ancestres arrived in Canada as prisoners of war, being conscripted in the Russian army. But they refused to be considered Russians. Ever since the first Canadian census, they were always classified as Ukrainian.
It is sad that many in the west, as you say, see eastern Europe through the eyes of Russian imperialism
Thank you for your feedback and support, André! I hope more people will be willing to see the truth and stop viewing Eastern Europe through Russian colonial lenses. I also hope to do my part in educating people and challenging the damaging stereotypes that surround my native region.