New Eastern Europe Magazine 3 (VIII) - 2013 Back Issue

In this issue we present three different voices on the importance of culture in today’s Central and Eastern Europe. In an opening essay on the art of difficult dialogue, Lithuanian philosopher and Member of European Parliament, Leonidas Donskis, firmly states that despite regional differences European culture and values are universal throughout the continent and asks those who disagree to look at Europe’s history. Géza Kovács, the director of the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra illustrates the importance culture has played in the political transformation of the region, writing: “Central and Eastern Europe is brimming with examples of links between the performing arts and political change.” In a personal confession, Janusz Makuch, passionately describes his commitment and determination to commemorate Jewish culture and heritage through the Jewish Culture Festival in Kraków, which he has been directing for the last 25 years.
Unfortunately these and many other inspiring examples do not entirely overshadow the still painful cases which haunt the region as a result of its complicated past. Ireneusz Kamiński poignantly analyses the case of the 1940 massacre of Polish citizens in the Katyń Forest and the question as to whether Russia thoroughly investigated the massacre after the fall of the Soviet Union, which is now being heard before the European Court of Human Rights. Similarly, Ana Dabrundashvili explores the controversy surrounding the Georgian villagers who commemorate Joseph Stalin.
Additionally, this issue provides political analyses focusing on today’s international relations, including Poland’s leadership role in the Visegrad Group, Russia’s use of religion in its foreign policy, the lack of a comprehensive approach to this region by the Obama administration and the potential of the newly established European Endowment for Democracy to become a new tool for promoting democracy in Eastern Europe.