Poland - Eastern Europe - page 381

of Soviet-backed Communist governments uneasily led the country for the next four
decades. The government managed to maintain order through massive borrowing on
international financial markets, but mismanagement of the economy led to one crisis
after another. In the end it was this desire for higher living standards—perhaps even
more than a desire for political freedom—that led to the creation of the Solidarity
trade union and the genesis of the anti-Communist movement. Solidarity began at the
shipyards in Gda ^ sk, but eventually spread to the rest of the country. The initial
demands were for higher wages and more influence in managing the economy, but the
challenge to the Communist leadership was clear. At around the same time, the
Catholic Church had elevated a cardinal from Kraków, Karol Woyty l a, to be pope. If
Solidarity provided the organizational framework for Poles to resist, Pope John Paul pro-
vided the moral inspiration. In early 1989, the Poles held their first semi-free election—
a landmark vote that bolstered anti-Communist activists across Eastern Europe. By the
end of that epic year, the Eastern bloc was free.
Since the end of Communism, Poland has made great strides, reducing its interna-
tional debt, while living standards have continued to rise. In 1999 Poland realized a
longtime goal of joining the NATO military alliance, and in 2004 entered the Euro-
pean Union.
POLISH PEOPLE & CULTURE
Poles are typically highly educated and highly cultured, with a firm grasp of their coun-
try's long and rich tradition in literature, poetry, performing arts, and film. The strong
role of culture in everyday life is not surprising given the country's tragic history. For
the 125 years, until 1918, that Poland ceased to exist as a country, it was quite literally
a shared culture that held the people together. In modern times, it was this common
cultural heritage that helped people to weather the Nazi and Soviet occupations, and
to endure 40 years of Communist rule after World War II. Don't be surprised if your
Polish hosts ask you if you've ever heard of this or that Polish romantic poet or postwar
film director. And don't be surprised if they appear disappointed if you can't immedi-
ately come up with some insightful comment. Part of this disappointment is the feel-
ing that if Polish history hadn't been so brutal, many of these writers and intellectuals
would be as well known today as their counterparts in western Europe.
You'll sense too a strong feeling of national pride. Poles are proud of their history.
They're proud of their resistance, however futile, to the Nazi invasion in 1939, and of
the tragic Warsaw uprising in 1944. And they're proud of their country's leading role
in ending Communism in the 1980s. And today this pride extends to Poland's mem-
bership in the European Union. Poland was the largest of the new countries to enter
the E.U. in 2004, and Poland has effectively used its size to carve out an influential
role for itself in Brussels.
Americans are likely to feel particularly welcome. Poland's ties to the United States
go back all the way to Tadeusz Ko 1 ciuszko and the Revolutionary War. Today, Poles
proudly cite Chicago as the second-biggest Polish city in the world after Warsaw (even
though these days more young Poles are emigrating to Ireland and the U.K. than to
the U.S.). Just about everyone has a cousin, uncle, or grandparent who lives or used
to live in one of the 50 states.
POLISH CUISINE
Polish food has a hearty, homemade feel, and when it's done well, it can be delicious.
The staple of Polish cuisine is probably the pierogi, a pocket of dough stuffed with