Polish Decembers

Abstract

December the 13th has for long time been a day that wakes bad associations in Poland: on this day, in the year of 1981, martial law- intended to suppress "Solidarity" movement by own means to avoid Russian military intervention - was imposed. For more than 20 years 13th December was the day of sadness and trauma tic memories, day of vivid discussions and arguments: was it a crime perpetrated by the communists on the own nation or rather a bright decision that spared us a visit of Russian soldiers and tanks. The discussions will probably go further, as the problem is of unique complexity, but there is a chance that at least associations will change. The reason is the European Union. On 13th December 2002 a Copenhagen summit, the last stage of negotiations between candidate countries and EU, was brought to a successful end. For Poland, and other nine candidate countries, it is a day to remember. I was then in Holland, studying at Leiden University' s Faculty of Social Sciences, hut- being up-to-date with all the developments in Poland due to Internet - I could feel this euphoria that was sweeping across the country.