Eurovisie June Edition

Hope & Consequence Onsequence Hope &

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june edition / eurovisiemag.com / eurovisie@ses-uva.nl

IN THIS EDITION...

4 - WHEN THE WAR IS OVER ANNELIE NÍ DHÁLAIGH

eurovisie

Volume 18

Issue 4 June Editon

7 - EXPRESSING THE EMOTIONAL AFTERMATH OF DISCRIMINATION THROUGH DREAMS IN BEKONO’S CONFRONTATIES JADE PAUW 10 - SPIRALING DREAMS STIJN HOOGVOORST 12 - DEATH AND ITS CHAPTERS ÓRLAITH NÍ RUAIDH 14 - ONE SMALL DREAM FOR A MAN, ONE GIANT NIGHTMARE FOR MANKIND YAEL PLESS 17 - THE SEDUCTION OF WEALTH VINCENT LUBACH 20 - LONG LOST, HOME EMILIA JUCHNO 22 - I HAD A DREAM, SO I LEFT RENATA RÎMBU

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Imprint Editorial office: Kloveniersburgwal 48, room E2.04/2.05, 1012 CX Amsterdam Editor-in-chief: Órlaith Roe Editors: Annelie Ní Dhálaigh, Nathan Domon, Julius Sieburgh, Órlaith Roe, Emilia Juchno, Renata Rîmbu, Irina Petrescu, Yael Pless, Stijn Hoogvorst, Vincent Lubach, Fernando De Freitas, Anna Hatzius Sarramona, Jade Pauw.

Design: Irina Petrescu

Editorial Órlaith Ní Ruaidh Dear reader, As the academic year draws to a close, it is with bittersweet joy I write to you for the final time as Eurovisie’s editor-in-chief. I am indebted to this magazine for life, and eternally grateful for the friends, opportunities, and words it has gifted me over the years. It is with great excitement I look to September and the fresh stories and adventures that Eurovisie’s team will continue to bring to life.

This year has seen the continuation of war on our shores, an unstable political climate worsen, and the uncertainty of the future expand. With this, we have crafted stories, critiques, and personal angles throughout our pages.

In presenting our final theme for the season, it felt natural to explore something that can be both joyous and bleak, uplifting and threatening: dreams.

Our writers delve into this topic from contrasting angles, some personal, some political, some whimsical. In today’s turbulent environment, it remains paramount to articulate the possibility of a dream and the consequence of its death.

Yael tackles what happens when dangerous dreams land in the wrong hands, and what the potential power of mobilisation can achieve. Annelie exposes the hurdles that Ukrainians must jump on a path to justice, stymied by a legal system in need of reform, while Stijn and Vincent confront economic realities and hardships, the former in the shape of a critical crossroads for the future of inequality, and the latter in the links between capitalist cultures and the brutal pursuit of success.

The émigré’s confrontation with a home they have since left is explored by Emilia, investigating the battles one faces with the internal conflict of a homeland, responsibility, and the navigation of a higher dream. Similarly, Renata analyses the large Romanian diaspora and the connotations surrounding East-West migration, and the stages of a brutal confrontation with reality.

While I tip-toe into the literary fantasies and stories that met a premature death, Jade takes a deep dive into the layered dreams of UvA fellow Simone Atangana Bekono’s debut novel Confrontaties and the surreal nature of dreams, reality, and racism.

It is in dreams and hope that we can achieve progression. It is also in the misplaced dreams of tyrannical figures that we are led to societal divisions, war, and suffering. Our fantasies and ideals are not always grounded or realistic, but the mobilisation of a common goal, a shared love, a need for justice, is never far from reach.

Reader, do not stop dreaming.

Noli timere, Órlaith Ní Ruaidh, editor-in-chief.

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When The War Is Over…

Annelie Ní Dhálaigh

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An overview of the potential in which systemic flaws in

I

avenues for Ukrainians seeking justice, and the ways the international system risk dashing these dreams.

imagine that these words rever- of March 2022, the ICJ ordered jurisdiction over the political leaberate around the minds of Uk- that Russia must suspend military ders of countries who are not part rainians constantly. My dreams operations immediately. The next of the ICC, and crucially, that theof the future are contingent upon day, the Kremlin announced that se leaders can be held responsidifferent ‘ifs’ and ‘whens’ If I get Russia could not take this decisi- ble for the actions of those whom this internship. When I gradua- on into account. In order for the they are in charge of. However, te. If I find housing. I think the ICJ ruling to be enforced, the case due to the fundamental jurisdictidreams of young people stay the must be taken to the Security onal issue at hand, on a practical same, despite the contingencies. Council, where Russia of course, level these arrest warrants only We look to the future, our past has veto power. Ultimately, while hinder potential international tranot large enough to draw from. the decision “marks an important vel for Putin and Lvova-Belova.

Dreaming about the end of the step towards proving the illegaliwar has a lot of personal uncer- ty of the war under international “While the ICC arrest tainties. Who will be left, what will law”, according to the ICJ press be left? In this article, I want to release, the ICJ does not offer warrant for Putin and discuss the potential legal effects much hope to those in the tren- Lvova-Belova serves to of the war in Ukraine, and what ches dreaming of justice. legitimise domestic proaction could be taken now. secution efforts in UkraiSecondly, the International CrimiWith regards to making a dream nal Court (ICC), also located in the ne, in Russia, this plays of justice for Ukrainians a reality, Hague, is distinct from the ICJ. right into Putin’s narthere are five main courts that Rather than dealing with dispu- rative of a hypocritical we can look to. The International tes between states, under the Court of Justice at The Hague, Rome Statute, the ICC is granted West, appealing to “uniThe International Criminal Court, jurisdiction over the crimes of ge- versal” standards while the European Court of Human nocide, crimes against humanity, protecting its own.”

Rights and the Ukrainian domestic war crimes, and the crime of agcourts. gression. However, as Russia has In the light of the arrest warrants, informed the UN Secretary Gene- many continue to call for the isThe ICJ is the UN’s highest Court, ral that they no longer intend to suance of arrest warrants for competent to settle disputes sub- be party to the agreement, they George W Bush and Tony Blair. mitted by States that have accep- have no legal obligations arising They should be issued if not for ted its jurisdiction, in accordance from their signature of the Statu- the crime of aggression, which with international law. Neither te. Moscow has emphasised this, conveniently, had not been actiUkraine nor Russia have declared with Foreign Affairs spokeswoman vated in 2003 for the invasion of to accept the ICJ’s compulsory ju- Maria Zakharova stating that “the Iraq, at least for the war crimes risdiction. However, the ICJ hace decision of the International Cri- committed against Iraqis inclusome limited competence in Uk- minal Court has no meaning for ding the torture of Iraqi detairaine, deriving from the Genocide our country, including from a le- nees, physical and sexual abuse Convention, which both Russia gal point of view”, as Ukraine has and multiple civilian massacres. and Ukraine have ratified. There- accepted the ICC Statute, giving As the UK were party to the Rome fore cases regarding the Ukrainian the court jurisdiction on crimes Statute, an arrest warrant could conflict before the ICJ are limited committed on the territory of Uk- be issued for Blair. The ICC only to the obligation of both states raine. Following this, the ICC has has jurisdiction if the UN Security to prevent and punish genocide. issued arrest warrants for Putin Council requests an investigatiIn light of this, on the 26th of Fe- and for the Russian Commissioner on as the Rome Statute was not bruary 2022, the Ukrainian Gover- for Children’s Rights Maria Lvo- ratified by the US or Iraq. As we nment lodged a case with the ICJ, va-Belova, for the war crimes of know, the US has a veto here, and arguing that Russia had wrongful- unlawful deportation of children we return to the same starting ly claimed a genocide in Ukraine and the unlawful transfer of child- point of the system which allows (Luhansk and Donetsk) in order ren from Ukraine to Russia. This certain countries to do, basically, to justify its invasion. On the 16th established that the ICC has legal whatever they want, while pointjune | eurovisie | page 5

ing out the twig in the other’s eye.

The European Court of Human Rights has followed a similar pattern. Set up by the Council of Europe Member States, it deals with individual or state applications alleging violations of the European Convention on Human Rights, which has been ratified by both Russia and Ukraine. It rules only on compliance by states and government authorities. As of now, the Court has ruled against Russia and ordered an end to civilian attacks, as well as expelled Russia from the Council of Europe. Ultimately, the Court has no enforcement mechanism, and the dream remains a dream.

In Ukraine, prosecutors have opened more than 80,000 war-crimes cases since the invasion. 30 have led to a conviction. So far these cases have failed to build a strategy against Russian leaders, and have instead focused on individual foot soldiers. They are often impossible to find, and even more so to bring to serve jail time. The soldiers are judged in absentia, which is risky, and could lead to questions over legal legitimacy in the future. For now, Ukraine will continue to charge soldiers, as their criminal code lacks the concept of command responsibility, and be aided indirectly by international advisers, as Ukrainian courts cannot accept evidence directly from outside investigators. They will continue to gather documentation, dreaming of a future tribunal, which may be many years down the line. I hope these dreams become reality soon, and lead to a reshaping of the international system which takes the nebulous promises of distant courts into an earthy hand, concrete and real, like prison cell bars.

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Expressing The Emotional Aftermath Of Discrimination Through Dreams In Bekono’s Confrontaties Jade Pauw

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his year, the University of Amsterdam named Later, Salomé debates whether things would have Dutch author Simone Atangana Bekono its ne- been different for her, had she made different choiwest fellow. A few years earlier she released ces. She provides the answer to this herself when her debut novel Confrontaties, which deals with she debates the word ‘rehabilitation’. Rehabilitatopics such as racism and creating selfhood as an ting, she says, means a return to a previous state, outsider in the Netherlands. To complement the se- which to her seems impossible. Time doesn’t work ries of meetings the UVA is currently hosting around that way; time continues without remorse. So even Confrontaties, this article provides a short analysis though Salomé struggles to face her present situaof the novel as it relates to dreams and reality. This tion, she understands that an escape to some altertopic reoccurs in the novel in literal, metaphorical nate reality is impossible. While she is distressed, and narratological ways. These instances help us she is also emotionally mature enough to face realook deeper into the main character’s emotional pro- lity. She may be thinking of a different self because cessing of the main conflict. the present upsets her, but the line between what is and what could have been is clear.

Confrontaties narrates the experiences of 16-yearold Salomé Atabong as she navigates her new life Stories can narrate dreams to investigate a characin a youth detention centre. Here she is expected ter’s deeper emotions. This can reveal hidden fears, to reflect on the event which led to her detention: desires and wishes in an honest way. Furthermore, a fight between her and two former classmates in dreams can ignore the proper rules of narrative, or which she ended up severely harming them. Before vraisemblance, because they require no link with the the fight, Salomé faced many instances of discrimi- real. They therefore offer ample space for scenes filnatory bullying from these and other classmates. led with metaphorical elements. Salomé has severHer story is about the confrontations between a girl al dreams throughout the story, which reflect her of colour and a society which is still racist, but also emotional state and worries. In one dream Salomé about a girl struggling with herself. This is oversha- sees a terrifying bird-like lady screaming and diving dowed by the emotional distress caused by the toward the ground. In a later dream, the bird-lady fight, as well as her complicated living conditions alters the course of her screaming flight, aiming for in the centre. This becomes particularly apparent Salomé and tearing her apart when she reaches her. through the duality of dreams and reality.

Salomé also mentions several myths throughout One of the first things Salomé mentions is the idea the narrative. The bird-woman, for example, is later that there are two of her. In one reality she fought called a Fury, referring to the Greek mythical creher classmates and resides in a detention centre. In ature of wrath and revenge. Salomé also explains another she did not. In this fabricated other-world that Furies would come after murderers to punish she is free; she travels, gets good grades, and is in them, and at times identifies herself as a Fury or a no way caught up in the other Salomé’s world. This criminal. Earlier in the story, she recounts the myth creation of a different self might be understood as of Prometheus, who was punished for bringing fire an act of depersonalisation. Such acts can be indu- to mankind. His punishment consisted of eternally ced by a sense that the living world is too unreal, being tied to a rock with a hawk picking out his liver. and may involve a view of the self from an outside perspective. Notably, depersonalisation can be pro- In the dreams Salomé becomes Prometheus, though voked by stress. Salomé is imagining a different self instead of a hawk she is punished by a Fury. In the outside of reality, likely because of the stress that context of the myth of Prometheus, however, the comes from processing the fight. nature of her crime changes. Salomé expresses that june | eurovisie | page 7

though she realises their severi- inside Salomé’s mind. ty, she doesn’t feel sorry for her acts, seeing them as unavoidable Her inner turmoil is again revealed or vengeful. Compared to brin- through stream of consciousness ging fire to mankind, however, her writing when the fight for which lashing out can be interpreted she was convicted is finally desas a morally grey act of necessi- cribed. As her classmates assault ty. She was reacting against the her, and as she fights back, eleracist structures that confine her. ments from the scenery and SaThe fire she brings is the light she lomé’s thoughts blend with the shines on reality, the ‘lightbulb’ fight. The whole gains a dream-lishe mentions someone should ke quality, representing how Salohold over the heads of those who mé thinks back on the event. The ignore racism. The book and Salo- textual confusion demonstrates mé herself remain ambiguous on that she cannot grasp it in any lowhether the acts were right, but gical way. the dreams reveal that Salomé feels she is being punished like “Confrontaties is about Prometheus: unjustly. This adds another layer to her emotional a young girl trying to make sense of herself turmoil.

and the world around

The lines between reality and her.” dreams are also blurred in the novel’s writing style, which adopts It is about formulating selfhood a thought-like structure. Real within structures which are, as events are combined with SaloSalomé is told by her aunt, wormé’s ponderings, which are in turn king against you. In Salomé’s case, related back to past events. The breaking free from them involved boundaries between what is real taking violent measures. This deand what is imagined, or what is monstrates how living in a racist present and what is past, blur as society can lead to desperate the story goes on. Sometimes this acts. The things that are done as structuring is further complicated a result of discrimination aren’t by stream of consciousness wriright, but neither are they entirely ting. wrong. Moreover, such acts lead to emotional distress. In Salomé’s These qualities often appear ducase, this is given shape through ring moments of personal distress, the tension between dreams and conveying her emotional state. In reality as featured in her deperone scene, for example, Salomé sonalisation, dreams and the wriand some other girls in the centre ting style. Confrontatities shows, are watching a movie. One of the above all, that when a lived reality girls is agitated, and when things becomes so surreal it cannot be escalate she is forced onto the imagined, the lines between what ground by a supervisor. This mais and isn’t start to blur. kes Salomé remember the way she herself had laid on the ground when she fought her classmates.

The fight occurring in front of her blends with the fight in her memory, and the writing slips into a stream of consciousness style.

This blending of reality with imagination allows the reader a peek page 8 | eurovisie | june

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Spiralling Dreams:

How the current inflationary shock is determining the future welfare of the working class Stijn Hoogvoorst

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ince the end of the Second World Therefore, it is not so strange that voiWar and the start of the economic ces and strikes for higher wages have rebuild of Europe, parents have been increasing and are getting louder. always had one main dream: to make In response to this, the president of the sure that their children later in life will Dutch National Bank (DNB), Klaas Knot, be better off than themselves. Due to issued a warning in a TV interview last the constant economic growth in the Sunday. He warned of a wage-price spisecond half of the 20th century, this ral, an age-old economic concept which was a relatively easy dream to come simply put, means that higher wages true, but since the financial crisis of lead to higher prices, which in turn lead 2008, it seems to have become more to higher wages again. This trend leads difficult. In some cases, this is due to to even higher inflation, that is incredithe single biggest failure of a referen- bly difficult to stop for the ECB without dum in recent memory, leading to the putting the entire continent into a reCentral Bank president announcing the cession. The main instrument for cenwhole country will be worse off in the tral banks to halt inflation is raising coming years (not naming any country the interest rate, an instrument that is names here). However, in most cases, sensitive in the EU since it would put inequality plays a significant role in the some Eurozone countries on the brink shattering of said dream. of bankruptcy. A warning against this spiral was therefore justified and vital This does not mean income inequality to make for a Eurozone central bank alone, but also urbanization-triggered president. regional inequality and, more importantly, asset or capital inequality. In Nonetheless, this spiral has two commost European economies, company ponents, and wages are not the only profits, dividends, and rent returns on factor here. The main framework on capital far exceed income from labour. central bank competencies and their The inflation of the past year seems to role in a democracy is the book ‘Uneonly have made this worse. To name a lected Power’ written by Paul Tucker. recent Dutch example of this, Albert In this book, he describes how central Heijn is under fire at the moment for banks can operate independently bewhat the Dutch now call ‘graaiflatie’, cause their sole goal is to maximise which is the equivalent of the English total welfare in an economy. They just term greedflation. Albert Heijn’s pri- need to make sure that there is a staces have exceeded the average level ble price level and that the economy as of inflation by unfathomable numbers, a whole is as well-off as possible. What and so have their profits. This is a trend they should at all times refrain from, throughout the entire economy: in the according to Tucker, is making distributhird quarter of 2022, corporate profits tional choices. Distributing wealth in a reached an all-time high after incre- society is an inherently political compeasing by 9 billion euros compared to tence that should always be decided the year before. through a democratic process. Putting page 10 10 | eurovisie | january| may page | eurovisie

Knot’s warning in this per- the working class. One could spective reveals a more criti- even argue that historically, cal picture. As a response to labour has almost exclusively a question about greedflation, had to bear the burden of inflahe did not just warn about the tion and that, in order to battle effect, but also warned about inequality, it is now corporatione of its causes, namely the ons’ turn to carry the weight increasing wages. Knot was of this shock. Knot is also not critical of the speed and size the only central banker who at which unions and individual holds this view. When Jon Steworkers were pushing to incre- wart, former host of the Daily ase their wages, with which he Show, sat down with former is arguably making a case for head economist of the World distributing the inflation bur- Bank and former Secretary of den towards the labour force. the Treasury Larry Summers for an interview for his new show Advocating for the labour side ‘The Problem’, he got to hear a of the spiral to take responsi- somewhat similar story. In this bility is nothing new, since pri- interview that I would highly ces have always been framed recommend watching, Sumas merely a market effect. If mers suggests that it is rididemand goes up because peo- culous to think that with high ple earn more money, prices demand, companies should will go up as well. However, not make higher profits. At this way of framing the spiral that point, Stewart counters disregards the fact that the this with what is at the heart demand and supply of labour of the inflation issue: “You are is also a market. It can be the saying that when demand goes case that wage increases have up, do you think Apple should a higher effect on inflation just ask for less than they can over a certain period than pro- charge? But when there is a fits. Between 2007 and 2019 tightness in the labour market, (a period of relatively low infla- you are asking workers to do tion), wage increases were res- exactly that.” ponsible for about 58 percent of inflation, while rising profits If European countries want were only responsible for 13 to keep the dream of parents percent. Contrastingly, in the improving their children’s soperiod between 2020 and cio-economic status compared 2022, increasing profits were to their own alive, inequality responsible for 34 percent and has to be limited. The current wage increases were responsi- inflationary shock is a key moble for only 32 percent. ment in determining what will happen to inequality in the “Would it in this case coming years; it is both an opportunity and a danger. If the not be more fair to decision is made to take the share the burden of burden off the working class, the current inflation this could bridge an important of the current inequality shock between these share gap; if the burden is put on the two factors?” working class again, we might create a larger gap that will be The frame that Klaas Knot out- very difficult to close again. lined sounds all too familiar to june | eurovisie | page 11

Death And Its Chapters

Mantel, Austen, and the lost work of literary heroes Órlaith Ní Ruaidh

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fter Hilary Mantel’s unex- through the literary world akin to in that of Wolf Hall, this was to pected death last Septem- the coat ends of Mr Darcy flapping be a true passion project, full of ber, the literary world col- across the Hertfordshire fields. satire and mocking and endless lectively wept, united in sudden ‘in’ jokes for readers of the origishock and a common grievance. It Provocation was to be a mo- nal. Mantel’s Mr. Darcy was set to was the kind of monumental loss dern-day Austen fan’s dream: a re- fall victim to a dizzyingly fantastic that only Mantel herself could writing of Pride and Prejudice, told re-evaluation, a wicked takedown have found the words to articu- from the perspective of the over- of literature’s most fancied lad. late. Mantel, two-time Booker pri- looked middle sister Mary Bennet. ze winner and author of the epic Characters from all of Austen’s In the opening paragraph of the Wolf Hall trilogy, was one of the novels were set to make ‘guest’ small extract from Provocation regreats. And so when the Guardi- appearances. Even writing this leased to the Guardian last month, an published a small extract from now, I am in agony at the genius Mantel is riotous: “His silence in the unfinished novel she was wor- we will never get to see. company proceeded, not from a king on at the time of her death, a conviction of natural superiority, sense of simultaneous heartbreak Certainly, a deviation from Man- but from a solid, sterling stupidity, and delight could be heard ripping tel’s more historical driven work such as an English gentleman al-

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one dares to display.” I would give Austen alike.

William Buss died before he could a limb to be able to conjure up a complete his Dickens’ Dream painburn so hot.

There have been many attempts of ting in 1875, depicting Dickens in continuation with Sandition along his library surrounded by characReading such satire and wit in an with a current tv series and va- ters like Edward Drood, a work that unfinished state, one cannot help rious other creative projects in its was likewise unfinished. Certainly, but be reminded of Jane Austen’s spirit. Austen had already finished it would make one tilt their head. own unfinished final work. Sanditi- setting the scene and introducing, on was shaping up to be an unspa- presumably, most of the central “The question of whether ring commentary on human place, characters, making it a favourite purpose, and foolishness, perhaps of modern-day ‘continuators’ to or not one should contithe most daring of Austen’s work tackle. And while these attempts nue someone’s incompleto date, brimming with humour are appreciated, and some offering te work will never be a and daggers in the eleven chap- substance, none have ever stood closed case.” ters that had been written. Austen out to me as an authentic Austen stopped writing it in March of 1817, voice, and I have resigned myself Elliot Smith’s final and posthuprobably due to illness. In some to the novel’s unfinished state. Momously released 2004 album, From ways it is comforting to think of reover, some attempts at Sanditia Basement on the Hill, was comSandition and Provocation swirling on have been so dire that it poses pleted by those close to him in a around in varying levels of incom- the question: should we leave such manner that one can only hope pleteness, teasing readers about works alone? While a case can be respected his wishes. It remains a what could have been. Such ironic made for both sides of this debate, fan favourite, certainly one of my agony would undoubtedly be gree- it should be universally embraced go-to listens. But it will always be ted with a smirk by Mantel and that the author’s original voice and linked with a sense of melancholy spirit be incorporated into any atand sadness, yet there is no doubt tempts to continue their work, and we are grateful to have it. to acknowledge that when such attempts fail it is best to leave it If Donatello’s non-finito method be. can teach us anything, it’s that sometimes the incomplete is sublime.

As unfinished works go, Charles In the literary world, the incompleDickens’ The Mystery of Edwin te leaves us wanting more and in Drood is up there as one of the a perpetual state of wondering, most suspenseful non-endings in what if? The sooner an avid fan, a literature. While Sandition was frereader or an analyser can accept quently given drab continuations, this non-finito state, the sooner Drood was turned into a Broadway the blossoming of possibility and musical by Rupert Holmes wheimagination begin to manifest. re the audience chose a murderer themselves (it marked the first These days I have been thinking multiple-endings musical on Broada lot about the dream of Mantel’s way). It proved interactive, imagiProvocation, a book I feel was my native, and retained the mystery divine purpose to read. Its plot, its surrounding Drood by providing an characters, its satire, and its origending that was forever changing. ins could simply not be any more appealing to me. And often times Are great artists cursed by time?

I wonder, might it have been betWho knows. But there has certainter to have never known? To not ly been some meta moments. Manhave had that fantastical Austenite tel died with an unfinished work carrot dangled in front of me and on Austen, who herself died with forever out of reach? Perhaps. But the incomplete Sandition. If anythen again, life would be so boring thing, it sweetens the link between without a little bit of longing and a two outstanding authors of their long-lost dream. respective times. Similarly, Robert june | eurovisie | page 13

One Small dream For A Man, One Giant Nightmare For Mankind Yael Pless

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ne only has to analyse the powers. Lenin and Stalin’s dreams were, and we see that they have recent century to see that caused mass death and laid down had a long-lasting impact on our history is repeating itself a rocky road for the future of Rus- world. With his dream, he had cyclically. Where one totalitari- sian politics and post-Tsarist life. an irreversible effect on the civil an leader is taken down, another Presently, we see the names of rights movement in the United rises. Democracy has become in- Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and States. This was something that creasingly threatened, and many Joe Biden headlining the news. many had long deemed unattainawould go so far as to ask: has it Former US President Trump’s fa- ble. This sort of change is neither ever really existed? Regimes that mous slogan was “Make America linear, nor easy, and it does not are retrospectively condemned all Great Again” - after all, who else take place overnight. But with the began with a dream. Second-level could save the coveted American courage of one, future generatihistory courses often focus on the Dream if not an old billionaire with ons benefit. Parallel to MLK, we rise and fall of leaders like Vladi- little to no previous political ex- can also remember Eleonor Roosemir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and Adolf perience? Putin’s illegal invasion velt, who dreamt of advancing Hitler. As I contemplated their in- of Ukraine could also be descri- human rights and women’s rights fluence, I noticed a trend among bed as an element of his dream and facilitated a significant step the cause and effect of their time to restore the Soviet Union, which forward. Not too long ago, Malala in power. They were able to take is causing enormous destruction. Yousafzai famously risked her life advantage of desperate popula- While we cannot change history as she fought for women’s rights tions tormented by struggle and by angrily reminiscing on it, we and consequently received a bulwho yearned for a solution, under- can learn tremendous lessons by let to the head by resisting the standably so. Between post-war analysing it. If we cannot prevent oppressive regime she faced. Did resentment, economic crises or history from repeating itself in the it ultimately rid the country of the political vacuums, it was an ide- future, then we can learn how to Taliban or reform the entire sysal environment for an ambitious navigate these turbulent waters tem? No, it did not. But, she woke dreamer to sink their claws into. better than in the past. millions up to the reality she and In times of hopelessness, we tend countless others faced. Currently, to look toward anyone who pro- These days, the media we consu- the Me Too movement, climate acmises strength. Who does this? A me can be overwhelmingly nega- tivism, voting rights, and working persuasive, assertive figure who tive and fear-inducing, rendering toward gender equality represent dreams of a different world - alt- many of us apathetic to the is- optimistic changes that will mark hough the methods of achieving sues our world faces. It seems as this century as a turning point. this have historically been nefa- though in every corner something rious, to say the least. is crumbling, amid a global pande- “Those who dreamt of mic, climate change, wars…you The former examples were diffe- name it. Nonetheless, we cannot change did not solve rent “dreamers”, whose ambitions forget the positive developments every single issue, but ended in a nightmare. The ide- that have unfolded. There have what mattered was that als of embittered Austrian-tur- been individuals with dreams they tried.” ned-German Adolf Hitler had ca- where they succeeded in making taclysmic results for the whole impressive steps forward in the Not all dreams go awry, and whiworld. He too, had dreams for the face of unimaginable resistance. le observing the chaos and terror future of Germany and slowly, dethat plagues many facets of our liberately, and carefully managed When I view the footage of Martin planet, we can also use it as a reato transform the political and judi- Luther King Jr. and his “I Have A son to fight - either for those who cial system. He did this until it le- Dream’’ speech, I am continuously will actually amplify our voices or gally granted him near-dictatorial awed by how powerful his words in any small way that is possible page 14 | eurovisie | june

november | eurovisie | page 15

for us as individuals.

gest that university protests will halt the war in Ukraine.

Truthfully, perhaps it is time However, it is worth remembefor us to stop betting all our ring that collective action can, money on a single person in certain instances, save peoto save us from every bad ple from the nightmares they dream. When Joe Biden emer- live and give them an opporged victorious from the 2020 tunity to dream again, rather election, many thought the than be haunted in their sleep nightmare of Trump’s presi- by the atrocities they face. dency was over. Nonetheless, a few years into Biden’s In this life, there is always anopresidency the sweet new- ther side to the coin. Even the born phase has worn off and most well-intentioned actions it appears as though the po- can adversely affect someone pulation once again rages in else. If we focused on the esthe sort of anger seen in the sence of every dream and the ‘terrible-twos’ and ‘threena- nightmare it could cause, we ger’ stage of childhood. The would be stuck in a vicious cycountry is screaming for chan- cle for eternity. Nevertheless, ge to issues that are rooted we must take as many lessons deeply and systemically in the as possible from history far American system, and will re- past and recently created. We alistically not be salvaged by will then recognise that what this, or the next president to is preached by powerful voiwhom people tend to attach a ces as being dreams that will Messiah-like status out of de- alleviate everyone’s suffering speration or disillusionment. may not always be what they Neither of the two presidenti- seem. It is easy to fall into al candidates, nor their terms empty promises of a better in office, are exclusively “good” life, but we must always look or “bad”. Unfortunately, while twice and consider the bigger people get caught up in who picture. When you cross the is better or worse, their atten- street, if you do not pay ention fails to fall on the stub- ough attention, you could be born issues that do not involve hit by a car before you realise strictly who is at the helm. it. The same goes for whispers of a better life that serve During a recent episode of to fulfil another agenda. For “Room for Discussion” at the those who are held back by University of Amsterdam, the idea that most things are renowned human rights la- beyond our influence, you may wyer Geoffrey Robertson AO, not be wrong. Nonetheless, KC suggested how university many of us have the luck to students could mobilise in an pray that catastrophes such effort to boycott the invasion as war will remain our worst of Ukraine in the likes of the nightmare. No matter what, resistance that took place to it is crucial to stay informed the Vietnam War. I found this and think critically about what an interesting comment, as a we learn, and use our voices well-known and respected la- - individually or collectively wyer was accrediting students when there is an opportunity. with the potential power to be a voice loud enough to be heard. I do not mean to sug-

What Makes a European City More Liveable?

page 16 | eurovisie | june

Vincent Lubach

The Of

Seduction Wealth:

How Capitalism Stimulates Our Dreams of Financial Success Vincent Lubach

I

n today’s culture, the pursuit behind people’s hopes and goals of wealth and financial success in our Western society. As people has become deeply ingrained in work to realize their full potential our collective consciousness, as and improve their financial situawe are part of the dominant capi- tion, it feeds a deep-seated detalist cultures that shape the glo- sire for riches and happiness. In bal economy. Our dreams and as- addition, it is fuelled by the conpiration in life to become wealthy fidence that financial success is have been created by capitalism, within grasp via persistent hard which places a strong emphasis work and strong determination. on individuality, competitiveness This would eventually allow one and financial incentives. Does the possibility of moving from a capitalism truly stimulate our lower socioeconomic position dreams for riches and success? to a higher one. Furthermore, it And more interestingly, where allows us to picture a future in can we find these influences? which success is decided by our own work and skills, rather than Capitalism, the foundation of predetermined by birth. This our current economic system, empowering idea fires a passiofocuses on self-interest and the nate pursuit of professional and pursuit of personal wealth. It at- financial achievement, inspiring tracts us with the promise that people to go beyond their perwe may succeed financially if ceived boundaries and seize the we put in the necessary effort chances offered by the capitato achieve our goals, like taking list system. Particularly in counrisks and displaying an entre- tries that emphasize individual preneurial spirit. Furthermore, success and opportunity, the this system of economic incen- fantasy of upward mobility resotives motivates us to pursue our nates strongly within the collecdreams of making money as a tive consciousness. It stands for way to improve our quality of life, the physical manifestation of the raise our standard of living and “American Dream” and comparaperhaps even help us rise in so- ble ideals shared by people all cial standing. The theory of me- over the world. ritocracy, which claims that success can be gained based on a Furthermore, consumer culture person’s skills, efforts and original has spread to every aspect of ideas, further supports this idea. our lives, permanently altering This fundamental principle of me- our aspirations and ambitions. ritocracy provides the motivation We are constantly subjected to a june | eurovisie | page 17

barrage of commercials that intimately rthermore, the role of social media plays a tie success, fulfilment and pleasure to the big part in this as we are constantly reminpurchase of material goods. In other words, ded of what it looks like to be satisfied with our fantasies are successfully exploited by material goods and how financial success the relentless marketing apparatus of capi- could be achieved. Consequently, our desire talism, which effortlessly convinces us that for riches is sparked by the appeal of luxuhaving money is not only desirable, but also rious lifestyles and luxury items, which stia necessary condition for living a life that is mulates us to pursue our dreams of financial genuinely fulfilling and meaningful. Especial- success within the framework of capitalism. ly on social media platforms, this influence is clearly visible.

“Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have become virtual stages where people showcase their wealth, success and luxurious lifestyles.”

Consider going through your social media account and coming across a glamorous influencer resting on a pristine beach surrounded by expensive yachts and exotic locations. As you glance at the lovely sights, a spark of aspiration ignites inside you. You imagine a life in which financial success opens doors to such experiences, where material prosperity and status go hand in hand. This attractive picture, skilfully designed and propagated through social media, is proof of capitalism’s seductive power in fuelling our desires for financial success. All in all, the allure of financial success, magnified by these glamorous portrayals on social media, serves as a powerful driving force behind our dreams and ambitions, pushing us to work harder, take risks, and strive for personal wealth. Therefore, it is important to evaluate these messages critically and consider our own interests and beliefs. True happiness frequently comes in meaningful connections, personal development, and a feeling of purpose that transcends beyond the chase of riches, even while goods and luxurious experiences could temporally satisfy.

Ultimately, capitalism will keep pushing people to pursue material prosperity and success via hard work, calculated risk and business ventures. By encouraging the notion of upward mobility and meritocracy, our ambitions for financial wealth and success will be fuelled to strive for these goals. Fupage 18 | eurovisie | june

june | eurovisie | page 19

Long-lost, Home Emilia Juchno

W

hen the abroad calls, singled out. This in itself puts you and eating the pierogi made by you go: you leave your in a position of great responsibili- hand by your dear grandma, you country, the only one ty - those who return from abroad finally feel home again. The relatiyou have ever really had a chan- having failed there with whatever onship between an emigrant and ce to know or call home. You do fulfilment they were expecting to their ”old” and yet fundamentally it for the sake of becoming part achieve, are rarely looked upon ”new” home country, is very disof a larger, international commu- sympathetically (at least that is tinct from any relationship that is nity - what an exciting opportuni- the impression I am under). formed between a nation and its ty! As personal of an experience permanent citizen. The emigrant moving abroad is, you eventually And yet sometimes you look embarks on a nearly spiritual jourrealise the broader implications around you, and you become over- ney which can be thought of as a of your decision as you find your- whelmed by the feeling of aliena- ”postpatriotism” - having initially self becoming part of a larger tion, one which you might never rejected their national and cultuwave of immigrants, which con- entirely get rid of. Now, some ral past, the emigrant eventually sists of multiple individual ”hopes people seem to be more bothered finds comfort and solace in redisand dreams”. Perhaps a specific by feeling estranged living in a covering it. This new approach to locus on that wave with which I foreign country while others deal patriotism resists the part that lecould personally identify myself with it more effortlessly, but it is ans you toward nationalism while is the Eastern Europeans’ jour- mostly an experience that all of allowing you to look at your home ney toward the ”promised land” us, immigrants, share. Eventually, country from a perspective enriof Western Europe. A somewhat somehow, in the midst of learn- ched by dissimilar experiences. exasperating journey that might ing a foreign language, beginning Suddenly you find yourself defenturn out to be, filled with the em- to understand the foreign culture ding your country whenever you barrassment of exchanging your with all of its peculiarities, and witness it being subjected to stelocal currency for the Euro and re- perhaps finally learning to enjoy reotypes and you tell people how alising how little you can actually the local cuisine (even though you beautiful your hometown is and afford, and a never-ending hope will never understand having a how they should visit it because it that the new ”home” accepts you single Kaasbroodje for lunch), you so fun and yet much more affordawith your rustling English accent become aware of an unexpected ble than any of the Amsterdams, (the ”sh” sound never quite leaves feeling. You miss home.

Parises, or Londons. your pronunciation if your first language is Polish).

“The very country you When I first came to Amsterdam and attended my first class, I was But this life, the life of an émigré, thought of as ”bac- asked why I had chosen European with all of its enviable multilingua- kwards” or not ”Wes- Studies, to which I, like many lisms, multiculturalisms, and other tern” enough, one which other international students in the ”multi-” worlds, is exactly what replied, that in a way I idenmight have made you room, you have been looking forward to tify more as a citizen of Europe since you were a teenager. Mo- almost ashamed of your than of my home country, Poland. reover, you grow to understand own nationality, you now Today I know I no longer feel that that moving to study abroad is long for.” way - as much as I appreciate the a dream which many share but benefits of carrying a European relatively few have a real oppor- At this point an interesting thing passport, I no longer doubt that I tunity to follow through. So, on occurs, whereby you, the emi- am first and foremost Polish. top of fear and hesitation, you grant, having returned to your feel grateful and honoured, and country, may find that, somewhere you follow this dream of a life fil- between walking through the tooled with new opportunities while well-known streets and squares recognising that you are the one page 20 | eurovisie | june

november | eurovisie | page 21

I Had A Dream, So I Left A moral East-West

X-Ray of migration

Renata Rîmbu

F

irstly, a story of migration.

ever-increasing diaspora. But why are we leaving? The quin1989, Romania. The fall of tessential answer is the very communism after the Romani- thing my mother said: looking an Revolution meant that strict for a better life. There is a fancontrols on travel and relocati- tasy attached to moving to the on were lifted. As a result, the West, a dream surrounding it. A 1990s brought about a great perception that all the hardship, increase in Romanians moving poverty, corruption, and cloabroad, an increase which only se-mindedness can be escaped. curbed towards the end of the Once you arrive to your destidecade. This was just in time for nation, there are several stages another major shift: joining the of being confronted by reality.

European Union in 2007. The ad- Firstly, you suffer from an inferioded rights as European citizens rity complex. You watch people’s led to a new rise in people le- expressions when you say you aving. As of today, around 4.3 come from Romania and wonder million people form the Roma- what they think of you now. You nian diaspora, out of which 3.5 internalize a dislike for your own million live in Western Europe al- country – the accent, the habits, one. They make up a fifth of the the ways of thinking – anything country’s entire labour force. that shows you are from “there”. Yet you never feel you truly Yet this story is an impersonal belong, no matter how hard you one. It is a story of numbers, try. Then, with time, you realize and numbers often do not mean that “Western Europe”, the way anything palpable. As such, I it is built up to be in our fantawould like to turn to the year sies, suffers from its own issues, 2019, when over two hundred has its own complexities and thousand Romanians emigrated frustrations. It is not the perto other countries. One of them fect, ideal, dream-like world we was me. are making it up to be. We attach this aura to it out of need: I knew I wanted to move abroad a need for a fantasy, for a place since I was probably around ten that is so different from ours – years old. “Go, go so that you do for the better - that it is almost not have to deal with everything unrecognizable. But it is also not here,” my mother once told me. real; it cannot be. We need an Things are better, and life is escape, but life does not work easier. We have established that that way. The next stage is disilRomania has an enormous and lusionment. However, with time

Órlaith Ní Ruaidh

page 22 | eurovisie | june

come clarity and perspective. claim from you? On the other The final stage is reaching a sad hand, there is a duty to future conclusion. Things are not per- generations to consider here. fect, and they are not dream-li- If we all leave and none of us ke. But even so, they are still so come back, how can we expect much better. That is a painful change to occur? Can we simply reality to live. stand by and wait for something to improve, for a better life to I remember having classmates fall into our laps? Or do we have who lived their whole lives with a duty towards those who did their grandparents and saw not have the means to leave, a their parents maybe once a year. duty towards their children and They were working abroad to be their children after that? A duty able to send money home. For to create something better ourdecades, the majority of Roma- selves. nians occupied lower socio-economic positions when living “We have seen better, abroad. They took up any job that can provide for themsel- experienced better – ves and their families. That has what do we do with been slowly improving since joi- that knowledge?” ning the EU – the right to study in other countries and benefit Am I running away by follofrom EU fees changed the game. wing my dream – my dream for However, most of the Romanian something better for myself? students abroad come from the Or is coming back home supeupper middle class – otherwise rerogatory? Is it going above they would not be able to afford and beyond one’s duty? In the leaving in the first place. There end, can I choose myself? Can are class divisions in place, and I selfishly choose an easier life some are favoured over others. for myself? If the answer is yes, Some are given an extra chance. if the answer is that this moral duty cannot be claimed from When you know all of this, me, I am left wondering – why when you know you are privi- does it sometimes feel so hard? leged enough to leave, when you know you have better living standards than those at home, what do you do with it? I have often wondered if I have a duty to come back home and try to change things for the better. If the reason I left is because the conditions are not good enough, am I not a hypocrite and a coward for staying away? Am I turning my back on the problem instead of fixing it, when I was lucky enough to benefit from advantages others only dream of? This brings about a two-fold moral dilemma for emigrants.

On the one hand, how strong are one’s patriotic ties? How much can your nation of birth june | eurovisie | page 23

SES Calendar Active Members Weekend 2023- 9th-11th of June 2023 Active Members Weekend is just around the corner! This is the time to give back to our beloved Active Members who make SES what it is and who make all the great events throughout the year possible. If you’ve been part of a Committee this year you are more than just welcome, you are morally obligated to sign up unless you want to experience the biggest FOMO of the year! It is the highlight of the year and everyone will have fun!

Except the Candidate Board of course! Think Danish beer bowling, flunkyball and even a themed evening, all with your favourite active members in a house close to the beach.

To spice things up this year, the Board is organising a special surprise for the second evening so look forward to that! Does this sound like your kind of weekend in June? Then make sure to sign up quickly as the spots are extremely limited!

It will take place from the 9th to 11th of June and will cost 45€, including accommodation, food and beer. .

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