National mythology

[Zbyszek]

National mythology is a source of national stereotypes

I would like to open a very serious thread aimed at better understanding between various nationalities. I can not deny that I am inspired by someone who I consider one of the brightest intellectuals of our times. He (so just another, sex information for you who will try to guess his name) does not belong to any major European nations.
He is professional in the best sense of this word. He often tells stories arousing a lot of enthusiasm. However, sometimes his words are interpreted as an offense. He travels a lot and he writes a lot. He occupies a special place in the intellectual space of the East European nations who owe him particularly much.

My source is taken from one of his treatises. I use it not in the literary sense, it is only a source of inspiration for me.
I have already read a lot of contributions in this forum. It was impossible to read all of them (almost 40 000 by now). A lot of disputants imprinted only their emotions, without any educative attempt. Many others manifested their strong national pride, sometimes at considerable cost of the other nationalities. Some people from afar interfered friendly, influencing the given thread not so much by the amount of words but rather by the refreshing, innovative idea. Some veterans of this forum are still young when it comes to the spectrum of their views, the others are boringly foreseeable. The very nicknames/names of some contributors, including mine possess a self-explanatory magic.

Taken together, our discussion is like a real TOWER of BABEL (some Bible knowledge is needed now).
The national mythology┘ It is not an easy subject. It is none of my intentions to mock someone's national feelings. I would rather try to understand their background or give my explanation which I do not consider a single solution case.
Some people who read my posts know that I'd sometimes adopt a statistical approach to things which can not be measured precisely. Consequently, do not know any absolute human truth, or love or hate or right. I am not too serious on it and just have some fun, but never at the cost of others.
I would like to encourage you to leave your opinion. You need some strength to be credible. It is not easy. People, I beg you to be respectful, do not be like elephants stepping on ants or Goliaths attacking Davids.
Well, it would be honest to start with one of my Polish myths. It was well reflected and mocked in a film made by the Italian film-maker. Its title is "Polish wedding". I do not consider it a good film but on the other hands some of my countrymen reacted too nervously.

Our myth No 1. started very early, in 1655, when the Polish Crown, a part of the Commonwealth of Both Nations, was suddenly invaded by the Swedish "deluge". Yes, DELUGE is both historic and psychological term, well reflecting the people's feelings at that time. The protestant attackers sieged Chestochowa, a monastery and shrine in the middle of Poland. They had no respect for the Catholic locals and the level of terror was by little means less than that of the famed Tatar (Mongol) treatment. The balls shot from the powerful guns stood out of the shrine's roof making no big harm. The unsuccessful siege lasted a month and its would be miraculous result was a double breaking point. The image of Our Lady inside the shrine was widely believed to be a miraculous shield against the Swedish soldiers. This view was only strengthened by our king Casimir after his famous Lwow vows (1657) when Our Lady was acclaimed a Queen of Poland. Now, in our daily life, whenever we are puzzled, threatened, taken by a sweep of joy or longing or without any apparent reason, we start with Matko boska! (Lord's Mother).
Another sense of the breaking point was not so positive, however. It was virtual good bye, in part at least, to our traditional Polish religious tolerance. The Commonwealth was then a land of many religions. Swedes ominously succeed in something which was probably not their original intention. Our hearts hardened. Hmyelnitzki's revolt (1648) deplorably triggered a series of calamities in the Commonwealth, including a Swedish Deluge. Our Orthodox neighbours suddenly became enemies.
I only try to explain. Knowing means understanding. Understanding is a good friend of accepting. Accepting is not necessary, understanding is enough. Not knowing means no chance for understanding and the less for accepting.

Now, your turn.

[Edited by Zbyszek on 10th October 2002 at 19:45]