The art of Poland鈥檚 diplomacy
In recent years, Europe has struggled to find the right balance between freedom of expression and the protean security concerns it faces. Plenty of rights watchdogs see a drift toward more censorship. Now Poland is about to challenge that view.
On New Year鈥檚 Day, the country took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has laid out an agenda under the motto 鈥淪ecurity, Europe!鈥� It involves boosting economic competitiveness and food production, defending Ukraine, and finding new solutions to immigration and disinformation.
Yet the inaugural gala at the Teatr Wielki, the Polish National Opera, in Warsaw, signaled that Poland鈥檚 concept of security has a deeper dimension rooted in creativity and individual liberty. It featured the debut of a work by Radzimir D臋bski, a young Polish composer and conductor known for blending classical music with modern genres, particularly hip-hop.
That was just the opening act. Over the next six months, Poland will mark its leadership with roughly 100 cultural events in more than 20 European countries. They include concerts, art exhibitions, movie festivals, literary events, and plays. Organizers say the intention is to showcase younger artists throughout the EU, as well as from countries seeking membership in the bloc such as Ukraine and Serbia, and encourage 鈥渃reative exchange across borders.鈥� To reach even broader audiences, the Culture Sparks Unity initiative will also feature playlists on Spotify and specials on Netflix.
鈥淭his demonstrates the significant role our country plays on the international cultural scene by providing a safe space for creative expression for those who face persecution or whose countries are presently at war,鈥� stated Olga Brzezi艅ska, deputy director of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, which is curating the events, on the organization鈥檚 website.
Poland鈥檚 parallel emphasis on art and European security reflects its own internal shift. Since taking office just over a year ago, Mr. Tusk has rolled back restrictions on artistic freedom imposed by his nationalist predecessors. His reforms underscore the essential function of art in elevating democracy through contested ideas.
鈥淎rt feeds on differences and their mutual observation of each other,鈥� Andrzej Bednarczyk, rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krak贸w, told the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza this past November. 鈥淚t is a way to look at the world through other people鈥檚 eyes and enrich your own vision with this difference.鈥�
At a time of uncertainty, that kind of empathy and humility may offer Europe more reliable security than tighter borders or bigger defense budgets.
