Mircea Vasilescu on unpopular European themes

Mircea Vasilescu, chief editor of the weekly Dilema Veche, asks why European themes are so unpopular in Romania: "Up until 2007 the EU accession was covered in very technical and dry language. … This conveyed the impression to the public that 'European subjects' only deal with legislation and reforms and that only politicians and the government can understand them. Then all at once a wave of completely different themes that led to a kind of boulevardisation or popularisation of 'European themes' hit us: 'Memory chips for cows', 'We're no longer allowed to produce plum liquor'. … The use of both types of themes (with their totally superficial coverage) have led to a passive public and dwindling interest in 'European themes'. … To improve the way these themes are covered we must drop the stereotype that 'European themes' are something artificial and inaccessible. And we must lay aside our passivity in believing that Europe is 'that place where everything is decided' - in Brussels. For many years we wanted to join the EU. I now ask myself whether it will take as many years for it to sink in that we have now joined."

» full article (external link, Romanian)

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