GATHERING A NATION, DEFENDING A NATION: CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE IN SEARCH OF NATIONAL IDENTITY

Abstract

In recent decades, Central and Eastern Europe has been paying close attention to the construction of its own identity. Even for Poland, identification through belonging to the Catholic faith is no longer sufficient. Quite often, we can observe a model of defining own identity through dissociation from the other. In this context, the agenda on the migration issue becomes most relevant. The most acute reaction to the migration crisis is in Hungary, which, represented by Fidesz and Orban, is set to preserve its national, cultural and religious identity. The Visegrad Group, created with the aim of joint movement of Central and Eastern European countries to the European Union, after a decade from the moment of accession, by joint efforts, jointly contradicts the decisions of the European Union from the standpoint of preserving European and national values in the face of the influx of representatives of alien cultures. Hungary is demonstrating its readiness for a conflict with the EU for the sake of the national issue and its own position. Poland, following Hungary, demonstrates anti-emigrant rhetoric through the mouths of the leaders of the ruling "Law and Justice" since 2015. The solidarity rejection of the global pact in 2018 also indicates that the rhetoric of the defense of national identity from arriving foreign migrants prevailed in Eastern Europe. Poland, actively attracting labor migrants, prefers those who are close in culture and language. The attraction of compatriots is being adopted by such representatives of the region as Poland, Hungary, Romania. As a result, the author notes that the most significant for the Eastern European region of recent years is the desire to emphasize its own national identity by dissociating itself from foreign migrants and at the same time from the Western European community.