New Eastern Europe Issue 1

Dear Reader,
It is with great esteem and pleasure that we introduce you to the very fi rst edition of New
Eastern Europe, a magazine focusing on Central and Eastern European affairs. The magazine
is the sister edition of the Polish version, Nowa Europa Wschodnia, which has been published
since 2008. New Eastern Europe is published by the non-profi t College of Eastern Europe,
based in Wrocław, Poland, with generous support from the European Solidarity Centre
in Gdańsk, Poland. We are deeply grateful for their continued support.
The countries that encompass the region of Eastern Europe are distinct and diverse, and
not analogous by any means. Yet, a deeper analysis of this region shows that common threads
weave together a story of shared history, mutual experiences, and a vibrant culture that is too
important for the West to ignore.
New Eastern Europe presents its readers with provocative texts, in-depth analyses and
stimulating reports from the countries that belong to what we commonly call Eastern Europe.
Our authors bridge old divisions. They come both from the East and West.
This fi rst issue examines the meaning of Eastern Europe from various perspectives. Mar-
tin Pollack’s piece provides a critical view of how Western Europeans imagine the borders to
their East, even if some of them have already disappeared. Filip Florian contemplates Roma-
nian intellectuals’ role in Europe and what real changes have occurred as a result of its mem-
bership in the European Union. Vesna Goldsworthy shares her experiences and refl ections
as she returns to the Balkan region. Olena Betliy draws on the writings of Havel, Miłosz, and
Konrád in her quest to determine whether countries such as Ukraine and Belarus are truly
free. Anna Żamejć’s piece on Azerbaij ani youth reveals the struggles facing young people in
a system that inhibits their aspirations. Damon Wilson talks on security in Eastern Europe and
provides clear evidence that the story about this region is still being written.
We provide a specifi c focus on issues happening in Ukraine. The arrest of Yulia Tymoshenko
has once again brought concerns about Ukraine back to the forefront. Piotr Pogorzelski, Bog-
dana Kostyuk, and Viktoriya Chyrva all provide deeper analyses of the events unfolding and
some underlying causes. In addition, Tomasz Kułakowski’s report on the “Beheading of Stalin”
is a fascinating tale of a young boy at the centre of a controversy in a small Ukrainian town.
Many ideas and opinions presented may differ from our own, but it is worth understanding
and refl ecting on them. Only by connecting the dots are we able to see the whole picture.
We look forward to giving you more ideas, perspective and dialogue. Please feel invited
to join in this exciting intellectual exchange!
The Editors