Hi all!
UPD: thank you all for insightful answers. I am even more confused, but I find fascinating how fluctuating and alive the concept of Europe seems to be, reflecting the relationships between countries, geography, cultural context and even languages. Seems to be a valid PhD topic! Cheers!
I have an ultimately silly question for the thread, but I think it might be the best place to ask about it. I come from Russia and lived in Europe for around 6-7 years. And last weekend I realized I don’t know what do Europeans normally mean when mentioning Europe. Is it EEA? EU?
I’ve mentioned in a random convo that sometime in 2000s Moscow was one of the most expensive cities in Europe, and I was told off that I should not ever say it like that.
I was taught at school back in Russia that Europe is a continent, and the division lies between tectonic plates or something. That means, that there’s a European and Asian parts of Russia, like there are 2 sides of Istanbul sitting on two continents.
I understand, in Europe the most common understanding in Europe is not geographical, but, perhaps, political?
Is Belarus Europe? (I would say yes?) Then what about transcontinental countries? Like, Georgia is Europe and Azerbaijan is not? What about Armenia? (I’ve heard both interpretations).
Right now, my gut feeling is that all transcontinental countries kinda chose their sides? (Like, Georgia chooses European integration and Azerbaijan doesn’t). Could it be most common religion? (Doesn’t quite work tho?)
I’m only asking to clear my confusion, not to bait. I’m not suggesting anything. There’s a difference in education, and knowing how biased post-soviet education, I think I need to understand the conversation better.
Upd: typo on the subject linem
It depends. Some people say Europe when they really mean the EU. I was told by a Belgian woman that “Switzerland is not in Europe”. I was very confused for a second. Some people include Turkey in Europe, others do not. Some include Russia, others do not.
И самие “патриотические” русские не любят когда я скажу что россия часть европи, потому что для них это политическая вещь и не географическая. И конечно, они думают, европа - супер гей, хаха. Идиоты. Слава Украине.
For me, Europe is a geographic-cultural region. It goes roughly from Greenland to the Urals and from Svalbard to Rhodes.
Than you for the answer! Its really funny about Switzerland:)
Not sure I strictly agree about the take on Russians in general but since you mentioned its about so-called patriots and Putin loyalists, it’s correct. But also for not so “patriotic” Russians Europe was a symbol of freedom and quality, I guess? At least in my bubble years ago.
At the same time as a Russian, would not call myself European as it might be offensive and incorrect. (I mean, I’m still a EU citizen, so it’s a bit tricky as I still vote here).
I mean if you’re a citizen in an EU country then you are absolutely european. By law. And no one can tell you otherwise.
I guess there is some anti-russian sentiment because of the war, especially in places that used to be occupied, and that is why some would want to distance themselves from everything russian. I think that’s stupid. There is a very wide spectrum between the regime, its supporters, the passive masses, the opposition, and the heroes who actually fight to free their country from its dictatorship. To treat everyone the same is not right.