11235 - Hellenism as a model for Europe

N. Lygeros
Translated from the Greek by Athina Kehagias

It is rarely that in Greece and Cyprus we realize that Hellenism functions as a role model for Europe. We are of course aware of Humanism and then the Enlightenment, but we do not usually know that their foundations is Hellenism. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that the misery of our everydayness prevents us from seeing these foundations and we see merely an artificial horizon. The lack of understanding of this conceivement stems from an insecurity about how Europeans see us and whether and how much there is the impact of Turkish influence. We do not pay any attention of course to other European countries which consider her intertemporally hostile due to the wars which divide them. Additionally we forget the magnitude of philhellenism throughout the history of Europe, and we do not consciously think that the European Union has as an aim towards its development, the historical Europe of which we are the foundations. Even the Greek Revolution is considered a logical consequence of Hellenism, of Renaissance, of Humanism and of the Enlightenment. That we are in a phase of crisis and we are searching everywhere for points of reference in order to situate ourselves within space-time, we must not forget the fundamental role of time upon the Greek civilization and the way we deal with space. We are not an irrelevant part of the European Union, nor are we second-class citizens. We are the first Europeans and our history has influenced the entire history of Europe and consequently of the European Union. Therefore, instead of developing amongst us an inferiority complex based upon a racist perception against our homeland, it would be wise to comprehend our role in the past, and to aim for the conceivement of our role in the future. If we manage to do that, then we will understand how important the endless blue is for us, and we will finally realize that having the second largest EEZ in the Mediterranean, is not a mere legal detail, but a strategic planning.