Michael Palin's 'New Europe'

Autorica: Aleksandra Iga Misztalska 

Protekli semestar i naši kolege, Erasmus+ studenti, koji ovaj semestar provode u Puli, iskoristili su za proučavanje putopisa koji tematiziraju Istru, Hrvatsku i širu regiju. Aleksandra Iga Misztalska preporučit će nam lektiru za ljetne praznike i predstaviti knjigu koja joj se posebno svidjela - "Nova Europa" Michaela Palina.

The book “New Europe” by Michael Palin is extraordinary. From the very beginning, I thought that this production is one of a kind. I really love traveling, I adore exploring new places, so for me, it was wonderful to be able to just skip the reality of coronavirus, the lockdown of Pula and the feeling that I truly miss traveling. So, this book was a great exception for everyday activities. I want to express my feelings about the book, and what do I find the most significant.

The author of this book is Michael Palin - English comedian, writer, actor, television presenter, member of the comedy group Monty Python. He was born in London, but, as he writes in a book, he thought that eastern and southern Europe is so close to his country of origin that he never took a chance to see the whole area. But he decided to do so, and that is why “New Europe” was created. 

This trip lasted for around a year; in a book, he explores the cities for 123 days of traveling. He visited 20 countries- Slovenia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Hungary, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland. The distance of the trip is 11,964 miles. 

Michael Palin’s way of writing and describing things are amazing, even when he explores small things like drinking tea, for example, you can notice that he truly writes so beautifully, wants to really express what he feels and make readers understand the point of his awe. I can present one quote to confirm my words:

´I nurse a mug of herbal tea, personally mixed by our guide. It's a dense, intense brew, a grappa of herbal teas. He spreads his hands apologetically and looks up at where the sky would probably be if we could see it. It's Slovenia's fault, he says, for being where it is.’

This would be extremely personal, as I really share many memories with the places and areas that the author has been to. For instance, when visiting Croatia, Palin calls back the memories of times when this country was not a part of the EU and if you were crossing the border, you had to show your passport and change the document for the personal ID. I also remember those times so it was nice to realize how far we have come since that time.

Political party, communism and its influence on people’s lives is a crucial part of the story, as the writer explores post-communist areas and wants others to explain what was it like to live in those hard times. Also, many people from the former Yugoslavia presents stories about the war. There is a part of Tito’s culture- people either hated or loved him, there are different opinions and locals usually explain their points of views, but Michael Palin acts like he just wants to listen to everybody, he does not discriminate people, he is curious and wants to know the topic from many perspectives. 
Regime and communism are a huge part of the story but shown through the eyes of others.

Tatiana admires these people and the fact that they continue to take seriously what was very much a communal, Soviet thing. I ask if there is much regret at the passing of the old Soviet Union and she nods.

'Actually, a lot. I think people miss not the regime, but they miss the jobs and pensions and, you know, cheap food and good vacations.' 

'And what about you?'

She replies without a pause. 'I also miss the Soviet period. Because I was young and I had my parents and my grandparents and everything seemed to be so beautiful.' She pauses and then goes on more thoughtfully. 'Logically, of course, I'm happy that it's not here and I can speak with you today. Twenty years ago, this would be a crime.'

Of course, I have to mention a few words about the trip to Istria, as I study here now as an Erasmus Student. It is so different to look at this now (actually, I have read this book twice and the first time I did It the borders of Pula were open so I could easily sightsee, the second time I have done it we couldn’t travel across the city), because there is a huge difference when you read about a place and you have been there, you know what the writer speaks about, you can understand his emotions, stories of people, etc. He has been to Buzet and Livade. Those cities are for sure worth-visiting, but I get the sense that every spot is worth-visiting when Michael Palin explains the story. 

 The author also explains his views on visiting Sarajevo, which is a place on my travel list and I would really want to visit it someday. I planned on doing it, but because of closing the borders and coronavirus, I have a feeling that I would not make my dream come true this year. Nevertheless, it was excellent to be able to read about the city, to notice that people still remember about the war, what it did to them, how do they feel now. I realized that these people suffer even today, and they live in a wonderful place, are really proud of their country. After reading this chapter I want to visit this city even more. Palin tells about people who died in a siege of Sarajevo, the history of the war. Over 11,000 people died in the siege of Sarajevo. People really remember this tragedy and it overwhelms them. For me, it was great to notice that people who fought in a tunnel under the airport, who 30 years ago were bleeding from war now travel around Europe and witness how developed the world is, the one that is unharmed by the war. There is a sad, yet interesting paradox. 

History and culture are a big part of this production. The author does everything to explain history in a good way, he does not just speak about the facts, he wants to interest others, he asks local people how do they see it and what is the history from their perspective. The subject of a conversation always switches from history to the people’s experience so it is difficult to get bored.

  ´Late afternoon. Crossing into Turkey at a village called Kapikule. The Greek, Bulgarian and Turkish borders all meet here as Europe funnels down towards Asia. A large mosque is marooned in no-man's-land, but apart from that there's nothing remotely attractive about this place.’

His way of describing things is extraordinary. I have to say this once again, but this is extremely important especially now during the virus times. I felt like I was reading poetry, even if the writer only explained small things like train stations. But I get the idea. I can confirm the fact that sometimes the smallest, pretty objects matter and are crucial for the whole area. And the atmosphere would definitely not be the same without things that seem to do not matter anything, but after a while, it is easy to realize that delicate, little stuff like train stations matter and thanks to it you can understand how the culture affects people and its experience. 

  ´The thorny question of whether women in Turkey should wear the veil is addressed in a highly original way by Rabia Yalçin, who designs haute couture for Muslim women from an apartment five floors above the busy streets of Nisantasi. Since the Republic was set up in 1923, Turkey has prided itself on separating state and religion and, like the French, does not permit women to wear the veil on state premises.’

He just asks people what do they feel, how the culture affects them, for example, he wants to know about the witness in Medjugorje- what people think about religion, what their culture means to them. It is amazing to notice how important for Palin the people are. He meets them, either for the first time or after a while, people are crucial for the story, they make us smile, they are extraordinary, happy and show us what do we miss the most when we are at home. We miss the individuals that show us the city, that share personal stories, that are a huge part of the culture of the place. It was wonderful to notice that.

I cannot miss the fact that he has been to Poland as it is my home country. It is somehow unexpected, but he made me realize how exceptional are the cities and attractions that I often took for granted because I have seen them so many times that the attractions did not grab my attraction that much. But the author with his way of describing things made me realize that my country is really beautiful- Gdańsk, Warsaw- those cities are amazing, our buildings are extraordinary. I really miss Poland and it was nice to see that others admire our country.

HOW DOES HE WRITE? 

Every chapter is different but he writes so excellently that I couldn’t wait for every next chapter even though there were different stories. 

A feeling that you are there in those places- he explains the stories to us in a way that made us feel like we are in those places, he describes every detail, thanks to that no matter where we are we as readers feel like we are next to Palin in those areas. 

The aspect of isolation- I can notice that in countries like Serbia and Transdniestria, the people feel like they are in isolation all the time it was important to notice that, we can feel like we are in isolation but it is way worse when people feel either too proud or too ashamed of their own country that they isolate their feelings and what do they think. 

He explained the cities I have been to and put a smile on my face, it is exactly what I was feeling when I was in those places, but I do not have such talent to put these emotions in such beautiful words, for example, his story of Hvar, lavender, and simply the atmosphere.

It is a diary, but he explains every information that is unknown for the reader, for example when he met with a man in Rijeka that he used to know, he made an introduction about who he was and how did they come across each other.

He does not share his own opinion that much, he asks people and tries to understand them, and at the same time he wants his readers to have their own opinion and understand cultures despite variety of individuals. 

This book really changed my view on many aspects, I also learned a lot about history, it was magnificent to be able to learn so much while reading. This experience was truly unique, I have a feeling like someone described my home, I felt amazing while reading the book. I recommend “New Europe” to everybody who is interested in life and traveling. Even if I write a million words about this book, I have a feeling that it still doesn’t express enough the uniqueness of this kind of literature and emotions. 

If you are interested to know more and read this interesting travelogue, visit Michael Palin's web-page.