Balkan Mirror

The idea of ¿¿belonging to the Balkans (or the sense of kinship) is not very popular in Romania; the tradition originated in the process of Westernisation that started two hundred years ago. The great historian N. Iorga and all those who promoted Romanian nationalism had supported such a conviction. But whether we want (are willing) or do not want (are not willing) to be part of the Balkans, our history, as well as our present existence, undoubtedly have strong ties with our southern neighbours. That is why the Balkans are our term of reference so many times and the Balkan countries (whether or not we include ourselves among them) are at hand for comparison; the distances will never be too long in such a comparison, and the conclusions will be meaningful: if it is worse for one¿s neighbours, it is a good reason to raise one¿s self-esteem, and if their situation is better, one could easily be more determined to catch up with them (similar results are not difficult to achieve ¿ we could think).