The German poet who published a poem about Greece in the newspaper "Die Zeit" talks about the new European climate

"Good political luck," Durss Greenbein wished me on the other end of the phone line at the end of our two-hour conversation, which took place two 24 hours before the June 17 election. The 49-year-old multi-award-winning German poet and writer, one of the most important "voices" of his country after reunification, is of particular interest to our country: not only has he translated works of Ancient Greek Literature but he was also one of the seven fellow artists who responded to the recent call of the newspaper "Die Zeit" by writing a poem (the "Ekloge") for Greece.

Mr. Greenbein, I say let's start with your recent poem about Greece in the newspaper "Die Zeit". It works, truth, the inspiration on demand;
"I confess that this is not the way I work. Neither poetry nor any other form of intellectual and artistic expression is good to be produced to order. However, in recent years I have often been asked to write something as a comment or as a reaction either to politics or to the wider social reality, in everything that happens around us. Most of the time I refuse. I am not Bertolt Brecht…».

In this case, why did you accept?;
"All seven poets who responded to the newspaper's invitation share a common interest in Greek history. I personally felt that I had a certain duty towards Greek culture, not only in the ancient but also in the modern. So within this framework I was convinced to do it. Of course, there was also a satirical aspect to all this…».

What was your real purpose with this poem?; A comment, let's say, on the Greek issue;
"Look, we are facing a rather complex situation. A poet, a spiritual man, it is certainly in favor of Greece. The ordinary taxpayer, Nevertheless, the head of the family, he probably sees things a little differently. He feels that he should give more and more money for Greece, for the European South to say better, and even in a case with doubtful results. I myself am in favor of human solidarity, I don't believe so much in terms like productivity growth, fiscal discipline or the need for violent reforms. I think the problem would be better solved or even handled differently…».


That is, how;
“I would not be opposed to the establishment of a special tax for the South. We Germans have the experience of Reunification which, I think so, could be applied in this case to North relations – South. There are differences in culture, but if one wants to have hopes of success, must handle the matter with the same patience and generosity that prevailed in the relationship between West and East Germany at the time of Reunification. Even now the taxpayer in my country has to pay a sum for the reconstruction of Germany. This was accepted by the Germans without a problem until now. Only recently have objections been raised because there are now areas in the West that are objectively poorer than the East…».


And you say that a possible tax for the European South would be more easily accepted;
"I'm not saying he would be more easily accepted, I say that I personally find it more efficient. It is my political belief, if you want. I feel the strengthening of the South as a debt of the North, but I prefer it in the form of free sponsorship. Undoubtedly, we rely heavily on the South. In Spain, in Italy, in Greece we escape in the summer after a winter of hard work. We like to go on holiday to the other half of Europe where the climate and lifestyle are different. We need diversity and this is what we must promote. It took me several years to realize that the monetary union idea might not be such a good idea after all…».

From what point of view;
"And from aesthetics. The euro is the ugliest currency we've ever had, national coins were more tasteful… Jokes aside though, I think this was all wrong. Until recently I had a more idealistic view. I thought that as long as there was money and it flowed, that was good. Now I believe that all this money may have ended up hurting the countries of the South. The situation is more or less similar to,what happens in big city families. The second generation finds everything ready and then loses all motivation for initiative, creation, development of economic activity. My peers in West Germany experienced something like this: they had plenty of support and didn't need to do much on their own. Coming from the East, I did not know this. I had no money at all, I had to struggle alone to build something from scratch…».

So you believe in the "lazy" Southern European theory;
"I deeply believe that the Greeks are a dignified and proud people. From now on, it seems that with the advent of the euro, a new type of consumer was created in the South. With the easiest way to get loans developed, your country became over-indebted because consumption went up too much and that's something the northern countries benefited from. They gave loans, so that Southerners could buy goods. Now that's over, except that the Greeks did not take care to develop their own production, nor the service sector. All they did was invest in construction companies or real estate. I saw this with my own eyes some years ago, during his Olympic preparations 2004. Now we see that the Olympic properties remain unfortunately underutilized… The negative consequences of dependence on the flow of the euro were not immediately perceived because it was perceived to be in everyone's interest. Now the money tap is closed, the banks are screaming… Unfortunately, that's not all…».

But what else?;
"The main problem is that relations between peoples are being poisoned. National envy is on the rise and I find that appalling… After all, it's probably not a good idea to lend money to friends…».

So you are against the euro…
"I am in favor of the political union of Europe. I believe in a Europe without borders, which will enhance diversity and cultural exchanges. This I consider essential and constructive and not to push for reforms which are probably not only terribly difficult to implement but also their results are dubious…».


However, monetary union was not a step in the direction of wider integration;
"The truth is that there was one “entanglement” of economies, a mix, and that was a good idea. Cat’ thus the danger of hostilities in Europe was put aside, and we all believed that this was a possibility which we had now put behind us for good. But now we clearly see the dangers that have arisen. The euro is falling apart, it pits the nations against each other. I think direct aid from one country to another, without the intervention of Brussels, would be more effective. A Marshall Plan, let's say. I have the impression that Germany has been unfairly targeted…».

what do you mean;
"I really don't understand why the Germans have such a bad name in Greece since this bureaucratic and inefficient Brussels system is really responsible. In fact, for a long time the Germans were guarantors of the good development of Greece, others were the countries that sought its abandonment. It is unfair to present Germany as an enemy…».


However, there are times when things are heard that provoke Greek public opinion. For the statements of Mr. Schäuble, let's say, just before the election what do you say;
"They were unlucky, actually. It was a blatant interference in the internal affairs of the country and I do not agree with it at all. I understand that they touched the Greeks in their pride and strong sense of independence. And if I were Greek, this would bother me…».

You would say that there is an anti-Greek climate at the moment in Germany;
“Among certain fools only. From now on, the yellow press, or “Bild” for example, indeed it fosters a climate that is not conducive to good relations. The truth is that there is a fear that saving the South is an increasingly expensive story. I personally think that the need for information exchange between the two countries is more necessary than ever and I am surprised that it is not happening to the extent that it is needed…».


That is;
“For me it would be very helpful if there was one “network” exchange between spiritual people, university professors and respected journalists of the two countries so that public opinion in both Germany and Greece can be informed objectively and soberly at all levels… No breakouts, without crowns, without guile. In the mass media, in universities, everywhere. Above’ we are all peoples, friends and allies…».

History warns…
Durs Greenbein sounds impressively knowledgeable about prof’ us: knows the names of the Greek political parties and their leaders, he asks anxiously about the possibility of social unrest in our country due to the worsening of the economic crisis, but para’ all this he believes that it would be appropriate to develop a bilateral information exchange "network" in order to better inform the public opinion both in Greece and in Germany. He hopes to return to our country soon. His scheduled Megaron Plus lecture a few months ago was canceled for practicals, as he explains, reasons but he hopes that he will soon have the opportunity to meet the Greek public…

Fri.’ all that, as it says, he does not know the party landscape in Greece well, Greenbein comments on the strengthening of the extreme right in our country. "The truth is, I don't know how left-wing the leftists are and how right-wing the right-wingers are," he says. "All this is unclear. However, I do not see a militaristic movement that could actually lead to a dictatorship. One hears incendiary voices, but nothing more. I believe that people have indeed learned something from their history, but I don't know if they have learned the right thing. However, the warning of History is very strong in their bones and for’ this I am sure they are not going to let a dictatorship come. It is also one of the main reasons why no one wants to remove Greece from the bailout…».


When and where:
Titles by Durs Greenbein that have been released in Greek: "The Astronomer" (Little Bear, 2012), "Of the snow or Descartes in Germany" (Cedar, 2007), "Remote Inscription" (Hyperion, 1997)

Source : tovima.gr