I dream of Poland becoming a modern society that is defined not by the crippling nature of history, but by our individual achievements, a sense of our own self-worth and ideas for the future.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes envisioning a future for Poland that is shaped by personal accomplishments and self-value rather than historical burdens.
Olga Tokarczuk's quote reflects a desire for Poland to evolve into a modern society that prioritizes individual achievements and a positive self-image over the constraints imposed by its historical events. It encourages a forward-looking perspective where the citizens are empowered to define their identity and future based on personal and collective aspirations rather than being overshadowed by the past. This vision champions the notion of transformation and progress through self-worth and innovation.
In practice
This quote can inspire youth during a graduation speech about their future.
But the fact is we did have colonies in the east of Poland, we did have a slave economy there. But this is not common knowledge - or part of our national myth. It goes against the current romanticised view of the government, and much of the country, that Poles have always been victims, never oppressors.
My books are not 'political.' I don't make political demands. They actually describe life. But when we look at human life, politics creeps in everywhere.
I think that first-person narration is very characteristic of contemporary optics, in which the individual performs the role of subjective center of the world.
The world is a fabric we weave daily on the great looms of information, discussions, films, books, gossip, little anecdotes.
I first read Sigmund Freud's 'Beyond the Pleasure Principle' as a young girl, and it helped me to understand that there are thousands of possible ways to interpret our experience, that everything has a meaning, and that interpretation is the key to reality. This was the first step to becoming a writer.
Well-written novels make you more empathetic towards other people. You can identify with someone who isn't you. You can change your identity. A 14-year-old boy can become Anna Karenina. It is a miracle.
Trends, like horses, are easier to ride in the direction they are going.
Your career is not going to go the way you planned. It is impossible at the age of 23 to pick the right industry, the right company, and you can visualize what you're going to be doing in your 40s, 50s, and 60s, but chances are that it's going to be something quite different. So remain open to opportunities and change.
For the first time in the history of our country the majority of our people believe that the next five years will be worse than the past five years.
I think I've really exhausted the magical. It was a lot of fun, but I've put it behind me for the time being.
If we can come up with innovations and train young people to take on new jobs, and if we can switch to clean energy, I think we have the capacity to build this world not dependent on fossil-fuel. I think it will happen, and it won't destroy economy.
Move beyond the old assumptions, practices, and language that can be barriers to equal access.
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