Postcards from Germany: German Patriotism and Euro2008
This is the "official" write-up for the GDH of an early and longer article: Germany v. Portugal 2008 (and German Patriotism)
Postcards from Germany
For Guymon Daily Herald
By Ashley Moore
July 5th-6th
Although the Euro 2008 soccer tournament finished last weekend with Spain's defeat of Germany in the final match, the spirit still seems to be alive. It was Germany's first showing in a Euro cup final in years, and though fans are disappointed with the second place finish, the team's momentum did wonders for Germans' sense of national pride. In a country where every form of patriotism has been shunned for the past 60 years, it's exciting to see that the German flags displayed for the games are still up on houses, cars and even bicycles. According to friends, before the World Cup was held in Germany two years ago, this kind of display was unheard of. Germany's education system assures that every German feels the weight of the country's unsavory past so that people here generally show little pride for their country. In fact, most Germans don't even really identify as Germans; they associate themselves with their hometowns first, as Europeans second and as Germans third. Wearing patriotic clothes, displaying Germany's colors and singing national songs were all pretty uncommon until recently. To see hundreds gathered in my relatively small town, then, enthusiastically waving German flags and singing "Super Deutschland" is a pretty amazing sight. Getting to be here during the Euro cup celebrations was a real cultural treat, but it also made me long to be home and immersed in the American merriment happening this weekend. I wish you all a fantastic Independence Day! Questions, comments or suggestions: guymongirl1@gmail.com.