The Poppy: a divisive wall

Siobhan Gabriella Gibney (11/11/09)

Monday 9 November marked twenty years since the Berlin Wall fell. An emotional and triumphant day for Germans and most Europeans, Chancellor Merkel was joined by fellow leaders in day-long celebrations in her capital. Brown was among the group that included Sarkozy and Gorbachev, among others. Today the British leader showed solidarity with his German counterpart, but this was certainly not the case at the time. Then PM Margaret Thatcher was firmly and passionately against the reunification of Germany, stating that it could simply not be allowed to happen. When the time came, of course, her words had little meaning.

Brown’s presence in Berlin on Monday served as a reminder of another event of remembrance this week – and another event that Europeans remember differently. Wednesday 11 November, referred to as Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, or Veterans Day, depending on what country you’re in, marks the end of the first World War. In the Commonwealth, most of the public wears a red poppy in the days (and even weeks) leading up to the day. Accordingly, Brown sported a red paper poppy on Monday in Berlin. While it’s seen as respectful symbol in the UK, and in some circles not wearing a poppy is even seen as offensive, it can cause quite a stir in other parts of Europe.

I recently attended a dinner in Brussels where a British guest was sporting a poppy. Another guest remarked that he too would like to wear one, but that in his multinational workplace it would be considered too controversial. Though I’ve never been entirely comfortable with the poppy tradition myself, I’d never thought it from this perspective. But of course such a tradition could be quite offensive in places like Germany and Austria. The British say it symbolizes respect and remembrance for the soldiers who lost their lives…killing our soldiers, their European colleagues might conclude. ‘You started it’ arguments are irrelevant here. The point is that millions died on either ‘side’, the vast majority of which had no say in the decision to go to war, and no real choice about fighting.

The first and second World Wars devastated Europe, in terms of demographics and morale. The European Union was born out of the wreckage of the second World War, in a political project to unite Europe, firstly in terms of trade and economies, but eventually in many other sectors, so much so that the thought of war between European nations would be unthinkable. And for all the criticisms it receives, the EU has certainly succeeded in this goal.

It’s understandable that the UK, France, Belgium and the like value their annual tribute to the soldiers who died defending their citizens. And they have to right to continue this tradition. But let’s be realistic about the poppy. It’s not solely a tribute to the sacrificial role of the armed forces. It symbolizes victory over the enemy, which in 1918 was Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. In light of this, the British would do well to be more sensitive about wearing a loud symbol around the continent that to many of their fellow EU citizens represents death and destruction, not glorious military success. We should celebrate our common achievements, not gloat about previous military defeats.

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