Someone To Watch Over Me

December 13, 2007 @ 5:27 PM

One of the most important developments within our lifetimes has been the creation of the European Union, the international body which has consolidated Europe in financial, cultural and political terms. Whats this got to do with grinds and wheelies? Well, it’s the reason why there is now much less hassle going to other countries on skate trips, its why it costs less to go to Barcelona than to the second city of your own country (unless of course you live in that second city- but you catch my drift, right?). It’s the reason why you don't have to change money every time you cross a border, it’s the reason why you have immigrant communities where before there were none, introducing new cultures to our own and keeping down prices by providing skilled labour at knockdown costs. So the political agreements forged between the 27 member states are the reason why decks made in the EU cost less than those imported from the US; why Africa is denied access to the European market for its often superior foodstuffs; and why some of your skating friends can come and go on skating visits to your country as they please whereas others are treated like criminals just because of where they are born. Undoubtedly, the European Union in all its facets is a mixed blessing: some people hail the fact that it guarantees you rights if you get arrested for skateboarding in a member country, others point out that creating endless bureaucracy and pen pushing jobs for people in suits is the last thing modern life needs. And so we asked 10 skaters from different countries:

What do you think of the EU?

Especially for a skateboarder, the European Union is full of advantages: more spots in different countries sharing a common currency. Travelling is easy, and so is widening your horizon. You end up finding familiar things abroad, and strange stuff in what you thought was familiar. The EU makes it really easy for you to look a little further. Good thing... - Jan Kliewer, Germany

I like the EU. I can travel with my ID and leave the passport at home. I don’t have to change money in most places and I can go to the ATM for free. And I get to choose were in the EU I want to live without having to get any special visas or other documents. So all in all, for my life it is good. - Steve Forstner, France / Austria

The idea of a European Union seems only logical to me: European countries have shared many cultural, political and religious features for thousands of years and it’s about time we get finally get together. Coming for France, I feel I can answer to those who’d say that there still are too many lifestyle differences in Europe for everyone to feel part of the same thing. From an outsider’s eye, who would guess that someone coming from Strasbourg in Alsace in the North Eastern corner of France; that is a very northern German and protestant rooted culture with a continental climate, and someone from Marseille in the Côte-d’Azur down in the south; a very Mediterranean culture, climate and lifestyle with influences from Italy and Northern Africa, feel as member of the same community? Just as people from the Basque country living in the Pyrenees mountains of the south West, with lots of Spanish influences and their own specific cultural heritage, and on the opposite those from Bretagne in the North West with a very English lifestyle and climate and an Anglo-Saxon and Gaelic heritage. All of these areas still have their own traditional language and local pride, but that doesn’t prevent them from feeling French and part of a larger gathering. That can be even surprising for French people themselves. For example every time I travel south, I have to get used to the fact that people will come up and talk to me very easily and directly in the streets and would come so close as touching my arm or shoulder while doing so, whereas in Paris where I live, it’s a lot less common and socially accepted. Not mentioning in Strasbourg where I’m from and where such behaviour would get you in jail for several years. I believe those differences don’t give France any prejudice but instead brought a lot to our glorious nation that will live forever (or at least till the next time we go on strike). And if France did it, I believe the European Union can do it as well on its larger scale. We’ll hopefully end up living and feeling part of the same large community, which would make sense because of everything we share in common. Still that wouldn’t mean for all of us to lose our identity and background. The important thing to remember here is: we sure have a lot in common so let’s all gather and kick those Chinese and Americans asses because THEY are not like us and besides, they're barely human! - Vivien Feil, France

I guess the EU is mainly responsible for all these people travelling around here and there. With flights almost for free, one single currency and the possibility of communicating—more or less—in the same language, who's going be the idiot that stays home? But sometimes it’s not good, when things come so easy. It makes them lose their appeal and their strength, and it makes them lose their sense. Before, you’d cross the border and you were in another world! Not anymore. All these people travelling up and down so fast without even thinking about it, the standardization of the different European cultures, until one day you won't care where you go anymore, because everywhere looks the same...all that scares me. - Javier Mendizabal, Spain

As Norway are not within the EU, I personally think it sucks because of the business aspect. Too many restrictions in importing products to Norway ( as a non- EU member), and when re- export, we have a lot of trouble. And a lot of administrative work must be done, and this takes time and is expensive. This really sucks, big time. It is not convenient at all. Concerning the business I would love to be within the EU, but I assume we would rather move the whole business to an EU country. Norway is a country with strong people and strong thoughts - "we don't need the EU but EU needs us" is the kind of attitude people have here. Despite the fact that we are not in the EU, we do have EU tests on our cars to get them approved, we have many new EU restrictions for our beloved farmers that makes their farming/living harder. We are just fine as we are, and I don't think we will get into the EU for the next 10 years – too many old strict nationalists in the Norwegian population. What about if Norway, Russia and China forms a union? - Frode Goa owns Norway's Shit skateboards

Okay, when I see Europe as the political/economical union of the countries involved, my only thought is that this consortium will make a very rich group of just a few heads even richer. When I think of the cultural heritage, however, I'm full of joy. Add the European skateboarding microcosm to that, and I feel true togetherness—living out an individual style in which I can find myself. I adore the precursors of this style, for enriching the world of skateboarding with a healthy dose of relaxedness. Alex Moul, Tom Penny, Geoff Rowley, Rune, Arto, Ali, Florentine, Jan Kliewer, Olly Todd, and especially Pontus: thank you so much for the skateboarding I love!!! - Lennie Burmeister , Germany

I don´t really have that big of an opinon on the EU exept for how easy it is to go between countries now days, which i think is a good thing, no passports, same currency (mostly). But when i lived in Lyon we left for Geneva for the day which is like a 2 hour drive or so. That Switzerland is not a member of the EU had completly sliped my mind so i didn´t bring my passport, only my ID which resulted in a lot of talking and explaining on the way in and an almost 3 hour car search and loads of questions about camera gear and what not on the way out. I guess it would be better if Europe was just Europe. - Love Eneroth, Sweden

What's the European Union? - Matt Grabowski, Germany

I think it’s fucking cool. - Andrew Ivashkevich, a photographer from Belarus

I think it’s good. Imagine, everyone can go everywhere without any visas, skate any spot he likes…it’s great. - Artem Scherbenin, Belarus

My thoughts on the European Union are positive. I see logic in a global orientation. Modern things all seem to function better with open communication. A basic example found in every day items we use such as a radio. Everyone has one, knows the international signs that determine how to put it to use, but barely anyone can build it alone. I am sure the biggest successes are a result of sharing knowledge, cooperation and open communication. Isn't that what the European Union is trying to be on a larger scale? This leads to more diversity and more chances for the individual. What the individual does with these chances is his own thing. - Mack McKelton, skateboarding madman from Germany

I can say nothing… I sleep. - Dima Suschinskiy, Belarus

I really dig the European Union, not only on the economical basis, which allows us to keep up with the US, China, and Japan, but also because it has become easier for the people to travel within Europe. The Euro comes really handy when you're on tour, the common currency makes things a lot easier for tourmanagers, and skaters alike. Furthermore, it helps countries like Greece—and look at their skatespots—and it helps spreading human rights. So, go EU! - Glenn Michelfelder, Germany

That question is pretty across-the-board, and I haven't been to the States, or Asia yet, so I can't compare, or make any fundamental statements, for that matter. I've got this though: “Heaven is, where the police are British, the cooks French, the mechanics German, the lovers Italian, and it's all being organised by the Swiss. Hell is, where the cooks are British, the mechanics French, the lovers Swiss, the cops are German, and it's all being organised by the Italians.” I wish I knew who that was from, so I could congratulate him on his sharp, observational skills. - Niklas Speer, Germany

I'm sure that the debate about the pros and cons of a multinational union has been covered, at least once, in some class at school and I wouldn't want to bore anyone with that again, therefore, I'm going to be franc and a bit egotistical over here but bare with me...So what do I get out of being a fresh EU citizen? Besides being able to travel just with my ID, which is cool, I don't think there are any other essential rights or obligations stipulated by the current constitution. I guess it's not that much of a fuss. Just travelling (almost) freely across boarders makes it a good kind of community. But I have a hunch that cultural exchange and socialising aren't the main focus of the European Union. I've got another hunch that economy is, pretty sharp in focus, actually. Now, that's a touchy issue...I initially wanted to start a discussion about economy, how money corrupts and how wrong it is to reduce power to a few entities but I've realized I'm taking this too seriously...we can't help but be in the European Union together so we hopefully will do it peacefully until the end of time. We, skateboarders, have it even better because we get to explore new places from totally different perspectives. Cheers to that! - Dragos Petrisor, Romania

I think its a pretty hard question to answer, because I don’t know that much about the EU. The thing that affected me personally was when they changed the Dutch Guilders into Euros. That was pretty annoying, because everything became more expensive. The good thing about it is that you can pay with the same money in a lot of different countries now so you don’t have to worry about the currency. I guess it’s a good thing that the EU brings countries together, just as long as the countries will not lose their own individuality. That’s what I think about the EU. - Louisa Menke, The Netherlands

Photos by Eric Antoine