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michael benson: POTUS in SLO [ + PS ] |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <nettime-l-temp@material.net> is the temporary home of the nettime-l list while desk.nl rebuilds its list-serving machine. please continue to send messages to <nettime-l@desk.nl> and your commands to <majordomo@desk.nl>. nettime-l-temp should be active for approximately 2 weeks (11-28 Jun 99). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: michael.benson@pristop.si To: nettime-l@desk.nl Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1999 21:10:50 +0000 Subject: POTUS in SLO I just came back from Congress Square, the center of Ljubljana, therefore the symbolic center of Slovenia. Bill Clinton was there. He made a speech. It was raining. Hard. First, President Kucan, the micro-miniaturized "bonsai president" of Slovenia, said a few words from under his umbrella: blah blah. I don't mean to sound condescending; he's a silver-haired, distinguished-looking gent. He didn't look very pleased to be there, though. In fact, he exuded gloom. Mostly he scissors ribbons at new highway exits. This was not that, at least, so I don't know why he was so down. Then dour, dark-haired Janez Drnovsek, PM of Slovenia, said a few words from under *his* umbrella: blah. Blah. He also did his best to look pleased -- and actually managed to look pleased, a kind of triumph for Drnovsek (especially since I'm sure he *was* pleased. So it was a kind of major effort in the midst of a genuine emotion). Then Leon Stuklj, the 100 year old Slovenian Olympic gold medallist (gymnastics, the Berlin Olympics!) introduced all-smiles Bill. He warbled some words after what would have been a standing ovation, if everyone hadn't already been standing. (Come to think of it, I guess that makes it a standing ovation by default.) Rhythmic shouts, and clapping: "Leon! Leon! Leon!" Oh yes, sorry. Hillary was there. Chelsea was there. Madeline was there. Sandy was there. The whole family. Right in the center of downtown Slovenia, Central Europe, ex-Yugoslavia, former Hapsburg Empire, fringe of the Balkans, EU candidate state, prospective NATO member. A relatively prosperous representative democracy with a pretty good record in respecting its minority rights (Italian-language TV station, permanent Hungarian and Italian seats in parliament, very few armed thugs going door to door randomly executing people, the whole bit). All the top Slovenes, needless to say, were also there, getting soaked to the bone. The square was packed. Anything else? Oh yeah: the secret service guys, in their smooth suits and with ominous brief-cases, hawk-eyes squinty behind aviator shades, were there. But they were inconspicuous. Still, I didn't make any sudden moves. Where was I? After Leon, they actually gave POTUS himself some mike-time. Yeah, they gave Bill a chance to speak! Smiling that *It's so excellent being at the center of all attention, all the damn time* smile, he said proceeded to shout out various things. What did POTUS say? "The whole world admires Slovenia's success." The 20th Century was "The bloodiest and most turbulent in history." "Racial and religious hatred has no place in a civilized society." "Eight years ago Mr Milosevic triggered a military assault on your nation. But you resisted." "We must build a Europe with no front-line states. And Slovenia can lead the way. And America can help." "Serbia must choose the path Slovenia has chosen." This last one got me. What now, I flashed, even *Serbia* secedes from Yugoslavia? I guess that would make Podgorica the capital of Yugoslavia. Not a bad idea! The Montenegrins probably wouldn't take any military action to keep Serbia in the federation. What would be the point? They would in fact be kind of pleased -- startled, but pleased. They would wave, lock the door quietly, and sit down next to it with an expression of relief. After several hours of concentrated thought, I guess I figured out what POTUS *really* meant. But I won't get into that. Actually, I had another reason for going to see this theater piece in Congress Square in the pouring rain. When I was making a film, a few years ago, I looked at all -- *all* -- the archival footage ever shot in Congress Square. And not a few stills as well. In 1918, the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was announced to a huge crowd in that square. Proto-Yugoslavia. Only a still picture survives. Word has it that people were enthusiastic. It was a peak of pan-Slavicism. In 1944, a quisling rally was held under Nazi flags in Congress Square (one where, I'm told, everyone was required to be there on pain of unspecified consequences; though no doubt many were there by conviction as well. The ones who were fighting fascism were all up in the hills. Thousands of them. Sound familiar?). Anton Rupnik, the Quisling president -- more like a governor, since Slovenia had been annexed by Germany -- said: "Slovenians can be rescued only by a victorious Europe, and Europe can be led to victory only by Germany!" Hmmm. Only a year later, in 1945, Josip Broz Tito made a victory speech in Congress Square (it was pouring rain that day too, come to think of it). Tito said: "Comrades! We want the entire world to know that Yugoslavia, which was fighting, doesn't want anything but that one nation, of one blood, shall live within the framework of one state!" Cough. In 1988, after several Slovenian journalists had been arrested by the Yugoslav Army for allegedly having stolen military secrets, and were on trial in a military court (a trial conducted in the Serbian language), thousands gathered in Congress Square. Many things were said. In Slovenian. The weather was good. (Sorry -- no transcript at hand. But they were pissed!) In conclusion, a partisan song (if you don't want to sing, just hum along): Through burned fields, all the way to white Ljubljana, our army breaks through like a storm! As long as the brigades are here, who can steal our land? On Slovenian land we are master! Cheers, Michael Benson <michael.benson@pristop.si> <http://www.ljudmila.org/kinetikon/> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: michael.benson@pristop.si To: nettime-l@desk.nl Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1999 21:49:40 +0000 Subject: POTUS PS I forgot, he -- or should I say, He -- also quoted the words of the Slovenian national anthem. (Slovenia has a national anthem.) The Slovenian national anthem was written by national poet France Preseren. It was originally, I'm told, a drinking song. The words are as follows: God's blessing on all nations Who long and work for that bright day When o'er earth's habitations No war, no strife shall hold its sway Who long to see That all men free No more shall foes, but neighbors be. ------------ Funny little country. Michael Benson <michael.benson@pristop.si> <http://www.ljudmila.org/kinetikon/>