The wolves of Europe seem to have found themselves in a bit of a pickle, and by pickle, I mean the kind that’s spicy, overtakes a cookout, and leaves everyone wondering who brought it in the first place. Imagine a pastoral scene, a friendly farmer leaving the gate wide open. It’s supposed to be a good thing, right? Invite everyone in for a potluck? Apparently, not when the newcomers bring their own utensils, and they’re anything but friendly.
Across Europe, countries that once prided themselves on showcasing their cultural diversity are now finding that their New Year’s Eve traditions are ringing in more chaos than cheer. In Iraq, a girl paid a hefty price for choosing to stroll without a hijab while celebrating New Year’s—a practice considered heretical in some cultures. Not exactly the kind of fireworks celebration one envisions.
Germany, with its renowned Christmas markets and festive spirit, found its celebrations marred by unsettling incidents of aggression. A visibly shaken German Twitch streamer, wielding only a smartphone, was hit by rocks, possibly questioning the wisdom of her explorative spirit more traditionally seen in National Geographic escapades. Her quest to showcase safety inadvertently revealed stark contrasts to the utopian narrative often fed to the masses.
Elsewhere, migrant gangs decided to make New Year’s Eve their signature event, engaging in festivities with paramilitary fashion. From Amsterdam’s unheard-of mob violence to Belgium’s burning landmarks, it seems the slogan “Diversity is our strength” got a little lost in translation, ending up as something quite different. This might explain why countries like Poland and Hungary, notably resistant to this kind of open-door policy, enjoy a slightly more peaceful holiday season.
But don’t worry, it’s all in the name of inclusion, right? Idealism wrapped in empathy, some say. Yet, the strategy seems to be backfiring, threatening the safety and traditions of host citizens, leaving many locals feeling like extras in a poorly-scripted dystopian film directed by an inexperienced auteur. Those who brought this about through “toxic empathy” may very well find themselves asking: Was this diversity worth everything it cost?
As Western nations struggle to strike a balance between open-heartedness and preservation of their cultural heritage, perhaps it’s time to reassess which gates should remain open. Until then, it seems the new year will usher in as much reflection as it does resolution, with solutions buried somewhere between those pesky problems and that well-intentioned empathy.
