“Nothing says more about Slovakia than a Polish-Slovak border crossing” – that’s the caption on a Slovak Instagram post that has garnered 11,000 likes and 483 comments.
A video posted on social media by Slovak journalist Ludmila Kolesarova has gone viral, highlighting the stark differences between the two countries. The video focuses on a roughly 500-meter stretch of road along the border.
The Polish side of the road is smooth, straight, and features freshly painted lane markings. But the contrast is striking, as the Slovak side is riddled with potholes and uneven surfaces, leading some Slovaks to view it as a sign of a broader “civilizational gap.”
The Polish section of the road leading to the border crossing in Jurgów has undergone at least three renovations in the last decade. On the Slovak side, the most recent repairs consisted of patching potholes last year.
“Why do we settle for something so poor when we could be at least average with no effort, and above average with a little effort?” Kolesarova asked in her post.
“Charters” to Poland
Following the journalist’s observations, a reporting team visited the location and confirmed the visible disparity. This situation reflects a broader sentiment among Slovaks, who feel Poland has capitalized on opportunities more effectively. This perspective is also explored in the new book “With a View of Poland. Neighbors, Stalin’s Thumb, Czech Debt and the KGB,” scheduled for release on Wednesday.
Continue reading the story below the video
The book, which features several references to the Jurgów-Podspády border crossing, details a sense of admiration among Slovaks for Poland’s progress, coupled with regret over potentially missed opportunities. Slovaks believe Poland has superior housing, roads, airports, and even…hairdressers.
“We take trips to Poland. In the neighboring village, a man has a bus for hire. Once or twice a month, we gather to fill it up,” explained Veronika, a 70-year-old resident of a village near the Polish-Slovak border, who organizes these “charters to Poland.”
[Advertisement] The book “With a View of Poland. Neighbors, Stalin’s Thumb, Czech Debt and the KGB” by Onet journalists offers a unique and fascinating perspective on our country through compelling reportage. You can order it here!
Z widokiem na Polskę. Sąsiedzi, kciuk Stalina, czeski dług i KGB
