The difference between patriotism and nationalism is multifaceted, multilayered, essential and recognizable. Patriotism is an older term time wise, and at the same time is broader and narrower than the term nationalism.

Patriotism is linked with space and the people in that space (which can be small or large, very populated or slightly populated, with a rich history or not so rich history). Nationalism is linked with the state as an ownership of a group, with its greatness and significance (in the past, present, future),

with remembrance and with self-worth only or, primarily, through valuing the wholeness to which one belongs.

When I say patriotism, I think of the house in which I was born and the streets where I grew up. I think of the neighbors and friends and relatives. The scent of childhood and first touch with nature. Patriotism is taking pride in everything beautiful in my surrounding, and consciousness about the diversity of the people, values, religions, languages, tastes, all gathered in one place that is the place of birth and first contact with the community.

When I say patriotism, I think of the lakes, the sun and the richness that the country gives. I think of how I can be hospitable to someone coming from another country, what to say to them, what beauties to share, and which hidden corners of those beauties to reveal to them.

When I say patriotism, I am aware of the problems people around me face, I know what are the shortcomings of the place where I was born and live in, I want to make the place of living better for everyone, and I want to bring as many beauties here as possible, in my place of birth and living.

When I say patriotism, I think of myself and my existence in my birth place. I think about what kind of importance that piece of world, where I first began to see, had and still has. I think of everything I have received as a gift at the moment of my birth.

When I say nationalism, I think of the country that is the owner of my ethnic group, of what distinguishes us as a group from the others, of what makes us better and more significant than the others. When I say nationalism, I think of the past through the lost and conquered battles, and of the superiority and heroic victims and victories.

When I say nationalism, I see waving flags and symbols of power roaring, flying, intimidating, I hear a language and recognize a culture and a religion and a thought and one goal in one state, the state of my group. One for all of us, one for which it is worth dying for.

When I say nationalism, I think of proving and denying, of enemies, of conquest and enslavement. I think of traitors and spies, of conspiracies and secret intentions.

When I say nationalism, I think of homogeneity and identicality and mistrust towards the different, and fear of the different. I think of loyalty without thinking, respect without asking, sacrifice without questioning.

When I say nationalism, there are no mistakes in my group. There are only mistakes and evil intentions of the others (whoever they may be).

I think and I say patriotism. It is up to you to choose.

Photo by: Kiro Popov/kolektif.mk