"There is a fundamental difference between the Polish experience of the state and the Russian experience. In the Polish experience, the state was always a foreign power. So, to hate the state was a patriotic act"

This quote by Ryszard Kapuscinski talks to the different experiences of the Polish and Russian people with concerns to the state. In the Polish experience, the state was always a foreign power, indicating that it was not their own. This produced a sense of resentment and hatred towards the state, which was seen as a patriotic act. This remains in plain contrast to the Russian experience, where the state was seen as a source of pride and patriotism. This difference in experience has actually had a long lasting influence on the relationship in between the Polish and Russian people and their particular governments. It is a reminder of the value of understanding the history and experiences of different cultures in order to foster mutual understanding and regard.