The Great Irony of 1683

(This post isn't about Paris, but does address a social issue common throughout Europe ... )

Cracow, Poland, was festooned last weekend with banners commemorating the 325th anniversary of the Battle of Vienna, when Polish and Austrian armies defeated the Turks and started the long decline of the Ottoman Empire, a decline whose effects are still felt today from Bosnia to Iraq.

But I couldn't help noticing an irony. See if you can spot it:








Yes, that's right: next to each of these banners (and many more) commemorating the expulsion of the Turks, is a kebab house.

I don't think there are pierogi houses in Istanbul.

So just who did win the battle, in the long run?