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Cultural Migration in Autobiography Grundtvig Partnerships 2009-2011

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

e-mail: kszia@komesnet.com.pl http://cma.internetdsl.pl

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warm homelike place – with its choir “Gwiazdeczka” (little star), Polish classes with Polish teachers (we especially express our gratitude towards our beloved teacher Mrs. Anna Mysik), young “Polonia”, young at heart Polish grandmothers and grandfathers, nice celebrations, concerts, feasts, excursions and newspapers. There was a happy and friendly atmosphere. I and my sister found solace in “Polonia” after our parent’s death. Together with our husbands and children we attended Polish classes. Poland became closer and closer. In time our families decided to move to Poland.

After taking the decision we started to collect needed documents as according to the Repatriation Act we were not allowed to obtain Polish citizenship.

In the end we handled with procedures and bureaucracy; there was a removal and a long awaiting meeting with faraway and close at the same time Poland. Warsaw! The city charms constantly with its beauty and uniqueness. Every time we come across something new or unusual we regret that our parents and grandmother cannot share our feelings.

Since the short time of our staying in Warsaw we have formed a nice friendship. The fear of being lonely and rejected appeared to be unjustified. Our Polish friends welcomed us with open arms, they surrounded us with warmth and understanding. Our children spend time together, they are friends. Due to this friendship Polish and Armenian tradition wove together, in some way the same happened seventy years ago when my Polish grandmother married my Armenian grandfather.

I would lie if I said that there were no problems. Unfortunately, there are not any well known organisation or centre which could give a helping hand to new coming repatriates. It is difficult to receive any information about everyday life in Poland. Such a multifunctional centre could help newcomers to adapt as quickly as possible. It should be taken into account that repatriates do not know the topography of the city, do not know where to go to find any help. The centre could organise Polish classes or legal support. My family did everything on a trial basis as it was a new country, new customs and law. If we had not met our friends in Warsaw who sought for such organisations, it would have been much harder to survive.

Seeing the happiness of our children, how easily they assimilated, we forget about never-ending problems and hardship. They learn at school and university with great pleasure. Looking at them, we believe that life spare them trials, wars, wandering and all that terrible plight that we and our relatives had to experience. I hope that our children will have bright and prospects in Poland.