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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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This is my home, as for now. Larysa Godovanets

What is a home? A place where to meet relatives and friends, where to relax, tdiscuss problems, take decisions, where you can sleep and have meals, in short it’s where you live. Yet things happen in life and for one reason or another we must leave our home: it may be gorgeous and comfortable, nice or just cosy, small or large, or maybe luxurious; or even a simple wooden hut, it is always a place where we feel protected, safe, a haven of peace and relax, far from the chaotic life we usually live.

I would have never dreamt of leaving home myself, one day! But I did, ‘cause I wanted to change my life following the hope for a better life ( abroad? why? different mentality, different way of life!), to leave behind love problems as far as you can, to open up new horizons, new opportunities and adventures, to experiment something new. I felt I had to do it, I was ready, but doubts and fears were always with me: the most difficult decision was to leave home, all my world.

But things happen. And so Italy. Why Italy? Simply somebody offered me the opportunity to come to Italy. People in my country love Italy very much; you can see them, their shining eyes, their enthusiasm!! But they don’t actually know Italy: They heard about it, saw films o works of art, they maybe studied something at school. They wish to live as the Italians do and if they can make this dream come true they get crazy with joy. They can’t explain this fascination, don’t understand why other people are not prey of it, it’s in their genes?? I’m one of them. So I’m here now. Real life was different of course, not only art cities or wonderful beaches but ordinary life, the life of common people.

My life now is here, my daily routine flows away with its passions and its worries, happiness and injuries, when you win and when you loose.

Here I came and this is my home, as for now.

Larysa Godovanets was born in Lugansk, Ukraine, in 1974 and lives in Faenza.