THEMES IN THIS TESTIMONY
Agriculture  
Identity  
Migration  
Social Relationships  

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Andrzej

(POLAND 23)

Sex

Full name:

Age

47

Occupation

construction engineer

Location

Ponikwa

Date

P

summary

detailed breakdown

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Section 1  Early life history and move to Ponikwa in 1980.
Section 2  Started a farm and mini-zoo. He ran this until the recession of 1987, after which he returned to construction work. Discusses how the locals perceived him when he first arrived and how he earned their respect and help.
Section 3  Did not make any true friends, but instead “just looked for human sympathy”. Feels it was quite easy for him to adjust to country life as he “was brought up half in the country”. Remembers his grandfather’s farm fondly and thinks it installed in him an affinity for nature. “Treated well” by his neighbours.
Section 4  The differences between life in the town and country: one is not “better than the other” rather “it is all connected with the notion of provincialism in human life”.You can be a complete provincial living in a huge city, or you can be a worldly person living in the country.” Wishes his son had stayed in the country, but understands that he has “very specific interests” (computer programming).
Section 5  Does not regret moving to the country, although he often misses life in Cracow – “my beloved town. Recalls some incidents from his early days in Ponikwa, like “when my beloved cow dragged me directly through its dung”.
Section 6  “Never felt like running away from here”, even when life became difficult professionally. Notes some of the recent changes in the local environment – more trees and vegetation, but fewer farms.
Section 7  „It seems to me that the generation of our parents had the feeling of temporariness - whether they realised that or not” Thinks that only after agreements were signed with the German Chancellor Brandt, did people feel more settled, identify more with the region and make more improvements in their local environment. Discusses the economic opportunities open to the region, such as tourism.
Section 8  Emphasizes the importance of “cooperation” and “coexistence”, not just in the west – between Czechs, Germans, Poles etc - but also in the east between young Ukrainians and Byelorussians. Thinks “there are enormous possibilities of the Euro-region programmes”.