Rome votes from the heart. Patriotism That Knows No Borders

Danuta Stryjak, Head of the Polish School at the Polish Embassy in Rome, comments through the prism of almost 20 years outside the matrix: “I am not only voting, I have worked in all election committees. I consider it a privilege and a civic duty." Should people surviving outside the country have the right to vote? “Yes. While surviving abroad, we continued to be Polish citizens. In the Internet, nothing stands in the way of actively taking an interest in the affairs of the country. These are our concerns, our choices and our problems." He points out the unique position of migrants: “Looking from a distance, we frequently see more closely and we can offer solutions proven in the places where we live”. He responds to criticism: “I do not get the argument that we want to decide about Poland erstwhile we left voluntarily. any of us pay taxes in Poland, works for Polish companies, operates at the interface of 2 countries, supports families with money transfers, drives the service sector during stays in the country.” He besides notes: “Other governments, regardless of their options, stressed that we were 1 nation. And we truly feel this connection." Overturning arguments about exclusion, he asks: “What right should we gotta deprive those who advance Poland abroad, run schools, media, invest and act for Poland? Where should the limit of this law go – and who should decide?" He points out: “The part of Polonia that feels a connection to the country and has a request to strengthen it is voiced.”

Democracy provides this right

Valuable writer Magdalena Wolińska-Riedi He views the vote as a symbolic act of building his own brick into the foundations of democracy: “I live in Rome, and earlier for many years in the Vatican, for a full of more than 2 decades, but, despite specified a long life distant from the country, I feel invariably powerfully connected with my homeland and with my people. Long-term work in the function of correspondent for Polish tv has contributed to regular contact with Poland through my permanent tv and live connections". Voting? It is an act of identity, not a routine: “Polish matters have always been very costly to me and I cannot imagine not taking advantage of this, so valuable, right to vote and participate in elections. Elections are a time erstwhile we Poles, surviving far from the country on a regular basis, can feel even more powerfully than usual a part of it." How does he see the function of a voice cast away? "Democracy provides us with this right and at the same time imposes work on us for the destiny of Poland. We're out of the country, spread all over the world, as many as 20 million! This is simply a immense number, and I do not imagine that specified a large percent of Poles might not have the chance to co-decision on the destiny of the country from which we come, where our families remain, where our roots, ancestral graves, memories or dreams left there. That is why I am of the opinion that there is no right to complain or criticize anyone who does not exercise this beautiful law, which is electoral law."

Agnieszka Stefaniak-Hrycko, manager of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Rome, considers participating in the elections as a "privilegment and part of belonging to civilian society". He adds: “Our work is to support Poland through internationalization, to build its image abroad, to work for it and to integrate scientists from Poland working outside the country. all voice given matters – it is our impact on the future." Monika Kasperczyk, a associate of the election committee, shares the impressions: "Although this is simply a day full of challenges and intense work, I am accompanied by large satisfaction, due to the fact that I am doing something for Poland, I can be useful." He says: “I follow the debates, the analyses, and the results of the elections I take very personally, as if they concern me here and now. My voice, even from the another end of Europe, inactive gives me a fast heartbeat. This is my contribution to the future of the country."

A Common Future

Alexandra Seghi outlines its context: “I have lived in Italy for 27 years, I am inactive Polish, I usage Polish all day, I edit the portal Poles in Italy, I compose books in Polish and blog My Tuscany. Whenever I can, I go to my family's home close Warsaw. It is not said that I will not return to my homeland. possibly the daughter – who has both Italian and Polish citizenship – will decide to survey in Poland. You don't know what the future holds. My family, whom I love, lives in Poland, and I want the best for her. I have the right to participate actively in the vote besides abroad. The vote makes sense. I am bound to my homeland and I am arrogant to exercise my electoral rights. I am glad that many people surviving outside Poland feel the same way.”

Dorota Grzybek He has a long emigration period and all time he votes wherever he is: “I always vote due to the fact that erstwhile you are on emigration, you think more about the country and see things from a different perspective. What we're doing present is simply a future together. I have a child, possibly 1 day it will return to Poland, possibly I will return to old age. That makes sense, which is why I feel obliged to vote. I went to see my brother in Swindon on Sunday of the first round. quite a few Poles voted. I always urge you to vote, and erstwhile your friends say "I'm not going", I immediately argue "You gotta vote, it will work out well".