The European Identity – The Impact of Migration on European Culture

Questions on the subject

Name:      G K

Age:         born in 1930, 27^th August, in the village of Fauljoppe/Silesia/today Poland

Where are you from ?

I come from Silesia, from the Polish Silesia, from Fauljoppe. My father was a building worker and my mother was a housewife. I attented the elementary school.

Why did you leave your country / your place of residence ?

On 18^th January 1945 our whole village was evacuated. The local head of the    farmers announced that at lunch time all people have to go on transport to Germany for “some” days.

We put everything on wagons and off we went to the town of Bärwalde for weeks. The transport was terrible, all on most difficult, often inhuman conditions.

We were split up in Bärwalde but we wanted to go back and came  to the town of Görlitz. They turned us away curtly saying there was no way back.

So back to Bärwalde through the destroyed town of Dresden. Then we came to the village of Langenwetzendorf into the old brewery.

Did you come alone or with your family ?

We were 5 people, my mother, me and my three brothers and sisters. A small child   died  on the way.

How were you received ?

We always were strangers in the village. We didn’t possess anything at all. In Langenwetzendorf I got to know my wife and in 1952 we moved to the town of Triebes into her parents’ house. In 1945 my father came back from captivity to Langenwetzendorf.

In 1946 I got a job in a sawmill and was working there till 1960. From 1960 to 1990 I was employed by the local furniture factory.

How do you like your new place of residence ?                 

                        I like Triebes, like it is.It’s my second home.

What do you miss most of all ?

                        I don’t miss anything.

Have you ever regretted you decision going away ?

                        We had no alternative, as I told you, but leaving. I’ve found a good new home.