The European Identity – The Impact of Migration on European Culture

 

Questions on the subject:

 

Name:           Inge Sinnig

Age:              born in 1928, in Bohmiam-Wiesenthal / today Czech Republic

 

Where are you from ?

I come from the little spot Bohemian-Wiesenthal. Today it’s the Czech     Republic. Mother: housewife with outwork, father: worker in different trades, a brother and a sister.

After the elementary school of Stolzenhagen  I went to the town school of Schmiedeberg. After school I learnt the trade of an assistant in a delicatessen in the town of Weipert.

 

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

In 1946 we were driven away by the Czechs. There was no choice. They put together the transport that took us to Germany. It’s true, my patents got a “green card” entitling them to stay and work in their village, because there was a lack of workers. But they didn’t want to do so without us. We very almost the very last transport. We knew that it will happen, but it happened really suddenly. We were only allowed to take 50 kilos of baggage with us. That was all. We had to travel as long as a place was willing to absorb us. In my case it was the town of Triebes.

  

Did you come alone or with your family ?

                      We were 6 people, my parents, my brother, my sister, my grandma and me.

 

How were you received ?

We arrived at Triebes on 1st December 1946 at 4 in the morning. Here we were put into huts (today a bowling line). From there we came to the small village of Staitz. There were already several displaced persons. Here I got to know my husband. We married and in 1947 my son was born. We always were regarded as the “strangers”, but we were treated politely. In 1950 I moved to Triebes with my family and got a job in the “Jute”factory  and I was working there till 1990.

 

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. Not anything. I’ve got all I need. I’ve been several times to my old home but there’s nothing to keep me there any more.

 

Have you ever regretted your decision going away ?

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