'I must say I feel close to my neighbourhood, as that's the place I grew up and go to school. The same is true of how I feel about Warsaw. No, actually, I feel even closer to my city. As for Poland, I do of course feel pretty close to it. I'm Polish, after all. As for Britain, I haven't been there and, although I hear about it in school and on TV, I can't really say I feel that close to it. Having said that, I do like its music and the English language. I guess in terms of identity, I don't feel very close to Europe.'
Joanna, what other thing would you say most defines your national identity?
Answer: Literature and early history
Gene Alcantara, in his 30s. Resource Manager working in Poland. London is his hometown. British-Filipino nationality.
'Yes, I feel close to the part of London in which I live, though generally I would more often think of myself as just a Londoner than worry about which part I live in. London itself is more important to me. I guess I tend to see the bigger picture, and that's why the idea of the UK is important to me. I also feel close to Poland, where I work, and Europe. They too are part of the big picture. I haven't lived in the Philippines for quite a long time, so I don't feel that close to the neighbourhood I grew up in. However, I still visit the Philippines from time to time and must say I feel close to Manila and the country. Asia, not so much.'
What other thing would you say most defines your national identity?
Answer: Up-bringing and personal history and circumstances
Adam Wattam, in his mid-30s, EFL Teacher in Poland, Leeds is his hometown, British
'I've lived in Poland for a long time now, so I can't say I really feel that close to my home town or neighbourhood, although I quite like going back there from time to time. The same is true of Britain. In contrast, I feel relatively close to Poland and the continent.'
What other thing would you say most defines your national identity?
Answer: Family and education
Joanna Tur, 20, a student, Polish
'I feel close to my home town, Białystok, especially now when I study so far away from home (in Germany). I miss my town and its special atmosphere and I appreciate its uniqueness in Poland. I also feel very close to Poland, the more so because I see great cultural and mental differences between Poles and people from other countries. I do feel European, but this is something so obvious that I've never asked myself what it implies. Maybe if I left Europe I would understand how close (or how very close) I feel to it.'
What other thing would you say most defines your national identity?
Answer: Mentality
Grzegorz Moroz, 40, lecturer, Polish
'I feel close to my neighbourhood, but I don't feel close to my town, Białystok, the region, Poland, or Europe. I think that what identifies me as a person is not so much locality or nationality but personal integrity and my attachment to the notion of fair play.'
What other thing would you say most defines your national identity?
Answer: Literature and language
Magda Zawadzka-Dąbrowska, in her mid-thirties, lecturer, Polish
'Openness and a sense of humour are very important for me. I also value my circle of friends, emotions and feelings. The fact that I am Polish is very important to me as well. I feel very close to Jedlinsk, the village where I come from. It is still one of my favourite places in the world because of sentimental reasons and childhood memories. As I live in a town now, Radom, I feel close to my neighbourhood and I wish I felt closer to it.'
What other thing would you say most defines your national identity?
Answer: Literature and the Polish frame of reference'Principles and values are of great importance to me. I attach great importance to such values as honesty, loyalty, justice and good manners. I hope I possess them and I expect them from those who are my friends and also from those with whom I have professional contacts. I highly value intelligence and I believe it is this quality which you have to work on and develop.'
