Do you miss your country?

Posted on 5 May 2016 by Kate Sotejeff-Wilson — Leave a comment

If you do, even if you don’t want to go back, it doesn’t matter where you are, but you will understand Monika Szydłowska’s drawings, and you might want to join 13,000 others to see what aspect of the migrant experience she will crystallize next.

Monika is Polish and living in Scotland, and she knows how it feels to be seen to have have weird food, a weird accent, and to find British politeness, for example, equally weird.

Skype and Ryanair make it all possible, but they bring their own challenges.

Somebody’s mum by Monika Szydłowska [- Going to Modlin (Ryanair airport?) – yes. – I’ll join you so I don’t get lost]

Her pictures certainly made me roll my eyes in recognition, laugh and feel sad often all at the same time.

(c) Monika Szydłowska [- Hi Dad – Hi, hang on, the sound’s down – I just wanted to say I’m flying in Saturday – Hang on, I’ll get mum for you, I’m eating – me too, ask if she’s in later]

With the best will in the world, interculturality isn’t always a smooth ride.

You can meet Monika, hear her talk about her new book, and watch her draw in 2 weeks’ time at the Free Word Centre in London. Get your tickets here now, or buy the book from the publisher, Centrala.