Moldovans, regardless the circumstances and difficulties they face are appreciated for their work.

Interview with Artur Colesnic, Moldovan migrant in Great Britain

Maria Jomir: The reason of your emigration was political, economical or personal? How hard it was to take this decision?

Artur Colesnic: The courage was great, but I didn’t have other choice – the main reason was economical. We left home to find a job and, because the Great Britain labor market is much more developed, now we are enjoy a more stable situation and better living conditions, which, unfortunately, our state cannot provide.

MJ: How you have integrated in the new country? Do you feel as a foreigner on this land?

AC:  Already less foreigner…we feel almost as at home. We integrated relatively fast and we feel very good here. And this is, probably, because we are almost always in contact with our fellow citizens.

 MJ: In which field you activate in London and what is the salary of a worker both illegally or legally? 

AC: We are working on the construction yards and we do it well, that means that we earn enough to maintain ourselves at least. The average salary is 50 pounds per day and with these financial funds we manage to maintain ourselves, but also those outside the country, I mean relatives in Moldova.

 MJ: How often do you visit your country and what changes you have noticed in the last 5 years? Which is in your opinion Moldova’s progress?  

AC: Usually we return to Moldova in summer, when we have holiday. I’ve noticed some changes – our country has evolved over time, but there is much more to work until it will get to the level of the states from Western Europe. I think that our elected officials should think more about the needs of the people they lead.

MJ: What good things you can say about the Moldovans established in London? 

AC: Together with our friends, even if in our country we didn’t knew each other, we often go to barbeque, on holidays; we feel good in this environment because we are close to each other through our culture and common traditions – Moldovan specifics makes also to bring the interest of other people from other regions of the world, but we are also interesting for Londoners. Today’s event „La vatra neamului” was a beautiful inspiration of Moldovans from here – it gathered all of us here in this evening and we feel great. These kinds of events make us, Moldovans, to be closer to our home with our souls, more friendly and sociable, and our language unites us even more – Romanian language warms and unites us.  We hope that this Festival will become a beautiful tradition.

MJ: You manifest yourselves here, somehow differently than at home?

AC: We, Moldovans, are very devoted, honest, willing and able to do different work – we adapt easily. That’s why wherever we go and whatever we do we do it good and we are appreciated. Moldovans, regardless the circumstances and difficulties they face are appreciated for their work.

For conformity:

Maria Jomir,

Switzerland, Geneva,

November 2011