The controversial name of the place is still staying. What next?
– Kałowice is a beautiful town, although today no one here is a farmer. People have chickens, pigeons, dogs, cats, but it is more a bedroom village. You can reach the northern borders of Wrocław by car in 25 minutes – says Wiesław Sędkowski, Sołtys Kałowice.
Kałowice. A village in transformation
Sędkowski himself moved to the village 26 years ago, when there were no new houses here. Today, as he emphasizes, most residents are new newcomers – they already constitute about 80 percent. community. – I have been a village administrator since 2015, this is my third term » – he adds proudly.
About 120 people are currently registered here, although the actual number of inhabitants is higher. 96 adults, registered and constantly living residents were entitled to vote in the referendum. 68 people took part in the vote.
The idea of changing the name appeared at the beginning of this year, although the residents had already reported the first votes in this matter. In March, a meeting was organized, which was to eliminate moods among the community. The results of the internal survey were unambiguous – as many as 62 people supported the change of name from Kałowice to Przylesie.
– Youth in high schools is ridiculed. There are dots related to the name of our village. This name does not match the new residents – explains Sędkowski.
« If nothing changes, I consider moving out »
However, older residents were afraid of changes, pointing to potential administrative problems. – It was not possible to vote, which is a pity. By the way, we could settle the matter with the numbering of the houses. Now there is a big problem – an ambulance or couriers have difficulty finding specific properties – adds the village administrator.
According to the regulations, another attempt to change the name can only be made next year. – We’ll wait and try again. Most of the inhabitants are in favor of a change, so I believe it will succeed – announces Sędkowski. Not everyone is ready to wait. The initiator of the referendum, who lives in Kałowice almost since birth, did not hide her disappointment from voting. – If the name of the village is not changed, I consider moving out – she said in an interview with tvn24.pl.
Sociologist: Names can stigmatize
Zbigniew Kocik, a sociologist of culture, draws attention to the complexity of the problem. – Unusual or strange names from the perspective of tourists are attractive: they are photographed, filmed, published in social media. However, the situation is different for residents. Sometimes such names become the cause of mockery from neighboring towns – he explains.
Although the lack of research on the impact of place names on their inhabitants, Kocik indicates that the negative odium associated with the name may be a real burden. – We want to have as little negative aspects in our lives, so the pursuit of a change of name is understandable – he emphasizes.
Although the result of the referendum did not bring a change, the topic of the name Kałowice remains open. As the history of this small town shows, transformation – both social and symbolic – is inevitable. Will Przylesie become a new name of the village? Time will tell.
Source: Fakt.pl, TVN24.pl
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Łukasz Woźnica / Newspix.pl
Kałowice. Residents carried out a referendum because they wanted to change the name of the village to Przylesie.
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Łukasz Woźnica / Newspix.pl
Wiesław Sędkowski Sołtys Kałowice: The idea was created because young people in high schools are ridiculed. There are dots. Many residents do not fit this name either.
