How ensconced are the “ensconced” abroad?

And while the impression we had on immigration was a subtle black and white image of old Greek movies, songs of Stelios Kazantzidis and narrations pensioners who always drink water in Germany’s name (which people cite as a model on each occasion), the years of recession and memoranda phenomenon revived in all their glory.

This time, the profile of immigrants has changed. The immigrant today is young, educated, possesing a developed sense of political and national consciousness. In the immigration push now not only the need to survive is strong, but the need for creation, for recovery of valuable skills, for quality in everyday life, and above all, love for the homeland.

What is the other choice? An unstable political system that favors meritocracy, outdated structures and a growing financial crisis that will keep people prisoners in their childhood room until 40, in a prolonged adolescence and a lost life, and a collection of diplomas hung in expensive frames.

So our young people choose the way of migration in order to be able to live. And not only these, but older people and families as well are forced to radically change the course of their lives and devise new ways. And instead of an apology, they receive a blame. Suddenly immigrants became “ensconced”, those who gave up and left the country. Those who get good salaries and have easy criticism because they are away.

Nobody, of course, never thought that these “ensconced” did something that none of us had the courage to do. They abandoned their ease for good, for them to be creative and avoid dependency and laziness. They left behind an entire life and went to inhospitable places where they daily prove their worth.

In addition, publications offend them demonstrating that the country did not change anything and still maintains corruption. Their ashamed by the anti-Greek comments of the Greeks journalists. And they are hurt by the indifference of the Greek state which has written them off and remembers them only for contributions or votes.

With Christmas around, some “ensconced” will celebrate away from their families because the “crass” salary does not cover the cost of air tickets.

A big “thank you” to them because they make us proud abroad.

Irini I. Zannaki

Source: Vima Press (text in Greek).