FROMquestions & answers

Aimée and sister Anitha (left to right)

Aimée

From Congo

"I say that I am from Congo because I was born there. Yes (I do think it is important), because I moved from there when I was one or two years old. I grew up in Rwanda but I am born in Congo. I am from Congo."

Anitha

From Congo

"My parents are from Congo but I was born in a refugee camp in Rwanda. I say I am from Congo, but I also say I was born in Rwanda. Sometimes it (where I'm from) feels important, I don't know... You know a little more about a person if you know where they come from. I don't know why, it just feels important to me."

FROMquestions & answers

Sture

From Bredträsk in Bjurholm's Kommun (municipality)

"Can't say that it has great meaning (to me), but I am glad to be born in Bjurholm...It's pretty fun that there are a few (people) that come from Sweden's smallest municipality -right?"

FROMquestions & answers

Edwin and Sebastian (left to right)

Edwin

From Umeå, but I have lived in Germany

"It's nothing that you brag about, but I am a proud Norrlänning (Northerner). But its not that I would brag about it...It's just something you ask to open a conversation."

Sebastian

From Umeå

"Well, I am not a Southerner. I am from Norrland. From the cold parts. They (Northerners) are harder than Southerners. There is nothing wrong with Southerners, but what the hell, (I am a) Northerner."

FROMquestions & answers

Yasmin

From Somalia

"Yes. I don't know why, but it is (important to me that I come from Somalia). I came here when I was little. I have never seen Somalia, but it is important anyhow."

FROMquestions & answers
Anders

"I was born in Skåne, but I sure don't say (I am from) Skåne. I came to Stockholm at 4 years old... Moved to Umeå at 26... I don't feel I come from anywhere. I come from there, and there, and there... I don't even understand the question, 'where are you from?' And I say that with a certain amount of disappointment -that I can't say where I am from."

FROMquestions & answers

Ani and daughter Cecilia

From Armenia

"For me its is incredibly important (where I come from). My background is the biggest part of me -my identity. It is who I am. I am Armenian. However long I live in Sweden, I am Armenian. One should never forget their roots. In addition, one should respect the traditions and religions of others. One should never be forced to assimilate. Respect (people) and take them for who they are."

FROMquestions & answers
David

From Gunnismark

"It has colored my childhood growing up in a village, in contrast to the majority of those I know now, who are from the city. I don't know if it is important. It has meaning (to me). I have a connection to the woods and nature, that perhaps others don't have...I am happier living outside of town."

FROMquestions & answers
Sixten

From Kiruna

"(Where one comes from) is important for others to place a person. You associate it with something. You want to place people somewhere, Västerbotten or Norrbotten. When we first got here we were asked 'Where do you come from?' because we don't speak Västerbottenska."

FROMquestions & answers
Emma and Peter

Emma

From Villhelmina

"That's a difficult question. It influences your personality quite a bit. I notice that my experiences have been different -my childhood was different. I have more experiences in nature (than others from the city). The difference between Umeå and where I grew up is that people think differently. THere is more faith in the future here."

Peter

From Umeå

"I was born in Teg (Umeå) and raised in Yttersjö (near Umeå). When I moved from Umeå, I ended up moving back. Because I felt that no other place was home. I have roots in Umeå and know a lot of people (here) and know how things work."