Moira Uggla: Moira Uggla: ”Use your right to vote - it's a privilege”
Of course trees turned beautiful autumn colours back home in Scotland too, but I thought everything seemed more intense here the first time I experienced a Swedish autumn. I remember my husband and I went by train from Kristianstad to Växjö, and I could hardly believe how everything could be so beautiful. And no matter how often you experience it, you are just as amazed every time at the marvellous riot of colour.
As I am writing this, we still have a few weeks left until the election,or, rather, elections, since we vote for our representatives to parliament, our regional government and our local government. As from 24th August it has been possible to vote in advance at certain voting stations, and the day of the general election is Sunday, 11th September.
This year the result of the election seems to be more uncertain than ever, so it is important that everyone who is eligible to vote use their chance to say how they want things to be run. You mustn't think, 'My little vote doesn't make much difference' - all votes are equally important, everything counts. The right to vote is not something to be taken lightly - earlier generations have fought hard for the right for everyone to vote, and we must respect their struggle.
If you do not have Swedish citizenship you are not entitled to vote in the parliamentary election, but you do have the right to vote in regional and local elections*, where you really can influence developments.
To be able to vote is a privilege. So don't be a 'soffliggare' - a funny Swedish word that describes someone who is so lazy he can't be bothered getting up from the sofa to go and influence his future. The evening of 11th September is going to be a real cliff-hanger when all the results come in.
Now everything is back to the old routine - holidays are over, work goes on as usual, schools have opened again. Evening courses as well - there are any number to choose from. Why not try something new? Perhaps learn to cook some new kinds of food, or sing in a choir? Learn more about computers? Read books and discuss them with others?
The adult education organisations have lots of suggestions - read their brochures, which they send out by post, or else go to the library and read them there.
What would YOU like to read about in Kb Mosaik? If you have any good ideas, get in touch with the office at Gamlegården centre. Don't just sit at home and wonder ,'Why don't they write about XXX or YYY?' If you have a good idea, share it!
