When reviewing newspapers after the recent voting, we might have noticed varied espousal for different parties, expressed by various colors. The nearby comments explained that people from the former “Kongresówka” (the ex-Russian partition) had not gone voting, the X party remains strong in “Galicia” (the ex-Austrian partition), while Mr. Y had become the winner in lands of the ex-Prussian partition.

Many times we have also met different kinds of analyses, showing that the Internet web is the least developed in “Kogresówka”, “Galicia” represents the highest settlement density and the ex-Prussian partition possesses roads of the best quality.

When travelling across Poland, we have passed through Prostki and Grajewo, reaching Suwałki or Mysłowice, and we have noticed the differences in architecture and urban design of these settlements. On the way, we have found that “Bażanty” (the Pheasants) hate “Łańcuchy” (the Chains) or that Hanysy dislike Chadziaje.

The issue of post-partition borders comes round to us like a boomerang and there is nothing strange in it. This is not only the question of political sympathies and stereotypes, but also of our reality and the space we function in. The post-partition borders have made influence on almost everything. Starting from the cuisine, via road network, habits, religiousness, preferences concerning the area of settlement and work travels, features of social behaviors, songs, literature, up to selection of the partners.

Areas through which the partitions’ borders used to pass are connected with the stories of smugglers, robberies, affairs, escapes, unaccepted relations and duels. They are also represented by fascinating places, imposing customs buildings, forgotten landmarks and souvenirs.

As because the concept of post-partition borders is actually familiar to everybody, in the times of Schengen treaty, when Poles travel all over the world, we have decided to organize a pioneer expedition to the former frontier. We have called our project bezGRANICA (the non-border)

Exploration, conquering or, simply, describing the former frontier is aimed at starting an overall-Polish debate and common undertakings tending to explain the phenomenon of post-partition borders. We will take the best and the most interesting of them, simultaneously with their trespassing and cancelling.