Nail-Biting Finish: Polish Village Rejects Name Change by Two Votes

Kałowice Remains Kałowice: A Close Vote Preserves Village Name A small village in Poland, Kałowice, recently held a referendum on changing its name to Przylesie. The outcome was incredibly close, with a two-vote margin separating the two options. The video report from Teleexpress TVP captures the tension and excitement surrounding the election. "Kałowice, as a name for the village itself, is a beautiful name," says Weronika, a Kałowice resident, in the video. "But for those who have lived here for 30-60 years, they've already identified with it." Her comment reflects the strong emotional ties many residents have to the existing name. Sixty-eight people participated in the vote. Thirty-four voted to keep the name Kałowice, while 32 voted for Przylesie. Two votes were deemed invalid. The narrow victory for retaining the original name underscores the importance of local identity and the community's attachment to its history. The story of Kałowice's referendum offers a glimpse into the significance of place names and the strength of community sentiment in preserving local traditions.