In my opinion it matters a lot since I think people's mindset and character is shaped and deeply connected with the place they were raised and the reality in it during the time.

As I'm a proud Bulgarian who spent most of his life connecting with Bulgarians of all age, social status and hierarchy, I see a lot of similarities between your character and people here. Plus, you yourself said were born and raised in a country that were under the communist regime (which perfectly matches with Bulgaria).

I don't want you to approve or reject it, it is important only if you are proud of it and thus you insist your ancestors to keep the connection with the culture and traditions of your nation.

And the opposite, if you're not proud of it and consider yourself a globalist (or a person of the free world) then you're ok to cut the bond with your nation and all the good and bad it gives but then (again in my opinion) you loose your identity which is hidden in your roots.