In 2023, Thomas van Schalkwyk came to Görlitz and became Head of Production at BIRKENSTOCK. Born in South Africa, he had previously lived in Dubai and Paris. What began with a job offer in the European City quickly became one of the fundamental decisions of his life. In this interview, he explains why this step was worth it.
How was your experience with coming to Görlitz?
Me and my wife had many restrictions in what we wanted in an apartment. We did come here a few times to have a look at different apartments, because it’s better to see them in real. It wasn’t that difficult and we eventually found one. We could move from where we lived in the Harz Mountains directly to our new place in Görlitz.
Also, the people in Görlitz are really friendly and helpful. I found the people in the city to be much more friendly to what I was used to.
How did your family react when you told them you’re moving to Görlitz?
My wife joined me when I came to Görlitz for my first interview. While I was doing the interview, she was walking around in the city, and it was a terribly rainy day. Afterwards, when I went back to pick her up, she said ‘I don’t know. Look at this weather.’. But we also realized that this was the impression of one day. She’s also quite happy now. She can drive around and go around where she wants to. It’s this freedom of movement which is kind for her as well.
You’ve already lived in South Africa, Dubai, Paris and Bad Lauterberg. What do you like about living and working in Görlitz?
I absolutely love my job and this company. The people here are amazing and working for this company is amazing.
Since I’ve been living in Görlitz, it completely changed my mind compared to this first impression. What I like about Görlitz specifically: I live in the city center, so I can walk everywhere where I want to. I can walk across the bridge and be in Poland with a different cuisine and culture. Me and my wife travel always on the weekends. From Görlitz it’s so nice, because you have one hour to Dresden, a short drive to Wroclaw, and Prague is just around the corner as well as Berlin. You have so many cities and so many possibilities to travel if you live in this area.
Also, one of the advantages of living in Görlitz is that it’s so safe. I can walk around and go where I want to without fear. Compared to South Africa, I feel safe.
What do you enjoy doing in Görlitz?
We often go out for luncheons or dinners. In the week it’s all about work for me, but in the weekends, it’s about going out and having some dinner. I walk around in the old city or across the bridge and on the polish side, have a coffee and come back to Germany.
Is the connection between Germany and Poland something you especially enjoy in Görlitz?
It’s amazing. I’m a South African citizen and I’m living in Europe. For me, to be able to walk across a river and see a different culture and people talking in different languages is all very exciting. That also attracted me to this area. You have so many different cultures – it’s so nice to see all these things working together. This is a great cooperation between the people of the two cities: It’s like it’s one city with different languages on each side of the river. It’s good to see that everything is so connected.
So, if one would look for you in the city, where would one find you? Where's your favourite place?
Probably in the Untermarkt area. I like the buildings and the architecture and there are some nice restaurants. Across the river in Zgorzelec, you have a beautiful view of Görlitz and the church, which is always very nice to see.
Life in Görlitz Working in Görlitz
Text: Europastadt GörlitzZgorzelec GmbH
Photos: Paul Glaser
This project has received funding from tax resources on the basis of the budget adopted by the members of the Parliament of the Free State of Saxony.
