Welcome Blog
Research creates perspectives: Stella Vješnica (DZA)
Stella Vješnica is an astrophysicist at the German Centre for Astrophysics (DZA) in Görlitz, specializing in imaging sensors. Her work focuses on the characterization of detector systems in the optical and near-infrared ranges for astronomy. She also contributes to the development of laboratory infrastructure and research activities that will inform future astronomical instruments...
Read moreResearch creates perspectives: Lars Haupt (DZA)
His favorite book is titled "The Man Who Loved Numbers." Even though his Erdős number is very likely infinite, and there is therefore no known co-authorship path to Paul Erdős, Dr. Lars Haupt nevertheless shares a love of numbers. This love led him, by a circuitous route, to the German Center for Astrophysics in Görlitz, where he currently works in the Data Department...
Read moreResearch creates perspectives: Günther Hasinger (DZA)
Prof. Dr. Günther Hasinger is the Scientific Director of the German Center for Astrophysics (DZA). Under his leadership, a team of leading scientists from Germany won the competition “Knowledge Creates Perspectives for the Region.” Together with them, he is building the large-scale research center for astrophysics, technology development, and data science in Lusatia...
Read moreResearch creates perspectives: Syafinah Fong (DLR)
Syafinah is a doctoral candidate at the DLR Institute for Low-CO₂ Industrial Processes. The Malaysian native has been working in Zittau in the field of green steel production since 2023.
Read moreResearch creates perspectives: Arash Massoudi (HSZG)
Professor Dr. Arash Massoudi is a professor of engineering mathematics at the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. In this interview, the Iranian-born professor talks about his passion for science, his research focus, and what he particularly likes about the Zittau region.
Read moreResearch creates perspectives: Nikolai Belov (HSZG)
Dr. Nikolay Belov has been a research associate at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences since 2025, working in the SCO-TTi team under the direction of Prof. Dr. Sophia Keil. The physicist received his doctorate from the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg and subsequently worked for several years as a developer, researcher, and project manager at Fraunhofer IVI, including on the European MAGPIE project and in the B...
Read moreResearch creates perspectives: Christiane Ritz (Senckenberg)
Professor Dr. Christiane Ritz is coming to Görlitz and will take over as head of botany at the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History. She previously studied and conducted research in Dresden, Jena, and Giessen. What began as a curatorial position became a true calling. In this interview, she explains why she is so passionate about working with plants – especially wild roses – and what makes Görlitz such a special place to live and research.
Read moreResearch creates perspectives: Karsten Wesche (Senckenberg)
Karsten Wesche has a unique perspective on nature and biodiversity. His work takes him from Central Europe to Mongolia and China. In this interview, he explains what fascinates him about biodiversity, why Görlitz has become his home, and the importance of international projects for his work.
Read moreResearch creates perspectives: Anton Potapov (Senckenberg)
Professor Dr. Anton Potapov is moving from Moscow to Görlitz to head the Department of Soil Zoology at the Senckenberg Research Institute. The permanent position is a perfect fit for his research profile. The move is a major decision for his family. In this interview, he explains why the move was worthwhile and what makes Görlitz such a special research location.
Read moreResearch creates perspectives: Ana Berenice Garcia-Andrade (CASUS)
Dr. Ana Berenice Garcia-Andrade, or Bere for short, has been working at the Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) in Görlitz since 2023. The biologist studied in Morelia in the Mexican highlands and earned her doctorate in Xalapa on the Mexican Atlantic coast. At CASUS, she researches how the structure of river systems is related to the diversity of fish species in the rivers.
Read moreResearch creates perspectives: Damar Wicaksono (CASUS)
After many years in Switzerland, Damar Wicaksono moved to Görlitz in 2021 to conduct research at the Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS). He is currently working on new methods to better assess the safety of potential repositories for radioactive waste. He comes from Indonesia, where he completed his bachelor's degree in the university city of Yogyakarta. This was followed by a master's degree...
Read moreGörlitz: Love at first sight
What does it feel like when, on your first stroll through a city, you know: This is where I want to stay? For trainee teacher Emma Köth, Görlitz was love at first sight. Today she lives and works in the city on the Neisse River and has begun her teaching traineeship at the Jahn School, which welcomed her with open arms. Her story shows: Those who come to Görlitz often find more than expected. And sometimes: exactly what they're looking for...
Read moreBetween classroom and old town charm
What draws a young teacher from the big city back to Görlitz? For Patrizia Kepstein, it was more than just love of home – it was a conscious decision for quality of life, family, and professional fulfillment.
Read moreHere to stay
Ralf Greven has a unique perspective on Görlitz and its inhabitants. In this interview, he explains what fascinates him about the city, why he will soon be leaving the Lower Rhine region for good, and which places he particularly appreciates.
Read moreFrom student to professor: A career path in her hometown
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anna Prenzel is a professor of Applied Computer Science at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. In this interview, the Görlitz native talks about her connection to HSZG, her enthusiasm for knowledge transfer, and her love for her hometown.
Read moreStudent teachers bring a breath of fresh air to Görlitz schools
A pilot project by TU Dresden offers student teachers valuable practical experience at the Innenstadt secondary school in Görlitz. Through early integration into the classroom, they gain important insights into everyday school life and strengthen their career choice. In a recent feedback meeting with Mayor Octavian Ursu, the positive effects of the project on students, teachers...
Read moreBack to the roots – and new perspectives
Margarete Schott has a special connection to Görlitz: she was born here before her parents moved to the West 41 years ago. After many years near Mannheim, the family returned to the Neisse River in 2020 – and Margarete Schott decided to take the same step with her husband and young son David.
Read moreNew leadership at the Melanchthon Elementary School: A return to home
Since the start of the current school year, the Melanchthon Elementary School in Görlitz has been under the leadership of Björn Tscharntke. The 35-year-old originally comes from Ostritz and completed his Abitur (university entrance qualification) in Görlitz. He moved to Freiburg with his then-girlfriend and now wife to study and has now returned to his hometown.
Read moreBuyan Li's musical journey to Görlitz
Baritone singer Buyan Li has found a new artistic home in Görlitz. He came to Germany in 2013 to further his vocal training. Since 2023, he has been a permanent member of the Gerhart Hauptmann Theatre ensemble in Görlitz.
Read moreFrom Morocco to Görlitz: Imane and Yassine find their calling
Imane and Yassine not only share their Moroccan heritage, but also a deep-rooted passion for helping others. In March, they came to Görlitz to begin training as nursing professionals.
Read moreResearch and life in Görlitz
Tim Callow and Bartosz Brzoza came to Görlitz from Great Britain and Poland to conduct research at the Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS). In this interview, the two scientists explain how they came to Görlitz and what they appreciate about working and living in this European city.
Read more"I can make a difference, especially in Görlitz."
Aileen Baumgärtner is a master's student at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and consciously chose Görlitz as her place of study and home. Originally from Bautzen, she has made the border town her new home. A conversation about civic engagement, mental health, and the coronavirus.
Read moreGörlitz shows its face: A call for good cooperation
The initiative "Görlitz Shows Its Face" promotes respectful coexistence in Görlitz and invites all citizens to actively participate. In light of global and local challenges, the initiative calls for objective and honest discussions. "Görlitz Shows Its Face" values tolerance and welcomes the cultural diversity of the city.
Read moreWelcome home: Happy in your new (old) home
Lisa took the plunge and returned with her family from Potsdam to her hometown. The Görlitz native has since not only founded an international choir but has also rediscovered her hometown in a completely new light.
Read moreLife in the heart of Europe
In 2023, Thomas van Schalkwyk came to Görlitz and became Head of Production at BIRKENSTOCK. The South African native had previously lived in Dubai and Paris. What began with a job offer in the European city quickly became one of the most fundamental decisions of his life. In this interview, he explains why this move was worthwhile.
Read moreAcross borders: How Taylan and SKAN are forging new paths together
Mehmet Taylan Kahraman learned about a job offer at SKAN Deutschland GmbH in Görlitz via LinkedIn and successfully applied. His move from Turkey to Görlitz was still a long way off – but Taylan and the company weren't deterred. In this interview, Taylan and his colleague Rico Hubrich (Talent Acquisition Manager at SKAN) explain why their decision...
Read moreFrom the Netherlands to tourism hero in Görlitz
Over 15 years ago, Petrus Snoeijer moved from the Netherlands to Görlitz. He is now primarily known in the city as a tour guide and ambassador for tourism and culture. In 2023, he was even honored as a tourism hero of Saxony.
Read moreI fell in love with the city
Samreen Singh came to Germany from India to study, and eventually also took a short trip to Görlitz – and she immediately fell in love with the city! Since September, she has been a working student at ENO and has made Görlitz her new home.
Read moreThe world meets in Görlitz!
The tables are set. The kitchen is slowly heating up, and the first hungry customers are already entering the "Horschel" restaurant. Today, they are exceptionally greeted by the two owners. It quickly becomes clear to the guests that the European city concept is truly lived here! Bas Dankers, co-owner and co-managing director of the restaurant, hails from...
Read moreAlmost too good to be true!
Danuta Termin has lived in Görlitz since 1994. When she talks about her life, her story sounds like the perfect script for a happy life. "Görlitz offered us a new perspective and many opportunities, and we seized them. Where there's a will, there's a way," she says, summarizing her journey from Upper Silesia in Poland to Görlitz.
Read moreThe move was worth it!
Ivana Petrovska has only lived in Görlitz since November of last year. The prospect of an attractive job drew her to the border town. "I found the opportunities offered by the upcoming structural changes in the region unique and exciting." Besides the chance to meet many highly qualified and dedicated people, the young Macedonian was particularly curious about German culture and...
Read moreThe trend towards the east
What do you do when you've finally arrived in Darmstadt with your family, everyone has a well-paid job, and the house is finally renovated after a few years? Exactly: You sell it again and return to where you left off 14 years earlier: your hometown.
Read moreA city full of opportunities
Several years ago, Tessa Enright moved to Dresden. She left Arizona, where she met her husband while studying business marketing. After two challenging years in the Saxon capital, she initially returned to Arizona. She completed her bachelor's and master's degrees in German studies. But her desire to live in Germany remained.
Read moreI lost my job because of Brexit
"I lost my job because of Brexit, so it was time to leave." With this one sentence, first fluently in English, then a little haltingly in German, Bartek Truch succinctly summarizes what is actually a longer story. He has just brought the furniture to Görlitz. From Great Britain, where he and his wife Anna lived happily for many years. Where their two...
Read moreBack to the roots
Izabela Jucha lived in England and Canada for a long time. Now the Polish woman is back. Family and Brexit were the reasons for this.
Read moreAn inspiring place for science
At the CASUS Science Institute in Görlitz, data-intensive computer models are being developed that make it possible to investigate the effects of global change in their complex interactions. It will provide forecasts for entire ecosystems for the next 50 to 100 years. We spoke with two CASUS representatives about how they have settled into life in the European city of Görlitz-Zgorzelec...
Read moreWhy Görlitz is better than London
Grzegorz Owsian lived on the Thames for 13 years. Shortly before Brexit, he returned – and became a chef in Görlitz. A profile in the Sächsische Zeitung.
Read moreAt home on both sides
Agnieszka and Philipp Bormann met in Görlitz. They are a Polish-German couple. For them, this is nothing special. Or is it? A profile in the Sächsische Zeitung.
Read moreFrom Dublin to Görlitz
Damian Kuck-Doszko is a walking rubber ball. Guaranteed to put you in a good mood. If you want to catch him at the trendy "Jakobs" bar in Görlitz, you'll need to be quick on your feet. This bundle of energy can simultaneously operate the impressively steaming Italian coffee machine, take drink orders in German, English, or Polish, ring up the cash register, and answer questions about his life...
Read moreThe best of both worlds
It was 2003, Dr. Dominika Zalewska remembers very clearly, when she and her husband decided to make a fresh start. Two doctors' incomes – she as a gynecologist, he as a trauma surgeon – weren't enough in Poland at the time to provide for their family as they had hoped. The two had met while studying medicine in Wrocław; two of their three children were already born. So it was all the more difficult...
Read moreI'm at home
When Jaroslaw Kuczynski greets us, it's immediately clear: this man is happy. The 43-year-old has been working in quality assurance at BIRKENSTOCK in Görlitz for three weeks. "My very first application was successful," says the former basketball player. He applied from Manchester. In April 2005, Kuczynski and his wife first traveled to Great Britain from Warsaw...
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