Görlitz/Zgorzelec as a transnational European city?

Kamil Bembnista

Free University of Berlin

Abstract

Transnational links emerge as a logical consequence of the processes determined by globalization and Europeanization. The result of these processes is diminishing the importance of state borders. In this context, Görlitz/Zgorzelec represents an interesting case. In the year 1998, the municipal authorities of this German-Polish twin city made use of its distinctive location by proclaiming the special name ‘European city/ Europe-city’ (Europastadt) in order to attract the attention of the public opinion. This article is based on the case study conducted on both sides of the state border crossing the city and it aims at the exploration of the transnational space of this ‘European city’, where the formal state border actually does not have a dividing function anymore. The research goal was to reconstruct the city dwellers’ everyday life practices and patterns of movement by placing these phenomena within the city’s developmental path and the changing function of the state border.

Keywords:

transnationalization, twin cities, German-Polish borderland, sociology of borders