ALL ANTWERP: “I wanted to live closer to my children… (Antwerp)
© Nattida-Jayne Kanyachalao
Every weekday our reporter and photographer pick a casual passer-by off the street for a nice conversation. Want everyone has a story. And certainly in Antwerp. Today: Dominika Rogojska (23) and Barbara (50).
Elien Van Wynsberghe
Barbara: “I have been living in Antwerp for a year and a half. Before that I lived in Poland, in Lublin. That is a city in the east of the country. I came here because life was not so good. There is not much work in Poland. I also wanted to be closer to my children. I have a son and a daughter. They have been living in Antwerp for seven years now. I don’t understand English yet. I do speak a little German. I find the language difficult here. Fortunately, 80% of the customers who visit the store here speak Polish.”
Dominika: “In Smakosz – that’s the name of this delicatessen – we all sell Polish specialities. I especially like the pastry and the cake. But we can also serve all kinds of cold cuts, pierogi, which is a typical Polish dish, Polish coffee,… I’ve only been working here for two months. Before that I also lived in Poland. I like it here in Antwerp. There is a good atmosphere. You also have a large Polish community in this city, but many people I don’t know yet. I’ve only just lived here. I love my job in the store. It’s cozy here and the customers are friendly.”