Hi everyone! I’m glad you found your way to my blog.

My name is Marie Jelenka Kirchner and I am a German PhD candidate at the University of Graz and a Feminist Europeanist. In 2019 I finished my MA in Central and Eastern European studies at the Jagiellonian University Krakow and have since been working as Think Tanker on European integration, EU Foreign Policy and the enlargement of the EU to the Western Balkans. I am also a member of the International Women’s League for Peace and Freedom and work on ideas of (EU) Feminist Foreign Policy.

You can find a selection of my recent publications on this site.

This website used to be a platform to capture my thoughts on my travels and life abroad beyond a recommendation of the cutest coffeeshops. Today, I am only sporadically sharing travel blogs.

In late 2020 I moved to Austria mid-pandemic and I am planning to spend some years to come in the pretty city of Graz.

Lately, I have begun to write more about the sustainable life choices I take, maybe to fill the gap now that I don’t blog about my life experiences abroad? A big part of my more sustainable approach to life is connected to crafts such as sewing and knitting, much of which you can find on my instagram account. My main topic of interest is slow fashion, and you can find some posts about this here on the blog and much more on my instagram.

This year is all about making for others, even more so than in years before. Joining the #DandD24in24 sock knitting challenge was & is a great incentive to dive into my sock yarn stash and knit for friends. I always find it fascinating how much a good fit does for a simple pattern. The sleeveless #nightanddaydress by @gertie18 is pretty basic, but with a good fit, careful finishing and this special fabric it's a real stand-out piece. Paired with a matching #ritabolero I collected a lot of compliments out on this sunny day in Graz 🌞 Welcome Fashion Revolution Week, 10 days this year to celebrate ten years of #fashionrevolution @fash_rev (founded in 2014). TAIWAN FLOWERS I got so upset with poorly fitting skirt patterns, after a morning of frustration I decided to take matters into my own hands by drafting a basic pattern block. It's been about time that I got some dancing on my feed! Finished my STRIPES! sweater, my entry to the #drkmarch2maykal24 The fastest way to knit a sweater? Graz Appreciation Post!

I hope you find interest in my experience and maybe you even learn something. Thank you for your time!