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BIRKENSTORIES

Birkenstories are the tales and portraits of people in BIRKENSTOCKS all over the world, whether a taxi driver in New Delhi, an American Nobel laureate, a papaya farmer from the jungle of Borneo, or an eccentric German manufacturer of expedition vehicles. They focus on characters who are unique – some in a big way, some in a little way. And they have all been committed wearers of BIRKENSTOCKS for years.

Birkenstories are the tales and portraits of people in BIRKENSTOCKS all over the world, whether a taxi driver in New Delhi, an American Nobel laureate, a papaya farmer from the jungle of Borneo, or an eccentric German manufacturer of expedition vehicles. They focus on characters who are unique – some in a big way, some in a little way. And they have all been committed wearers of BIRKENSTOCKS for years.

Apollonia Poilane

BIRKENSTORY #32:

Apollonia Poilâne

passionate guardian of traditional sourdough bread


"More than merely bread"

Apollonia Poilâne


A tragedy could have destroyed the future of Poilâne. But France’s best-known bakery still exists and is even flourishing – thanks to Apollonia Poilâne, who has been running the company since 2002 as the third generation of her family to do so. She took the legendary bakery on after her parents were killed in a helicopter crash. Apollonia was 19 years old at the time.

BIRKENSTORY #32:

Apollonia Poilâne

passionate guardian of traditional sourdough bread


"More than merely bread"

Apollonia Poilâne


A tragedy could have destroyed the future of Poilâne. But France’s best-known bakery still exists and is even flourishing – thanks to Apollonia Poilâne, who has been running the company since 2002 as the third generation of her family to do so. She took the legendary bakery on after her parents were killed in a helicopter crash. Apollonia was 19 years old at the time.

Melinda Gabriel

BIRKENSTORY #31:

Mindy Gabriel

DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF WITH PASSION AND SPORTSMANSHIP


"We really have a front-row seat for all of humanity – we are doing the dark work, we see terrible things"

Mindy Gabriel 


Mindy Gabriel has been a deputy fire chief in Central Ohio since 2019. Before that, she was on the front lines as a firefighter herself for 17 years. Mindy knows precisely what she is talking about when she tells us: "We really have a front-row seat for all of humanity – we are doing the dark work, we see terrible things."

BIRKENSTORY #31:

Mindy Gabriel

DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF WITH PASSION AND SPORTSMANSHIP


"We really have a front-row seat for all of humanity – we are doing the dark work, we see terrible things"

Mindy Gabriel 


Mindy Gabriel has been a deputy fire chief in Central Ohio since 2019. Before that, she was on the front lines as a firefighter herself for 17 years. Mindy knows precisely what she is talking about when she tells us: "We really have a front-row seat for all of humanity – we are doing the dark work, we see terrible things."

Hermann Gerland

BIRKENSTORY #30:
Jens und Uwe Krüger

SWISS BLUEGRASS VIRTUOSUS IN NORTH CAROLINA 


“Sometimes we slept in shelters for the homeless. We tied the instruments to our bodies so nobody could steal them.” 

Jens Krüger 


Jens and Uwe, who perform as a trio with bassist Joel Landsberg, are the “Kruger Brothers” – the bluegrass and new American folk music icons are known all around the world. The brothers from Switzerland, who moved to Wilkesboro, North Carolina, more than 20 years ago, have lived a life that’s far from ordinary.  

BIRKENSTORY #30:
Jens und Uwe Krüger

SWISS BLUEGRASS VIRTUOSUS IN NORTH CAROLINA 


“Sometimes we slept in shelters for the homeless. We tied the instruments to our bodies so nobody could steal them.” 

Jens Krüger 


Jens and Uwe, who perform as a trio with bassist Joel Landsberg, are the “Kruger Brothers” – the bluegrass and new American folk music icons are known all around the world. The brothers from Switzerland, who moved to Wilkesboro, North Carolina, more than 20 years ago, have lived a life that’s far from ordinary.  

BIRKENSTOCK WANTS YOU

Do you know any fascinating BIRKENSTOCK wearers whose story is just waiting to be told? Whoever it is, be it someone you know personally, a random discovery while on vacation, or anyone else anywhere else, we look forward to receiving all your suggestions.

Do you know any fascinating BIRKENSTOCK wearers whose story is just waiting to be told? Whoever it is, be it someone you know personally, a random discovery while on vacation, or anyone else anywhere else, we look forward to receiving all your suggestions.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

The people behind the Birkenstories

Do you want to know about how we came across these stories and where they originate from?

The people behind the Birkenstories

Do you want to know about how we came across these stories and where they originate from?