Berlin's Volksbuhne Theatre has cancelled a planned event that would have restricted pool access to Black communities on August 14. This decision follows a separate dispute at Germany's Heidebad beach regarding a lifeguard's attempt to ban non-German speakers from the water.
The €300,000 pop-up pool and the August 14 exclusion
The Volksbuhne Theatre in Berlin recently installed a temporary 25-metre open-air pool designed to serve as a summer meeting spot for locals. According to the report, the theatre planned to shut the facility to the general public on Friday, August 14, between 12pm and 6pm to provide an exclusive space for Black communities. This initiative was organized in partnership with the anti-discrimination project Each One Teach One (EOTO).
The event was ultimately scrapped due to security concerns. The theatre noted that swimming for Black teenagers and children had become a target for racist and right-wing harassment, making the exclusive window a potential flashpoint for violence rather than a safe space.
Public funding of €20 million and the charge of hypocrisy
Much of the backlash centered on the financial backing of the project. The pop-up pool cost approximately €300,000 and was funded by the Volksbuhne, an institution that receives more than €20 million in annual public funding. Critics argued that using taxpayer money to create a racially exclusive space contradicted the theatre's public image of inclusivity.
The facility, which is free for visitors, has a limited capacity of 46 swimmers at any one time. Despite the limited footprint,the theatre estimated that the pool would attract roughly 20,000 visitors over its eight-week run. Director Matthias Lilienthal defended the project to ZDF, stating that the move was intended to provide swimming options in a city where half of the indoor and outdoor pools are currently closed.
Mathias Nobel's 'German-only' rule at Heidebad beach
While Berlin grappled with racial exclusivity, a different conflict erupted at the Heidebad lakeside beach in Halle, northeast Germany. Lifeguard Mathias Nobel implemented a policy requiring bathers to speak German, citing safety concerns. This rule followed a June incident where a toddler nearly drowned after swimming into a section of the lake that is 138ft deep.
The "German-only" policy was condemned by the country's anti-discrimination agency, which pointed out that German tourists are not subjected to similar language requirements when bathing abroad. Authorities in Halle warned Mr. Nobel that such rules could be perceived as xenophobic and could damage the city's international reputation.
The AfD's 'danger zone' narrative and the anti-discrimination agency
The controversy at Heidebad beach was quickly seized upon by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The AfD claimed that German swimming pools were becoming "danger zones," arguing that the state's loss of control has forced private operators to implement their own language controls to ensure swimmer safety.
This political framing contrasts sharply with the views of the German life-saving association, which criticized Mr. Nobel's approach. As reported by the source, the debate highlights a growing trend of exclusion and xenophobia within German public spaces, where safety justifications are often viewed as covers for discriminatory practices.
How the Volksbuhne will redefine inclusivity for its 130,000 visitors
The Volksbuhne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, a historic site dating back to 1914, typically hosts 20 events per week and welcomes about 130,000 visitors.. In the wake of the pool controversy, the theatre has pledged to review its policies to ensure they are respectful of all community members and is working with local groups to develop a new inclusivity strategy.
Several critical details remain unverified. It is unclear whether the "security concerns" cited by the theatre involved specific, credible threats or a general fear of unrest. Furthermore, the report does not specify if the theatre will seek private funding for future targeted community events to avoid the controversy surrounding its €20 million public subsidy. finally, it remains to be seen if the partnership with Each One Teach One (EOTO) will continue under a revised framework.
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