Temporary swimming pool opens at Berlin's Volksbühne

A provisional outdoor swimming pool has opened at the Berliner Volksbühne in Berlin. The new director of the Volksbühne, Matthias Lilienthal, announced the opening of this temporary facility a few weeks ago. The initiative is intended as a protest against the decline of the city’s infrastructure, as reported by Deutschlandfunk.

The swimming pool features an open design and has a water depth of 1.30 meters. Bathers can swim their laps in the pool for a small fee until October. According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, a sum of €300,000 in taxpayer money was allocated for this project.

The opening of the swimming pool has received mixed reactions from the public. While some swimmers are taking the opportunity to relax in this setting, there are also critical voices regarding the use of financial resources for a temporary pool. The question of the purpose and priorities of the city is raised in this context.

The project seemingly aims to enhance the quality of life in an urban environment and draw attention to the city's shortcomings. The temporary swimming pool could represent a new element of cultural and recreational activities at the Volksbühne, offering the public a unique way to experience the theater backdrop.