Volksbühne Berlin Opens Public Pool as New Artistic Director's First Act

Berlin's Volksbühne theater is opening a public swimming pool on its forecourt as part of new artistic director Matthias Lilienthal's inaugural program. The 25-meter pool, named 'Volksbad', will be open from August 7 until October 1 at Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz. Free time-slot tickets are available on the theater's website, released three days before each swimming day. The pool is 1.30 meters deep and offers two-hour slots for swimming and lounging. Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 12 to 20 (Thursdays until 21), closed Mondays and Sundays, and during severe weather. The theater plans additional programs like a crawl course and synchronized swimming introduction. Lilienthal's initiative serves as a protest against the decay of public infrastructure, as the theater's main stage is under renovation. The official season starts October 1.