Volksbühne Berlin's Pop-Up Pool Sparks Right-Wing Media Outcry

The Berlin Volksbühne theater's pop-up outdoor pool, part of its summer program, has become the target of a coordinated campaign by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and right-wing media outlets. The Süddeutsche Zeitung reports that these groups are manufacturing a scandal around the pool, framing it as a symbol of cultural excess and mismanagement. The pool, which opened in summer 2024, was intended as a public amenity and cultural event space, but critics have seized on it to attack the theater's artistic direction and public funding. The controversy highlights ongoing cultural clashes in Germany, where right-wing forces increasingly target cultural institutions perceived as progressive. The Volksbühne, known for its avant-garde programming, has defended the pool as a space for community engagement and artistic experimentation. The article details how the AfD and allied media have amplified complaints about noise, hygiene, and costs, despite the pool's popularity among local residents. The theater's management has responded by emphasizing the pool's accessibility and its role in democratizing culture. The dispute reflects broader tensions over the role of public art and the politicization of cultural spaces in contemporary Germany.