Free swimming. Together?!

Presented by the House of History (DE)

The online event will take place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 5 p.m. and is free of charge. The presentation will be held in German.

The event will be recorded.

Content

Who is allowed to swim? And who can't? What causes trouble among the swimmers? Society is reflected in the pool. A wide variety of people with different lifestyles and moral concepts meet in public pools - sometimes more and sometimes less harmoniously. What does it mean to SWIM FREELY? Together? Or rather separately?

It is considered a democratic achievement that everyone has equal access to outdoor and indoor swimming pools. After all, the rich and poor once bathed separately. Women and men anyway. During the Nazi era, the Jewish population and "foreigners" were excluded. Even before that, war invalids had to stay outside. The sight of them was considered unacceptable. Neither were women, who, according to the prevailing opinion, did not have enough textiles on their bodies.
Freedom and freedom of movement are now being hotly debated again. Do women, queer or disabled people need a "protected space"? Does topless bathing benefit or harm feminism? Is the acceptance of maximum concealment backward or progressive?

The exhibition curator, Dr. Sebastian Dörfler, will guide you through the 3D exhibition.

Photo: Daniel Stauch