Berlin theatre cancels pool day for Black youth after right-wing backlash
The Volksbuehne theatre called off a scheduled afternoon at its outdoor pool for Black children, young people and relatives, citing safety fears following racist agitation and threats.
Berlin’s Volksbuehne theatre, which launched an eight-week outdoor pool program this summer, announced on Aug 14 that it would not hold a dedicated afternoon for Black children, young people and their families. The slot had been arranged with the publicly funded anti-racism organisation Each One Teach One as a "positive measure" for disadvantaged communities. After the plan was announced, the venue faced inflammatory media coverage, racist emails and threats, and strong criticism from the far-right Alternative for Germany.
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel posted on X that the tax-funded project temporarily excluded white people, while local conservative Aileen Weibeler called the safe-space concept "strange and discriminatory" on Instagram. Citing the right-wing and racist agitation as a security risk, the theatre cancelled the event. Director Matthias Lilienthal affirmed that the institution will continue to support initiatives for structurally disadvantaged groups, and anti-discrimination official Cansel Kiziltepe condemned the hostile campaign as part of everyday racism faced by Black people.
Why it matters
The case highlights how anti-racist cultural projects can be derailed by far-right opposition and safety concerns.
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