Gundula Friese Potsdam, Swimming pool at Brauhausberg . divers

Potsdam, Swimming pool at Brauhausberg . divers
Potsdam, Swimming pool at Brauhausberg . divers Potsdam, Swimming pool at Brauhausberg . divers

My son had just turned five years old and I was allowed to accompany him to the swimming lesson with a camera. Lined up at the edge of the basin the little swimmers shivering with coldness and excitement, being equipped with the craziest constructions of floats, harnesses and waterwings waited politely  for the sign of the instructor to do their big jump into the water. It was a view between fascination and sympathy when their bodies dropped down into the depth. A girl suddenly appeared on the edge of the basin without any aids and jumped with arms spread out and with wild decisiveness. Shortly after that a boy followed. I was deeply moved by this moment. Symbolically it represents for me what shortly thereafter was described as the ‘Wende’.