Home PODCAST GMB PODCAST 008: Flussbad Berlin

GMB PODCAST 008: Flussbad Berlin

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Flussbad Berlin - Claudi and Jan | GreenMe Berlin Podcast

// FLUSSBAD BERLIN: HOW TO BUILD DREAMS & RECLAIM THE RIVER SPREE

Today’s episode is one of those stories, when you hear about them you gonna have your mouth wide open and think “how is this possible”?

You know that I love projects that really challenge the status quo, so I made my way to Friedrichshain, walked into the backyard behind Berlin’s famous electro club Watergate, right by the river Spree - to visit Jan Edler, one of the founders of Flussbad Berlin.

If you haven't heard of the project, Flussbad Berlin is about to create a natural swimming pool in the river Spree, just along the UNESCO site of Museum Island, so in a very static, historic area of the city… And you can imagine that some people get excited about - and some throw their hands up in despair.

It’s been incredible to meet Jan. He is such a fascinating character & he was so open about everything. He made me see the project in a completely different light: It’s not just gonna be the world’s biggest swimming pool... The swimming is the side effect, but what it’s really about is re-accessing a lost part of our city.

We traveled in time back to the 1920’s, over the exciting times of the post-Wall era, where everything seemed possible… times that made utopian thinking and ideas like Flussbad possible - and also a time that created that unique Berlin sense of freedom that still exists on (at least a little bit) todayWe talked about all that and so much more.

We talked about all that and so much more, like:

  • What it takes to deal with nay sayers & stand in for a big idea
  • The role of the river Spree in the past, now - and in a perfect future
  • Why perseverance is one of the most important traits you can have
  • How 4 million euros turned a hobby into something damn serious
  • Why ideas from the past can be revived to build a better future
  • And of course: when we can jump in!

But now, I’m not gonna keep you waiting any longer, enough intro… Lean back, open your minds and ears & let’s get into the show!

LISTEN THE PODCAST INTERVIEW RIGHT HERE:

OR download & listen to the episode on iTunes | on Stitcher | on Youtube

As always, it would be awesome if you could hop over to iTunes, subscribe to the podcast and leave me a short review (just click on the cover image in iTunes and then on "Reviews"). Tell me how you like the show, it’s what keeps me going. 

Thanks a million, 

Claudi

// FLUSSBAD BERLIN - FULL INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT:

Flussbad Berlin, Perspective at Lustgarten | GreenMe Berlin Podcast

Perspective at Lustgarten

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF OUR INTERVIEW

Flussbad Berlin, Location Plan | GreenMe Berlin Podcast

Flussbad Location plan

Flussbad Berlin, Perspective at James-SImon-Galerie | GreenMe Berlin Podcast

    Perspective James-Simon-Galerie

Flussbad Berlin - Logo | GreenMe Berlin Podcast
Flussbad Berlin, Plant Filter | GreenMe Berlin Podcast

Natural Plant Filter

2nd Flussbad Pokal 2016, 2 | GreenMe Berlin Podcast

2nd Flussbad Pokal 2016

// FINAL WORDS:

Oh my god, what an inspiring project. It’s unbelievable, these guys are working so damn hard to make this dream a reality. You know, the Flussbad team really makes a point, that we shouldn’t down-regulate our possibilities because we are afraid of something… baaam

I absolutely believe in the success of this project, and hope you are too. And I’m definitely gonna join the Flussbad Pokal and go swimming on the 2nd July. Are you in? Come on it’s gonna be awesome - do let me know, write me an email, ping me on Facebook and let’s do this.

As always, you’ll find everything you need to know in the show notes at the bottom of this page. So check them out - and share the Flussbad episode with your friends, cause you heard it: they can only do it if there’s as many people as possible.

And also communicate with ME. I wanna know what you think about this episode - and about the podcast in general, if there’s something particular you wanna hear about... Getting your feedback always makes me super happy - so get in touch, write me, or share your thoughts in the comments right at the bottom of this page.

Alright, I guess I filled up your minds enough now, time to call it a wrap he! Thanks SO much for tuning in guys. Have an amazing day - and always remember to keep it green 🙂


// FLUSSBAD BERLIN - SHOW NOTES

// ​FLUSSBAD BERLIN //

​>> Flussbad Berlin on Facebook >>

​Email: [email protected] | Tel: +49 30 555744-50

www.flussbad-berlin.de

2nd Flussbad Pokal 2016, 3 | GreenMe Berlin Podcast

Flussbad Pokal 2016

2nd Flussbad Pokal 2016 | GreenMe Berlin Podcast

Flussbad Pokal 2016

Flussbad Berlin, View on Spree from Office | GreenMe Berlin Podcast

P.S. If you wanna stay up to date with the latest interviews, green events and fresh content from me and my explorations around going green in Berlin, then sign up for my monthly newsletter. I got a little thank you if you do so, I’ll send you my best-of guide to 7 of my favorite eco-minded places in the city. To get it, just go over to the Guide Book section and you’ll find it right on the top.

HEY, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS AMAZING PROJECT? DID YOU ENJOY LISTENING TO THEIR STORY?

Would be great to hear from you! Just share in the comments, right at the very bottom of this page.

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3 comments

Lutz April 9, 2017 at 7:15 pm

This is such an interesting project – I like it, not only because I’m a swimmer and city-nature enthusiast, but also, because it tranports this 1990ies feeling of Berlin into the present. Berlin is a city where these “lost” voids used to play a very important role. You might think that making use of this river arm would eliminate one of the last voids in the city centere – but then again, if i understand it correctly, it will not be privatized. A free swimming pool would capture this 90ies feeling perfectly. It would be the “fulfilment” of that spirit, maybe. Another aspect is, that not only we people would benefit from the clean water but surely a lot of animals, too…let’s preserve the city wildife 😉

Reply
Author: CLAUDI April 10, 2017 at 11:59 am

Oh yes Lutz, you totally captured what the Flussbad is all about. It will be completely freely accessible, and a huge asset for natural life coming back into a rather static part of our city. See you at the Flussbad Pokal then 😉 ?

Reply
Travel Zoom July 14, 2018 at 3:31 pm

Great blog !!

Reply

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