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Photographic perspectives on water sports and politics

Wie machen Fotografien die Verschränkung von Sport und Politik sichtbar?

Deutsches Meisterschaftsrudern in Grünau, 1957 Foto: Manfred Malinowski – Deutsches Meisterschaftsrudern in Grünau, 1957Foto: Manfred Malinowski© Sportmuseum Berlin/Bildarchiv Manfred Malinowski

How do photographs make the intertwining of sport and politics visible? We are exploring this question in our exhibition using the example of the history of water sports on the traditional regatta course in Berlin-Grünau. The photos not only show athletes and their triumphs. Rather, the photos document the close connection between sport and politics, be it the imperial splendor of the regattas in Germany or controlled published press photographs and collector's pictures in the Nazi era. Private photographs in the Weimar Republic, on the other hand, reflect processes of democratization and emancipation.

Using a selection of sporting events, photographs and photographers as examples, these different aspects are shown and at the same time provide an insight into the comprehensive photo collection of the Sportmuseum Berlin.

Translated with DeepL

Runtime: from June 2026

Takes place here:

• Wassersportmuseum Grünau