Protest Dancing

Freiburg's new university library remains in the news. At the end of last year, an entrance door to the cafeteria that wheelchair users could not pass through was changed from an architecturally inclined (following the building's glass surface) to a standard vertical one, causing an outcry from the architect.

Flooding due to an intentionally clogged toilet on a Sunday earlier this year caused considerable damage to ceilings and floors. Presently, rumors are circulating.

The situation concerning bicycle parking around the library has become dramatic. Although the area in front of the library is vast, Red Baron has to navigate around bicycles blocking the footpath during the day. When the new boulevard opens in 2018, the new "old" university campus will also take shape. Until then, the bicycle parking situation must be solved.

Just opposite the library at the corner of Werthmannstraße/Rempartstraße, a fountain has not seen water for years. Some years ago, due to financial constraints, the city of Freiburg reduced the number of municipal fountains. Following a public outcry, a couple of firms and institutions took over the patronage of many of those abandoned fountains, sponsoring water supply and maintenance. However, the one between the university library and the university canteen remained dry, possibly due to ongoing construction in the area.

In looking for an additional bicycle storage area, the city considers the waterless fountain's surface unofficially used by a self-organized dancing scene, for it takes two to tango. In protest against the city's plans, the dancers organized an around-the-clock dance last Saturday. The protest dancing is documented in the following photo.

The university library and municipal theater are seen in the background (©Der Sonntag/Rothermel)

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