Was this fountain always called Freundschaftsbrunnen? No. What we see here, this unique structure of five concrete pillars with cascading water platforms, was originally named “Weltfestspielblume,” the World Festival Flower. It was designed by Heinz D übel, Gorch Wenske, and Eberhard Bachmann for a grand occasion – the 10th World Festival of Youth and Students held in East Berlin in 1973. The fountain’s design, a five-petaled flower, echoes the festival’s logo, symbolizing the unity of five continents. This wasn’t just art; it was a political statement, reflecting the ideals of the German Democratic Republic. During the redesign of Freundschaftsinsel in 1999-2000, the fountain found a new home between the playground and the open-air stage, renamed Freundschaftsbrunnen. It underwent some changes The red hue of the concrete is fading, the brass piping is gone, replaced by steel, and the original cascading water feature is simplified. Yet, the Freundschaftsbrunnen still stands as a reminder of a bygone era. It’s a tangible link to the ideals and aesthetics of the German Democratic Republic, standing in quiet contrast to the historical grandeur of Potsdam.
Haus Tanne
What secrets does Haus Tanne hold? We stand before a remarkable red brick structure on Hermannswerder in Potsdam. Haus Tanne,