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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Kate Connolly in Berlin

German swimming lake criticised for ban on non-German speakers

People walk into the lake for the new year swim
The Heidesee new year swim in 2024. Critics say the ban on non-German speakers dresses up ‘a blanket entry barrier for entire population groups’ as a safety precaution. Photograph: Dpa Picture Alliance/Alamy

An open air swimming lake in the eastern German city of Halle which has refused entry to bathers who don’t speak German has been told it must lift the ban or face possible legal action.

The Heidesee, a lake in a flooded former open-cast mine, recently introduced a check at the entrance to filter out visitors whose German was deemed not good enough to follow safety instructions.

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