Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Would we see this in England?

Found on Berlin Daily Photo this morning, a picture of Das Pallasseum, a postwar block of flats in Berlin's working class Schoeneberg district adorned with all 32 flags of the participating countries in the World Cup, and especially large flags for those countries which have one. The only clue that there is a partisan element to this display, which includes the words "The Pallasseum greets the participants and guests of the World Cup 2006" is the large question mark under the German flag. Might Germany win in 2006?

Would we see have seen this if World Cup 2006 had been held in England? Perhaps on a public building (and then the accusation of political correctness would probably have been made), but not as part of a private initiative of a group of tenants/owners of a building. A short spiel about it can be found here, in German, for those able to read it.

6 Comments:

Blogger Martyn said...

That's an impressive display. Quite a few pubs have got a range of different flags flying on them in York I've noticed. I now I should have paid more attention in GCSE German then I would understand more than just the odd phrase in the article.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006  
Blogger Sam said...

It doesn't really say much about the flags, just that the residents have put up flags of the World Cup teams and also the countries where different residents are from.

The other few paras are about events being organised in the community to celebrate the opening ceremony as well as a local residents group and a Turkish-Kurdish women's group organising a coffee morning with their own baked specialities to look after the World Cup widows.

They're doing some lovely things, and like you say, Bondwoman - it wouldn't happen in Britain.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006  
Blogger Arthur Clewley said...

back in euro 96 flags of competing nations were seen all over and this summer my local pub has a string of international flags above the bar.

I think in your bit of britain the england flag would have to be left out for fear of being pulled down or the residents beaten up alas but this disaplay would doubtless occur elsewhere if we staged the world cup

Wednesday, June 21, 2006  
Blogger Martyn said...

There's quite a few flying in Edinburgh by all accounts Arthur. My Scottish mate in Inverness is backing England all the way and has a cross of St George flying from the flag pole in his garden from which usually flys the saltire so we musn't let ourselves jump to hasty conclusions ;-)


I was in Sheffield during Euro 96 where the Danes were based. The town was awash with Danish flags and everyone had a great time.

It's just football, most people realise that. A few nutters will always get it badly wrong, but then they're nutters.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006  
Blogger BondWoman said...

We saw quite a few Polish flags here in Edinburgh, but sadly that's one movement on the decline now.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006  
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Saturday, July 01, 2006  

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