Goal!

Harald Hauswald

fans football Hauswald

Un mot sur l'oeuvre

(HHAU003)
This image is from a long-term project by Harald Hauswald on FC Union, an East Berlin football club. Originally Harald responded to an assignment from a West German magazine wanting to show the state of hooliganism in East Germany. His encounter with supporters of Union Berlin FC marked the beginning of the adventure. Harald never left them again and followed them regularly for more than twenty-five years, telling the story of Germany through them.
2008, « Wuhlheide » stadium in Berlin, the other name for the Alte Fosterei, Union’s stadium : the public shows their delight after Union scores a goal against Erfurt, a former East German club who are now in the 3rd division.

Le témoignage d'Harald Hauswald

Since the beginning of this century, things have calmed down : the hooligans, Union’s most radical fans, have disappeared or aged and the atmosphere in the stadium is joyful and very family-orientated.
That day, however, it was the calm before the storm. Soon after this moment, for no apparent reason, the police swarmed the stands reserved for Erfurt fans and started bludgeoning their radical supporters.

Le choix de Jean-Denis

This out-of-the-ordinary image grabs your attention. It’s a situation that is slightly disturbing – how far will that young father go to express his joy (« surely he’s not going to throw the kid ?! »…), but very quickly you are won over by its happiness and passion. In fact, you worry a little but not really. This image is a playful nod, a fantastic moment caught by Harald who is always full of empathy and fondness for the heros in his photos. As usual, and he does this often, Harald is behind his subject in order to remain invisible, to not intervene in reality but simply capture it and keep the natural feel of this totally surreal situation.