He is 78 years old. But Karl Heinz Wendorff is far from retiring for his SEZ. Over 40 years ago he was the in-house moderator of the sports and recreation center. Also for the legendary “Medicine according to Notes” program, which was broadcast from the GDR fun pool from 1985 to 1989. Now that the excavators have already wreaked havoc on the building, “Wendi” is back for his SEZ. In the fight against demolition, he returns as “Medicine by Grades” presenter.
Wendorff was many things: tractor fitter, sports and history teacher, DJ, TV presenter. Not to forget his sporting activities as a shot putter (6th place at the GDR championships in 1962) and as a handball goalkeeper at BSG Narva Berlin. Now there’s another job: Wendorff has also been a member of the citizens’ initiative that is fighting to preserve the SEZ in Berlin-Friedrichshain for over a year.
Karl Heinz Wendorff as presenter of the show “Medicine by Grades”private
When he visits the KURIER, he proudly shows the button that he always wears on his sports jacket. It says “SEZ for everyone”. That’s not just the name of the citizens’ initiative. That is also Wendorff’s fighting motto.
“During the GDR era, the SEZ was a meeting place for everyone, a unique sports and cultural venue,” he says. “People always like to talk about how gray it was in the East back then. But the SEZ, where you could swim, do gymnastics, play badminton or ice skate, go to the sauna or go to restaurants, was a colorful place in our lives.”
KURIER reporter Norbert Koch-Klaucke in conversation with “Medicine according to Grades” presenter Karl Heinz WendorffStefan Tappert
There has been no sign of it for 25 years. The Senate wanted to get rid of it and a private investor took over. The SEZ never regained its former glory. After an ongoing legal dispute, the GDR fun pool has belonged to the Senate again for a year.
“When I see what has become of the SEZ today, which is now going to be demolished to make way for new apartments, my heart starts to stumble,” says Wendorff.
“Medicine according to grades” presenter Karl Heinz Wendorff in front of the demolition excavator that was already ravaging the facade of the SEZ.Markus Waechter/Berliner KURIER
Things got really painful for him a week ago. Then the demolition excavator began its work of destruction on behalf of the Building Senator Christian Gaebler (SPD) and the WBM housing association. The first parts of the SEZ facade above the former ice rink were torn out. “The Polarium was one of the places in the SEZ where I worked as a presenter.”
Wendorff started there about a year after the SEZ opened in 1981. “Back then, as a disc jockey, I had previously done events at ice rinks or in swimming pools and gyms, and was part of the Pankow pancake run. Music and sport, that was popular, and I was supposed to do that at the SEZ too.”
Wendorff was brought into the house. The popular events such as the polar disco in the ice rink and the midnight swim in the fun pool were created. “The SEZ never let go of me. It became a part of my life.”
Karl Heinz Wendorff as presenter at a polar disco in the SEZ ice rink at Christmas time.private
When GDR television moved its fitness program “Medicine According to Grades” to the SEZ in 1985, Karl Heinz Wendorff was on stage as presenter. “This fitness program has been running since 1961, where you do gymnastic exercises according to instructions to music, mostly the sounds of the piano,” he says. “When the aerobics wave spread from the USA to Europe in the 80s, the show adapted to this trend, which in the GDR was called pop gymnastics.”
This is what it looked like when “Medicine by Grades” took place in the SEZ.private
Wendorff made his announcements and a pre-gymnast started with the exercises. Lots of young people from sports clubs took part in colorful costumes. This all took place in the mega gym on Landsberger Allee. “Passers-by stood outside at the large windows and pressed their noses against the windows when the programs were recorded on the weekend.”
Why demolish SEZ? “The ICC is also left standing!”
You can no longer see anything of the hall today. A construction fence blocks the view. You can’t go in anymore either. The SEZ is closed due to the planned demolition. He is outraged that this unique building, which is part of the Berlin cityscape, should disappear. “The Senate isn’t tearing down the ICC, even though the building has been empty for years,” says Wendorff.
The Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district stopped the demolition of the SEZ. For now. Because that doesn’t mean the GDR fun pool is saved. The stop is only temporary. “Everyone involved – the Senate, citizens’ initiatives, the people of Berlin – should use the time to find a solution on how the SEZ can be used in the future so that it becomes a popular meeting place for people in this city again,” says Wendorff.
In 2024, Karl Heinz Wendorff was at an SEZ demo and gave a small sample of his “Medicine according to grades” program.Rolf Zöllner/imago
And that’s why Wendorff is active again with his “Medicine by Grades” show. At the demonstration “Fire and Flame for the SEZ”, which will take place this Friday from 4 p.m. in front of the SEZ on the corner of Landsberger Allee and Danziger Straße.
The cult presenter will use “Medicine by Grades” to get the demo participants fit in the fight to preserve the SEZ. “Because not everything that once existed in the GDR has to disappear,” he says.
