Interviews and Project Findings:
Leisure and Entertainment in Mülheim

"Most people had rarely any free time at all. Everyone worked six days a week and had only the Sundays for themselves. Because the TV was very expensive the family couldn't afford that. That's why some went to the cinema in their free time - of course only sometimes. Also the pubs were full of people."


"If you wanted entertainment you had to entertain yourself. Most families had no TV, but often a radio. The people often went to the cinema or played or watched football at the football ground. Some people went to dancing lessons. At the weekend the people often played cards or other games with their family."


"Because of the long working hours, there wasn't a lot of spare time. Women's societies, men's societies, choirs, handiwork, breeding animals and sports were very popular. Occasionally you went to the cinema, and on Sundays most people went to church."


"Q: What kinds of entertainment were there, and how did you spend your free time?
A: We seldom went to the pictures; instead, we listened to the radio. In 1954 there was no TV. We also went bowling sometimes, but unfortunely there wasn't a lot of spare time."


"Entertainment hasn't changed much, but today it is more open and more permissive. Moral boundaries have shifted. In the old days, spare time was limited. You went to dance halls, the pub, a café, to the pictures, or y<ou joined a local club or society. Holidays abroad were a privilege; visiting relatives was more common."