“Heute schreiben wir Geschichte!”

Exploring St. Pauli through the lens of football and the analytical concept Paulitics

Abstract

This article builds on findings from the Frascati funded project, “Pedagogy in Civil Society Contexts.” Through unstructured conversations, semi-structured interviews, and field walks with local social workers and individuals at FC St. Pauli, we explore the St. Pauli area in Hamburg. We argue that the place and people of St. Pauli embody unique values, ideas, and norms, collectively termed “Paulitics.”

The first half of the article provides an ethnographic account of a match day between HSV and St. Pauli, highlighting the emotional aftermath and the roles of social workers. The second half zooms out to focus on the people, values, and area of St. Pauli, emphasizing the ever-present nature of the football club’s inclusive and anti-authority belief system.