Suche
Mein Konto
Cologne mouse shines again after fire: symbol of hope reunited!
The Cologne mouse statue shines in new splendor after an arson attack. Repairs supported in solidarity by the population.
Cologne mouse shines again after fire: symbol of hope reunited!
The orange mouse statue in downtown Cologne has regained its radiant shine after a serious incident. How approx According to reports, the figure, which is a popular photo motif for many, was set on fire by unknown perpetrators at the end of July. The flames caused severe damage, but the mouse recovered thanks to many helping hands.
Encouraging well-wishes reached WDR after people found out what had happened to the statue. Small fans visited the damaged mouse and stuck plasters on the injured areas to protect the damage from rainwater. This idea helped make the repair work significantly easier. WDR presenter Christoph Biemann and Matthias Körnich, head of the children's program, emphasized the importance of these patches, while WDR director Katrin Vernau described the mouse as a symbol of knowledge, education and entertainment.
The early reaction from viewers shows how much people care about the statue. In a moving moment, Elisabeth from Cologne said that the mouse figure had now become a work of art that should be preserved. The incident was also an emotional shock for the little Cologne residents who saw the fire with their own eyes. Nothing goes unnoticed: Many children bring self-drawn pictures and letters to the WDR office to express their sympathy. WDR gatekeeper Udo Dietrich reported on the sadness of many children who were close to tears.
Art in public spaces
The mouse figure, which was inaugurated in 2021 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the “Sendung mit der Maus”, is more than just a work of art - it embodies part of Cologne's identity. Art in public spaces, such as was present in ancient times at large gatherings of citizens in the agora, has the task of recording historical and social topics and being accessible to everyone. Schader Foundation describes how works of art are often not perceived as a cultural debate, perhaps that is also a reason why the mouse has conquered so many hearts.
A creative project launched during the statue's absence is the virtual reality mouse, which is visible in the real environment using the cell phone camera. It turns out that the digital world is of great interest, especially among the youngest. However, this pandemic of creativity is no substitute for the physical presence of the mouse, which is now being repaired in a workshop near Hanover.
A large sticker on the WDR building serves as a temporary symbol of the statue's absence and is intended to remind attentive visitors that the mouse is coming back soon. Over the next two weeks, remaining work will be carried out on the figure in order to completely refresh it and return it safely to the hearts of the people of Cologne.