The Giraffe Sculpture, an imposing bronze creation by Hans Henning, stands proudly in Frankfurt (Oder)’s Thomas-Münzer-Hof, near the Kleistpark. It’s a sight that instantly draws the eye, its long neck reaching skyward, as if yearning for a glimpse of the world beyond the bustling streets below. The sculpture, a testament to the artistic spirit of the city, has a captivating story that unfolds like the pages of a city’s history book. The sculpture is more than just a work of art; it is a symbol of resilience and renewal. In the 1980s, vandalism stripped the sculpture of its head, leaving only the headless mother staring blankly into the void. The headless bronze was left in the city’s storage, while her offspring remained in the courtyard. The sculpture was seen as a symbol of hardship and neglect. But with the passage of time, the city revived the artwork, much like a phoenix rises from the ashes. The sculpture was restored, its head was re-attached.
The Giraffe Sculpture now stands tall amidst the modern architecture, a reminder of the city’s past and its enduring spirit. You can almost imagine the mother giraffe gazing at her offspring, a symbol of hope and the beauty of life that endures through the darkest of chapters.
Stadion der Freundschaft
But the current state of the stadium is a sad reminder of the passage of time. Its original floodlights and