Did you spot the shiny bronze? That gleam comes from many hands rubbing the donkey’s legs at the Bremen Town Musicians statue. This isn’t just some random act. It is a Bremen tradition that supposedly brings good luck.
We are standing before the Seelöwen Statue. It is not the Town Musicians. These are different landmarks in Bremen. The Seelöwen Statue might not grant wishes. It certainly has its own tale to tell.
The Bremen Town Musicians statue is a bronze sculpture. Gerhard Marcks created it in 1953. It depicts a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster stacked on top of each other. This statue pays tribute to the Brothers Grimm fairytale. The story tells of four aging animals seeking a better life in Bremen.
You will find the Bremen Town Musicians statue on the town hall’s western side. Follow Schoppensteel street from the Church of Our Lady toward Domshof. You can’t miss it.
Touching the donkey’s legs brings good luck. Be sure to use both hands. Using only one hand marks you as a Bremen newcomer. Locals say rubbing with one hand means one donkey shaking another’s hand.
The tale of the Bremen Town Musicians has captivated children worldwide. The animals seek a secure future in Bremen. This hope has drawn people to Bremen. They come from Germany and around the world. Bremen embraces immigration as a cosmopolitan Hanseatic city. The city has an active welcoming culture.
The Brothers Grimm published the tale in 1819. Their source was the German storyteller Dorothea Viehmann.
The animals leave their homes. They decide to go to Bremen. Bremen was known for its freedom. They wanted to live without owners. The animals aimed to become musicians. They believed they could find something better than death anywhere.
On their way, they see a cottage with lights. Robbers are inside enjoying stolen goods. The animals stand on each other’s backs. They make a din to scare the robbers. The men run away. The animals take over the house. They eat well. They settle in for the night.
Later, the robbers return. One goes to check the cottage. He sees the cat’s eyes glowing. He thinks they are coals. The cat scratches his face. The dog bites his leg. The donkey kicks him. The rooster crows and chases him out.
The robber tells his friends about a horrible witch. She scratched him. A dwarf with a knife attacked him. A black monster hit him with a club. Worst of all, a judge called from the roof. The robbers leave the cottage to the strange creatures. The animals live there happily ever after.
Many adaptations exist including animated pictures, motion pictures, theatre plays, and operas. Statues modeled after the Town Musicians now stand at German veterinary schools. Another replica is in Milwaukee’s Lynden Sculpture Garden.
The sculpture in Bremen marks the start of the German Fairy Tale Route. This route celebrates Germany’s fairy tale heritage. It begins in Hanau and ends in Bremen.
So, while the Seelöwen Statue stands silently. The nearby Bremen Town Musicians statue is a constant reminder of a beloved fairy tale. The story speaks of hope, courage, and the promise of a better life in Bremen.