Statues - Hither & Thither

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Wesel
(Stadt Wesel)
Kr. Wesel
Nordrhein-Westfalen

Berliner-Tor-Platz

Esel von Wesel

Donkey of Wesel

Bonifatius Stirnberg
1994

Description

Sculpture of a donkey with moveable jaw, ears, and tail.

The donkey is a symbol of the city of Wesel. It originated from the fact that the town name rhymes to the German word for donkey: 'Esel'. A famous insulting call, at an echo pit or other places where a clear echo is heard is in German: "Wie heißt der Bürgermeister von Wesel?" (What is the name of the mayor of Wesel?) and the echo answers "Esel." (Donkey. - in translation the joke doesn't exist!)

Information Sign

gestiftet von der
verbands-sparkasse wesel
august 1994

Geschaffen von Bonif. Stirnberg

Sculptor

Bonifatius Stirnberg (Freienohl 1933), German sculptor, famous for his fountains where the figures can be adjusted and moved (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Wikipedia, Liste von Kunstwerken im öffentlichen Raum in Wesel.
Wikipedia, Esel von Wesel.
WAZ, 2 Oct. 2020, Kunst am Niederrhein: Wiesel statt Esel von Wesel.

Locatie (N 51°39'25" - E 6°37'20") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: denw1052; Photograph: 2 August 2022
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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