A beloved statue of “Die Maus,” the iconic animated mouse and mascot for German public broadcaster WDR’s children’s programming, was vandalized by fire early Saturday morning in Cologne.
The incident, which saw the statue’s face and arm blackened by flames, has been reported to the police. WDR confirmed that a complaint has been filed against an unidentified individual responsible for the act.
The “Die sendung mit der Maus” (The Show with the Mouse) has been a staple of German television since its debut in 1971,captivating generations of children with its educational and entertaining short segments. The character, instantly recognizable by its orange body and brown ears, arms, and legs, serves as a cheerful greeter outside a WDR media building in Cologne.
Matthias Körnich,head of children’s programming at WDR,expressed his dismay,stating,”A piece of childhood,a symbol of joy and togetherness has been attacked. The mouse belongs to Cologne.” The damage to the statue represents more than just a physical loss; its an attack on a cherished cultural symbol.
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