The Bremen Town Musicians

The Bremen Town Musicians is a Monument – to the heroes of the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm – standing in the very center of old Riga. As you know, the heroes of the tale – a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster – go to Bremen to become musicians, but along the way they encounter robbers who are frightened by their singing, standing on top of each other. The robbers run away in fear, and the musicians remain to live in their house.

The first monument to Bremen Town Musicians was created by German sculptor Gerhard Marx in 1951 for the city of Bremen. The bronze sculpture represents the main characters of the tale, standing on top of each other and singing a song. The monument has become a symbol of the city.

Based on the sculpture, the sculptor Krist Baumgartel created a similar, but original monument in 1990. Bremen, twin of Riga, presented this monument to the capital of Latvia. The twin cities of Bremen and Riga are rightfully bishop Albert Buxheveden, the founder of Riga was a relative of the Bremen Archbishop. It is also believed that the German merchants who first landed at the mouth of the Daugava in the 11th century were from Bremen (although no documentary evidence was found for the legend).

The monument became one of the sightseeing sites of Riga. And not only children are eager to take pictures with memory of Bremen musicians. Today the donkey’s nose – and the donkey stands at the very bottom of the composition, has become noticeably lighter, because touching it is considered a good omen. There is an opportunity to realize three more desires, to rub the noses of other animals. The most secret desire is fulfilled by a rooster, which is most difficult to reach.