The first stories about the adventures of the cheerful baron appeared at the end of the 18th century. Their creator, Erich Rudolf Raspe, either heard funny stories in the company of neighbors, or read something similar in one of the magazines. This has remained unknown. But the character described by him, his cheerful character, his ability to fantasize fell in love with readers all over the world so much that people began to erect monuments to Baron Munchausen, shoot films and cartoons about him, and draw comics.
Real baron
Raspe in his stories gave his hero, a dreamer and a liar, the name of a real compatriot. This happened by accident or intentionally, still can not be said with confidence. The German, Karl Friedrich Jerome, Baron von Munchausen lived from 1720 to 1797. in bodenwerder. Rather, he was born and lived life in this city. Consisting of the Duke Ferdinand Albrecht, he traveled a lot, participated in the Turkish campaign, lived for some time in Russia.
After returning to Bodenwerder, he told his neighbors extraordinary stories about his adventures in our country. A graduated and truthful person, starting the story, forgetting about decency, gave out fiction as pure truth. His eyes were burning, gestures became wide, a smile never left his face. His innocuous weakness: wishful thinking, amused and others.
When the first publications of Raspe appeared in print, Baron's acquaintances had no doubt that he was the prototype of the protagonist.
Monument to the Baron in Kaliningrad
In 2005, a gift was given to Kaliningraders for the 750th anniversary of the city. A monument to Baron Munchausen appeared in Central Park. In Kaliningrad, this is the first sign of memory after the war that immortalized the German. The present came from Bodenwerder, and with it the accompanying persons, fellow countrymen of the Baron. The author of the composition is Georg Petau, master of art forging.
The monument is very unusual. The contour of Munchausen flying on the core is cut out on a vertical metal sheet. On one side of the pedestal is the name of Koenigsberg, and on the other, Kaliningrad. Obviously, the inhabitants of the city do not forget about the German roots of the city and the cheerful dreamer.
The initiator of the installation of the monument to Baron Munchausen was the organization "Grandchildren Munchausen", which has been working in the city for several years. They maintain friendly relations with the fellow countrymen of their hero, and they presented a funny and useful gift. Its benefit is that few park visitors can deny the pleasure of sitting down at the core and flying with Munchausen, even if only in dreams.
Monument in Moscow
The sculptor A. Yu. Orlov worked on the image of this baron. The monument to Baron Munchausen in Moscow was erected in 2004 on Yartsevskaya Street near the Molodezhnaya metro station.
The baron is made in the height of an adult, therefore, despite the fantastic events (the baron pulls the horse and himself by the pigtail out of the swamp), you perceive his figure quite realistically. On the wall of the building are posted quotes of his sayings, which have become independent colloquial expressions. "And my hand, thank God, is strong, head, glory to God, thinking …" This is one of many.
It is not known who and when comes up with the tradition of rubbing park sculptures in anticipation of happiness. Probably the grandchildren of the baron. But his nose sparkles almost from the first days of the installation of the monument to Baron Munchausen on Molodezhnaya. True, the neighboring sculpture, Khoja Nasreddin with a donkey, glistens donkey ears. Both figures are set according to the Moscow program "Folk Heroes in Sculptural Compositions."
