The first stories about the adventures of the resilient 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 remained unknown. But the character he described, his resilient disposition, his ability to fantasize, fell in love with readers all over the world so much that people began to erect monuments to Baron Munchausen, make 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-life compatriot. It happened by accident or intentionally, so far it is impossible to say with certainty. German, Karl Friedrich Jerome Baron von Munchausen lived from 1720 to 1797. in Bodenwerder. Rather, he was born and lived out his life in this city. In the service of Duke Ferdinand Albrecht, hetraveled, 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 sedate and truthful person, starting the story, forgetting about decency, passed off fiction as pure truth. At the same time, his eyes burned, his gestures became wide, the smile did not leave his face. His harmless weakness: wishful thinking made everyone around him happy.
When Raspe's first publications appeared in print, the 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 made to the people of Kaliningrad 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 a German. The gift came from Bodenwerder, and with it the accompanying persons, fellow countrymen of the baron. The author of the composition is Georg Petau, master of artistic forging.
The monument is very unusual. On a vertical metal sheet, the contour of Munchausen flying on the core is carved. On one side of the pedestal is the name of Koenigsberg, and on the other - Kaliningrad. It is obvious that the inhabitants of the city should 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 of Munchausen", which has been working in the city for several years. They maintain friendly relations with the countrymen of their hero, and thosepresented a funny and useful gift. Its benefit is that few visitors to the park can deny themselves the pleasure of sitting on the core and flying with Munchausen, even if only in their 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, so despite the fantastic nature of the event (the Baron pulls his horse and himself by the pigtail out of the swamp), you perceive his figure quite realistically. Quotations of his sayings are hung on the wall of the building, which have become independent colloquial expressions. “But my hand, thank God, is strong, my head, thank God, is 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 baron's grandchildren. But his nose has been shining almost from the first days of the erection of the monument to Baron Munchausen on Molodyozhnaya. True, the neighboring sculpture, Khoja Nasreddin with a donkey, has donkey ears shining. Both figures were installed according to the Moscow program "Folk Heroes in Sculptural Compositions".
Munchausen in the movie
In 2004, a brilliant actor came to the opening of the monument to Baron Munchausen, who brought to life the image of a dreamer, a liar, a wonderful storyteller. Only Oleg Ivanovich Yankovsky added wisdom, romance and humanity to his hero. His Munchausen is the best of all createdever.
When he gave the opening speech at the opening of the monument to his hero, he poured quotes from the film, joked, and the holiday turned out to be very cheerful. There were people in 18th century outfits, ladies in colorful dresses with crinolines and hats, men in bowler hats.
And in the end, a quote from the role of Oleg Ivanovich: “Meet at midnight at the monument. To whom? Me!”.
