Sculptures don’t always have to be huge and big, and if you look a little closer in Brandenburg an der Havel, you can discover what are probably the cutest sculptures. The life-size forest pug can be found in various places around the city and reminds us of Loriot, a native of Brandenburg.
About the wild forest pug
Do you remember Loriot? Admittedly, it’s been a while since you could see his sketches on television and laugh tears. In 1972, the forest pug was shown in a sketch for the first time. In the TV series Cartoon, the sketch „Tierstunde – Der wilde Waldmops“ (“Animal Hour – The Wild Forest Pug”) by Loriot was shown.

The content of the sketch is about breeding the pug.
In earlier years, the Pug was still large and stately, rather elk-like, and was “bred down” to a breed and lap dog. Only in this way was it possible to safely place a stately 14-pounder on the laps of elderly ladies.
In German forests, however, you can still find the shy forest pug. It has short, strong antlers and a curly tail. In its hunting ground, the forest pug causes severe damage to the animal and plant world.
Although the sketch was already heavily criticised at the time, for me it is one of Loriot’s most beautiful and creative sketches.

The forest pug in Brandenburg an der Havel
Victor von Bülow, also known as Loriot, was born in Brandenburg an der Havel in 1923. He established a foundation here and is one of the city’s honorary citizens.
For the Federal Garden Show 2015, they wanted to create the forest pug Centre in his honour. The art project initially comprised 8 sculptures that were placed throughout the city centre. The popularity of the figures was quickly recognised and more sculptures were commissioned. There are currently more than 20 sculptures in the city and more are planned.

We went in search of the forest pugs in the city. Sure, we could have got a “forest pug territory map” at the tourist information or taken part in one of the forest pug tours. But that would be unsporting for a “big animal hunt”. We haven’t found all the forest pugs yet, but we were able to spot a few.

The small figures, about 50 cm high, sit, lie or stand where you wouldn’t expect them. In the middle of a small meadow, on a staircase or on the pavement – so keep your eyes open!

I fell in love with the woodland pugs at first sight. The figures are simply wonderfully designed and seem very lifelike. Anyone who looks into the eyes of the forest pugs can very well understand Loriot’s saying: “A life without a pug is possible. But pointless!”

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