KiKA Figures in Erfurt
On 1 January 1997, the well-known german children's television channel KiKA went on air for the first time. It brought together the most popular german children's series, such as "Die Sendung mit der Maus", "Sandmännchen", "Siebenstein" and "Tigerenten Club", which had previously been broadcast by MDR, WDR and ZDF. KiKA is based in Erfurt, so it's not surprising that you suddenly find yourself face to face with the Mouse and the Elephant on a leisurely stroll through the city, sit down next to the Sandman for an ice cream or take a selfie with Pittiplatsch in front of the Merchants' Bridge.
There are currently 17 figures placed in 13 different locations all over the city.
Maus und Elefant (Mouse and Elephant)
In an entertaining way, the mouse and the elephant answer tricky everyday questions and present more complex issues in a child-friendly way.
With anecdotes and interesting facts from all over the world, the mouse and elephant score points with all age groups and captivate around two million viewers every Sunday morning.
Right in the heart of the city, on Erfurt's Anger square, the mouse and the elephant are waiting for your visit.
Das Sandmännchen (Sandman)
Every evening, the Sandman not only tells children a bedtime story before they go to sleep, he also invites them on a journey into the world of dreams. With funny, exciting and sometimes curious stories with and about the popular Sandman, it is impossible to imagine German (children's) television without him after more than 50 years of television presence.
Who doesn't dream of saying goodnight to the Sandman himself? Do so in the Kreuzgasse, directly behind the Merchants' Bridge.
Bernd das Brot (Bernd the Bread)
With his 23 crumbs, arms that are far too short and typically self-deprecating manner, "Bernd das Brot" is one of the most popular characters on the children's channel.
With his friends "Chilli the Sheep" and "Briegel the Bush", he not only goes on exciting adventures, but also always endeavours to clear up any mess. Bernd always remains true to his love of uniformity, monotony and silence, because he knows that what can go wrong usually goes wrong for him.
You can visit "Bernd das Brot" next to the town hall, between the fish market and Benediktsplatz.
Bernd das Brot am Rathaus
Käpt'n Blaubär (Captain Bluebear)
Back in 1991, the most popular (tall) tales teller, Captain Bluebear, made his way onto German children's television. With his exciting stories, which he invents for his grandchildren, he takes young and old alike not only into a world full of sailor's yarns, but also to foreign countries and exotic worlds.
Nowhere does a sailor feel more at home than on the water and so you will find Captain Bluebear and his faithful companion Hein Blöd in the middle of the Gera, right in front of the Schlösserbrücke.
Pittiplatsch
The little goblin Pittiplatsch, also affectionately known as Pitti, has been a regular guest on the Sandman at 7.00 pm since 1962. Spherical and chocolate-brown, with a special love for his chequered slippers, Pitti has the craziest adventures with his friends Schnatterinchen and Moppi. Curious, funny and sometimes sulky, the goblin sweetens the evening greeting and has been promising children for many years: "Pitti gaaaanz liiieb!" (Pitti very dear!)
Pittiplatsch is waiting "gaaaanz liiieb" (very dear) for you on the Rathausbrücke, right next to the Merchants' Bridge.
KiKANiNCHEN (KiKA Rabbit)
Since 2009, the blue KiKaNinchen has been entertaining young viewers with the preschool programme: various films are presented by the lovable bunny and at the same time it tells its own stories in many short sequences. Children are encouraged to be amazed and, above all, to sing along with the built-in hands-on activities: "Dibedibedab!"
Ready for fun and games at all times, the blue KiKaNinchen is waiting for you at the playground behind the Merchants' Bridge
Moppi & Schnatterinchen
What's that quacking and barking behind the Merchants' Bridge?
The know-it-all duck Schnatterinchen is always friendly and helpful to her friends. Moppi is a good-natured dog with a sense of cosiness, but he can also get a little rough.
You can visit the two of them behind the Merchants' Bridge by the river.
[Translate to English:] Herr Fuchs & Frau Elster auf dem Theaterplatz
Herr Fuchs & Frau Elster (Mr Fox & Mrs Magpie)
The eloquent Mrs Magpie and the sometimes grumpy Mr Fox have always been neighbours and, despite their long-standing friendship, are not on first name terms. The two bring an unmistakable mixture of cordiality and distance to every adventure, bickering incessantly and yet always being there for each other.
Even today, the two still bicker lovingly, which regularly makes children beam with joy on "Unser Sandmännchen".
Just for you, Mr Fox has crawled out of his den and Mrs Magpie out of her nest and so they are eagerly awaiting your visit on the theatre square behind the Cathedral of St. Mary.
Fidi
The cute bat Fidi occasionally flutters into the KiKA tree house and hangs from branches in bat fashion. Fidi is - unusually for a bat - active during the day. The day is so much more exciting for her than the night and because she is so extremely curious, she definitely doesn't want to sleep through it.
Fidi loves to twist words and letters. Accordingly, her classic farewell is "auf Fidisehen!" (Pun on the German farewell "Auf Wiedersehen" - Goodbye)
Where could Fidi feel more at home than on the Petersberg Citadel? From here you can enjoy a fantastic view of Erfurt's old town together!
[Translate to English:] Fledermaus Fidi auf der Zitadelle Petersberg
Die Tigerente am Fischmarkt
Tigerente (Tiger Duck)
The popular Tigerente (tiger duck) had her first adventure back in 1978, when she set off with Bear and Tiger in search of Panama. Günter Kastenfrosch (box frog) is also part of her numerous adventures.
In their own show, the TigerentenClub, things are also usually adventurous: there is singing, quizzing, playing, guessing and, of course, exciting stories. There are always interesting guests such as actors, musicians, sportspeople and, of course, adventurers!
The striped tiger duck is located in Predigerstraße, behind the fish market. She is looking forward to visitors and, of course, the next adventure.
Tabaluga
As crown prince of Greenland, the lively dragon Tabaluga always has his hands full. He bravely defends his country against the bad guys in a variety of adventures and has fun and exciting experiences with his friends along the way.
Where could Tabaluga feel more at home than in the green Hirschgarten, next to the Thuringian State Chancellery, where he is sure to be delighted to receive a visit.
Tabaluga am Hirschgarten
Rabe Rudi mit seinem sprechendem Koffer
Rabe Rudi (Raven Rudi)
Rabe Rudi, the know-it-all Koffer (suitcase) and the lovable junk shop owner Siebenstein have been whisking viewers away to interesting stories about all kinds of objects that can be found in a junk shop since 1988. Rudi, the linguistic contortionist and misunderstander, provides a lot of laughs with his funny comments and mix-ups - except for Koffer, who is a know-it-all through and through!
Raven Rudi and Koffer are waiting for adventures from all over the world at Erfurt/Weimar Airport, where you are welcome to visit them.
Der Goldene Spatz (The Golden Sparrow)
As the largest festival of its kind, the children's media festival "Goldener Spatz" has been offering a platform for representatives from film and television, media experts, journalists as well as educators and politicians in Erfurt since 2003. The focus is on children's film and television productions as well as online offerings for children. A wide variety of cinema, television and animated films, documentaries as well as information and entertainment programmes such as websites and online games are presented in the cinema.
A special feature of the Children's Media Festival is that a total of three children's juries view and evaluate the film material and award prizes in various categories.
Nowhere does the Golden Sparrow feel more at home than in the cinema. That's why it stands in front of the the F1 shopping centre and draws attention to the popular Children's Media Festival.
