Benjamin Blümchen

by Jason Birchmeier
The anthropomorphic elephant Benjamin Blümchen is the main character in a long-running series of hörspiele (i.e., a uniquely German art form comprised of story-telling, music, and sound effects) and animated films intended for children. Blümchen, who lives in the Neustädter Zoo, is well known for his "törööö!" catch phrase; Otto Abenteuer, a sensible ten-year-old boy, is his best friend; and Stella Stellini, Otto's smart classmate, is another close friend of the elephant. Countless Benjamin Blümchen CDs and cassettes were released in Germany over the years. Feier mit Törööö! (2007), a party-themed collection, was one of the most popular, though the series stretches all the way back to 1977, when it began with Benjamin Blümchen als Wetterelefant.