The German seaside resort town of Heringsdorf has unanimously approved plans to honor its late honorary citizen Lothar Löhr, better known as Clown Lolo, with a life-sized bronze sculpture. The monument will be placed near the Ahlbeck Pier, the exact spot where the beloved entertainer performed his magic tricks for decades.

Mayor Laura Isabelle Marisken announced that the municipal committee has given full approval for the bronze sculpture project. "We have unanimously decided to erect a bronze sculpture in honor of our honorary citizen Lothar Löhr in the outdoor area at the pier - right where he always stood," Marisken stated. The sculpture will capture Lolo's most famous performance, the legendary Saturn trick, in which balls fly through rings, mesmerizing audiences of all ages.

The town is investing approximately 50,000 euros from municipal funds into this special tribute project. "Clown Lolo should remain visible in our townscape in his cheerful and humorous way," emphasized Mayor Marisken. The sculpture aims to preserve the memory of a man who brought joy to countless visitors and locals throughout his long career.

Currently, an anonymous competition process is underway to select the final design. Artists are submitting scale models at a 1:10 ratio, which will be evaluated by a jury before the actual bronze sculpture is created and installed. Once completed, the statue will serve as a permanent reminder of the entertainer's contributions to the community.

For Lolo's family, the announcement represents an overwhelming moment of recognition. His daughter, Marietta Behrendt, expressed her emotions upon learning of the tribute: "This is absolutely incredible. I am overwhelmed by the community's commitment. Yes, my father deserved this." For the past three years, Behrendt has been honoring her father's memory with annual shows on the Ahlbeck Promenade, and the 2026 event could potentially coincide with the sculpture's unveiling.

Behrendt has been supported in these memorial performances by East German pop singer Uwe Jensen since last year, along with backing from the municipality and the Kaiserbäder municipal enterprise. These events have helped keep alive the spirit and memory of the man who became synonymous with joy and entertainment in the seaside resort.

Lothar Löhr's remarkable journey began in 1929 when he was born in Swinemünde. His path to becoming a beloved entertainer started early - he began juggling at just 13 years old, initially using potatoes because actual juggling balls were scarce during wartime. His trademark sunflower became his constant companion throughout his performances well into his advanced years.

Lolo lived by a distinctive life motto that perfectly captured his spirit: "Have sunshine in your heart and cotton in your ears, a dirty collar, but always humor." This philosophy guided him through decades of bringing smiles to faces along the Baltic Sea coast, where he became known not just as a juggler, but as a magician, clown, and even as "Jonny, the singing sailor."

The beloved entertainer passed away on March 31, 2021, at the age of 91. In his final years, he resided at the Ahlbeck Pommernresidenz, but remained a familiar and cherished figure on the promenade. Both locals and tourists knew him as an ambassador of joy, whose presence could instantly brighten any day along the scenic waterfront.

The planned bronze sculpture represents more than just a monument - it symbolizes the community's deep appreciation for someone who dedicated his life to bringing happiness to others. When completed, visitors to the Ahlbeck Pier will be able to witness Lolo's Saturn trick frozen in time, ensuring that his legacy of laughter and wonder continues for future generations to discover and enjoy.