A new bronze sculpture honoring the historic origins of the Brockum Market as a horse trading center will be officially unveiled on the village square in Brockum, Germany. The memorial statue, featuring a horse and two traders, was made possible through generous donations from approximately 130 contributors and celebrates the market's roots as a traditional horse market.

Erika Schumacher and Ulrich Kortenbruck, the co-chairs of the Brockum Heritage and Beautification Association, are eagerly anticipating the monument's dedication ceremony. The sculpture will be positioned at the edge of the village square, directly adjacent to the current market grounds. To make space for the new memorial, the large Brockum Market stone that previously occupied the site has been relocated next to the market administration area.

The project has generated considerable excitement among the association's board members, though not due to the tight installation schedule. Rather, their anticipation stems from the fact that even the organizers haven't yet seen the completed bronze sculpture. "We haven't seen it yet," admits second chairman Ulrich Kortenbruck. The artwork was created by artist couple Leo and Renate Janischowsky from Steinfurt near Münster, who worked closely with the association's board to finalize the design. While the board has seen and approved the model used for casting the bronze figures, some suspense remains about how the final piece will look.

The monument project required significant financial investment, with total costs reaching nearly 60,000 euros according to Erika Schumacher. The Heritage Association could never have funded such an ambitious project alone without the support of numerous small and large donors, the chairwoman emphasizes. "We're also a bit proud that we could reach our goal," adds Ulrich Kortenbruck. Three major grants provided crucial foundation funding: the Weser-Hunte Regional Association contributed 10,000 euros, Kreissparkasse Diepholz bank provided 1,000 euros from their savings and lottery program proceeds, and Volksbank Lübbecker Land (now Volksbank Plus) donated 500 euros.

Approximately 130 donors contributed money or services to make the project successful, including 40 local businesses. Several exhibitors and vendors from the Brockum Market also participated in the fundraising effort, reports Erika Schumacher, while emphasizing that the project wouldn't have succeeded without numerous small donors. "We want to thank them explicitly," says Ulrich Kortenbruck. "We were very pleased that we could raise such a large sum in such a short time." The association launched its fundraising campaign in February 2024, and when it became clear by spring 2025 that sufficient funds had been raised, the final sculpture height was set at 1.4 meters.

Construction of the pedestal began once funding was secured, featuring integrated lighting and topped with a concrete base plate that was completed last week. Hidden within the pedestal is a time capsule containing information about the monument's background, a photograph of the craftsmen who built it, the names of the Heritage Association board members, and some small change. The exact location of the monument and the design of its surroundings were coordinated with the Municipality of Brockum, which owns the village square. An informational plaque will be installed next to the sculpture, providing a brief description of the historical background.

The dedication ceremony, open to donors and all interested community members, will begin on Sunday, August 31st at 2:00 PM, with the formal unveiling scheduled for 3:00 PM. "People should arrive early," recommends Ulrich Kortenbruck, as the board will provide detailed information about the monument's background following a brief welcome. Originally, August 31st was scheduled for the association's annual baking day at the Heritage House, but that event has been canceled this year. "We were so pleased that so many people supported and helped shape this monument. We wanted to honor that," explains the chairwoman's decision to celebrate directly at the monument site.

Despite the venue change, attendees won't miss out on traditional treats from the bakery, as cake will be served on the village square along with waffles, potato pancakes, bratwurst, and hot and cold beverages – providing plenty of reasons to spend time in pleasant company. Musical entertainment will be provided by the local men's choir, guitar group, and marching band, ensuring a festive atmosphere for this significant community milestone.