Otto Waalkes’ Ottifanten bus is now inviting tourists on city tours in Hamburg. The comedian was also present on the maiden voyage.
Hamburg has one more attraction: From now on, the Ottifanten bus will transport tourists and fans of the comedian and musician Otto Waalkes (75) on city tours through the German Hanseatic city. On Thursday, June 6, the red double-decker bus was inaugurated by Waalkes himself at the Landungsbrücken. The East Frisian native is very proud of his Ottifanten vehicle.
Kissing Ottifants and keychains for fans
The 75-year-old insisted on getting behind the wheel himself for the free maiden voyage of the Ottifanten bus. Beforehand, however, the musician and comedian handed out plush Ottifanten keychains to the guests as they boarded.
A shows Hamburg’s newest attraction from all sides: On the bus there are various motifs of Waalkes’ trademark, including an Ottifant with yellow rain gear, two Ottifants kissing and the oversized rear view of an Ottifant, which is sure to make some people smile.
The fact that his trademark is now “suddenly so present” in Hamburg fills Waalkes with “a great deal of pride”, he says.
Ottifanten cult since 1973
The comic-style Ottifanten drawn by the Hamburg native first appeared on a record cover in 1973 and achieved cult status over the years. In the 1993 animated series “Otto’s Ottifanten”, the Emden-born musician and comedian lent his voice to the little elephant Baby Bruno.
The cartoon elephants are also omnipresent in Waalke’s stage shows and numerous merchandising items. Waalke’s hometown of Emden has even dedicated a statue to the elephant.
Source: Stern
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