Controversial honor: Brocken-Benno's monument provides family dispute

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in the Harz, where the chunk attracts hikers as the highest summit, a sculpture carved into wood has sparked a heated debate. This sculpture should be dedicated to the passionate hiker Benno Schmidt, also known as Brocken-Benno. Schmidt, who climbed the summit over 9,000 times, was widely respected and admired by his tireless dedication and enthusiasm for nature. After his death in December 2022, friends and family planned to put a monument to him that should honor his life.

The project was clear: a work of art should be created that is reminiscent of Brocken-Benno's achievements. Wolfgang Bonke, a local wood sculptor from Blankenburg, had selected the artist Michael Tamoszus to take on this task. Tamoszus is known for its impressive woodwork, and a monument was hoped for that would offer both hikers and locals a lasting memory of the passionate hikers. Harzer Hikingadel GmbH planned to set up the sculpture in the Brockenmuseum.

The result and the reactions of the family

When the sculpture was finally presented, the unexpected was done: the family of Benno Schmidt was disappointed with the result. Susann Neuhaus, the daughter of Schmidt, expressed that she and her mother disagree with the artistic representation. "This wooden sculpture has no similarity to my father at all," said Neuhaus's disappointed comment. These emotional words show the pain and sadness of the relatives - they wanted something completely different.

The rejection of the family's sculpture had significant consequences. They decided against an award in the museum, which was originally intended as a location. Instead, the sculpture is now placed in another place, the Hohegeiß mountain residence near Blankenburg. The operators and residents of this facility were pleased with the monument and are proud to preserve the memory of Brocken-Benno in their own way.

The situation has made it clear how important the personal connection to a monument is for the relatives. In this case, the intention to set an honorable gesture was severely impaired by the lack of identification with the presentation. Art can be subjective and what is considered a anniversary can seem painfully wrong for the other. The case of Brocken-Benno thus raises the question of how recognition and honor should be designed in public space in order to be respectful for the wishes of the bereaved.

The discussion about the monument and the intention behind it is another example of how deep personal ties work and how art can combine and split. Even if the monument is now in a new place, the feelings of the family and public perception will continue to resonate. The chunk remains a symbol of nature and challenge, and the history of Brocken-Benno does not lose importance-rather it is now being carried on in a different way.