Disappearance of Schmoutzi: on the Colmar market, visitors are amazed

Mélina Facchin (in Colmar), edited by Solène Leroux 2:19 p.m., April 19, 2022

REPORT

This weekend, the heart was not really at the party in Colmar, in Alsace.

Where did Schmoutzi go?

An Alsatian word which means "little kiss", and a name which was given to the giant rabbit of Flanders, stolen on Friday.

On the Easter market, the grief is shared among visitors, interviewed by Europe 1. If there are still hens and chicks to entertain the children in the aisles of the market, the Easter mascot, Schmoutzi, is missing. call.

He was kidnapped last weekend in the middle of the night, to everyone's surprise.

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Maybe "because of the crisis... A rabbit weighing eight to eight and a half kilos, that's a meal for how much?" Asks this passer-by, a little ironically.

"Or else he left to lay the eggs all over the place," he continues.

Another theory is raised, a little further: "Maybe it was to free him?" Asks a visitor.

"Maybe, but he's not used to being that poor rabbit in the wild," retorted another.

Two weeks living outside his environment

This is exactly what fears Marion Schneilin, the president of the association which deals with the animals of the Colmar market.

“We seriously believe that he may have a two-week chance of survival if we change his diet, he worries. “Honestly, we did not expect a degradation of society to the point to be stupid enough to steal the emblem of the Easter hare for the children in Colmar", continues Marion Schneilin. "For the well-being of the animal, let them bring it back to the town hall."

It's a couple who stole Schmoutzi, a priori a man and a woman.

They were filmed by the city's CCTV cameras and they are still being identified in Colmar.

In the meantime, the rabbit already has a replacement.

Her name is Ginette, she is less plump than the initial Colmar market mascot.