Manfred Pohl, chairman of the Frankfurt Culture Committee, is confident that Ottmar Hörl's Euro sculpture can remain in its current location opposite the Municipal Theater.

A few weeks ago, Pohl announced that he would auction the sculpture because the association could no longer afford the maintenance costs.

After reporting on this, Pohl was able to hold talks with representatives of the European Central Bank and Councilwoman Eileen O'Sullivan (Volt), responsible for European affairs, at the Magistrate, among others.

Manfred Koehler

Head of department of the Rhein-Main editorial team of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

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Although Pohl cannot report any financial commitments, he is more optimistic than a few weeks ago about the future of the sculpture, he said on Tuesday.

According to him, around 200,000 euros a year are needed to maintain the sculpture.

It's about repairs, not least because of damage caused by vandalism, electricity costs and regular TÜV inspections, for which a lifting platform has to be organized twice a year.

Before the Corona crisis, he found enough donors to finance the costs, Pohl continues.

However, he keeps hearing from companies in particular that there is currently nothing that can be done in this regard due to the difficult economic situation.

The European Central Bank said on Tuesday that it would meet again with the Frankfurt Culture Committee after the summer break.

A "real cult"

A decision on financial support has not yet been made, but the central bank is interested in finding a solution.

Councilwoman O'Sullivan's office wrote that the sculpture symbolizes that Frankfurt is a European city.

She is "real cult".

In this respect, it would be approved if the sculpture were preserved, and the city was also willing to contribute a part.

But talks were still ongoing, it said.

Finally, the Hessian Ministry of Finance, which Pohl also contacted, said the state government was interested in preserving the euro symbol in Frankfurt.

“First of all, we see local actors as having a duty to preserve the euro symbol.

As soon as other players have found themselves for financing, we are happy to contribute a part.”

The sculpture was erected at the end of 2001, shortly before the euro was introduced as cash in 2002. It is 14 meters high.

At that time, the European Central Bank had its headquarters next door in the Eurotower.

The Culture Committee sees the sculpture as an identity-establishing symbol for Frankfurt, Europe and the currency of this continent.

Pohl emphasizes that the “Day of the Euro”, which he invented, has been celebrated at the foot of the symbol for two years.

At the beginning of the new millennium, the former head of the corporate archives at Deutsche Bank and chief historian of the group had campaigned for the European currency in various ways;

The Euro sculptures painted by artists and celebrities, which stood on the median of the Mainzer Landstraße between the Old Opera and the Republic Square, are memorable.

Last but not least, it was thanks to Pohl that on New Year's Eve 2001/2002, when the euro replaced the Deutsche Mark, there was a celebration at the foot of the then new euro sculpture.