Benjamin Blümchen turns 35 - Happy Birthday and a fanfare of trumpets!

Benjamin Blümchen, Germany’s most popular elephant, celebrates his 35th birthday with a great fanfare of trumpets and all the bells and whistles. Even though the famous pachyderm does certainly not raise a glass of champagne to his anniversary, the funny date of his birth fits nicely with his life so far: On 7.7.77 his “parents”, children’s author Elfie Donnelly and Karl Blatz, founder of the precursor to Kiddinx Studios, signed his “birth certificate” in Berlin, when they agreed to produce the first-ever Benjamin-Blümchen audio play: With his unmistakable trademark “Torooo!” world’s first weather elephant immediately trumpeted his way into the hearts of a strong following. Soon after, the loveable stories and adventures of the big elephant and his friends of Neustadt Zoo were published as high-circulation audio tapes, books and videos. In 1991, the ZDF turned their spotlights on Benjamin Blümchen, their new TV star and lead role of a new, highly popular animated show. In 1997, young fans were thrilled by the good-humoured pachyderm’s first movie ("Seine schönsten Abenteuer") that surpassed all previous box office records. He also cut a fine figure as celebrity guest in "Wetten, dass..?", so Thomas Gottschalk soon invited Benjamin Blümchen to visit his show again.

Today, Benjamin Blümchen enjoys an almost 100% level of awareness. However, he is far from becoming an old, lazy “couch potato”, but remains fit to the tip of his trunk instead. What is more, he is always on the same level as his fans: The slightly clumsy, highly loveable elephant with an all too “human” weak spot sugar lumps has long been operating his own homepage on the www (www.benjaminbluemchen.de) and – of course! – he sports his famous face and large ears also on Facebook. What is more, the talking pachyderm with his typical red cap will soon launch a dedicated game for Nintendo Wii to engage his young followers in entertaining activities. And all grow-ups who love to remember their own childhood days may now follow satellite navigation instructions given in the voice of their favourite elephantastic hero: A new App is already in the pipeline…

The stories on Benjamin Blümchen are full of emotions, humour, and excitement. And they all have a message that has lost nothing of its topicality after 35 years: “Together, we are strong” – this motto helps Benjamin and his friends to fight against injustice. Naturally, Benjamin has always remained non-violent – a feature that makes Benjamin popular with all generations, parents and children alike.

Parents think of Benjamin Blümchen as a fanfare against a trend to violent TV shows, as an unwavering dedication to completely non-violent children’s entertainment. It is possible to be different … and successful at the same time: Benjamin’s 120 adventures are the most important audio play series among children aged up to three. And even among older listeners – up to 15 years – Benjamin ranks second best (hard on the heels of the little witch Bibi Blocksberg – another “child” of Kiddinx Studios).

It is beyond question that Benjamin Blümchen’s strong following will give a loud fanfare of trumpets on occasion of their superstar’s anniversary. And just as it should be, his fans will eat one of his popular Törööö children’s cakes – so Bejamin will be literally on the tip of everyone's tongue…on the day of his birthday and well beyond.

Of course, Benjamin Blümchen continues to celebrate his elephantastic anniversary for the rest of the year with lots of new stories on CD, DVD or MC.

"Törööö im Zoo!" is the motto of his birthday and a striking reminiscence of his hometown Neustadt. The touring theatre Cocomico takes the anniversary motto to stages throughout Germany and invites families to join in and sing along; a life-sized Benjamin visits zoos and encourages children to get in touch; Schmidt Spiele launches an electronic memory game featuring Benjamin’s voice; and cuddly children will love the company of the soft plush Benjamin in pyjamas when it’s time to go to bed. And those who love to indulge in nostalgia, the upcoming “Benjamania” months hold a special treat: Super RTL airs all 52 episodes on Neustadt Zoo even twice. "A great show" for a great star – and a large following. Happy Birthday!

True to the motto “Töröö im Zoo!” Benjamin Blümchen celebrates his 35th birthday with all his friends from Neustadt ... … and all his young and not-so-young fans. All Benjamin enthusiasts may look forward to many branded innovations, including a cuddly plush Benjamin wearing pyjamas, an electronic memory game, an exciting picture book story on DVD and the 120th audio play episode.

Life on stage Germany’s most famous elephant and his friends (zoo keeper Karl, Otto, Benjamin Blümchen and Mr. Tierlieb) invites visitors from all over Germany to join in, sing along, dance along and share a good laugh.

35 years ago Benjamin Blümchen trumpeted his way into the hearts of a strong following with this audio play (cover through the ages).