- Title: The German chancellor's soft side: Angela Merkel teddies
- Date: 29th September 2021
- Summary: MERKEL BEAR IN TOY SHOP CLOSE OF MERKEL BEAR HAIR AND PEARLS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HERMANN-TOYS, MARTIN HERMANN PICKING UP MERKEL BEAR VARIOUS OF HERMANN SHAKING BEAR TO MAKE BAAAING NOISE (SOUNDBITE) (German) MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HERMANN-TOYS, MARTIN HERMANN, SAYING: "We have a long tradition in our company of making personality bears, we have produced politicians of all rank and file. In 2005 we made a bear for when Merkel took office, the Angie bear. And then we of course had the idea after 16 years to honour Merkel's achievements." VARIOUS OF MERKEL BEAR JACKETS BEING MADE WHILE MERKEL BEAR LOOKS ON HERMANN HOLDING MERKEL BEAR IN JACKET AND PEARLS HERMANN SHOWING THE ELEMENTS OF THE MERKEL BEAR (SOUNDBITE) (German) MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HERMANN-TOYS, MARTIN HERMANN, SAYING: "The customers love it, this edition is already sold out. We have a very long waiting list as we sold the first batch of 500 in just a few days. The battle for the bear is on!" VARIOUS OF MERKEL BEAR HAVING NOSE STITCHED ON MERKEL BEAR STANDING NEXT TO MERKEL BEAR IN BIRTHDAY SUIT AND PEARLS VARIOUS OF MERKEL BEAR HAVING HE HAIR TRIMMED AND BRUSHED (SOUNDBITE) (German) MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HERMANN-TOYS, MARTIN HERMANN, SAYING: "The bear is entirely made here and takes about four hours per bear. So a great deal of handiwork is put into them. And we want to make a beautiful product so our makers really take the time to make sure that each individual bear looks really lovely." VARIOUS OF BEAR HEAD BEING STUFFED WITH STRAW HERMANN PUTTING MERKEL BEAR ON DISPLAY VARIOUS OF OBAMA BEAR VARIOUS OF DIFFERENT BEARS INCLUDING A QUEEN BEAR ON DISPLAY (SOUNDBITE) (German) MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HERMANN-TOYS, MARTIN HERMANN, SAYING: "Many thanks for the 16 years, you led us through difficult times and all in all when you look back at the 16 years she got more right than wrong and for that a warm thanks from Bavaria, from Franconia."
- Embargoed: 13th October 2021 14:06
- Keywords: Angela Merkel teddy German chancellor good-bye Merkel
- Location: COBURG, GERMANY
- City: COBURG, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Europe,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA002EWRTPAF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: While German Chancellor Angela Merkel often prefers not to take a compliment, this time she may have to grin and bear it.
Sold out already after a few days, a first edition series of 500 Merkel bears is nearing completion with the bears then ready to go to their happy customers.
"The customers love it, this edition is already sold out. We have a very long waiting list as we sold the first batch of 500 in just a few days. The battle for the bear is on!" says managing director of Hermann-Toys, Martin Hermann.
The family business has been going since 1920 and, says Hermann, has been producing bear personalities of every variety including Barack Obama and the British Queen ever since.
"We have produced politicians of all rank and file. In 2005 we made a bear for when Merkel took office, the Angie bear. And then we of course had the idea after 16 years to honour Merkel's achievements," Hermann tells Reuters TV.
With a 180-euro price tag, the 'mutti' bears are not cheap, but says Hermann reflect the hours of work that goes into each of the hand-made teddies.
"The bear is entirely made here and takes about four hours per bear. So a great deal of handiwork is put into them. And we want to make a beautiful product so our makers really take the time to make sure that each individual bear looks really lovely," he says.
Merkel, who has led four governments in Germany, will step down as soon as a new government is formed after 16 years at the helm.
While Germany will likely have to wait months for the parties to agree on a coalition government, for Merkel fans the cuddly teddies might help to bear the wait.
(production: Timm Reichert, Frank Simon, Tanya Wood) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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