An expert assessment that was commissioned came to the conclusion that the vibrations caused by visitors have an impact on the statics of the building. Built in 1888, the warehouse stands on oak piles and was originally designed to store large loads still. Due to the great popularity of Miniatur Wunderland, people with a total weight of around 96,000,000 kilograms come to the exhibition every year. To make matters worse, the proportion of women is now just under 45%. The high-heeled shoes, which are particularly popular with the ladies, transfer body weight to the floor at certain points and cause particularly heavy vibrations. As a result, the oak piles are constantly vibrating and gaps form in the sediment.

There is a risk that so-called water exchange zones could develop, which in turn could lead to the oak piles rotting and the warehouse sinking into the canal. The report calls for immediate action. “I am still shocked. When we decided on the Speicherstadt 15 years ago, we assumed that our grandchildren would still be able to marvel at the wonderland at this location. We never expected that our visitors would cause the warehouse to sink,” explains Wunderland founder Frederik Braun, visibly moved.

An expert commission was immediately formed to prevent the sinking. “A few days ago, my brother Frederik came running up to me with the words “Houston – we have a problem”. After he told me the story, I realized that we had to act immediately. In the days that followed, I locked myself away with our best technicians and worked tirelessly on a solution,” says Gerrit Braun.

An immediate catalog of measures was drawn up to prevent the sinking. As of today, all visitors must wear slippers. All visitors are allowed to bring their own slippers and can store their street shoes in the wardrobe free of charge. The only requirement is that they must have a fur or flowing sole. It is also possible to borrow slippers up to size 46 free of charge at the entrance. Visitors whose feet are larger than 46 can borrow a floating belt at the entrance. Helium balloons are attached to this elaborately developed belt to ensure a softer step and thus reduce vibrations.

“We very much hope that the measures of the so-called “Vibration Troika” are concrete enough and that Wunderland can be saved from sinking,” says Frederik Braun pleadingly on April 1.

The post Miniatur Wunderland threatens to sink: oak pillars under Block D damaged by vibrations first appeared on Miniatur Wunderland.

“We find the decision difficult to fully understand. Our characters represent life in all its facets. We deliberately want to show contrasts. Just real life. Diversity is what makes the view of our world exciting,” explains Frederik Braun and appeals to the court. “Such censorship would be a gross violation of our right to freedom of expression. Don’t force us to look at the world through blinkers in the future. This would cause lasting damage to the creativity and joy of model builders and fundamentally change the Wunderland. The result would be a monotonous and idealized world, as one might expect to see in the state museum of North Korea.”

Miniatur Wunderland has decided to appeal. As the court has set a deadline of just 24 hours to remove the allegedly offensive scenes, a list of measures was adopted in a hastily convened special meeting of the model construction team so as not to jeopardize the existence of the entire Wunderland by disregarding the order. All small figures that are naked or are currently reproducing have just had a black bar stuck over the affected areas. In addition, all employees have been equipped with mobile black bars so that any scenes that have not yet been censored can be hidden from the eyes of visitors immediately.

“With these measures, we hope to find peace for the time being and then regain the right to free speech and love in an upcoming revision. After all, love is what makes Wunderland special and, in my eyes, the most wonderful thing in the world. Love should not be censored, but shown in all its facets, even if one or two scenes interpret love in a more progressive way.” Gerrit Braun demands fiercely.

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PS – We hope you all had a fun April 1st

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