Paul the Octopus's tentacled testament
Source: Agencies |
January 21, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FANS of Paul the Octopus can now admire a memorial to the psychic mollusk at the aquarium where he became a World Cup star.
The Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen unveiled the 2-meter tall plastic replica of Paul clutching a football yesterday. His cremated ashes were placed in a gold-leaf-covered urn inside the football, aquarium spokeswoman Tanja Munzig said.
Paul died three months ago of natural causes. Fans around the world had asked for a memorial, Munzig said.
"We acted upon the wishes of fans and created a place of remembrance," Munzig said. "This monument was also built to show visitors just how much people around the world loved Paul."
Paul correctly tipped the outcome of all seven of Germany's games at last year's World Cup, plus the Spain-Netherlands final. He made his predictions by opening the lid of one of two boxes, each containing a mussel and -bearing a team flag.
The oversized football that the immortalized Paul sits on is covered with different national flags and also has a small window through which visitors can look at the urn.
In addition, the aquarium has created a so-called "Paul Corner" which includes newspaper clippings in many different languages that tell the tale of Paul's worldwide fame and exhibits gifts sent to the museum.
A family in Spain sent a glass of mussels in oil as a reward for Paul after he -correctly predicted that Spain would win the World Cup, Munzig said. A fan from New -Zealand tailored a red, sleeveless football shirt for Paul - with a hole for each tentacle.
As for Paul's successor, a six-month-old octopus brought from France and also named Paul, Munzig said it still isn't clear whether he will also try his tentacles at forecasting.
"We're not pushing him into being an oracle against his will, that's for sure," Munzig said. "But if he is going to develop an interest in football and forecasting, we'll be very supportive of his talents."
The Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen unveiled the 2-meter tall plastic replica of Paul clutching a football yesterday. His cremated ashes were placed in a gold-leaf-covered urn inside the football, aquarium spokeswoman Tanja Munzig said.
Paul died three months ago of natural causes. Fans around the world had asked for a memorial, Munzig said.
"We acted upon the wishes of fans and created a place of remembrance," Munzig said. "This monument was also built to show visitors just how much people around the world loved Paul."
Paul correctly tipped the outcome of all seven of Germany's games at last year's World Cup, plus the Spain-Netherlands final. He made his predictions by opening the lid of one of two boxes, each containing a mussel and -bearing a team flag.
The oversized football that the immortalized Paul sits on is covered with different national flags and also has a small window through which visitors can look at the urn.
In addition, the aquarium has created a so-called "Paul Corner" which includes newspaper clippings in many different languages that tell the tale of Paul's worldwide fame and exhibits gifts sent to the museum.
A family in Spain sent a glass of mussels in oil as a reward for Paul after he -correctly predicted that Spain would win the World Cup, Munzig said. A fan from New -Zealand tailored a red, sleeveless football shirt for Paul - with a hole for each tentacle.
As for Paul's successor, a six-month-old octopus brought from France and also named Paul, Munzig said it still isn't clear whether he will also try his tentacles at forecasting.
"We're not pushing him into being an oracle against his will, that's for sure," Munzig said. "But if he is going to develop an interest in football and forecasting, we'll be very supportive of his talents."
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