Martin with the Whistle Statue

The sculpture is the first true full-body sculpture in Sønderborg by a former citizen.This was made possible by the chairman of the Kunststiftung, AP Hansen, who, in connection with his 80th birthday, invited the guests to donate money to the sculpture.Martin stuck to children in the street scene and knew her as old when he announced his arrival in the city with a small train.He died in 1976 - poor, but respected for his wisdom and kindness.Martin Frederik Christian Jørgensen was born in Silkeborg in 1884 and died in 1976 in Sønderborg. Martin's mother died when Martin was just five years old. The father left Martin and his two younger siblings. Wherever they became known, Martin himself came to the poor farm.As a young man he became a graduate of glamor.In 1943 he came to Sønderborg, and here he became the rest of his life - and here he became a famous figure in the street scene as he walked like lumps, inhaling his little train so that people could hear he was on the move collected everything that could be converted into money. Martin was respected and above all by children for his kindness and his great knowledge.

It is beautiful here

The remarkable bronze sculpture was created by local artist Vibeke Fonnesberg and inaugurated on October 6, 2011. This is the first life-size sculpture by a former citizen.Martin with the Pipe was born in Silkeborg, Midtjutland and was actually called Martin Frederik Christian Jørgensen (1884-1976). His mother died very early and his father abandoned the children, so Martin and his two siblings grew up in the poorhouse.It was certainly not an easy childhood and, according to legend, Martin did not make himself particularly popular in the city and was in and out of prison.Around 1930, Martin turned up in Sønderborg and here he found a new purpose in life. Martin earned his living as a rag collector and at the beginning he announced with a horn that he was out with his carts to collect everyday items that he could turn into money. However, the townspeople found the horn too much and so the police persuaded Martin to use a whistle instead - hence the nickname...
Martin with the whistle was known in the town by both children and old people. He died a poor man, but was respected for his kindness and wisdom.visitsonderborg.de/sonderborg/information/martin-mit-der-pfeife-gdk1045735