German Firm Gains Notoriety in Paris Heist
A German engineering firm based in Werne has found itself unexpectedly connected to the high-profile jewel robbery at the Louvre in Paris. The thieves responsible for the audacious theft reportedly used a furniture lift manufactured by the German company, Böcker, to gain access to the museum.
The company is now wryly acknowledging the incident in its social media marketing.
A Surprising Marketing Opportunity
Company directors Julia Scharwatz and Alexander Böcker told media they immediately recognised their hardware—a Böcker Agilo model—when viewing news footage of the crime scene.
Seeing the dark humour in the situation, the company, whose official motto is “My way to the top,” quickly adapted. On Instagram and Facebook, they posted an image of their lift behind the police cordon at the Louvre. The caption read: “When you need to get things done quickly.”
Ms Scharwatz told WDR that the lift, which is designed for the construction and removals industries, was presumably stolen from one of their clients in France. A company employee is reportedly in the country assisting with enquiries.
A Creative Escape from Urban Life
While the Böcker company contends with its sudden international notoriety, other Germans are actively seeking an escape from the frantic pace of modern life. For 25-year-old artist Colo Kraft, the urban hustle is precisely what she is avoiding.
Originally from the Sauerland region, Ms Kraft, a Visual Communication student in Kassel, briefly lived in the capital during 2022 and 2023. She describes the Berlin experiment as “too big and too hectic.”
“Many people overlook rural areas and are missing out on a great deal,” says the artist.
Finding Inspiration in Wolfhagen
Since mid-September, the artist, whose full name is Carlotta, has been living and working in a historic half-timbered house in Wolfhagen’s town centre. She is there as part of a two-month stipend from the Hessian Literature Council.
“Being here gives me the chance to find new ideas, away from my daily routine in Kassel, and just let the rural environment sink in,” Kraft explains.
Initially unsure how she would cope without her usual social network, she found the local community welcoming. “After the first few days, people realised I wasn’t just a day tourist… I’ve experienced a great deal of friendliness,” she notes.
Sketching the Future
Boredom has not been an issue. The budding illustrator has explored the local area, discovering landmarks like the Weidelsburg and the Ofenberg, capturing her impressions in her sketchbook.
While she prefers pencil, her artistic repertoire is versatile. She also creates ‘murals’—large-format wall paintings—transforming drab facades with spray cans. She plans to return to Wolfhagen after her stipend ends to collaborate with students from the local Walter-Lübcke-Schule on an art project involving a large container.
In the meantime, Kraft is focused on her sketches, which she hopes may become a 2026 calendar featuring the town’s architecture. Beyond her upcoming final thesis, she is passionate about the future of comics and graphic novels.
“They have long since stopped being mere toilet reading,” she insists. “For the moment, I am at home in Wolfhagen. It’s a creative pause to think. I want to remain open in all directions.”
