German Caricaturist Hans Traxler Dies at 97; Oesch's die Dritten Announce Farewell Tour

Hans Traxler, the German draftsman, painter, and author, passed away on August 24 in Frankfurt at the age of 97. The Caricatura Museum Frankfurt and the city of Frankfurt announced his death on Wednesday, August 26, on behalf of his family. Traxler was a co-founder of the satirical magazines 'Pardon' and 'Titanic'. He was known for his caricatures of Helmut Kohl, and his drawings contributed to the former German chancellor being nicknamed 'Birne' (pear) in the 1980s. Traxler also published numerous books, including children's books, and created illustrations for classic literature. One of his earliest works was the science parody 'Die Wahrheit über Hänsel und Gretel' (1963), which included a fictional archaeological excavation of the gingerbread witch's house with a map in the Spessart region. Born on May 21, 1929, in Bohemia (now Czech Republic), Traxler lived in Frankfurt am Main since 1951. He studied at the Frankfurt Städelschule and once said, 'Every day without drawing is lost for me.' In other cultural news, the Swiss folk music group Oesch's die Dritten announced their farewell. On Instagram, the family band stated that their '30 Jahre Merci' tour in 2027 and 2028 will be their last. After that, the group will no longer exist in its current form and lineup. The family said the decision was difficult but they want to 'stop when it's most beautiful.' They also announced additional tour dates and their final concerts in Montreux and Bern in May 2028.