Church sculpture in Calbe to receive artistic covering - Calbe Church's Reputation Portrayed in Controversial Artwork
In a significant move to address a long-standing source of controversy, an antisemitic statue on the facade of a church in Calbe, Salzland district, Central Germany, is set to be concealed by a new artwork. The concealment project is being funded by entities in Central Germany and Saxony-Anhalt, including the Evangelical Church in Central Germany, the East German Savings Bank Foundation, and the cultural funding of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.
The controversial statue, which depicts a man pressing parts of his face into the hindquarters of a pig, a symbol considered unclean in Jewish belief, has sparked protests and been a subject of debate for years. The figure is currently bound and covered with netting and cloth during renovation work on the church facade.
Artist Thomas Leu from Halle has designed a network of stainless steel olive branches, titled "Enclosure", to conceal the antisemitic statue. The design consists of olive branches that wrap around the statue like a basket, symbolizing peace, reconciliation, and a clear dissociation from the stone testimony of Christian antisemitism.
Bishop Friedrich Kramer, who oversees the Evangelical Church in Central Germany, has emphasized the importance of the church setting a clear sign that antisemitism must be opposed. He thanked the congregation for their perseverance in addressing the antisemitic statue and expressed that the concealment of the statue, along with contextualization with information boards, balances the church’s responsibility to end the mockery of Jews and take responsibility for past hostility.
The responsible members of the congregation have been advocating for a clear dissociation from the antisemitic statue since 2019. The funding for the concealment project has been secured, and the new artwork is expected to be installed soon.
For those seeking more precise background, symbolism, or details on Thomas Leu’s work related to this subject, it is recommended to consult official art exhibition catalogues, regional cultural heritage authorities in Saxony-Anhalt, or recent media coverage. This move is a significant step towards addressing historical injustices and promoting understanding and respect in the community.
- The community policy of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany now includes a commitment to oppose antisemitism, as demonstrated by their involvement in funding a project to conceal an antisemitic statue.
- The employment policy of the regional cultural heritage authorities in Saxony-Anhalt might also be impacted, as they may consider incorporating health-and-wellness initiatives focused on mental health, addressing historical trauma and promoting fitness-and-exercise routines for healing and unity improvement, in light of the recent historical injustice resolution efforts.
