The small town of Calbe in Saxony-Anhalt has taken a unique approach to addressing its controversial medieval anti-Semitic sculpture by installing an enclosure decorated with olive branches around the offensive artwork. While the handover ceremony for this solution was not a massive public event, it still managed to draw about forty people to gather in front of the shadowy north facade of St. Stephani Church on a cold day in late November.
The sculpture in question is known as a "Judensau" (literally "Jew's sow"), a type of medieval anti-Semitic relief carving that can be found on several church buildings across Germany. These sculptures, which typically depict Jewish figures in derogatory ways associated with pigs, represent some of the most offensive examples of medieval anti-Jewish propaganda carved in stone.
Calbe's decision to enclose the sculpture with olive branches represents just one of several approaches that German towns and cities have adopted when dealing with these problematic historical artifacts. Other municipalities have found different ways to handle similar sculptures, ranging from complete removal to the installation of explanatory plaques that provide historical context about the anti-Semitic nature of the artwork.
The issue of how to properly address these medieval anti-Semitic sculptures remains highly controversial in Germany. While some argue that the sculptures should be preserved as historical evidence of past prejudice and hatred, others contend that they continue to cause harm and should be removed entirely from public view.
The olive branch enclosure in Calbe appears to be an attempt at compromise, using a symbol of peace to literally and symbolically cover the hateful imagery while not destroying the historical artifact completely. However, the debate over the appropriate response to such medieval anti-Semitic art continues to divide communities across Germany, with no clear consensus on the best path forward.
