Provocative nativity scene in Stuttgart: Jesus as a slimy creature?

Provocative nativity scene in Stuttgart: Jesus as a slimy creature?

On Christmas 2025, ARD broadcast a service from the Catholic Church of St. Maria in Stuttgart, which caused great excitement. Instead of a traditional wooden figure, an adult man, wrapped in a slimy shell, lay on a pile of straw and was supposed to represent Jesus. This staged depiction sparked strong reactions on social media, with users comparing the character to a "breathing alien" and calling her "sick and abnormal." Political reactions came primarily from members of the CDU, who vehemently criticized the depiction.

Dr. Klaus Nopper, Stuttgart city councilor, described the production as “disgusting” and emphasized the inappropriate instrumentalization of the Christmas story in the spirit of wokeness. Maximilian Mörseburg, former member of the Bundestag, said that the churches were leading religion to absurdity and taking away its dignity. He also emphasized that Christmas is the last contact with the church for many people and that it is important to emphasize the beautiful things.

Defense of provocation

The priest Thomas Steiger, who celebrated the mass, rejected the allegations and defended the depiction by explaining that they did not want to provoke, but also did not want to close their eyes to reality. The artist Milena Lorek, who is responsible for this controversial production, justified her art as a symbol of “a moment of uncertainty between security and distress.” However, it became increasingly clear that discussions about artistic freedom and provocation in society are of central importance.

The production is reminiscent of the premiere of the play “Sancta” in Stuttgart, which was directed by Florentina Holzinger. Here too, themes such as violence and sexuality are in the foreground and challenge the audience. In this context, 18 first aid interventions were recorded during the performance. The discussion about the limits of artistic provocation runs through the entire art scene and raises the question of where the limits of artistic freedom lie.

The limits of artistic freedom

According to the findings of Politics Culture, artistic freedom is protected by the Basic Law, but there are no clear restrictions. Restrictions are only possible for constitutional reasons. The concept of art remains controversial and includes both shocking and sensational representations. It is crucial to differentiate whether art helps to respect human dignity or violates it.

The critics agree that artistic discussions of church topics always require respect and serious discussion. Art should build bridges and not tear them down, which is clear in the current debate about the production in Stuttgart. The balance between provocation and respect is required to both make the invisible visible and to foreground dignity and justice.

So far, neither the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart nor the SWR have commented on the controversy. At a time when art and religion often clash, the question remains how provocation can heal and reconcile when used wisely. This will probably be the central theme in further discussions about art and its social role.