Stuttgart theater brings Auschwitz horror to parliament
A theater group from Stuttgart has brought the horrors of the Auschwitz concentration camp into the Baden-Württemberg state parliament. The performance aims to remind politicians of historical responsibility and provides material for the election campaign. It elicited mixed reactions.
In an unusual action, a theater group from Stuttgart staged a performance in the Baden-Württemberg state parliament on October 10, 2023. The piece, titled 'Auschwitz Monologues,' reconstructs the atrocities of the Holocaust through contemporary reports and witness testimonies. The initiative comes from Theaterhaus Stuttgart and aims to confront parliamentarians directly with the past, especially ahead of the state elections in March 2024.
Director Anna Müller stated: 'We don't want to let the horror be forgotten, but to bring it into the political discourse to combat hate and discrimination.' The performance took place in the plenary hall and lasted about 45 minutes. It was supported by survivors and historians who conducted prior research.
Reactions were polarizing. While Green and SPD parliamentarians praised the action and saw it as an important contribution to democracy, some AfD members left the room. An AfD politician commented: 'This is election campaign theater that instrumentalizes the past.' Other parties, like the CDU, emphasized the necessity of such reminders in times of rising right-wing extremism.
The context: Baden-Württemberg is grappling with increasing antisemitic incidents, as reports from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution indicate. The performance is based on original documents from Auschwitz and targets a broad public. It is part of a larger theater project that integrates historical themes into current politics. Critics, however, see it as interference in the election campaign, as it could stir emotions.
Overall, the action highlights the tension between art, history, and politics in Germany.