In a German city, a huge Satan was erected. Many people didn't like it
A scandal erupted in Esslingen am Neckar: a 2.5-meter bronze figure called "The Onion Devil" was installed in the city center, right opposite the town hall.
The 400-kilogram sculpture cost 200,000 euros. However, the city itself did not have to pay: it is a gift from a local winery for Esslingen's 1250th anniversary, writes DW.
Behind the image of the devil lies a whole story. According to legend, long ago he came to the local market disguised as a nobleman and wanted to buy an apple. However, a cunning market woman recognized the evil force and gave him an onion instead. Biting into it, the devil howled in disgust, cursed the townspeople, calling them onion-eaters (Zwieblinger), and fled forever to neighboring Stuttgart.
But the nickname stuck and remained with the residents of Esslingen for centuries. Until recently, an onion festival was held here annually – in honor of the market woman's cleverness.
The authorities of Esslingen am Neckar gladly accepted the bronze devil. The Lord Mayor believes that such a symbol will once again remind people that the local residents have always been difficult to defeat.
But not everyone liked Satan. Opponents of the monument launched an online petition demanding the immediate removal of the statue. It already has several thousand signatures.
Recently, someone doused the sculpture with black paint, and threats began to be sent to the Lord Mayor.
“The end of the world is near! Instead of glorifying God, a monument to Satan is erected in the city center. This is a shame and a curse upon our heads!” — they write on social networks.
Others believe that this is part of the city's identity, while still others defend the clever market woman – saying that it would have been better to immortalize her in bronze.
Representatives of the Evangelical Church hastened to assure that the bronze Satan poses no threat to the Christian faith, and called on citizens to be prudent.
“One should not mistakenly confuse the biblical Satan with a comical character from folk folklore, where the devil is depicted as a fool who suffered a defeat,” said Andreas Olze, commissioner for worldview issues at the Evangelical Church.
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