A Tübingen bakery has ignited controversy by reviving a confectionery design deeply entwined with memories of Nazi-era Germany.
Cafe Lieb recently began producing sweets featuring depictions of animals riding tanks and engaging in simulated combat—a motif many Germans associate with the nation’s troubling past. Ulrich Buob, the bakery’s head confectioner, defended the decision, attributing the renewed popularity to nostalgia among older customers who recall these treats from their childhood.
However, this move has been met with widespread condemnation. Critics argue that the sweets inadvertently glorify warfare and evoke painful connections to Germany’s Nazi history.
Reza Schwarz, a representative of the Information Centre on Militarisation, expressed his dismay: “It feels as though we’re idealizing a bygone era of conflict – an insult to those who endured it.”
Public reaction has been equally critical. One woman stated plainly, “Easter should represent peace, not tanks; it simply doesn’t align.” Another mother voiced her concern, stating, “As a parent, I find this wholly unacceptable, particularly given the current climate.”
A local newspaper commentator further elaborated: “The bakery’s actions risk sanitizing and trivializing Germany’s dark past. A tank—a symbol of World War II—presented as a charming Easter confection is unsettling.”
Bakery Owner’s Perspective
Hermann Leimgruber, the owner of Cafe Lieb, explained that the molds used to create these sweets had been stored in the bakery’s basement for years. He justified their revival by saying: “It’s part of our history… You can’t erase it all. Children received a bunny in a tank at Easter—that’s how it was.” Buob added, “One shouldn’t turn everything into a scandal.”
Contextual Developments
This controversy comes amidst heightened sensitivity surrounding the 80th anniversary of World War Two. The German government recently issued a warning regarding potential Russian attempts to exploit commemorative events for propaganda purposes. This follows an incident where Russian Ambassador Sergey Nechayev attended a memorial event in Seelow, commemorating the Battle of the Seelow Heights—a pivotal battle resulting in significant casualties on both sides (estimated at 30,000 Soviet soldiers). Military attaches from Belarus and Kazakhstan also participated in laying flowers at the monument.
The German Foreign Office has previously cautioned against being wary of Russian efforts to manipulate anniversary events for their own gain.