passion plays
Concern about donkeys: animal rights activists call for e-scooters for Jesus
Protest on an electric scooter. Photo: Angelika Warmuth/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Some animals are used at the Oberammergau Passion Play. The animal protection organization PETA is protesting against this.
Shortly before the premiere of the Oberammergau Passion Play, animal rights activists called for Jesus to switch to e-mobility.
The PETA organization demanded that the Christ actor should move to Jerusalem by e-scooter instead of on a donkey. Donkeys are not riding or pack animals. To back up the claim, an activist dressed as Christ, wearing a crown of thorns and a white robe, rode up and down in front of the Passion Theater on an e-scooter. Banners read: “Animals are living beings, not a means of transport” and “Donkeys are not actors”.
“Nowadays, Jesus would no longer travel on a donkey. He would probably get around on an e-scooter or another animal and environmentally friendly electric vehicle,” said Jens Vogt from PETA. “The Passion Play also has a role model function, and turning away from animals on stage would set an important example.”
The animal rights activists asked game director Christian Stückl not to use other animals either. At the Passion Play there are also sheep, goats, pigeons, two horses and two camels on the stage. “Donkeys, sheep and goats are very social animals. They belong in a green meadow where they can play with other animals,” says Peta.
According to criticism from animal rights activists, Jesus rides on a larger donkey than before in this passion – the big donkey Aramis was hired especially for this. But the donkey was not abolished. Peta had already requested the e-scooter in 2020.