German bakery makes ‘armored Easter bunnies’ in Nazi resemblance

(MENAFN) A German bakery has sparked controversy by selling Easter sugar bunnies shaped like military equipment, using molds from the Nazi era. The traditional 'Zuckerhasen' (sugar bunnies), a beloved German Easter treat dating back to the 18th century, have been revamped for this season at Cafe Lieb in Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg. The bakery’s bunnies, however, are dressed in military themes, featuring tanks and cannons—shapes that many view as inappropriate given their associations with World War II.

Owner Hermann Leimgruber defended the sale, claiming, “It’s part of our history,” explaining that these military-themed bunnies were once common Easter gifts. Master confectioner Ulrich Buob added that older generations remember receiving such treats as children and now buy them as nostalgic souvenirs.

However, critics argue that these "Panzerhasen" (armored bunnies) trivialize militarism and the dark legacy of Nazism. A column in Berliner Zeitung condemned the bakery’s actions, warning that this incident reflects a broader political shift in Germany and the EU. The column mentioned increasing discussions around the reintroduction of military conscription in Germany, a policy long viewed as a Cold War relic, and the labeling of critics as "lumpen pacifists" or supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The column further tied this trend to EU plans to boost military spending in preparation for potential conflict with Russia.

Russia has rejected these military plans, perceiving them as an extension of NATO’s efforts in the Ukraine conflict, which it views as a proxy war fueled by Western powers.

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