A street theatre show featuring giant mechanical creatures, including a female demon, as part of ‘hell imagery’ in Toulouse has led to the local bishop consecrating the city.
Representatives of the Christian community say they are concerned about the ‘evil and hell imagery’ used.
The free show was held this weekend (October 25 to 27) and tells the story of Asterion the Minotaur – with a new character: Lilith, a scorpion-woman, the Guardian of Darkness.
Named ‘Guardien du Temple: La Porte des Ténèbres’ (Guardian of the Temple: the Door to Darkness or Hell), it is the second display created by François Delarozière. The first show in 2018 attracted 900,000 spectators.
'Evil' imagery
Some in the Christian community have denounced ‘satanic’ representations. Parish priest of Saint-Etienne cathedral, the abbot Simon d’Artigue, says he is concerned that the show is banalising evil.
“In no way am I looking to blaspheme, it is not a word that belongs in my vocabulary,” Mr Delarozière, the artistic director of la Compagnie des machines, stated in an interview, emphasising the non-political nature of the spectacle.
He reassured three Catholic representatives in a meeting with them, aimed to assuage their fears about the ‘evil’ imagery. One complaint put forth was against the posters advertising the event, which show flames next to churches.
The bishop of the Toulouse diocese, Monseigneur Guy de Kerimel, has expressed concern. When contacted for comment, the diocese sent a press release about the consecration of Toulouse and the diocese, which took place as a response to the show.
“Darkness and gloom are becoming a trend everywhere, and even perniciously take root in our daily lives: in our reading, art, music... to the point of becoming normality,” it reads.
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By consecrating Toulouse, Bishop Kerimel dedicated the city “to the service of God” and making sure that its residents “always turn to hope and light” rather than darkness, the press release states.
However, the bishop explained in an interview with Le Parisien that he was “not going to war with anyone,” although he did express his displeasure.
“The characters are troubling to Christians, because Lilith is a female demon evoked in the Bible, the Minotaur is a not very pleasant character who feasts on human flesh and no one likes spiders. People should find a way to unite around love rather than fear.”
The story of the show, which is a reimagining of Greek mythology, involves Lilith on a mission to reinforce Hades’ underworld army with souls taken from humans, a plan which the Minotaur seeks to scupper.
Toulouse mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc has stated that he “sees no promotion of evil or satanic values” and will not intervene.
