Prof. Dr. Aya Soika discusses the historical significance of the Bundestagsadler for the Spiegel

In an interview entitled “Is the Parliament’s Federal Eagle Nazi Art?”, Prof. Dr. Aya Soika reflects on the contested symbolism of one of Germany’s most recognizable emblems, the Bundestag eagle, prominently on display in the plenary hall. While she concludes that the eagle cannot be classified as "Nazi art", Soika highlights the difficult historical baggage attached to the 2.5-ton relief, popularly known as the “fat chicken.”

The eagle design, created by sculptor Ludwig Gies, widely reproduced on Bundestag print materials and merchandise, constitutes a central emblem of the Federal Republic. Yet, as Soika points out, the biography of Gies himself has often been overlooked. During the Second World War, he was commissioned to produce several Reich eagles for Hans Frank, the governor of occupied Poland, who notoriously ruled with brutality and appropriated Kraków’s royal palace as his residence.

The interview further touches on current debates surrounding the neutrality of national symbols. These discussions gained renewed attention following the prohibition of the rainbow flag atop the Reichstag during this year’s Christopher Street Day celebrations. According to Soika, the symbols embedded in and around the Reichstag are far from neutral, and continue to reflect the many layers of Germany’s history.

The interview was published on Christopher Street Day, raising the question of what national symbols we discuss - and why the eagle design by Ludwig Gies hasn't been placed within the context of the sculptor's career during the Nazi regime.

Read the interview here.

Post Date: 09-15-2025