Nibelung Adaptations in Right-wing Extremism
Georg SchuppenerThis study examines the forms in which references to the Nibelungenlied can be found in the right-wing extremist scene because right-wing extremists in Germanspeaking countries frequently hijack cultural history for their own purposes. This evaluation focuses on far-right Internet domains. Here, references are primarily found in three areas of right-wing extremist life: martial arts, clothing, and music. In addition, there are several isolated references to the Nibelungen. The right-wing extremist adaptation of the Nibelungen material focuses primarily on the two characters: Siegfried and Hagen. Other characters from the Nibelungenlied play no part in rightwing extremist appropriation. In addition to the name references, (small) portions of the Nibelungenlied’s content are manipulated, particularly in songs performed by various right-wing extremist bands. The aspects of war and battle are emphasized, with special attention and appreciation given to the Nibelungs’ alleged loyalty. All approaches to the Nibelungen are instrumentalized in the right-wing extremist worldview to propagate social Darwinist ideas of survival of the fittest as well as to shape right-wing extremist identities. All in all, it becomes clear that the emphasis is on a superficial and violence-focused appropriation rather than an in-depth examination of the medieval work. This bears striking similarities to the reception and instrumentalization of Nordic-Germanic mythology in the right-wing extremist movement.
Nibelungen-Adaptionen im Rechtsextremismus
Georg SchuppenerVor dem Hintergrund der Tatsache, dass Rechtsextremisten im deutschsprachigen Raum gerne die Kulturgeschichte für ihre Zwecke vereinnahmen, betrachtet die vorliegende Untersuchung die Frage, in welchen Formen Bezugnahmen auf das Nibelungenlied in der rechtsextremen Szene nachweisbar sind. Dazu werden vornehmlich rechtsextreme Internet-Domänen ausgewertet. Hier finden sich Referenzen vornehmlich in drei Bereichen rechtsextremer Lebenswelten, nämlich im Kampfsport, in der Bekleidung und in der Musik. Daneben lassen sich vereinzelt auch noch weitere Bezüge zu den Nibelungen in anderer Hinsicht nachweisen. Es zeigt sich dabei, dass die rechtsextreme Adaption des Nibelungenstoffes sich im Wesentlichen auf die zwei Figuren Siegfried und Hagen von Tronje konzentriert. Andere Gestalten aus dem Nibelungenlied spielen in der rechtsextremen Aneignung keine Rolle. Neben der reinen Referenz in Namen werden speziell in Songs verschiedener rechtsextremer Bands auch (geringe) Teile des Inhalts des Nibelungenliedes verarbeitet. Betont werden dabei vor allem die Aspekte von Krieg und Kampf, besondere Beachtung und Wertschätzung erfährt überdies die so genannte Nibelungentreue. Alle Zugriffe auf die Nibelungen werden im Sinne der rechtsextremen Weltanschauung instrumentalisiert, und zwar sowohl zum Propagieren sozialdarwinistischer Vorstellungen der Durchsetzung des Stärkeren als auch für die rechtsextreme Identitätsstiftung. Insgesamt wird deutlich, dass es weniger um eine vertiefte Auseinandersetzung mit dem mittelalterlichen Werk geht als um eine oberflächliche und gewaltzentrierte Vereinnahmung.
The right-wing extremism in German-speaking countries frequently exploits cultural history for political purposes. This is especially relevant to Germanic history and culture, particularly Nordic-Germanic mythology. The present study examines the forms of Nibelungenlied references in the right-wing extremist scene in light of this. Unsurprisingly, right-wing extremists would turn to the Nibelungenlied, the most important epic of the Middle High German era and contains elements of Nordic-Germanic mythology frequently used in right-wing extremism. Furthermore, the Nibelungenlied has been mentioned numerous times in the past from a national and nationalist perspective. Loyalty to the Nibelungen, in particular, was politically exploited at the turn of the twentieth century, and it played an important role in the Third Reich.
This study analyzes and assesses right-wing extremist Internet domains. Full text analysis of the most popular right-wing extremist online encyclopedia Metapedia revealed these domains. In addition, extensive preliminary research from other publications on the reception of Nordic-Germanic mythology in right-wing extremism was considered.
The references found on the Internet pages examined are primarily in three areas of right-wing extremist life: martial arts, clothing, and music. Other references to the Nibelungs can be found in isolated cases.
In the field of martial arts, an annual event called “Kampf der Nibelungen” (“Battle of the Nibelungs”) is especially noteworthy, as it is prominently anchored in the right-wing extremist scene and had an increasing number of participants in the years preceding the corona pandemic. Here, the Nibelungen references are specifically focused on violence and combat. An associated online mail-order company sells various products related to the Nibelungen.
The clothing sold in the right-wing extremist scene includes T-shirts, sweaters, jackets, and other fashion items referring to the Nibelungen, especially to Siegfried and Hagen von Tronje, through inscriptions and symbols.
In the field of music, some numerous songs and CDs deal with the theme of the Nibelungenlied. This music is available through various right-wing extremist online stores. Reviews clearly show the importance of this music for the right-wing extremist scene.
Finally, references to the Nibelungen can be found in other right-wing extremist areas. Names of right-wing extremist comrades, names of online senders, and even pseudonyms of individual right-wing extremists all refer to the Nibelungen.
Overall, right-wing extremist adaptations of the Nibelungen material appear quite common. The adaptation of this material focuses primarily on the two characters Siegfried and Hagen von Tronje. Other figures from the Nibelungenlied play minor roles in right-wing extremist appropriation. In addition to the name references, various right-wing extremist bands use passages from the Nibelungenlied in their songs. Violence, war, and combat are all heavily emphasized. The so-called loyalty to the Nibelungen receives special attention and appreciation. All access to the Nibelungen is used in the spirit of the right-wing extremist worldview, both to spread social Darwinist ideas about survival of the fittest and to shape right-wing extremist identity. There is a very narrow and one-dimensional reception of the Nibelungen material, which only selects appropriate elements of the topic for ideological analysis.
Overall, it becomes clear that it is less about a thorough examination of the medieval work and more about a superficial and violent appropriation in the spirit of extremist ideology. This results in clear parallels with the reception and instrumentalization of Nordic-Germanic mythology in the right-wing extremist scene.
