German Myths - German Identity

The actual discussion in Germany around „how to feel being a German“, led in politicis as well as in literature and humanities, focusses on the lacking of historical identity for most people in this country.

How to deal with the blackest period in German history? Leave it behind, after all this time, and regain a new pride in being German?

My interest in the original myths meets this complex; as an artist, I have been occupied with the old Sagas of Germanic origine, especially the Saga of the Nibelungs, since a long time. All of which have received an odor of evilness, through being distorted by the NAZI regime. But lacking mythological roots is lacking identity, and lacking identity increases the attraction of radical groups, which provide group feeling, pride, strength and a substitution for selfconfidence..

As for the Nibelungs, I went back to the original Icelandic version, tracing general meanings and archetypical constellations between human beings. Especially the character of Brunhilde, who is Brynhildur in Icelandic, has rarely been made to the main character of the story. Mostly she is seen as some sort of evil woman, dark an harsh, destroying and vindictive. Myths are myths because they can be read under many different aspects; every age has its one understanding and interpretation. Through modern media, I want to make felt the aspect of a strong and independant woman, faithful and straight out; being betrayed three times by Gunnar and Siegfried/Sigurd (who is the almost perfect man in common reading), before she, after realizing, gets deeply depressed, and then runs amok.