paraphrasing Heinrich Heine
Whoever attributed this entry in the summit book of the Brocken to the poet Heinrich Heine demonstrated cynical foresight. Today, the Harz is considered structurally weak, its inhabitants cranky and inaccessible like the region‘s dense coniferous forests. But the forest is changing. As a result of drought summers, the bark beetle is transforming the weakened spruce stands into vast post-apocalyptic landscapes.
Many Harzers fear for their livelihood, some for their local, others even for their national identity. The elderly argue about the many small and large problems: about the national park, Greta Thunberg and refugees, about East Germans or West Germans. Meanwhile, the decision left for the youth is to stay or go. Only one thing seems certain here: the forest will grow again. It will be a different one.
„Broken Harz?“ is an ongoing photo book project that provides insights into a microcosm in the middle of Germany that is suffering tangibly and visibly from the effects of climate change as well as sociocultural and economical challenges of recent years.
It aims rather to raise questions than it provides answers and thus tells more than just the story of the German hinterland in the face of the great challenges of our time.
