Germany’s Far-Right Builds Its Own Literary Canon to Challenge Mainstream Culture
Far-right activists in Germany have launched a literary counter-canon to challenge mainstream cultural narratives. The project, titled 100 Years, 100 Novels, directly responds to Der Spiegel's list of essential German novels, which critics on the right dismissed as 'anti-German garbage'. Prominent figures in the movement argue that their alternative selection restores a 'distinctly German perspective' they claim has been erased by left-liberal elites.
The push for a far-right literary canon gained momentum after Der Spiegel published its list of 100 key German novels. Volker Zierke and Philip Stein, two leading voices in the movement, condemned the magazine's choices as 'ridiculous' and accused it of trying to 'deconstruct Germany'. Their critique appeared on the Sezession blog and Antaios Verlag's website, platforms known for far-right cultural commentary.
The far-right's literary campaign has already increased visibility for publishers like Antaios Verlag. Their counter-canon challenges established cultural institutions while reinforcing a narrative of ideological resistance. With multiple reading lists in circulation and growing political ties, the movement continues to push for a lasting shift in how Germany's literary and cultural history is defined.
