Before I started with this project, all I knew about fraternities in Germany were the well-known prejudices: Fraternity members are adolescent uniformed boozing right-wing extremists who hit each other with razor sharp blades. But it‘s not that easy to cut the fraternities down on this.

In my work I put the focus intentionally not on the political attitude of the fraternities. Even though it might be one of the most important issues in this context. But my choice of subject comes from a different motivation. I was more interested in the small universe, the fraternities have built up around themselves. With their own rules and patterns. Their own traditions and social conventions. I wanted to meet these people, who dress up in uniforms and sing ancient songs. I wanted to see, how they look like, how they party, how they live their daily life… What is it all about the fencing? Do they hurt each other on purpose? And are they proud to have scars in their faces? What encourages a young student to become part of a fraternity? That’s why I needed to meet them on a personal, respectful and open-minded level. Without judging or classifying them. I just wanted to open the door to their secret world.