STORIES

THE QUIET RISE

Germany

The Quiet Rise documents the growing visibility and normalization of neo-Nazi and far- right extremist groups in Germany, as well as the opposing side that defends democratic values and acts against hate. These parallel realities unfold simultaneously, revealing a society in active conflict over its political and moral direction. The project examines how extremist ideology is no longer confined to the margins but is increasingly expressed openly in streets, public squares, and everyday environments.

The work was photographed in 2024 and 2025 and follows neo-Nazi and far-right extremist groups across public demonstrations, organized events, and private moments. Alongside this, the project documents protesters, activists, and local communities who organize counter-demonstrations and public actions in defense of democratic values and against racism and exclusion. Over time, the photographer followed individuals and networks from large public rallies into smaller gatherings and personal spaces. Access was gained through open observation as well as undercover reporting when necessary. The work shows how right-wing extremists have become increasingly bold, no longer afraid to show their faces, symbols, or beliefs in public.

The motivation behind this work is personal as well as journalistic. As a queer refugee from Iran, the photographer experienced racism and hostility shortly after arriving in Germany. That experience led to a desire to understand why hatred grows and how quickly it spreads. Through this project, the photographer observed a society increasingly divided into opposing camps, where democratic resistance and extremist expansion exist side by side.

The Quiet Rise presents verified documentation of this confrontation. It aims to record how extremist movements gain confidence, how fear and ideology shape behavior, and how warning signs often become visible long before their consequences fully arrive.

“Tobias” (name changed), 24, a member of Der III. Weg, poses in a field near Bad Doberan, Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania, Germany, in 2025, making a hand sign used as a coded symbol for “White Power” within far-right networks. Der III. Weg is classified by German authorities as an extremist organization that promotes neo-Nazi ideology and is primarily active in eastern Germany. “These globalists, leftists, and foreigners are destroying my once-great country. I couldn’t just sit and watch it being doomed,” he said. “That’s why I decided to fight, and I’m doing my best to help others join our cause. Enough is enough.”

Lois Wagner, a member of the Junge Nationalisten (JN), speaks at an event in Wetzlar, Germany. The JN is the youth organization of the far-right party formerly known as the Nationaldemokratische Partei Deutschlands (NPD), now called Die Heimat. German domestic intelligence classifies the group as extremist. Wagner promotes ethnonationalist ideology and claims that his facial features prove his “Aryan” heritage, identifying himself as part of what he refers to as the “Nordic race.” “Germany should be for Germans,” he said. “That’s our right, to preserve who we are. If we don’t stand up now, we’ll lose everything our ancestors built.”

“Marcel” (name changed), 24, a member of the Junge Nationalisten, poses in a residential backyard in Göttingen, Germany. “We don’t call ourselves Nazis. We are patriots. We protect our land. They want to destroy everything we stand for,” he said. “We’re not the extremists—they are,” he added, referring to leftist and queer activists. “Every time we speak out, they call it hate. But we’re just defending our way of life.” When asked about democracy, he responded: “The system doesn’t work anymore. People like us get silenced. It’s time for a new order.” German security services report rising recruitment among young men, particularly in rural and economically deprived areas.

Members of the Junge Nationalisten (JN), the youth wing of the far-right party formerly known as the NPD and now called Die Heimat, attend a nationalist rally in Wetzlar, eastern Germany. Several wore symbols such as the Iron Cross and Thor’s hammer, which are commonly seen in far-right and neo-Nazi subcultures. “We’re not afraid to show who we are anymore,” said one of the participants. “We’re the true sons of this land, and we’re taking it back.” The JN is classified as extremist and is monitored by German domestic intelligence for promoting neo-Nazi ideology, including racial superiority and anti-constitutional agendas.

“Christian” (name changed), 21, a member of the Junge Nationalisten (JN), poses for a portrait. The JN, youth wing of the far-right NPD, is monitored by German intelligence for promoting neo-Nazi ideology and anti-constitutional agendas. “We’re not extremists, we’re realists,” Christian said. “Multiculturalism has failed. Crime is rising, and Germans are becoming strangers in their own cities.” He described joining the JN as a way to reclaim national pride and prepare for what he calls a cultural fight. “If talking doesn’t work, we’re ready to take serious action. Me and my comrades won’t just stand by while our country is dismantled.”