Steffen Kopetzky: "In the Hürtgen Forest, World War and Climate Change Connect"

Steffen Kopetzky's novel "Propaganda" is set against the backdrop of the Hürtgen Forest, a region currently battling wildfires. The German author uses this setting to explore the deep-seated trauma of war and the escalating impact of climate change.

Kopetzky draws a stark connection between the historical significance of the Hürtgen Forest, a site of intense fighting during World War I, and the current environmental crisis. He notes how the forest, once a symbol of resilience, is now threatened by fires, highlighting a convergence of past conflict and present-day ecological challenges.

In a conversation about his work, Kopetzky touches upon the forest's enduring importance, referencing its portrayal in various cultural contexts, from Ernest Hemingway's writings to the television series "Mad Men." This suggests a layered understanding of the forest, encompassing its historical weight, its role in literature and media, and its current vulnerability.