Full beard, reindeer skin and battle ax – what sounds like a costume and carnival is everyday clothing for Jan Ostendorf. The 30-year-old reveals what fascinates him about the Vikings.
When Jan Ostendorf leaves the house, goes shopping or has a coffee, he wears the medieval garb of a Viking. He even got married in a Viking look. The 30-year-old lives in Bremerhaven. He was born in Nordenham. Getting dressed took less than five minutes and the journey back in time to medieval Vikings began. This is now routine for him.
It’s super comfortable, functional, I like wearing it.
(Jan Ostendorf from Bremerhaven)
His stage name is “Jarl Totenfaust”. He is known in the scene as an actor in music videos. More than 4,000 people follow him on Instagram. During a video production for the song “No Rules”, the Bremerhaven native also met the rapper Finch and so more than 12 million people have now seen the 30-year-old Viking on YouTube.
What appeals to him so much about the world of Vikings? “It’s been going on for eight years now and I’m interested in it. I like the customs and belief in the old gods of the Vikings. They didn’t limit themselves to just one entity, I like that. Their myths are exciting and… “It’s also quite humorous. You don’t really find anything like that in the Bible. And I like her style of clothing,” explains Ostendorf.
25 hours of handwork go into its leather crown
Imposing full beard, robe, reindeer skin, leather crown and battle ax – the elaborately decorated leather crown on his head is called the Jarl’s crown and is the sign of a Viking count. Jan Ostendorf made it himself in 25 hours of handwork. The historical craft is really exciting and there is a lively exchange in the scene about many creative things. As a Viking you also come into contact with many different people.
Meanwhile, Ostendorf calmly enters the busy, well-stocked Portuguese bakery on Hafenstrasse – and stands out. Many people turn around and look at the big, strong Viking in surprise. The giant calmly orders a few vanilla tarts.
I always think that everyone should do what they want, as long as it doesn’t drift in any radical direction. And if anyone dares to talk to me, I’ll be happy to enlighten them. The Vikings were great explorers and an extremely open-minded people. For example, they discovered America long before Columbus.
(Jan Ostendorf from Bremerhaven)
But he’s not completely out of time: “I don’t walk around authentically,” says Ostendorf, standing in the midst of brightly lit glass cases full of pastries and cream tarts. “I just live today, not back then… I also have a cell phone, albeit with a wooden case,” he says with a smile. “And I just wear the clothes the way I like the look of it and find it practical. The reindeer’s shoulder fur, for example, keeps me nice and warm, but it’s not entirely historically correct. That would be more like tunics with a fur edge.”
He also explains that the color is not completely authentic. “The colors gray, brown and black weren’t really represented that much. The Vikings were a very colorful people. They wore a lot of yellow, blue and red.”
Horn was used to wake people up
On the way through the pedestrian zone, however, it stands out clearly even in more muted colors. At the latest when he blows his curved cattle horn shortly before reaching the Christmas market. A deep long tone sounds.
What did the Vikings once use the horn for? “To wake you up,” explains Ostendorf. But he just uses it when he “feels like it”. In any case, not to drink from it, as he often explains to people who ask him about the horn. In the meantime, he treats himself to a hearty sip of lemonade at the Christmas market stall among the mulled wine crowds. He doesn’t drink any alcohol himself.
Under the large, festively decorated Christmas tree in the middle of the square, the hobby Viking explains that he personally tends to celebrate the winter solstice and the nights of the winter these days. His plan just before Christmas Eve? “Smoking fish with my dad in Nordenham and then just relaxing.”
More on the topic of “Vikings”:
This topic in the program:
buten within, December 20, 2023, 7:30 p.m
2023-12-23 17:37:23
#Bremen #run #Viking #Bremerhaven
