Preservation of the culture and language of the Lusatian Sorbs in Brandenburg Cover Image

Ochrona kultury i języka Serbów łużyckich w Brandenburgii
Preservation of the culture and language of the Lusatian Sorbs in Brandenburg

Author(s): Anna Weissbrot-Koziarska, Inetta Nowosad , Justyna Michniuk
Subject(s): School education, Migration Studies, Ethnic Minorities Studies, Sociology of Education
Published by: Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek
Keywords: educational policy; national and ethnic minorities; Lusatian Sorbs; protection of language and culture; dying languages; Lower Sorbian language;

Summary/Abstract: Lusatian Serbs, also called Sorbs, are people living in Upper, Middle and Lower Lusatia. This small nation is a remnant of the Slavic settlement in East Germany (Brandenburg and Saxony). Lower Lusatia now lies in the state of Brandenburg, and Upper and Middle Lusatia in the Free State of Saxony. According to official data, in these areas there are approximately 50,000 – 60,000 Lusatian Serbs, of which it is assumed that two-thirds reside in Saxony and one-third in Brandenburg. The article draws attention to formal and legal issues aimed at protecting the culture and the Lower Sorbian language. The analyses carried out concern the general provisions of the European Union, Germany and more detailed guidelines adopted in Brandenburg. Legal acts are important formal means of protection, the effectiveness of which is expressed by the way of practice. Unfortunately, in Brandenburg, many of the existing regulations have no proper effect on everyday life or are distorted. The article is an attempt to identify the assumptions with the implementation, to recognize the limitations, but also to discuss the directions of improving the existing state.

  • Issue Year: 21/2023
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 57-68
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Polish