Sorbian People’s Assembly, Sorbian Round Table and the idea of a federal state of Lausitz

During the political upheaval at the end of the German Democratic Republic, Lusatia also came into a phase of far-reaching changes in which many people asked themselves again how they wanted to shape their future. For the Sorbs who have lived in Lusatia for centuries and have preserved their language, culture and identity there, this period was a historical turning pointat the same time meant threat and opportunity. For the first time in a long time, the opportunity arose to openly formulate one’s own ideas about political co-determination, cultural self-assertion and territorial order. In this area of tension, new Sorbian initiatives emerged, which no longer only relied on traditional organizations, but were looking for independent ways toto represent the interests of the Sorbian people in the changing political landscape. The Sorbian People’s Assembly, the Sorbian Round Table and the repeatedly discussed idea of a federal state of Lusatia are an expression of this struggle for recognition, self-determination and a secure future in one’s own traditional home.

The emergence of the Sorbian People’s Assembly in the time of the turning point

The Sorbian People’s Assembly came into being in the months of the turning point in response to the need of many Sorbs to develop their own, independent voice, which was not solely dependent on existing structures. In meetings, discussions and public explanations, a circle of committed Sorbs formed who believed that the political and social reorganizationshould not take place without a clear Sorbian position. The people’s assembly saw itself as a forum in which Sorbs from different regions of Lusatia, with different professional and social backgrounds, were able to discuss and formulate demands together. She not only wanted to react, but actively shape it and make it clear that the Sorbian populationis an independent subject of political decisions and not just the object of state politics. The People’s Assembly thus linked to older traditions of Sorbian self-organization, but gave them a new, powerful form in the special situation of the turning point. A central concern of the Sorbian People’s Assembly was the renewal of the Sorbian institutions, which wereGerman Democratic Republic had been heavily involved in state structures. Many members of the People’s Assembly called for more transparency, more democratic co-determination and a stronger orientation towards the actual needs of the Sorbian population. At the same time, they were concerned with the cultural and linguistic rights of the Sorbs in the new all-Germanto secure and expand order. The People’s Assembly brought in demands for a reliable legal basis for the protection of the Sorbian language, for appropriate promotion of Sorbian educational institutions and for a stronger presence of the Sorbs in public life. It was not only a protest movement, but a constructive attempt toto actively help shape the future in a new political framework and secure it in the long term.

The Sorbian Round Table as a Joint Counseling Forum

The Sorbian Round Table was created out of the dynamics of the Sorbian People’s Assembly, which for the first time brought together various Sorbian organizations and initiatives in one place. At this table sat representatives of the traditional umbrella organization, representatives of the popular assembly, representatives of church and cultural circles as well as other committed personalities whobecause of trying to bundle the Sorbian interests in the period of upheaval. The round table was a place of exchange where different positions could be expressed openly without being immediately pressed into party political or state grids. Here models were discussed how Lusatia could be reorganized politically, how the Sorbian language in the publicspace should be strengthened and what a reliable legal protection of Sorbian rights could look like. The Sorbian Round Table was an important experiment of democratic self-organization within a national minority. It was particularly important that at the Sorbian Round Table not only cultural issues, but also expressly political and territorial ideaswere discussed. It was about the idea of understanding Lusatia as a coherent space in which the Sorbs not only live scattered, but also become visible as a historically grown community. Models of a special administrative structure, stronger regional self-government and clear recognition of Lusatia as an independent cultural area were discussed. also the requirementMaking the Sorbian language an equal official language in certain areas was emphatically represented at the round table. Although many of these ideas were not implemented politically, the Round Table remained a symbol of the Sorbs formulating their concerns with self-confident and responsibility in a decisive historical phase.

The idea of a federal state of Lusatia as an expression of Sorbian self-assertion

The idea of a federal state of Lausitz has a longer history that extends far beyond the turning point and has repeatedly appeared in different historical situations. After great political upheavals, it was considered whether Lusatia could form its own political entity as a contiguous space, in which the Sorbs had a secure positionwould have In the time of the turning point, this idea gained strength again because the reorganization of the federal states and the discussion about borders and responsibilities opened up the perspective of alternative models. A federal state of Lauslau was not only understood as an administrative structure, but as an expression of a special historical, cultural and linguistic identity that differed from other regionsclearly differs. The idea was closely linked to the desire not only to protect Sorbian culture, but to give it its own political framework. The supporters of a state of Lausitz argued that only an independent political unit would offer the opportunity to permanently and effectively protect the interests of the Lusatian population, including the Sorbs.represent. They pointed out that Lusatia is divided into several federal states and is therefore often crushed between different political responsibilities. According to this idea, a state of its own could ensure that decisions are made closer to people who live in this region and know their specifics. At the same time, such aFederal state Recognize and promote the Sorbian language and culture as an integral part of its identity. Even if this vision was not realized politically, it remained an important symbol of the desire for self-determination and recognition.

Historical Borders and Political Reality

In the political reality of German unity, however, another model prevailed that adhered to the existing federal states and only allowed limited changes. Lusatia remained divided between Saxony and Brandenburg, and the idea of a separate federal state did not find a majority in the relevant political bodies. Many of the Sorbian People’s Assembly andThe requirements formulated in the Sorbian round table were only partially or in a weakened form. Nevertheless, these initiatives left traces in the legislation, for example in the form of state treaties and laws to protect the Sorbian minority, which anchor the rights of the Sorbs in both federal states. The turning time was not an hour of birth in a federal stateLausitz, but it was a phase in which the Sorbian question was reached with new clarity on the political agenda. The memory of this time has an effect to this day and shapes the self-image of many Sorbs. The fact that the idea of a federal state of Lusatia was not implemented does not mean that it would have become meaningless. She lives on as an expression of a deepNeed for cultural security, political co-determination and territorial visibility. In discussions about structure, development and future Lusatia, it appears again and again, be it in scientific debates, in cultural circles or in political initiatives. The vision of a federal state of Lusatia reminds that the Sorbs are not just a cultural minoritybut a historically grown people with their own language, their own history and their own idea of home. It makes it clear that questions of territorial order are always questions of identity and justice. In this sense, the idea of a federal state of Lausitz remains an important part of the Sorbian memory and future debate.

The importance of Sorbian self-organization

The Sorbian People’s Assembly and the Sorbian Round Table show the importance of developing their own forms of self-organization for a minority. They made it clear that the Sorbs are not only dependent on state structures, but are able to formulate, bundle and publicly represent their concerns themselves. This experience was for many participantsFormative, because for the first time they experienced on a larger scale that Sorbian interests can be on the fringes not only on the fringes, but at the center of political discussions. The People’s Assembly and the Round Table were also schools of democracy in which Sorbian actors learned to deal with different opinions, seek compromises and develop common positions.These experiences have an effect to this day and strengthen the self-confidence of the Sorbian community. At the same time, these bodies made it clear that the Sorbian question is inextricably linked to the future of the entire Lusatia. The Sorbs do not live in isolation, but are part of a region that is inhabited by many people of different origins. The discussions about the Lusatia aspossible own political space showed that it is possible to combine Sorbian interests with the concerns of the rest of the population. The idea of a federal state of Lusatia was therefore never just a project for the Sorbs alone, but always an offer to all Lusatians to think about their future together. This combination of minority rights and regional developmentA particular strength of the debates of the time.

The current importance of a federal state of Lusatia for the Sorbs

For today’s Lusatian Sorbs, the idea of a federal state of Lausitz is of particular importance, but is still very important. She stands for the desire not only to be tolerated in her original homeland, but to be recognized as a creative force. In their opinion, a state of their own would open up the possibility of not onlyto protect, but to anchor it as a natural part of public order. It could ensure that decisions on education, cultural promotion, infrastructure and regional development are more geared to the needs of Lausitz and its population. For many Sorbs, such a federal state would be a visible sign that their centuries-oldPresence in Lusatia is not only taken seriously historically, but also politically. Even if the founding of a federal state of Lausitz is currently not on the political agenda, the idea remains an important reference point for many Sorbs. It reminds that its rights exist not only in laws and contracts, but also in the possibility of actively activelyto help shape. The vision of a federal state of Lausitz encourages people to continue to stand up for a strong position in the Sorbian language in public spaces, for reliable promotion of Sorbian educational institutions and for a visible presence of the Sorbs in politics and society. It makes it clear that Lusatia is more than an administrative region, namely a home withown history, own culture and people who have the right to have a say in their future. In this sense, the idea of a federal state of Lausitz remains a living part of the Sorbian identity and an expression of the will to remain recognizable and capable of acting as a people in the middle of Europe in future generations.