Brandenburg Coalition and CDU Aim to Enhance Sorbian Language Support

The Sorbian language, spoken in the Lausitz region, is set to receive increased support from a coalition of three factions in the Brandenburg Landtag, including the SPD/BSW coalition and the opposition CDU. A new initiative aims to bolster the presence of the Sorbian language in education and community life, recognizing its vulnerable status.

As part of a collaborative effort, the proposal emphasizes the importance of training teachers in the Sorbian/Wendish language, with plans to initiate this program at the Brandenburg University of Technology in Cottbus-Senftenberg starting in the winter semester of 2026/27. The coalition seeks to expand bilingual education initiatives in kindergartens and schools, ensuring that children from German-speaking families have the opportunity to learn Sorbian through qualified Sorbian educators.

The urgency of this initiative stems from concerns regarding the endangered status of the Sorbian language, as articulated by CDU representative Julian Brüning. He highlighted the necessity for targeted measures in education to foster the language's survival. Lars Katzmarek from the SPD noted that enhancing Sorbian language education would strengthen the cultural identity of the Sorbian-speaking community. Falk Peschel from BSW echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that education is crucial for preserving Sorbian heritage.

The Sorbs, a distinct ethnic group with a history spanning approximately 1,500 years in the Lausitz area, maintain rich traditions and customs that reflect their Slavic ancestry. In a proactive step, the Prime Ministers of Brandenburg and Saxony, Dietmar Woidke (SPD) and Michael Kretschmer (CDU), have approached Chancellor Friedrich Merz to advocate for a new financial agreement to support the Sorbian people through the foundation dedicated to their welfare. This comes as the current funding agreement is set to expire at the end of the year.

The initiative to promote the Sorbian language is built upon the Witaj concept, which serves as a framework for bilingual education in the region's kindergartens. This approach facilitates language acquisition for children from non-Sorbian speaking families, thereby promoting cultural integration and appreciation from an early age.

As the coalition prepares to present this proposal, it reflects a growing recognition of the importance of linguistic and cultural diversity within Germany. By investing in the Sorbian language and its community, the coalition aims not only to preserve an essential part of the region's heritage but also to foster an inclusive environment that values all cultural identities.