Zwischen Lausitzer Bergland und dem Spreewald. Das kleinste slawische Volk der Sorben/Wenden

Spreewald Forest. (On) The Smallest Slavonic People – The Sorbs and Wends Upper and Lower Lusatia with mountains in the Southern border region with the Czech Republic (Bohemia) and the natural and cultural water landscapes of the Spreewald Forest are the native lands of the Slavonic Sorbs and Wends with a unique history, language, and culture. The ancestor of the Sorbs and Wends came here in the 6th century, and both peoples are closely related to their Western Slavonic brethren, the Czechs and Poles. In their complicated history they had to experience persecution, assimilation, and displacement, language prohibition, deportation, and even extermination included. In their home regions the Sorbs have the right to speak Sorabian/Wendish today, in public, at school, and at court as well. The increasing industrialization provokes more and more calls and activities for the preservation of the unique scenery, and language and culture of the Sorbian minority. The maintenance of the rich culture, customs and traditions of the Sorbs and Wends was and is still an important aspect for their future existence, and self-preservation. They are kept alive in many regions, across language and cultural barriers. General knowledge on this ethnic and cultural minority is in Germany often reduced to customs and mere folklore. Although many Sorbs and Wends are Christians today, most of their cultural heritage, customs and legends are of pagan-originated, a challenging, and interesting offer. The rich culture, lively customs and traditions make the bilingual region a unique, interesting, and attractive place for many visitors that can experience a lot in the triangle border region of Saxony, Bohemia, and Silesia. They may follow the ancient trade route Via Regia as well as the holy route Via Sacra connecting the Lusatia region with important historic and cultural destinations in Poland and the Czech Republic. Interested guest may experience traditions alive, for instance they might follow the traces of Krabat, also called the “Wendish Faust” and main character of the most popular Sorabian/Wendish legend coming from this area. Traditions are part of a well-preserved history and cultural heritage, and they are an integrating practice in modern life of this region, and in policy, too