„Mitteleuropäische Allianz“, the Central European Alliance of Nations Without State

At the beginning of March, the General Assembly of the European Free Alliance (EFA) was held in Brussels. The Central European member parties of the EFA established a cross-border working group of non-state peoples, ethnic minorities and regionalists in central Europe.

The working group is called "Central European Alliance". It wants to strengthen cross-border cooperation within Central Europe and make the common interests of the affected regions more heard. The Nations Without State parties in Central Europe have many similarities: historical, cultural, political and economic. But the regions in Central Europe are also a fateful community, as the 1919 "Peace Treaty", with its arbitrary new demarcations, is the source of the problems of most nationss without state, ethnic minority and regionalists.

"We are convinced that a cross-border Europe of self-determined peoples and regions can only function if supported by politics, and as members of the European Free Alliance, we want to play a pioneering role in regrouping what belongs together . "

The „Mitteleuropäische Allianz“ (Central European Alliance) consists of the following EFA member parties:

1.Bayernpartei, Bavaria.
2. Enotna Lista, Slovene in Carinthia, Austria.
3. Erdély Magyar Néppárt, Hungarians in Szeklerland, Romania
4. Lausitzer Allianz (Lusatian Alliance), Lusatia
5. Liga Socijaldemokrata Vojvodine, Vojvodina, Serbia
6. Lista per Fiume, Italians from Croatia
7.Magyar Kereszténydemokrata Szövetség, (Hungarian Christian Democratic Association), Hungary
8. Moravské Zemské Hnutí (Moravian Land Movement), Moravian
9. Oljka, Slovene Istria
10. Ruch Autonomii Śląska, Silesia, Poland.
11. South Tyrolean Freedom, Tyrolean Germans in Italy.
12. Unser Land (Our country), Alsace

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Sorbs want unity between Domowina and Sejm

The dispute over the representation of the Sorbs and Wends in Lusatia should come to an end. "The public has no sympathy for Gezerre between Sejm and Domowina," said Marcel Braumann, head of the Domowina Regional Association Hoyerswerda, on Wednesday the German Press Agency in Dresden. The task of the Domowina is to bring together all people who are committed to the Sorbian.

After elections, the Initiative Serbski Sejm was constituted in the autumn of 2018 as the Sorbian parliament. The leadership of the Federal Lusatian Sorbs (Domowina) but so far questions the legitimacy of the Sejm and insists on its status as an advocacy. At the base one desires unity. Braumann argued that especially in the Hoyerswerda region, togetherness is already an everyday reality.

Braumann had recently shaken hands with Sejm-president Edith Pjenkowa at a meeting. The Serbian Sejm spoke of a "bang". The Sorbian Parliament consists of 24 deputies - twelve Wends and Sorbs - and desires autonomy in education and culture. The states of Brandenburg and Saxony do not yet support this and refer to already existing institutions. About 60,000 members of the Slavic minority live in Lusatia.

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70 years of Domowina's work in Brandenburg

The Minister of Culture Martina Münch recalled the official admission of the Domowina in the state of Brandenburg after the Second World War 70 years ago on 20 January 1949 and commended her commitment to the Sorbian / Wendish concerns.

"I thank Domowina and its members for their great and long-standing commitment to representing the interests of the Sorbian/Wendish people. The Domowina is an indispensable voice of the Sorbs and Wends in Brandenburg and Saxony; it contributes significantly to preserve the language, culture and traditions of the Sorbs/Wends, make known and their concerns in both countries to make heard, ".

Münch said that "In recent years, the country has made a number of contributions to better protecting the culture and language of the national minority:

- In 2015, the first direct elections for the Sorbs / Wends Council took place at the state parliament,

- in 2016 adopted the National Plan to Strengthen the Lower Sorbian Language,

- in 2017 we increased our support to the Foundation for the Sorbian People

- and in 2018 we awarded the 'Mina Witkojc Prize' for Sorbian / Wendish linguistic engagement for the first time.

I am pleased that we can further strengthen the interests of the minority and the municipalities this year with the introduction of full-time Sorbs / Wenden Commissioners. For Brandenburg, the Wendish culture is an extraordinary wealth that we want to preserve. "

The Domowina was founded in October 1912 by representatives of 31 Sorbian associations in Hoyerswerda. In 1937 she was banned from any activity. In 1941 the organization was expropriated. 70 years ago, on January 20, 1949, the Domowina received the official approval in the state of Brandenburg from the then Brandenburg state government - even before the founding of the GDR.

Domowina is an umbrella organization of Sorbian associations that represents the political and cultural interests of the Sorbs / Wends in Brandenburg and Saxony and promotes the Sorbian / Wendish language and culture. It has about 7,500 members, organized in five Domowina regional associations with local groups and other member associations as well as 13 national member associations.

The Sorbs / Wends have been based in Lusatia/Sorabia for around 1,500 years. Despite attempts at assimilation by former rulers and governments, they have retained their own language and culture, which is characterized by numerous festivals and diverse customs. The states of Brandenburg and Saxony as well as the federal government support the efforts of the Sorbs / Wends to preserve and develop their traditional national identity, culture and language. The state of Brandenburg supports the foundation for the Sorbian people annually with 3.1 million €.

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