The Lower Sorbian Maśica Serbska was founded in 1880 in Cottbus on the initiative of the Polish lawyer and friend of the Sorbs, Alfons Parczewski, as the “Lower Lusatian Wendish Section”.

The main objective of Maśica Serbska was the “cultivation of the Lower Lusatian Wendish language and the publication of good books written in this language for the people”. Of the 72 people present at the founding assembly, 65 immediately became members; by 1882 the association had 224 members, including 171 from Lower Lusatia, predominantly from the Cottbus district. The association, which also referred to itself as the “Wendish Book Society”, was highly active in publishing and oriented its work towards the needs of its rural, strictly religious (Protestant) readership. This included new or revised prayer books, hymnals and sermon collections, various devotional writings, as well as textbooks, songbooks and, occasionally, works of fiction. The work was financed primarily through private donations, membership fees and the waiving of honoraria. Of particular importance was the annual publication Serbska pratyja, which has been published every year since 1880, with only a few interruptions, and remains today the most widely read publication in the Lower Sorbian/Wendish language.

Alongside linguistic studies, the education and cultural development of the people was promoted above all through Sorbian cultural and local heritage evenings organised by Pastor Gotthold Schwela. Between 1893 and 1906, singing festivals were held almost every year. Members of Maśica Serbska played a decisive role as organisers in preserving and promoting the Lower Sorbian language and culture. However, even before the First World War, activities began to decline as assimilation progressed. The Prussian authorities succeeded in pushing the Lower Sorbian language out of public life, particularly from schools and churches. During the Weimar Republic, Maśica experienced a brief revival when the Cottbus branch of the Wendish People’s Bank provided the association with its first permanent premises in 1928. A final highlight was the association’s 50th anniversary, celebrated on 10 August 1930 in Vetschau as a public festival featuring a traditional costume parade. On this occasion, a memorandum was also presented demanding that the authorities support the use and preservation of the Lower Sorbian language. When Domowina — of which Maśica had been a founding member since 1913 — was banned from operating, all activities came to an end in spring 1937.

Unlike in Upper Lusatia, Maśica Serbska in Lower Lusatia was not revived after 1945. Its re-establishment only took place on 13 May 1993 in Cottbus. By then, its former responsibilities had largely been taken over by other Sorbian institutions. The newly founded Maśica Serbska identified its role in promoting knowledge of Sorbian culture and history. Since then, the association’s work has focused on researching and documenting the lives and achievements of important Lower Sorbian figures. It organises symposia and commemorative events, publishes historical studies and inaugurates memorials.

List of Chairpersons