Chronology

The history of the Regional Association “Handrij Zejler” Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda reflects the development of Sorbian life and its cultural achievements. The following key milestones and outcomes have shaped Sorbian life in the region

  • At the beginning of the 20th century, numerous Sorbian cultural events were held at the Gesellschaftshaus in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda. Today, the building houses the KuFa (Kulturfabrik).
    At the beginning of the 20th century, numerous Sorbian cultural events were held at the Gesellschaftshaus in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda. Today, the building houses the KuFa (Kulturfabrik).

    Foundation and Early Development (1912–1937)

    13 October 1912: Foundation of Domowina – Federation of Lusatian Sorbs at the delegates’ conference in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda
    21 July 1921: Establishment of the regional sub-associations at the delegates’ conference in Hoyerswerda, including the Regional Association “Handrij Zejler” Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda
    1 January 1922: Establishment of a branch of the Wendish People’s Bank AG in Hoyerswerda (until 1932)
    18 March 1937: Ban on events organised by Domowina and its affiliated associations

     

    At the beginning of the 20th century, numerous Sorbian cultural events were held at the Gesellschaftshaus in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda. Today, the building houses the KuFa (Kulturfabrik).
  • People’s gathering of Domowina in Wittichenau. Festive procession, 10 July 1949. Photo: Kurt Heine.
    People’s gathering of Domowina in Wittichenau. Festive procession, 10 July 1949. Photo: Kurt Heine.

    New Beginning after the Second World War (1945–1957)

    10 May 1945: Re-establishment of Domowina – Federation of Lusatian Sorbs in Chrósćicy | Crostwitz
    1946: First meeting of Sorbian Protestant parishes
    1947: First Sorbian Protestant Church Congress in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda
    21–22 August 1948: First meeting of Sorbian work brigades in Delni Wujězd | Uhyst/Spree
    1952–1957: Reconstruction of the church, which had been severely damaged during the war; consecrated to St John the Baptist

     

    People’s gathering of Domowina in Wittichenau. Festive procession, 10 July 1949. Photo: Kurt Heine.
  • 6th Federal Congress of Domowina – Federation of Lusatian Sorbs in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda, 1965. Photo: Kurt Heine.
    6th Federal Congress of Domowina – Federation of Lusatian Sorbs in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda, 1965. Photo: Kurt Heine.

    Cultural Renewal and Institutional Development (1957–1977)

    1957–1972: Museum of Sorbian History and Folklore at Hoyerswerda Castle
    13 October 1962: Ceremonial session of the Federal Executive Board of Domowina in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda to mark the 50th anniversary of Domowina
    27–28 July 1964: Festival of Sorbian Folk Art in Kulow | Wittichenau
    26–27 March 1965: 6th Federal Congress of Domowina in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda
    1977: Construction of the Domowina House in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda – to this day the seat of the Regional Association “Handrij Zejler”

    6th Federal Congress of Domowina – Federation of Lusatian Sorbs in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda, 1965. Photo: Kurt Heine.
  • Memorial stone commemorating the foundation of Domowina, 1995. Photo: Marburg.
    Memorial stone commemorating the foundation of Domowina, 1995. Photo: Marburg.

    Revitalisation and Institutional Consolidation (1991–2012)

    19 October 1991: Establishment of the Foundation for the Sorbian People in Łaz | Lohsa
    1994: Installation of the “Sorbenbrunnen” (Sorbs’ Fountain) on the market square in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda (artist: Jürgen von Woyski)
    1994: Re-establishment of the association “Bratrowstwo” in Kulow | Wittichenau
    2007: First Sorbian Homeland Day – held annually since
    12 October 2012: Commemorative event marking the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Domowina in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda
    13 October 2012: Official ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of Domowina in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda

     

    Memorial stone commemorating the foundation of Domowina, 1995. Photo: Marburg.
  • Opening of the Service Office in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda. Photo: Gabriela Linack.
    Opening of the Service Office in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda. Photo: Gabriela Linack.

    Projects and New Impulses in the Present Day (2019–2024)

    2019: Opening of the Service Office for the Sorbian Language at the Domowina House in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda
    Since 2020: Annual autumn concerts organised by Domowina in Lusatia
    2022: Events held during the Zejler–Kocor Year (150th anniversary of the death of Handrij Zejler, 200th anniversary of the birth of Korla Awgust Kocor)
    1 February 2024: Commemoration of the 220th birthday of Handrij Zejler at the memorial in Łaz | Lohsa

    Opening of the Service Office in Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda. Photo: Gabriela Linack.

The Domowina Regional Association “Handrij Zejler” Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda is today a vibrant centre of Sorbian culture in the former district of Hoyerswerda. It brings together five Domowina local groups, 14 cultural, traditional costume, dance, heritage and support associations, several choirs, as well as committed youth groups.

Through their wide-ranging events – from readings, concerts and theatre performances to local festivals and traditional processions – they keep the language, customs and regional distinctiveness alive. The Domowina House in Wojerecy serves as an important cultural venue and meeting place.


Chairs of the Regional Association “Handrij Zejler” Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda

 

1922 – 1933     Jan Haješ from Łaz | Lohsa
1933 – 1937     Reorganisation of the regional associations according to municipalities
1937 – 1945     No activity by Domowina
1945 – 1948     Jan Haješ from Łaz | Lohsa
1948 – 1951     Jakub Čorlich from Němcy | Dörgenhausen
1951 – 1952     Jakub Krječmar from Kulowc | Keula
1952 – 1963     Maks Mertin from Šćeńca | Steinitz
1963 – 1965     Gerat Kral from Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda
1965 – 1966     Arnošt Kowar from Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda
1967 – 1971     Jan Suchy from Sulšecy | Sollschwitz
1971 – 1975     Jurij Nuk from Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda
1975 – 1982     Albert Just from Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda
1982 – 1990     Jurij Kokla from Wulke Zdźary | Groß Särchen
1990 – 1997     Werner Sroka from Kinajcht | Kühnicht
1997 – 1998     Achim Nowak from Němcy / Dörgenhausen
1998 – 2013     Brigita Šramina from Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda
2013 – 2018     No Chair (Christina Šołćina served as Regional Spokesperson of Domowina)
2018 – 2021     Marcel Braumann from Łuh | Luga
2021 – 2024     Gabriela Linakowa from Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda and Marcel Braumann from Łuh | Luga
2024 – 2027     Gabriela Linakowa from Wojerecy | Hoyerswerda