History

The Regional Association bears the name of the Sorbian scholar Michał Hórnik (1833–1894), who played a decisive role in preserving the Sorbian language and history. His work continues to have an impact to this day.

History of the Domowina Regional Association “Michał Hórnik”

The umbrella organisation Domowina brings together around 7,500 members organised in five regional associations as well as numerous local groups and member associations. They form the foundation of our work and contribute to the vitality of Sorbian life.

The namesake of our Regional Association, Michał Hórnik (1833–1894), rendered outstanding services in the fields of Sorbian linguistics, folklore studies, historiography and journalism. He also advocated cooperation among Sorbs, regardless of denomination or regional affiliation.

Learn more about Michał Hórnik

In addition to cultural diversity, the Sorbian mother tongue shapes the everyday lives of many people in the region, who use it as a means of communication alongside German. The population is predominantly Catholic and belongs to the parishes of Chrósćicy | Crostwitz, Njebjelčicy | Nebelschütz, Wotrow | Ostro and Ralbicy | Ralbitz

  • Women on the village street in Laske / Ralbitz-Rosenthal, 1875. Photo: August Kotzsch, Sorbian Cultural Archive at the Sorbian Institute.
    Women on the village street in Laske / Ralbitz-Rosenthal, 1875. Photo: August Kotzsch, Sorbian Cultural Archive at the Sorbian Institute.

    Origins and Foundation

    The history of the Regional Association “Michał Hórnik” reflects the development of and commitment to Sorbian culture, language and community life. From its foundation in 1921 and significant cultural events to its re-establishment after the Second World War, these milestones continue to shape the cultural life of the region to this day.

     

    Women on the village street in Laske / Ralbitz-Rosenthal, 1875. Photo: August Kotzsch, Sorbian Cultural Archive at the Sorbian Institute.
  • 1921

    21 July 1921: Establishment of the regional associations of Domowina at the delegates’ conference in Hoyerswerda

  • 1921

    10 July 1921: Performance of the historical drama Na hrodźišću (“On the Rampart”) by Jakub Bart-Ćišinski with 50 amateur actors from Chrósćicy | Crostwitz on four days before approximately 4,000 spectators at the Kopschin rampart

  • 1933

    27 December 1933: Main Assembly of Domowina. Election of teacher Paul Nedo (1908–1984) as Chair of Domowina and Pastor Jan Wjenka from Chrósćicy | Crostwitz as his deputy

  • 1935

    14 July 1935: Demonstration of 1,500 Sorbs on the occasion of the unveiling of the commemorative plaque for Tecelin Mět at the pilgrimage church in Róžant | Rosenthal. Performance of the play Paliwaka by J. Wjela at the Kopschin rampart before 5,000 spectators

  • 1937

    8 March 1937: Ban on events organised by Domowina and its affiliated associations; prohibition of the Sorbian language in public space

  • 1945

    10 May 1945: Re-establishment of Domowina in Chrósćicy | Crostwitz

    1 November 1945: First Sorbian theatre performance after the Second World War

    Since 1946: Seat of the Regional Association in Chrósćicy | Crostwitz

  • 1948
    Sorbian Agricultural School in Chrósćicy | Crostwitz, 1952. Photo: Kurt Heine, Sorbian Cultural Archive at the Sorbian Institute.
    Sorbian Agricultural School in Chrósćicy | Crostwitz, 1952. Photo: Kurt Heine, Sorbian Cultural Archive at the Sorbian Institute.

    23 March 1948: Adoption of the “Law on the Protection of the Rights of the Sorbian People” by the Saxon State Parliament

    Sorbian Agricultural School in Chrósćicy | Crostwitz, 1952. Photo: Kurt Heine, Sorbian Cultural Archive at the Sorbian Institute.
  • 1956

    10 June 1956: Unveiling of the monument to Michał Hórnik in Worklecy | Räckelwitz

    20 August 1956: Commemoration marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of the poet Jakub Bart-Ćišinski at the monument in Pančicy-Kukow | Panschwitz-Kuckau. Conferment of the name “Šula Ćišinskeho” on the Panschwitz school and first award of the “Ćišinski Prize” in Kamjenc | Kamenz

  • 1957
    Jan Skala
    Jan Skala

    29 December 1957: Unveiling of the commemorative plaque for Jan Skala at his birthplace in Njebjelčicy | Nebelschütz

    Jan Skala
  • 1962

    July 1962: Celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Domowina with a historical procession and cultural events in Chrósćicy | Crostwitz

  • 1966

    22–26 June 1966: First Festival of Sorbian Culture in Budyšin | Bautzen; six further festivals followed until 1989

  • 1974
    Festival of the District Association of Domowina in Šunow | Schönau, 1961. Photo: Paul Rothe, Sorbian Cultural Archive at the Sorbian Institute
    Festival of the District Association of Domowina in Šunow | Schönau, 1961. Photo: Paul Rothe, Sorbian Cultural Archive at the Sorbian Institute

    22 September 1974: Sorbian cultural festival of the Regional Association held on the occasion of the inauguration of the new school in Ralbicy | Ralbitz; further festivals took place in 1979, 1984, 1988, 1991 and 1994 in Ralbicy | Ralbitz and Wotrow | Ostro

    Festival of the District Association of Domowina in Šunow | Schönau, 1961. Photo: Paul Rothe, Sorbian Cultural Archive at the Sorbian Institute
  • 1995

    1995: First Mjezynarodny folklorny festiwal ŁUŽICA – ŁUŽYCA – LAUSITZ in Chrósćicy | Crostwitz, held every two years since

The Domowina Regional Association “Michał Hórnik” Kamjenc | Kamenz brings together a vibrant network of associations. It currently comprises three Domowina local groups, more than 20 cultural and heritage associations, as well as numerous music, theatre and youth groups.

These groups play a decisive role in shaping cultural life in the municipalities of Chrósćicy | Crostwitz, Njebjelčicy | Nebelschütz, Pančicy-Kukow | Panschwitz-Kuckau, Ralbicy-Róžant | Ralbitz-Rosenthal and Worklecy | Räckelwitz. They bring the Sorbian language, music, theatre, customs and community life into everyday practice, making the region an active centre of Sorbian identity.


Chairs of the Regional Association “Michał Hórnik”

Since its foundation, the Regional Association has been led by committed Chairs:

1945 – 1950     Franc Natuš (1898-1950) from Chrósćicy | Crostwitz 
1951 – 1952     Michał Kokla (1907-1967) from Nowa Wjeska | Neudörfel
1952 – 1954     Jan Bětnar (1920- ...) from Pančicy-Kukow | Panschwitz-Kuckau
1954 – 1957     Jurij Žur (1900-1967) from Ralbicy | Ralbitz
1957 – 1960     Jurij Hansky (1931-....) from Njebjelčicy | Nebelschütz
1960 – 1983     Jurij Wowčer (1926-1983) from Róžant | Rosenthal
1984 – 1996     Rafael Wowčer (1950-2011) from Róžant | Rosenthal
1996 – 2002     Benedikt Cyž (1949) from Lejno | Lehndorf
2002 – 2004     Měrko Šmit (born 1958, Deputy Chair) from Worklecy | Räckelwitz
2004 – 2015     Trudla Kuringowa (1940-2024) from Pančicy-Kukow | Panschwitz-Kuckau
2015 – 2021     Zala Cyžowa (1947) from Chrósćicy | Crostwitz 
seit 2021     Diana Wowčerjowa (1974) from Nuknica | Nucknitz

 

 


Through their commitment, the Chairs have made a decisive contribution to promoting Sorbian culture, language and community life in the region and continue to play a valuable role in preserving Sorbian identity to this day.