Ptači kwas | Bird Wedding – 25 January

The Bird Wedding (25 January) is particularly popular among children. It is a gift-giving custom in which the birds “thank” the children for feeding them during the winter.
On the evening before, children place plates on the windowsill. The next day they find pastries shaped like birds and nests or other sweets.

Originally, the custom was celebrated in Upper Lusatia and was later introduced to Lower Lusatia by nursery and primary school teachers. Since the 1960s, it has been a fixed part of programmes in many nurseries and primary schools. Children dress up as birds, parade through villages or towns, and present short cultural performances. In Sorbian nurseries, they wear regional wedding costumes and re-enact a traditional wedding party.

Since the late 19th century, evening events for adults have also been held, usually hosted by a wedding announcer. From the mid-20th century onwards, the Sorbian National Ensemble has shaped these programmes, often combining revue formats with folkloric elements. Performances take place across Lusatia, in Lower Lusatia often in connection with “Zapust” (carnival). Special professional performances are also developed for children.

Clapper Processions

After the liturgy on Maundy Thursday evening, church bells fall silent in the Catholic parts of Lusatia. In some villages, boys – and more recently also girls – walk through the village on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, morning, midday and evening, carrying wooden clappers and praying at shrines and crosses. The loud clapping calls the faithful to devotion and prayer.

Palenje chodojty (burning of witches) and mejemjetanje (maypole throwing) – 30 April and 1 May

The burning of witches on Walpurgis Night (30 April) is a spring custom symbolising the driving away of winter. A large, visible fire is lit, often using a pile of wood and combustible materials, which is guarded to prevent neighbouring villages from lighting it prematurely. In some places, a straw “witch” is placed on top. 

In many places, the maypole is erected on this day – often in the centre of the village or in nurseries or primary schools.

The Maypole Throwing takes place on one of the following Sundays in May. This festival is organised by the young people and children of the village and is usually accompanied by a cultural programme of dancing and celebrations.

International Folklore Festival ŁUŽICA - ŁUŽYCA – LAUSITZ – June/July

Every two years, the Mjezynarodny folklorny festiwal ŁUŽICA - ŁUŽYCA - LAUSITZ becomes a special highlight of the Sorbian cultural scene for four days. Budyšin | Bautzen, Hochoza | Drachhausen and Chrósćicy | Crostwitz are transformed into lively stages where an international festival celebrates cultural diversity.

Ensembles from Lusatia and around the world present a varied programme. Dance, song and music bring the vitality of Sorbian and other cultures to life. On Saturday and Sunday, the festival can be experienced in Chrósćicy | Crostwitz, where the arts and crafts market and the traditional parade on Sunday are among the highlights.

The festival welcomes visitors of all ages: the local farms invite you to linger over food and drink in a cosy, family atmosphere. Rock and pop music will be played on Saturday evening for younger guests. The grand finale will take place on Sunday on the main stage as a fitting conclusion to the festival.

Further information:

www.folklorny-festiwal.de

Swjaty Měrćin | St. Martin's Day – 11 November

Martin's singing is based on the legend of Saint Martin of Tours, who cut his officer's cloak with a sword in the 4th century to save the life of a freezing beggar. Every year on this day, children from the church communities gather to go from house to house together. They sing and receive sweets in return.

Borborka (Upper Sorbian) | Saint Barbara

On the eve of St Barbara’s Day (4 December), the figure of Borborka, dressed in a white bridal gown and accompanied by two “Ruprecht” figures, visits households with children and distributes fruit and sweets.