National Prize of the Sorbs for composer Martin Wetzlich

The composer and musician Martin Wetzlich has received the highest Sorbian award for his services to Sorbian popular music. Saxony's Minister of State for Culture, Barbara Klepsch, presented the 67-year-old with the Ćišinski Prize, endowed with 12,000 euros, at the St. Benno educational estate in Schmochtitz in the district of Bautzen.

The CDU politician said that constant efforts are needed to preserve the cultural wealth of the Sorbian people. "It is therefore of great importance that there are committed people who are committed to the preservation, teaching and use of the Sorbian language and to its maintenance and further development."

Composed and produced around 400 songs

Wetzlich's work is pioneering for Sorbian music and the promotion of young Sorbian singing talents, the award board explained its decision. The musician, who was born in Räckelwitz in the district of Bautzen, says he has composed and produced around 400 songs and "musical scenes of popular music". These were performed by a large number of Sorbian soloists and choir singers, the statement continued.

The Ćišinski Prize, endowed with 4,000 euros, went to Julian Nitzsche, a Slavicist and cultural scientist from Bautzen. He received the prize for his special services to the establishment of the Sorbian language and the communication of knowledge about the Sorbs in the digital media.

The Ćišinski Prize, which is awarded every two years by the Foundation for the Sorbian People, is the highest award of the Sorbs. The prize is awarded in memory of the Sorbian national poet Jakub Bart-Ćišinski, who died in 1909.