Kretschmer and Woidke ask Merz to support the Sorbs

The Minister Presidents of Saxony and Brandenburg, Michael Kretschmer (CDU) and Dietmar Woidke (SPD), have sent a letter to the Chancellor asking for sufficient funds to support the Sorbs. In the letter, the two heads of government ask Friedrich Merz (CDU) to work towards an adequate agreement on the joint financing of the foundation for the Sorbian people in Upper and Lower Lusatia before the end of this year. The current agreement expires at the end of this year.

The Federal Ministry of the Interior has presented a draft for a new funding agreement that is to apply from 2026 to 2030. Although the funding for the foundation would increase, it would only allow the status quo of the work to be secured due to cost increases, wrote Kretschmer and Woidke in the letter, which was obtained by dpa. Nevertheless, both states supported the draft despite major financial challenges and based their financial planning on it.

Heads of government for reliable finances

Saxony's head of government is calling for reliability in terms of funding. "The Sorbian language and culture are a great treasure and part of Saxony's identity," said Kretschmer. "It is clear that we still need a reliable financial basis so that the foundation can continue its important and valuable work."

Brandenburg's Minister President referred to the work of the foundation. "It is thanks to the work of the foundation and the initiatives it supports that the Sorbian language is being preserved. Sorbian customs and traditions are part of the unique cultural heritage of our country," said Woidke. "I therefore hope that we will continue to work together to provide appropriate support for the work of the Foundation for the Sorbian People."

Sorbians belong to four national minorities

The Sorbs/Wends are one of the four recognized national minorities in Germany alongside the Danish minority, the Frisian ethnic group and the German Sinti and Roma. They have been living in Lusatia for around 1,500 years. The place name signs in the settlement area are bilingual.

The terms Sorbs and Wends originate from Latin. There are many people in Lower Lusatia who prefer to call themselves Wends. This is why both terms are used equally in Brandenburg.

The Foundation for the Sorbian People has been in existence since 1991. It supports the cultivation and promotion of the Sorbian language and culture and funds institutions and projects. According to both countries, the total funding currently amounts to 23.9 million euros per year.