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Cottbus sounds the alarm: Sorbian will be officially taught from 2026!
The BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg will be introducing a Sorbian/Wendish teacher training course from 2026 to promote the language.
Cottbus sounds the alarm: Sorbian will be officially taught from 2026!
The Brandenburg Technical University of Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) will introduce a bachelor's degree program for primary school teaching in the Sorbian and Wendish languages from the winter semester of 2026. This groundbreaking decision was approved by the state government of Brandenburg and viewed as an important step for the preservation of the Lower Sorbian language and for the cultural diversity of the region. Mayor Tobias Schick of Cottbus was pleased with the initiative and emphasized that Cottbus, together with the Spree-Neiße district and various Sorbian-Wendish committees, had supported this training. The education sector hopes that this new course will not only bring more teachers, but also greater appreciation of the Sorbian language in the region.
From 2024, future teacher training students in the field of Sorbian/Wendish can look forward to a monthly scholarship of 500 euros, which is available for five years. However, they must commit to working as a teacher in Cottbus for at least five years after completing their studies. Applications for this scholarship can be submitted annually by September 30th. The exact guidelines for awarding scholarships will soon be published on the city's website so that interested students can find out more in good time.
Early childhood language development and Witaj concept
A central concern that Schick emphasizes is early childhood language development. The Witaj concept, which is successfully implemented in Cottbus, plays a crucial role here. Daycare centers such as “Villa Kunterbunt” and “Mato Rizo” enable children to learn Sorbian at an early age. The concept, which aims at Sorbian-speaking education, is not only important for Sorbian-speaking children; German-speaking families also have the opportunity to learn Sorbian from qualified educators.
The bilingual teaching in the Lutki primary school and the Lower Sorbian high school already shows how successful the integration of the Sorbian language into school education is. These initiatives aim to keep the linguistic and cultural traditions of the Lusatian Sorbs alive. Experts emphasize that the Sorbs/Wends have been living in Lusatia for over 1,500 years and their identity is strengthened through such educational projects. The training and support of Sorbian/Wendish teachers is seen as a key to the future of the Sorbs' cultural identity.
Political support for the Sorbian language
The Brandenburg coalition of the SPD, BSW and the opposition CDU has set itself the goal of promoting the Lower Sorbian language more strongly. A tour of the region shows that the issue is close to the hearts of decision-makers. The CDU is calling for targeted measures to secure the financing of the Foundation for the Sorbian People, while the SPD is focusing on strengthening the Sorbian-speaking community. The Prime Ministers of Brandenburg and Saxony are committed to launching a new financing agreement as the current one is about to expire.
According to estimates, around 5,000 people live in Lusatia who actively speak Lower Sorbian. This shows the urgency of implementing measures to revitalize the Sorbian language in educational institutions such as daycare centers and schools. The Witaj concept is a supporting pillar that experts consider to be successful in passing on the Sorbian language and cultural traditions.
The introduction of the teacher training course at the BTU is not only a big step for education, but also a clear expression of the commitment to the cultural diversity and linguistic richness of Lusatia. With these initiatives, the hope is to keep the Sorbian language alive for future generations.