Cottbus raises the alarm: Sorbian will be officially taught from 2026!

Cottbus raises the alarm: Sorbian will be officially taught from 2026!

Cottbus, Deutschland - The Brandenburg Technical University of Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) will introduce a bachelor's degree for the primary level in Sorbian and Wendish language from the winter semester 2026. This groundbreaking decision was approved by the Brandenburg state government and was considered a significant step for the preservation of the Lower Sorbian language and for the cultural diversity of the region. Mayor Tobias Schick von Cottbus was pleased with the initiative and emphasized that Cottbus together with the Spree-Neiße and various Sorbian-Maucian committees campaigned for this training. The education sector not only hopes for teachers, but also a greater appreciation of the Sorbian language in the region.

From 2024, future teaching students in the Sorbian/Wendisch area can look forward to a monthly scholarship of 500 euros, which has been available for five years. However, they have to undertake to work as a teacher in Cottbus for at least five years after studying. Applications for this scholarship can be submitted annually by September 30th. The exact guidelines for the allocation of scholarships will soon be published on the city's website, so that interested students can find out more in good time.

early childhood language support and Witaj concept

A central concern that highlights chic is the early childhood language promotion. The Witaj concept, which is successfully implemented in Cottbus, plays a crucial role. Kitas such as the "Villa Kunterbunt" and "Mato Rizo" enable the children to learn Sorbian at an early age. The concept that aims at Sorbian -language education is not only important for Sorbian -speaking children; German -speaking families also have the opportunity to learn Sorbian through qualified educators.

Bilingual lessons in the Lutki primary school and at the Lower Sorbian high school already shows how successful the integration of the Sorbian language is into school education. These initiatives aim to keep the linguistic and cultural traditions of the Lausitzer Sorbs alive. Experts emphasize that the Sorben/Wenden have been based in Lusatia for over 1,500 years and whose identity is strengthened by such educational projects. The training and promotion of teachers for Sorbian/Wendisch is considered a key to the future of the cultural identity of Sorbs.

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 low -sorbian language more. A tour of the region shows that the topic is important to the decision -makers. The CDU calls for targeted measures to ensure the funding of the foundation for the Sorbian people, while the SPD focuses on strengthening the Sorbian -speaking community. The Prime Minister of Brandenburg and Saxony are committed to launching a new financing agreement because the current will soon expire.

According to estimates, around 5,000 people live in Lusatia who actively speak Lower Sorbian. This shows the urgency to implement measures to revitalize the Sorbian language in educational institutions such as daycare centers and schools. The Witaj concept is a load-bearing pillar that experts considered successful to pass on the Sorbian language and cultural traditions.

The introduction of the teaching degree at the BTU is not only a big step for education, but also a clear expression of the engagement for the cultural diversity and linguistic wealth of Lausitz. With these initiatives, the hope is to keep the Sorbian language alive for future generations.

Niederlausitz-aktuell.de
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