History of the district organisation “Jan Arnošt Smoler”

13.10.1912 - Foundation of Domowina – as a free federation of sorbian associations

21.7.1921 - many sorbian associations have been founded, among them the Domowina-association of “Jan Arnošt Smoler”

17.8.1923 - first concert of sorbian singing associations

1923 - foundation of sorbian fine arts association, initiated by Měrćin Nowak-Njechorński, who was a famous folk artist in painting

1924 - sorbian choir concert in Neschwitz

15.6.1926 - conference of the Domowina in Hochkirch with 4000 participants from altogether 37 sorbian associations

20.2.1927 - general meeting of the Domowina in Neschwitz, Jakub Šewčik from Storcha is elected as new chairman

17.7.1927 conference of the Domowina in Radibor with 5000 participants from altogether 48 Sorbian associations

2.7.1928 - conference of the Domowina in Großpostwitz, the play “Lubin & Sprjewja” by Józef Nowak is played for the first time

March 1930 - feneral meeting of the Domowina; Jan Křižan, priest from Klix is elected as new chairman

1933-1936 - reorganization of the Domowina, conversion from village associations into Domowina groups

27.12.1933 - general meeting of the Domowina in Neschwitz, Pawoł Nedo, teacher from Kotitz is elected as new chairman

18.3.1937 - ban of the Domowina and all affiliated associations

10.5.1945 - reformation of the Domowina in Crostwitz

25.5.1945 - nomination of dr. Jan Cyž as head of the Bautzen district and the area around; first time a Sorb in this position

6.1.1946 - foundation of Sorbian teacher education school in Radibor, the institution moves to Kleinwelka in 1952 and 1959 to Bautzen

23.4.1946 - first meeting of sorbian students in Radibor after World war II, meeting started with a memory of Alojs Andricki, killed in Dachau in 1942

29.9.1946 - meeting of Sorbs in Radibor organized by sorbian youth

8.9.1947 - sorbian middle school in Bautzen was founded – todays Grammar school

1.6.1950 - opening of the first sorbian kindergarten “Jan Radyserb-Wjela” in Bautzen

8.-10.7.1950 - historical meeting of Sorbs in Bautzen with about 150.000 participants from whole Lusatia

august 1953 - sorbian language school in Milkel is founded

19.5.1954 - congress of the Sorbs in Radibor

7.-8.7.1956 - II^nd congress of Sorbs in Bautzen

8.7.1956 - grand opening of the new House of the Sorbs on the Postplatz in Bautzen, where it is still located

sept. 1956 - first heathland party in Commerau near Klix, more events followed annually until semptember 1990

june 1966 - first festival of Sorbian culture in Bautzen, six more festivals followed until 1989

3.9.1991 - 70^th anniversary of the district organisation “J. A. Smoler” – celebration in the hall of Sorbian museum

6.-8.9.1991 - days of culture of district organisation “J. A. Smoler” in Radibor

10.-12.6.1994 - days of culture of district organisation “J. A. Smoler” in Radibor

12.-14.9.1997 - days of culture of district organisation “J. A. Smoler” in Neschwitz

The days of culture did not take place after 1997. From then on cultural highlights were integrated into Domowina-events, such as the International festival “Lausitz/ Łužica” and furthermore events all over the year.

...

2012 - anniversary 100 years of Domowina, celebration in Hoyerswerda

2013 - afternoon for families in Wartha, conference of Czech and Saxon cultural officials of the euroregion Neisse in Bautzen

2014 - colloquium about “Sorbs in heathland and pond landscape – about history, language and culture of the region”

2015 - general and election meeting of the district organisation in Bautzen, Domowina general meeting in Dreikretscham

2016 - commemoration of Jan Arnošt Smoler and his 200^th birthday at the monument in Bautzen

2019 - general and election meeting of the district organisation in Bautzen

2019 - first autumn-concert in Malschwitz after more than 30 years

- meeting with local motivators, sorbian politicians and members of Domowina in Malschwitz and Großdubrau

- pilot project starts in Malschwitz area with the object to maintain and keep sorbian language

2020 - memorial to all fallen soldiers in World War II on the liberation day at May 1st at the monument of sorbian students in Königswartha

- first allies of parents ask for more sorbian lessons and life in schools