Image campaign shows: Acceptance of Sorbian on the rise

Evaluations of the Saxon Ministry of Culture's image campaign "Sorbian? Na klar" show the first positive developments. According to the ministry, approval of the importance of the Sorbian language and culture and the use of the Sorbian language in public has increased significantly in Upper Lusatia. For example, 87 percent of respondents stated that the preservation of the Sorbian language is important to them - an increase of 7 percent compared to the first survey in October 2023. The belief that Sorbian culture increases the tourist attractiveness of Upper Lusatia also grew from 76 to 84 percent.

Stronger acceptance of Sorbian in public

The overall acceptance of the use of the Sorbian language has also increased. 41 percent of respondents in the Sorbian settlement area and 28 percent in the surrounding communities consider it positive when Sorbian is spoken in their presence. In the first survey in 2023, this figure was 37 percent and 25 percent respectively.

A total of 1,796 people in Upper Lusatia - both in the Sorbian settlement area and in the surrounding communities - were surveyed in three waves between October 2023 and July 2024 on their attitudes towards the Sorbian language and the image campaign.

Continuation of the campaign planned

"With the image campaign, we want to provide information about the Sorbian language and culture, arouse interest and promote mutual understanding," said Saxony's Minister of Culture Barbara Klepsch (CDU). After all, the Sorbian language and culture can only continue to exist and develop if there is mutual appreciation. The campaign is to be continued in the future.

Since 2020, the image campaign "Sorbian? Na klar" has been promoting the coexistence of German and Sorbian in Upper Lusatia.