Dalibor Sokolović, Chronological review of Sorbian studies in Serbia

The beginnings of Balkan Serbs’ interest with Lusatian Sorbs dates back to second half of 19th century. The period between the two World Wars was the “golden age” for Sorbian studies in Serbia, mostly because of the works by Jovan Erdeljanovic, Jovan Kršic, Mitr S. Vlahovic, Aleksij Jelačic, and a Slovene - Leopold Leonard. Serbian and Yugoslavian readers were presented with Srbska Lužica – a publication which first and only number was issued in June 1934. During the period of World War II, Lusatian Sorbs were not a frequent area of interest for Serbian Slavists, with the exception for works of an expert in Czech studies from Belgrade and, at the same time, the most prominent representative of Sorbian studies in Serbia - Nada Djordjević. At the turn of the centuries, a huge contribution into development of Sorbian studies in Serbia was made due to publications by Mićo Cvijetić and Predrag Piper. The most recent stage of the development of Sorbian studies in Serbia was marked by the scholarships for Sorbian Slavists at Lipsk University funded by Załožba za serbski lud organization. The further development of Sorbian studies in Serbia should be enforced by joining efforts of people employed in the departments of culture and education, developing literature of the subject, organizing courses for Slavic studies students, and elevating the rank of cooperation with Lusatian institutions – from personal to institutional level.