Paweł Behrendt, The question of Lusatia in journalism of Przegląd Zachodni (Western Review) in years 1945-1948.

Territory of today’s Lusatia was peopled by Slavic Sorbians in 6th century in the end of Migration Period. In 10th – 11th century Lusatian Sorbians were conquered by German emperors and since then their history is bounded with Holy Roman Empire and Germany.

First postulates of wide autonomy for Lusatia or annexation by Czechoslovakia were raised on Paris Peace Conference in 1919, but were ignored by victorious powers.

After WW2 Lusatia was part of Soviet Occupation Zone. This fact gave Lusatian leaders hope for wide autonomy, annexation by Czechoslovakia or Poland or even an independent state, incorporating Lusatia and even some parts of neighbouring German lands, historically inhabited by Slavic tribes. Supporters of autonomy were grouped in re-established Domowina, active since 1912 organization of Lusatians, prohibited during the period of Nazi dictatorship. Protagonists of annexation or independence were represented by Łužickoserbski Narodny Wuběrk (Lusatian - Sorbians National Committee). LNC was raised 10 may 1945 in Prague by Mikławš Krječmar. Panslavic enthusiasm which developed in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia after war guaranteed big social support for Lusatians, especially for plans of independence or annexation by other Slavic countries.

In 1945 Przegląd Zachodni established special column – Sprawy Łużyckie (Lusatian Affairs) edited by Witold Kochański. In first editions of this column were spotted history of polish-lusatian relations and Lusatian culture; later the main topic became relations about development of prolusatian activity in Poland and other eastern bloc countries. In 1947 main topics were relations from I Polish Lusatian Conference (5-6 Oct. 1946 in Poznań) and critic by journalists of polish government. Cause of this critic was small support, when compare with Czechoslovakia, which polish authorities gave to the Lusatian activists. Another focus in years 1946-47 were efforts of Domowina and LNC to gain interest and support of great powers and UN, efforts which met very small or no reponse.

All ambitious plans of Lusatinas found one obstruction – Stalin. In plans of soviet dictator was no place for independent Lusatia. In the end of 1946 Soviets began bringing to an end lusatian hopes. On the meeting of main assembly of Domowina (30 Nov. 1946) were voted decision about cooperation with SED and hard critic of LNC. In December, same year, represents of LNC were not let in on Slavic Congress in Belgrade. Represents of Domowina also didin’t come because of not receiving the passports. Soviet military administration I east Germany and SED blamed LCN. In February 1947 ended activity of LCN and lusatian administration established together with Domowina.

Also in other east bloc states the pro-lusatian action was rapidly extinguished. During 1947 there were less and less political texts in Lusatian Affairs, more place took culture, poetry and education. The Lusatian Affairs ended in half of 1948, the last text was titled Cultural Autonomy and concerned bill of cultural autonomy of Lusatiansorbian in Saxony, voted by saxonian Landtag, and Lusatian reaction (very eager of course).