Meeting of Sorbian associations - Dawid Statnik runs again for chairman of the umbrella organization Domowina

19.03.2021

Here is the press release of Domovina from 19.03.2021:

Dawid Statnik will run for another term as chairman of Domovina at the main and election meeting of the Sorbian umbrella organization Domovina on June 12 in Schleife / Slěpe. This declared the 37-year-old father of three children, who lives with his family in Ralbitz / Ralbicy, on Thursday evening in Bautzen House of the Sorbs at the annual meeting of the Domowina chairman with the chairmen of supra-regional Sorbian associations and the regional associations of the umbrella organization. Of 23 participants, 21 were present via video conference.

Also a candidature for one of the two vice chairman offices is already present: Thus, from the Lower Lusatia Hartmut Leipner is running for the vice chairmanship of Domowina on the proposal of the oldest Sorbian association Maćica Serbska. With regard to the current status of candidacies for the Domowina federal board, Statnik appealed to the associations and clubs to take care "that our well-functioning 'Sorbian matriarchy' also shows itself with a strong presence of women in the leadership body. The intermediate state of the candidatures does not correspond to this yet."

Until the end of March contents for the delegate folder of the general meeting are still compiled; so that also under unusual conditions the sorbian social life is reflected in it, texts and pictures over the activity of sorbian associations and federations can be still sent to the responsible adviser: Werner.Sroka@domowina.de . The list of the candidates for organs of the Domowina is published this time possibly somewhat later than usual, since many general assemblies were cancelled in the winter because of the pandemic and therefore candidate lists must be made up. It is important: Candidatures require the support of a club or association.
 
Whether there can be around July 24 for the pandemic-cancelled International Folklore Festival "Łužica - Łužyca - Lusatia" a replacement in a smaller regional framework, is still uncertain. On the other hand, the Sorbian Artists' Association, according to Chairman Jan Bilk, firmly expects that on the basis of cooperation with the district of Dahme-Spreewald / Dubja-Błota on August 21 in Lübben / Lubin a Sorbian literary-musical festival can be carried out. According to its chairman Jakob Schäfer (Jakub Wowčer), the Sorbian youth association Pawk continues to plan the presentation of a Sorbian pop opera for the fall together with the group "Trio a kumple".
 
The Association of Sorbian Cultural Tourism has grown by another seven members within the year, informed chairman Peter Bresan. Also the Domowina regional association "Michał Hórnik" Kamenz / Kamjenc expects growth: So the Kuckauer youth intends to join the regional association on the occasion of its general meeting on April 23, informed regional association chairman Zala Ziesch.

Numerous other topics were also discussed at the meeting, such as the further use of the former MDR floor in the Bautzen House of the Sorbs for media productions such as video dubbing and the support of the Domowina for a successor solution for the offers of the SAEK Bautzen, whose funding is coming to an end. The status of political decisions in connection with the new funding agreement for the Foundation for the Sorbian People and the coordination of preparations for the Domowina's "Year of Regional Associations" ("Lěto župow") 2021/2022 and the "Year of Culture Zejler and Kocor" 2022 also played a role. The "Year of Regional Associations" will be ceremonially opened in Hoyerswerda, where Domowina regional associations were founded on 24.7.1921 in the Ratskeller.

Dawid Statnik draws a positive balance of the activities of the clubs and associations: "I have great respect for the voluntary work of our members. I am pleased that they have not surrendered to the difficult situation, but have courageously made Sorbian life possible. The result is extraordinarily positive. At the same time, this strengthens Domowina as the home of the grassroots Sorbian movement and spokesperson for the interests of the Sorbian people."

Photo above: top meeting of Sorbian associations with Domowina chairman 2021.
Photo below: Dawid Statnik, chairman of Domowina at FUEN Congress 2018 in Leeuwarden/Ljouwert.