Introduction

Sorbian authors created works of literature in Germany that can still be considered marginalized; in 2020, only 41 Sorbian book titles were produced (Bibliotheksservice-Zentrum Baden-Württemberg 2024), compared to 69,180 German book titles in Germany alone (Statista 2024). Sorbian titles include fiction and non-fiction, prose literature and scientific publications, and print and digital format; excluded are newspapers and magazines. The publication of Sorbian literature helps slow the extinction of the two Sorbian languages, Upper Sorbian and Lower Sorbian.

These languages, also known as Wendish languages, are classified under the West Slavic branch of the Indo-European languages. The area where these two languages are spoken is known as Lusatia, located in the southeast corner of Germany near the Czech and Polish borders. Today there are approximately 19,500 active speakers that use either or both of these languages (Guardian 2016). In the mid-1880s, there were about 176,000 active speakers (Muka 2019, 339). While Upper Sorbian is considered an endangered language today, Lower Sorbian is classified as a definitely endangered language (UNESCO 2024). Lower Sorbian is recognized as a “statutory language of provincial identity” in Brandenburg as is Upper Sorbian in Saxony (Eberhard, Simons, and Fennig 2024).

The oldest known Sorbian handwriting is a short annotation in a Latin-language book, written in the Lower Sorbian language in 1510 (Schmidt 2011). The religious Reformation in Germany could be considered the pivotal point for the beginning of the written Sorbian languages (Schiemann and Scholze 2019, 6). The first publications in Upper and Lower Sorbian were primarily translations of religious texts. The first Sorbian belles-lettres was published in Upper Sorbian in 1767 (Schiemann and Scholze 2019, 16). Later, mainly in the first half of the 19^th century, publications of songs and poems prevailed. The first Sorbian newspaper started in 1842, and the first Sorbian novellas appeared in the 1850s (Schiemann and Scholze 2019, 17).

While public libraries outside the Sorbian-speaking community have little interest in collecting Sorbian publications, academic libraries whose colleges offer degrees in various Slavic languages should have an essential collection of Upper and Lower Sorbian literature, as Sorbian publications could be helpful to Slavicists in the fields of comparative literature and language research. Translations of Sorbian literature into English are few; some titles have been translated into German. Translations of Sorbian literature are seldom published outside of Germany.

One main challenge in identifying a Sorbian author in library databases is that the author’s name can be spelled in two different ways: (1) in Sorbian according to the Sorbian alphabet, or (2) according to the author’s German legal name. The VIAF (Virtual International Authority File) usually contains both versions.

A few publishers have published Sorbian language materials in the past. Today, the main publisher for printed and electronic books in both Sorbian languages is Domowina, in Bautzen, Germany. They send a quarterly newsletter to subscribers with a list of the latest publications, and their Bautzen bookstore, Smolerjec kniharnja, sometimes carries out-of-print Sorbian-language editions. The Sorbian Institute (Serbski Institut/Sorbisches Institut), also in Bautzen, is heavily involved in scientific research and publications for Sorbian languages and cultures. Its library collects all works of literature in Sorbian and pieces written about Sorbs, and participates in interlibrary loans. The Witaj Language Centre (Rěčny centrum WITAJ/WITAJ-Sprachzentrum) publishes Sorbian school materials in Sorbian languages. And the Foundation for the Sorbian People (Załožba za serbski lud/Stiftung für das sorbische Volk) creates new media publications.

The Sorbian newspapers are Serbske Nowiny (Upper Sorbian) and Nowy Casnik (Lower Sorbian/German). Printed periodicals are Rozhlad (Upper Sorbian), Płomjo (Upper Sorbian), Płomje (Lower Sorbian), Katolski Posoł (Upper Sorbian), and Pomhaj Bóh (Upper Sorbian), and almanacs are Serbska Protyka (Upper Sorbian) and Serbska Pratyja (Lower Sorbian).

The core list below includes literary authors who have actively published since 2000 and are in print as of this publication. The recommended reading section includes shorter topical lists about Sorbian publications, as well as secondary literature on the topic of Sorbian literature.

Core Collections

Budar, Beno, 1946–2023. Published prose, poetry, short stories, drama. Notable literary award: Domowina Literature and Art Prize (2021).

• Budar, Beno. 2001. Wokomiki słońca: basnje a přebasnjenja 1996-2001. 1. nakł. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• ———. 2011. Dźens sym połsta dubow sadźił. 1. nakł. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.

Čornakec, Jěwa-Marja, 1959– [Zschornack, Eva-Maria]. Publishes prose, drama, short stories.

• Čornakec, Jěwa-Marja. 1999. Hołbik čornej nóžce ma: powědki. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• ———. 2009. W sćinje swěčki. 1. nakł. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.

Cušcyna, Měrana, 1961–. Publishes prose, short stories.

• Cušcyna, Měrana. 2000. Jaskrawe jasle. Bautzen: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• ———. 2005. Wodnjo dycham dypki: basnje a krótka proza. 1. nakład. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• ———. 2021. Stop a stup powědki, miniatury, eseje. 1. nakład. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.

Domašcyna, Róža, 1951–. Publishes prose, drama, short stories. Notable literary award: Literature Prize of Saxony (2018).

• Domašcyna, Róža. 1999. Pobate bobate: skorobajki 1994-1999. 1. nakł. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• ———. 2012. Štož ći wětřik z ruki wěje: teksty a přebasnjenja. 1. nakł. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• ———. 2019. W času zeza časa: popady a wobrady. 1. naklad. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.

Dyrlich, Benedikt, 1950–. Publishes poetry, prose, short stories. Notable literary awards: Ćišinski Prize (2011), Andreas-Gryphius Prize (2019).

• Dyrlich, Benedikt. 2006. Stysk wyska: basnje, přebasnjenja, krótka proza. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• ———. 2012. Der Tiger im Pyjama: Liebe lyrisch und prosaisch = Tiger w nócnej košli: lubosć lyriska a prozaiska. 1. Auflage. Bautzen: Domowina-Verlag.
• ———. 2016. Zlět zelenych wuchačkow: basnje a powědki. 1. nakład. Budyšyn: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.

Hajduk-Veljkovićowa, Lubina, 1976–. Publishes prose, drama, short stories, detective stories.

• Hajduk-Veljkovićowa, Lubina. 2006. Pawčina złósće: kriminalka. 1. nakł. Kapsne knihi Ludoweho nakładnistwa Domowina. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• ———. 2018. Módre buny. 1. nakład. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• ———. 2009. Cuze zynki: powědančka. 1. nakł. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.

Koch, Jurij, 1936–. Publishes prose, short stories, drama, children’s literature. Notable literary awards: Domowina Literature and Art Prize (1963, 1968), Domowina Literature and Art Prize (1974), Carl-Blechen Prize (1983).

• Koch, Jurij. 2005. Wišnina: nowela. 2. nakł. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• ———. 2008. Na kóncu dnja: powědančko. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.

Krawc, Křesćan, 1938– [Schneider, Christian]. Publishes prose, short stories.

• Krawc, Křesćan. 2009. Paradiz, roman serbskeje swójby. 1. nakł. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.

Lenka [pseud. for Piniekowa, Christiana], 1958–. Publishes poetry, short stories in Lower Sorbian.

• Lenka. 2004. Mysli słowa zalětuju: dolnoserbske a nimske basni. 1. nakł. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• ———. 2010. Wokognuśa nimjernosći: = Wokomiki wěčnosći. 1. nakł. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.

Lorenc, Kito, 1938–2017. Published poetry, drama.

• Lorenc, Kito. 1998. Suki w zakach: basnje, basnje-njebasnje, prěbasnjenja. 1. nakł. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• ———. 2008. Kito Lorenc. 3., změnjeny a dopjelnjeny nakład. Serbska poezija 7. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• ———. 2010. Podomk: basnje a druha nadoba z dwanatka lět. 1. nakł. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• ———. 2013. Im Filter des Gedichts: Essays, Gespräche, Notate = Pr̆ez křidu basnje: eseje, rozmołwy, nastawki. Edited by Ruth Thiemann. 1. Aufl. Bautzen: Domowina-Verlag.
• ———. 2015. Der zweiseitige Beitrag: Prosastücke = Wěsty dwustronski přinošk: pěše rěče. 1. Auflage. Bautzen: Domowina-Verlag.
• ———. 2016. Zymny kut: basnje a smorženki: z dodawkom čěskeje poezije Kyrkonošow. 1. nakład. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.

Mětowa, Měrka, 1959–. Publishes prose, short stories.

• Mětowa, Měrka. 2002. Škleńčane dny: powědki. 1. nakł. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.

Šołćina, Dorothea, 1953– [Scholze, Dorothea]. Publishes short stories.

• Šołćina, Dorothea. 2005. Mosćik mjez namaj: čitanka wo lubosći. 1. nakł. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.

Stachowa, Angela, 1948–. Publishes novellas.

• Stachowa, Angela. 2017. Vineta. 3., přehladany nakład. Budyšin: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.
• Stachowa, Angela 2020. Slědne dny Strowja. Budyšyn: Ludowe nakładnistwo Domowina.

Other Notable Authors and Titles

Foundational Figures of Sorbian Authorship

• Brězan, Jurij, 1916–2006. Published prose, poetry, short stories, novels. Some works are translated into as many as 25 languages. Notable literary awards: National Prize of East Germany (1951, 1964, 1976), Domowina Literature and Art Prize (1973). Notable works: Felix Hanuš [trilogy] (1968–1988), Krabat (1976), Krabat druha kniha (1994), Čorny młyn (2007), Collected works: Zhromadźene spisy (1965–1998). Notable German translations: Krabat oder Die Verwandlung der Welt (1976), Krabat oder Die Bewahrung der Welt (1995), Die Schwarze Mühle (1968), Felix-Hanusch-trilogy (1958/64), Christa (195), Reise nach Krakau (1966), Bild des Vaters (1982). No translations into English available yet.
• Bart-Ćišinski, Jakub, 1856–1909. Published poetry. Collected works: Zhromadźene spisy.
• Kosyk, Mato, 1853–1940. Published poetry. Collected works: Spise.
• Nowak-Njechorński, Měrćin, 1900–1990.
• Radyserb-Wjela, Jan, 1822–1907.
• Witkojc, Mina, 1893–1975. Published poetry in Lower Sorbian.
• Zejler, Handrij, 1804–1872. Collected works: Zhromadźene spisy.

Promising New Sorbian Authors

Hajduk-Veljković, Dušan, 1960–; Nawka, Benjamin B.; Nawka, Maksymilian M., 1983–; Delenkowa, Rejzka, 1982–; Wjenk, Měrćin, 1987–.

Lesser-Known Sorbian Literary Authors

Andricki, Mikławš, 1871–1908; Bjero, Wylem, 1902–1988; Chěžka, Jurij, 1917–1944; Domaškojc, Marjana, 1872–1946; Dučman, Handrij, 1836–1909; Jahnowa, Erika, 1932–; Kilian, Jan, 1811–1884; Kola, Cyril, 1927–; Kubašec, Marja, 1890–1976; Lorenc-Zalěski, Jakub, 1874–1939; Malink, Pětr; Mětšk, Frido, 1916–1990; Młónk, Pětr, 1805–1887; Młynkowa, Marja, 1934–1971; Nawka, Anton, 1913–1998; Nawka, Michał, 1885–1968; Nowak, Herbert, 1916–2011; Nowak, Józef, 1895–1978; Rocha, Fryco, 1863–1942; Skala, Jan, 1889–1945; Stempel, Kito Fryco [Stempel, Christian Friedrich], 1787–1867; Šenkarjowa, Roža, 1934–; Šołćic, Wórša, 1932–; Šołta, Beno [Scholze, Beno], 1928–1986; Wićaz, Ota, 1874–1952; Winar, Jurij [Wiener, Georg, pseud.: Jurk], 1909–1991; Winarjec-Orsesowa, Hańža, 1926–2016; Witkojc, Mina, 1893–1975; Wjela, Jurij, 1892–1969; Wjenk, Měrćin, 1987–; Wuješ, Jurij, 1905–1968.

Authors on Sorbian Literary Criticism

Brankačk, Achim [Brankatschk, Achim], 1926–2013; Janaš, Pětš [Jannasch, Klaus-Peter], 1933–; Marti, Roland, 1953–; Měrćinowa, Marija [Mirtschin, Maria], 1955–; Prunitsch, Christian, 1970–; Šěn, Franc [Schön, Franz], 1950–; Šołćina, Jana [Schulz, Jana], 1964–; Šołta, Dietrich [Scholze, Dietrich], 1950–.

Authors of Sorbian Children’s Literature

Bjeńšowa, Hańža, 1919–1999; Budar, Beno, 1946–2023; Čornakec, Jěwa-Marja, 1959– [Zschornack, Eva-Maria]; Delenkowa, Rejzka, 1982–; Domašcyna, Róža, 1951–; Dyrlich, Benedikt, 1950–; Hajduk-Veljkovićowa, Lubina, 1976–; Hanuš, Erwin, 1935–; Koch, Jurij, 1936–; Krawc, Křesćan [Schneider, Christian], 1938–; Krawcec, Marja, 1948–2014; Kubaš-Worklečan, Jurij, 1902–1983; Kućankowa, Hilda, 1936–; Mětowa, Měrka, 1959–; Nagora, Gerhard, 1936–2010; Nasticcyna, Madlena, 1950–; Nastickec, Beata, 1973–; Nawka, Michał, 1885–1968; Paška, Štefan, 1981–; Stachowa, Angela, 1948–; Wićazowa, Wórša, 1949–; Wornar, Jan, 1934–1999.

Authors on Sorbian History

Brankačk, Achim, 1926–2013; Ela, Ludwig [Elle, Ludwig], 1952–; Förster, Frank, 1937–2011; Frencel, Alfons, 1946–2015; Kasper, Martin, 1929–2011; Kellerowa, Ines [Keller, Ines], 1964–; Malinkowa, Lubina, 1982–; Malinkowa, Trudla, 1955–; Meškank, Timo, 1965–; Musiat, Siegmund, 1930–2017; Pjech, Edmund [Pech, Edmund], 1965–; Pollack, Friedrich, 1986–; Richter, Michael, 1952–; Šurman, Pětš [Schurmann, Peter] 1961–; Wićaz, Alfons, 1946–; Wićaz, Ota, 1874–1952; Radyserb-Wjela, Jan, 1822–1907.

Publications on Sorbian Emigration

• Frencel, Alfons, 1946–2015. Work: Serbske puće do swěta (1996).
• Malinkowa, Trudla, 1955–. K brjoham nadźije (in German: Ufer der Hoffnung; in English: Shores of Hope) (1995).

Authors on Sorbian Linguistics

Bartels, Hauke, 1966–; Eichler, Ernst, 1930-2012; Faska, Helmut, 1932-; Ivčenko, Anatolij, 1953-; Jenč, Helmut [Jentsch, Helmut], 1936-; Meškank, Timo, 1965-; Michałk, Frido [Michalk, Siegfried], 1927-1992; Muka, Arnošt [Mucke, Ernst], 1854-1932; Pful, Křesćan Bohuwěr [Pfuhl, Christian Traugott], 1825-1889; Pohončowa, Anja [Pohontsch, Anja], 1970-; Rězak, Filip [Resak, Philipp], 1859-1921; Smoler, Jan Arnošt [Schmaler, Johann Ernst], 1816-1884; Starosta, Manfred, 1941-; Šewc, Hinc [Schuster- Šewc, Heinz], 1927-; Šołćic, Lenka [Scholze, Lenka], 1978-; Šołćina, Jana [Schulz, Jana], 1964-; Stone, Gerald, 1932-2021; Völkel, Pawoł, 1931-1997; Wirth, Paul, 1906-1946; Wenzel, Walter, 1929-; Wölkowa, Sonja [Wölke, Sonja], 1956-; Wornar, Edward [Werner, Eduard], 1966-.

Authors on Sorbian Culture, Religion, and Ethnology

Balko, Lotaŕ [Balke, Lotar], 1928-2008; Dučman, Handrij, 1836-1909; Frencl, Alfons, 1946-2015; Kellerowa, Ines [Keller, Ines], 1964-; Kilank, Rudolf, 1937-2012; Krawža, Jurij, 1934-1995; Malink, Jan [Mahling, Jan], 1956-; Meškank, Jan [Meschgang, Johann], 1905-1972; Měrćinowa, Marija [Miertschin, Maria], 1955-; Nawka, Tomasz A., 1949-; Pětška, Beno [Pötschke, Benno], 1934-2021; Wałda, Měrćin [Walde, Martin], 1951-; Winarjec-Orsesowa, Hańža, 1926-2016.

References and Recommended Readings

Bibliotheksservice-Zentrum Baden-Württemberg. 2024. “Online-Katalog.” Accessed January 4, 2024. https://swb.bsz-bw.de/.

Domowina publishing house. 2024. “Naši awtorojo.” Accessed January 4, 2024. https://www.domowina-verlag.de/autorenverzeichnis?___store=default_wen_hsb&___from_store=default.

Eberhard, David M., Gary F. Simons, and Charles D. Fennig. 2023. “Germany.” In Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 26th ed. Dallas, Texas: SIL International. Accessed January 4, 2024. https://www.ethnologue.com/country/DE/.

Elle, Ludwig. 2011. “Wie viele Sorben gibt es noch?” Dialogische Begegnungen: Minterheiten-Mehrheiten aus hybridologischer Sicht. Münster: Waxmann: 209-223.

Faska, Helmut (ed.). 1998. Serbčina. Opole: Instytut Filologii Polskiej.

Faska, Helmut. 1973. Dialektny zakład hornjoserbskeje spisowneje rěce a wutworjenje wobchadneje serbsćiny. Skopje: [unpublished manuscript]: 127-131.

Guardian. 2016. “Endangered languages: the full list.” Accessed January 4, 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2011/apr/15/language-extinct-endangered.

Kunze, Peter. 1989. Serbja / Die Sorben. Bautzen: Serbski muzej.

Muka, Arnošt. 2019. Statistik der Lausitzer Sorben. Bautzen: Domowina-Verlag.

Serbska bibliografija. 2024. “Serbska bibliografija.” Accessed January 4, 2024. http://ws01.szb-katalog.de/ibib/index.html?header=no.

Serbski Institut. 2024. “Publications.” Accessed January 4, 2024. https://www.serbski-institut.de/en/publications/.

Schiemann, Maria, and Dietrich Scholze, eds. 2019. Serbja: Die Sorben in Deutschland. Bautzen: Załožba za serbski lud.

Schmidt, Rafael. 2011. “Älteste niedersorbische Notiz.” Tag des Herrn 61, no. 20. https://archiv.tag-des-herrn.de/archiv_2008_bis_2011/tdh_artikel_17220.php#gsc.tab=0.

Scholze, Dietrich. 1995. “Probleme der Literaturgeschichtsschreibung bei den Sorben.” Zeitschrift für Slawistik, 40, no. 2: 140-144. https://doi.org/10.1524/slaw.1995.40.2.140.

Schön, Franz, and Scholze, Dietrich, eds. 2014. Sorbisches Kulturlexikon. Bautzen: Domowina-Verlag.

Slavistik-Portal. 2024. “Sorbische Bibliographie.” Accessed January 4, 2024. https://slavistik-portal.de/datenpool/sorbib-db.html.

Sorabicon. 2024. “Sorbian history, culture and language” [database]. Accessed January 4, 2024. https://www.sorabicon.de/en/home/.

Statista. 2024. “Number of newly published book titles in Germany from 2002 to 2022” [database]. Accessed January 4, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/411305/book-production-new-publications-in-germany/.

UNESCO. 2024. “Languages, Lower Sorbian and Upper Sorbian” [database]. Accessed January 4, 2024. https://en.wal.unesco.org/discover/languages?text=Sorbian&sort_by=title.

Wikipedia. 2024. “Liste sorbischsprachiger Schriftsteller.” Accessed January 4, 2024. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_sorbischsprachiger_Schriftsteller.