Im Zeichen der deutsch-polnischen Versöhnung. Leben und Wirken des Wittichenauer Sorben Günter Särchen
Under the Sign of German-Polish Reconciliation. The Life and Work of the Sorb from Wittichenau, Günter Särchen

Summary/Abstract: The Polish-German author describes in his biographical study the life and work of Günter Särchen from Wittichenau/Kulow (1927–2004), who throughout his life was conscious of his Sorbian origins. As a long-term worker in the Episcopal office in Magdeburg, Särchen was from the 1950s onwards considered to be one of the pioneers of civil reconciliation with the Polish people, wo had in 1939 become the first victims of aggression by Hitler’s Germany. Through acts of solidarity, pilgrimages and publications about Poland, Särchen attempted to put the relationship of the East Germans with the Poles on a new footing. At times as a result of his initiatives, he came into conflict not only with state authorities but also with members of the Church hierarchy who wanted to avoid any kind involvement in GDR politics. Nevertheless he can be seen as preparing the way for the opposition in the 1980s.

• Details
• Contents