Wendish Literature

the literature of the Wends (also called the Lusatians, Lusatian Sorbs, and Sorb-Lusatians), a West Slavic ethnic group living in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). It includes works in Upper and Lower Wendish (Lusatian), the two literary languages of the Wends.

Wendish literature arose during the national revival that occurred among the Wends between the 1840’s and 1870’s. Initially, the main genres were poetry and the short story; plays appeared later, and the novel developed only after World War II. The literature in Upper Wendish is the more highly developed. Of the poets whose writing is in Lower Wendish, the most important are K. F. Stempel (1787–1867) and M. Kósyk (1853–1940).

Prior to the country’s liberation from fascism, Wendish literature sought to awaken the national consciousness of the Wends. Since the beginning of socialist construction in the GDR, the dominant themes have been the struggle against fascism and reaction, the development of the new man, and friendship among peoples.