mersiowsky - 10-2-2016 at 06:30 AM
Lětopis Abstract 2008 1: Urban, Rudolf: Under the Sign of German-Polish Reconciliation. The Life and Work of the Sorb from Wittichenau,
Günter Särchen
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, who 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.