Belonging to the Lusatian Sorbs, which is one of the smallest Slavic people, I know, how important solidarity and support is. This solidarity we Sorbs in Germany get every day from our closed neighbours in Poland and the Czech republic. The spirit of support and mutual understanding is also the basis of the activities of the FUEN Working Group of Slavic Minorities. In a world of increasing tensions and conflicts it must be our major interest to focus on common topics and on the balancing of interests. Alfons Mucha, the Czech painter of the Slovanská Epopej (The Slav Epic), wrote in 1928: “We must all be nourished by the hope that all of humanity will come closer together, and all the more easily as we get to know each other.”
AGSM provides a great opportunity to live cultural and linguistic diversity. We can learn from each other with respect to the complicated history of Slavic minorities, which often lead to suppression and conflicts. An important lesson from the past is that national rebirth does not emerge on their own. It is an important task for the future to work for open, plural and fair societies. Furthermore we must work together to ensure that minority rights are maintained. At present, we are experiencing tendencies to reverse what has been achieved. There is a gradual or overt dismantling of democracy and the rule of law.
Restricting minority rights is not just an issue that affects a particular country, but it affects all of us in Europe. It is about the order of peace and freedom for all of us. It is important to make every effort to further secure minority rights. This is all the more true for AGSM after Russia brutally attacked a Slavic brother country in violation of international law, which consequently also threatens the existence of national minorities. In addition to cultural exchange, I see therefore the enormous importance of political exchange and coordination within AGSM.
I will do my best to contribute to an intensive dialogue at eye level between us. An ongoing important task is to open new possibilities of public presence and mutual exchange. This brochure is one building block, in addition to the topical website and a newsletter. I see for me the significant task to convey the working group’s ideas, visions and decisions to the FUEN presidium and discuss goals and consequences together.
I look forward to many personal meetings and a successful cooperation. Wutšoby źěk za wašu dowěru. Wjaselim se na gromadne źěło.
> Hartmut S. Leipner: Greeting as the new spokesman of AGSM in the brochure 2023
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