Foundation and first awarding of the ‘Jan Skala’ prize of the Serbski Sejm
The ‘Jan Skala’ prize was awarded for the first time on the occasion of the constituent meeting of the 2. Serbski Sejm. The honorary prize of the Serbski Sejm recognises outstanding commitment to the self-determination and cultural-political emancipation of the Sorbian people. The first prizewinners are Edith Pjeńkowa from Rowne/Rohne, Johannes Heimrath from Klein Jasedow and Dr Měrćin Wałda from Njeswačidło/Neschwitz.
Edith Pjeńkowa is honoured for her lifelong commitment to preserving the culture, language, nature and homeland of Lusatia. She is exemplary for her resistance to economic interests at the expense of her homeland and her work as the first senior president of the Serbski Sejm.
Johannes Heimrath is honoured for his versatile and selfless commitment to a society that is fit for grandchildren, ecologically social and culturally diverse, in particular for his important contribution to the political self-organisation of the Sorbian/Wendish people with his tireless support of the Serbski Sejm to a parliament that focuses on consensus-oriented work instead of confrontational debates.
Dr Měrćin Wałda is honoured for his persistent and courageous efforts to free the Sorbian/Wendish people from the role of supplicants and - through scientific education, public debate and political participation - to help them achieve a self-confident place as equal and self-determined partners in society.
The prize is named after Jan Skala (1889-1945) - journalist, poet, politician and one of the most important pioneers of Sorbian/Wendish self-determination in the 20th century. Skala did not see the Sorbs/Wends as a marginalised cultural group, but as an independent people with the right to political self-representation and national development. Throughout his life, he opposed the assimilation policy of the German nation state and at the same time criticised a merely folkloristic perception of Sorbian/Wendish identity. With the founding of the Lusatian People's Party in 1919, he strove for political representation of the Sorbs/Wends - a clear sign of his idea of Sorbian/Wendish autonomy. Through his international activities, for example at the European Nationalities Congresses in Geneva, Skala anchored the Sorbian question in the European minority rights debate. Publicistically and politically, he campaigned vigorously for equal rights for the Sorbs/Wends - not as a supplicant in his own country. The Jan Skala Prize of the Serbski Sejm aims to commemorate this attitude and honour those who today stand up for the rights and future of the Sorbian/Wendish people in the spirit of Skala. It is endowed with a silver pin showing the fruit of the lime tree.
