Schützen und/oder unterstützen? Die Funktion der (Schutz-)Schulvereine vor 100 Jahren und heute am Beispiel des Teschener Schlesiens und der Lausitz

Abstract

Protection and/or Support? The Function of (Protective) School Associations 100 Years Ago and Today, Using the Examples of Teschen in Silesia and Lusatia

Using the example of the Teschen School Association, Macierz Szkolna dla Księstwa Cieszyńskiego, (founded in 1885 in Teschen/Austrian Silesia) and the Sorbian School Association, Serbske šulske towarstwo, (founded in 1991 in Crostwitz/Upper Lusatia) the phenomenon of school or protective associations and their role in multi-ethnic regions 100 years ago and today are compared. Central to these discussions is the complex nature of these diffuse, delicate concepts, protective or school associations, peculiar to particular regions, which will be illustrated using the two examples mentioned above. The sets of diverse problems relating to cultural hybridity and multilingualism are discussed, which continue to be relevant in this context in border regions, and which are closely connected with the regional and national identities of minorities.