Dresden and beyond: Bautzen 1

While Stephen and Patrick were here we took a short trip east of Dresden to the neighboring town of Bautzen. Bautzen celebrated its 1000th birthday in 2002. It is one of the centers for Sorbian life. The Sorbs have a Slavic origin, with their own language (linked to Polish and Czech). The area was once a part of a region known as Lusatia. Lusatia's rich farm land and mineral assets were fought over for centuries by the neighboring Poles, Czechs and the two German republics of Saxony and Brandenburg.

The Sorbians confront an ongoing battle to maintain their identity, language and culture. They are an ethnic minority in Deutschland, and like any minority require respect and understanding from the majority if they are going to survive. The people of Bautzen seem supportive. The street signs are bilingual, and the town's web site is proud of the Sorbian history. I throw in my support to their cause. The more Seattleites respect the lives of Northwest native Americans, the more we enrich our own lives. We gain perspectives that allow us to see ourselves more clearly. We are touched by the beauty of their faith, and the strength in their heritage. We get part of our identity from their art.

So let us hope the Sorbian culture escapes extinction. We plan on returning to Bautzen around Easter. The Sorbians are known for their decorated Easter eggs, and Easter festivals.

We started our exploration of Bautzen at St. Peter's Cathedral. It was the closest doorway to where we parked the car. It was cold the day we were there. The wind stung.

There was a church at the site of St. Peter's at the same time Bautzen began, about 1000 years ago. The first cathedral was consecrated in 1221, and its patron saints were John the Baptist and St. Peter. The church was expanded and renovated from 1456-1463. The church has been shared between Protestants and Catholics since 1530. The more I read about the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) the more I have come to marvel at this act tolerance. The times for services were arranged through a contract that dates back to 1583 and is still in effect.

The high altar was made in 1723 of Saxon marble and figures of sandstone from Pirna. The painting shows the granting of keys to St. Peter done by the Venetian painter Pellegrini.