Seliger-Gemeinde

The Seliger-Gemeinde (officially Gesinnungsgemeinschaft sudetendeutscher Sozialdemokraten, or 'Community of Conviction of Sudeten German Social Democrats') is a Munich-based voluntary association founded on 4 June 1951. It is named after Josef Seliger, the first chairman of the Deutsche Sozialdemokratische Arbeiterpartei (DSAP) in Czechoslovakia. The organization sees itself as the political and spiritual heir of the DSAP, carrying forward the legacy of Sudeten German Social Democrats who opposed nationalism and National Socialism and who, after expulsion, resettled in Germany and other exile countries. The Seliger-Gemeinde is registered as a non-profit association (e.V.) with its federal office at Oberanger 38 in Munich. Its activities include publishing the member magazine 'Die Brücke', organizing seminars and forums, maintaining an archive, and conducting historical research on the Sudeten German Social Democratic movement. It awards the Wenzel-Jaksch-Gedächtnispreis (Wenzel Jaksch Memorial Prize) and runs projects such as 'Familien in großer Geschichte' (Families in Great History), which helps descendants of Sudeten German Social Democrats research their family history. The association also organizes exhibitions, including 'Von der DSAP...' and 'Böhmen liegt nicht am Meer...', in German and Czech. Politically, the Seliger-Gemeinde advocates for a free and united Europe and promotes German-Czech dialogue and reconciliation. It has historically been associated with prominent SPD politicians, including Richard Reitzner, Ernst Paul, Wenzel Jaksch, Volkmar Gabert, Peter Glotz, Christa Naaß, and Albrecht Schläger. The organization maintains close ties with social democratic and trade union organizations in Germany and the Czech Republic. Its current board was elected on 18 October 2025, and it continues to hold regular events such as the Herbstseminar (Autumn Seminar), with the 2026 edition marking '75 Jahre Seliger-Gemeinde' (75 years of the Seliger-Gemeinde). As a membership-based association, the Seliger-Gemeinde operates primarily in Germany and the Czech Republic, with a focus on historical remembrance, civic education, and cross-border cooperation. It is not a commercial company but a civil society organization with a trademarked name and a distinct brand identity centered on the legacy of Sudeten German Social Democracy.

The Seliger-Gemeinde was founded on 4 June 1951 in Munich by Sudeten German Social Democrats who had been expelled from Czechoslovakia after World War II. It took its name from Josef Seliger, the first chairman of the Deutsche Sozialdemokratische Arbeiterpartei (DSAP) in the First Czechoslovak Republic. The organization was established as a Gesinnungsgemeinschaft (community of conviction) to preserve the political and spiritual heritage of the DSAP and to support former members and their families. In its early years, the Seliger-Gemeinde focused on integrating Sudeten German Social Democrats into West German society and politics, while keeping alive the memory of the democratic and anti-fascist traditions of the Sudeten German labor movement. Many of its leading members were also active in the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), including Richard Reitzner, Ernst Paul, and Wenzel Jaksch, who served as chairman of the Seliger-Gemeinde and was also a member of the Bundestag. Over the decades, the organization expanded its activities to include historical research, publishing, and international dialogue. It began awarding the Wenzel-Jaksch-Gedächtnispreis to individuals who have contributed to German-Czech understanding. The magazine 'Die Brücke' became a key communication tool for members. The Seliger-Gemeinde also established archives and supported exhibitions documenting the history of the Sudeten German Social Democrats. After the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia, the Seliger-Gemeinde intensified its contacts with social democratic and trade union organizations in the Czech Republic. It played a role in German-Czech reconciliation efforts and supported the return of democratic traditions. In recent years, the organization has focused on projects such as 'Familien in großer Geschichte', which helps descendants research their family history, and on educational events like the Herbstseminar. The Seliger-Gemeinde continues to be based in Munich and remains an active voice for Sudeten German Social Democratic heritage, European unity, and German-Czech friendship. Its current board was elected on 18 October 2025, and it is preparing for its 75th anniversary in 2026.

• Founded in Munich as the Gesinnungsgemeinschaft sudetendeutscher Sozialdemokraten.

• Martin K. Bachstein publishes 'Wenzel Jaksch und die sudetendeutsche Sozialdemokratie'.

• Peter Glotz publishes 'Die Vertreibung – Böhmen als Lehrstück'.

• Alena Wagnerová's article 'Helden des Rückzugs' appears in Süddeutsche Zeitung.

• New board elected.

• 75th anniversary celebrated with Herbstseminar 2026.

Non-profit heritage and dialogue organization for Sudeten German Social Democrats, promoting remembrance, research, and German-Czech reconciliation.

• Die Brücke

  Member magazine published regularly.

• Familien in großer Geschichte

  Family research project for descendants of Sudeten German Social Democrats.

• Wenzel-Jaksch-Gedächtnispreis

  Memorial prize awarded for contributions to German-Czech understanding.

• Exhibitions

  Touring exhibitions such as 'Von der DSAP...' and 'Böhmen liegt nicht am Meer...'.

• Nie wieder!
• Alexandersbader Forum

1. 1Seliger Gemeindeseliger-gemeinde.de
2. 2Familien in großer Geschichteseliger-gemeinde.de
3. 3Seliger-Gemeindewikidata.org
4. 4Seliger-Gemeindede.wikipedia.org