Some recent developments in Slovakia's politics has put the Slovak National Party (SNS) onto the foreground. As the Vienna-based newspaper has called us already being the Pyongyang on the Danube - in my view not too much exaggerated by now - I also wearily shake my head at the nonsensical display of nationalism of this party. A party, which proudly propagates a national heritage I could still stomach; a party, which fanatically portrays some disfigured facts from the past is in my eyes purely suspicious.
Interestingly enough the Ministry of Education - a post held by a minister of the same SNS party - has recently changed the national curriculum on schools, which would de facto mean less world history and more Slovak history. My curiousity is seriously aroused.
Recently the party chairman Jan Slota and the second lady Anna Belousovová clumsily climbed through an attic-window in order to lay a wreath and bowing at the feet of a statue, representing Cyril and Methodius, two Greek envoys, who were sent by the Byzantine emperor at the request of Prince Rastislav in the 9th century. Unlike many nationalist might believe, Rastislav was not purely interested in the Byzantine church - he was a but concerned about the influential presence of the Bavarian monks, sent by the German emperor. Not because of their Catholic faith... rather to establish a political foot-hold in the Slavic state of Great Moravia. Rastislav's concerns were indeed justified, so nothing against that. Irritating the German emperor was surely a success.
The legacy of the two brothers was slightly short-lived. Within a few decades, after they left, their influence was finally traded in for again the Roman rites. The Glagolitic (or Cyrillic) script, as invented by Cyril - based obviously on the Greek alphabet - never got into full practice; latin became the practice.
Nevertheless, the naively faithful SNS leaders may solemnly bow and put down as many wreaths as they like, they are showing not reverence to the statue - it's unfortunately an embarrassing ignorance of historical knowledge.
The statement, that Cyril and Methodius were instrumental for the Slovak statehood, is as far fetched as it can be. Slovakia as a state (nor it's Czech counterpart by the way) didn't exist for many more centuries to come. The modern Slovak state, has no connection whatsoever with any Byzantine/Greek orthodox tradition or the like. The Cyriliic alphabet has never been used in Slovakia. Whether they brought Christianity to this region (as claimed) seems equally incorrect - why else would dear Rastislav bother to annoy the Bavarian monks... ? You tell me.
While on the roof, calling the two brother "Patrons of Europe" is more than a serious person could take. Nevertheless, these rhetorics are convincingly accepted by some of the followers. What disturbs me most when monitoring these nationalist events, is the pompous appearance of the leaders at Devin Castle. Large flags draping the castle, guards of honour, the Prezident, the Prime Minister at their best hailing the glorious past.
History is not merely a tool, it is a strong tool for politicians, and a dangerous one especially those who abuse it. Mr Slota and Ms Belousovová apparently are not A-grade students in history. I reckon, they flunked it. Interestingly, when watching the Devin spectacle... why does it remind me of a Riefenstahl movie..... ?
MS
PS - nobody has still convinced me, that the Slovak national anthem's melody is not of Hungarian origin
PS - nobody has still convinced me, that the Slovak national anthem's melody is not of Hungarian origin
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