Czechs and Slovenians: Common Cultural and Ideological Ties

The project is closely tied to two previous projects from recent years, involving Czech and Slovenian historians, both of which were linked to the programme “Contact”: “Comparative Studies of Relationships in the History of Central Europe” (2001–2003) and “Czechs and Slovenians. Traditions and Possibilities for the Participation of Small Nations within Multinational Communities” (2004–2005). The end goal and result of these projects was a historical documentation of the traditional Czech-Slovenian political contacts – namely those in the 19th century, during the Habsburg Monarchy, the First World War, and also from recent history (i.e. the efforts of both nations to join the EU and NATO).

However, neither project focuses on the cultural and social aspects of the history of this cooperation. The study of the mutual exchange of ideas and cultural values found a deep divide. Given the relatively well and comprehensively studied contacts between Czech and Slovenian liberals and the influence of T.G. Masaryk on the young Slovenian intelligentsia at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, other ideological and political currents or orientations have been examined relatively poorly – namely the contacts between Czech and Slovenian national socialists (Klofač, Radešček, Škerlj), or between Slovenian and Czech Christian-oriented intellectuals.

Another topic in need of coverage is the comparison of both nations' attitudes towards Jews and the Jewish question, with stress on Slavic reciprocity. Deserving of more detailed scientific study are also many artists, scientists, translators, architects and other individuals of the 19th and 20th centuries, influential in the strenghtening of cultural bonds between the two nations and their insight into eachother's cultures. Such important Slovenians include Dr. Jože Plečnik, Matija Murko, Oton Berkopec, Mihajlo Rostohar, Karla Bulovec. On the other end, influential Czechs include Antonin Foerster, Jan Vladimir Hrasky, Vaclav Burian, František Benhart, among many others.

During the first year of the project (2007), research on the Slovenian side focused on creating a detailed overview, or list, of Slovenian scientists, artists and other educators in the Czech Republic from 1918 to 1945 – a kind of bibliographical lexicon. A comprehensive examination of Czech newspapers and archives followed; Czechs (Czech politicians) on Slovenians and the situation in Slovenia; the cooperation of Czech and Slovenian political parties and currents; political and ideological issues that have created bonds and rifts between Slovenians and Czechs.

During the second year (2008), a series of studies and articles will be published on Czech-Slovenian cultural contacts – not only in professional and scientific journals, but also in the form of textbooks on Slovenian history and culture for Czech students in Slovenia, or learning materials on Czech history for Slovenian students of Czech studies. Still, the most essential learning materials remain lacking on both sides.