lessons from history
From the end of the 18th century until the revolutionary year of 1848, the national revival movement went through various transformations. In succession, the Bernolák, Kollar and Štúr groups differed from each other by confession. ideological starting points or preferred language. They founded various institutions and associations for the education of the common people. Even our fourth phase brings new intentions, ideas, and even a form of language. Of course, having learned from the mistakes of the previous phases, she has carefully thought out all of this so that she will be fully successful this time.
Danish culture, primitivism, or special prosecutor’s office
As a basis for any movement of this kind, today’s representatives come with their own language. No Bernolak language, biblical Czech or Štúrov language, as it was in the previous stages! They introduced us to Dankovic, a language freed from complex expressions and a rich vocabulary, among other things, what would it be for us. The language for a proper, simple, peasant nation (which will always and willingly hand over votes and power to us) should be sufficiently infantile and banal. And that people become numb!
As far as “big ideas” are concerned, the new revivalists were not idle. The Bernoláks came from the Enlightenment, the Kollars from Pan-Slavism, the Štúrovs from nationalism. All these ideas are quite superfluous for a decent nation today, so they have been presenting us with their “-ism” – primitivism since September. A truly magnificent ideology, spreading with unprecedented speed and efficiency. It reaches and occupies the minds of the great masses and is a guarantee of a proper revival of the nation.
During its operation, each of the stages strove to build an institution that would guide the people correctly. One can mention the Slovak Learned Companionship or the Tatrín Society. Today, however, it looks like the “nationalists” are not striving for anything like that, on the contrary, they are rather distracting themselves with a lot of interference. And in order not to be told, they have at least created a new ministry that will help Slovaks gain fame through sports achievements.
And as far as religion is concerned, they have already bet on certainty. Having learned from the contradictions between confessions, which significantly complicated the work of our actors in the 19th century, they “baptized” themselves as hypocrites. A great and ingenious solution! When it is necessary to be a Catholic, they will be Catholics, if they are Evangelicals, they will be Evangelicals, and if atheism is necessary, they will be staunch atheists (one of them has already claimed this about himself).
let’s remember Kossuth
Such is the mental and intellectual equipment of the fourth phase of our national revival. However, we have forgotten the key and unifying factor of the first three movements, namely the relationship with Hungary. This set has chosen a completely different attitude towards our southern neighbors. Let’s call him more than friendly. It’s strange for Slovaks beating their chests, isn’t it? However, let’s keep in mind that Ľudovít Štúr also sympathized with the ideas and political program of Kossuth’s Hungary. Until the moment he found out that although they agree in terms of values, Kossuth does not consider Slovaks a nation worthy of existence. And so Štúr’s revivalist work was in vain for a long time. At least that’s what today’s “national revivalists” could think about while winking at Orbán.
Milo Hasala he is a member of the newly established young editorial staff of the week and a student at the Jura Hronac Gymnasium.
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