Czechoslovakia: the hyphen no longer exists
(Archives) (In Bratislava) Since January 1, Czechoslovakia - unlike all of Europe - has been trying somehow to create a border between its two peoples... not totally artificial, moreover. For what ?
For years the inhabitants of this country located between Poland and Austria, Germany and Russia have been referred to as Czechoslovaks. But, in fact, if Czechoslovakia really exists, it is as a union within the same state of peoples with different cultures, languages and backgrounds: the Czechs and the Slovaks. And if you still say today to a Slovak (or a) that he is Czechoslovakian, and that you greatly admire Vaclav Havel (a Czech) this is surely not the best way to create intimacy…!
A difference through history
Coming from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bohemia-Moravia (the Czech country) was dependent on the Austrian government, Slovakia was dependent on the Hungarian government. It is then economic, the Czech part, to the north and to the west, is largely more industrialized while the Slovak part, to the south and to the east, is essentially of agricultural and peasant tradition. But since the failed revolution of 1968, these two republics had known how to conquer a mini-independence. Each had a capital at their head, Bratislava in Slovakia, Prague for Bohemia-Moravia, an autonomous government and a local parliament. Certain Czechoslovak ministries, moreover, did not exist. Or rather yes, but there were two: a Slovak, a Czech.
The hymns, a whole symbol
As for example in education, culture or health. There was no Czechoslovak anthem but two anthems juxtaposed to each other, one fast and nervous, the Czech, the other slower and sad, the Slovak. In short, one could enumerate on a long list the minute differences which separated these two peoples. Despite this, they had remained united Since 1918, many couples were formed, cementing the Czech-Slovak reality.
An old family to separate
The Czechs & Slovaks are then like an old family living, for better or for worse, in a single house and which decides on a whim to split into two. How to share the kitchen, the bedroom, the car, the garden…? Many inhabitants on both sides of the new border are now beginning to reflect and regret… A bit late.
The economic situation: difficult
Above all, in Slovakia there is no shortage of problems. First, the economic situation is very tough. Its two main sources of wealth, agriculture and heavy industry (metallurgy, military, etc.), are struggling to adapt to the new economic situation and Western standards. Then the geographical location of the capital - Bratislava is located 3 kilometers from the border and 65 km from Vienna - raises fears that it will become a simple annex of Austria.
Important minorities
Finally, the internal political situation is very delicate with the Hungarian minority, nearly 500.000 strong, and the large gypsy community. Tensions are likely to be all the more important as Slovak nationalism has (re)appeared. A sort of revenge on the - distant - time when Slovakia was only an oppressed part of the Hungarian kingdom, the use of the Hungarian language until then protected was therefore abolished, and certain schools closed. Football fans have even been molested.
Even if the situation is very different and most of the population peaceful, it is reminiscent of the first steps of the Yugoslav war in 1989 against the Albanians of Kosovo...
Nicolas Gros Verheyde
© Paris Daily