Česko-slovenské reflexie v prostredí národnostných škôl slovenských komunít na tzv. Dolnej zemi

Abstract

The paper discusses Czech-Slovak relations, as reflected in the history of Slovak communities in Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria, commonly known as Dolná zem [Lower Land] Slovaks. They lived in distinct linguistic and ethno-cultural enclaves in close proximity to linguistically different populations. They were mostly members of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession and thus culturally linked to the Czech language. In each of the above countries, there was a varying degree of contact between Slovak and Czech minority communities. The second part of the paper focuses on the Czech-Slovak reflections in teaching within the minority education system in the different countries. These reflections are possible thanks to minority schools in Hungary and Romania having, in addition to the subject of state history, special subjects covering history and ethnography with specific textbooks, and in Serbia, the subject of history having extra time allocated and a supplementary textbook. Czecho-Slovak reflections are still present in the states with Lower Land Slovak communities and are mostly linked to the traditions associated with the Evangelical Church.