The Czech National Day: celebrating a state that no longer exists

ICE ^ | 27.10.2006 | David Vaughan

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[Paleo Conservative]

This is a programme to mark the Czech national holiday on 28th October. Isn't it a strange paradox that we are marking a holiday that commemorates the foundation of a state that no longer exists?

But doesn't it still signify their separation for the Austro-Hungarian empire? Prior to WWI, what are now the Czech Republic and Slovakia were provinces of the Austro-Hungarian empire ruled by the Hapsburgs.

[GSlob]

Mmm.... Czech dark beer....

[JoeFromSidney]

My grandmother, who was an immigrant from Slovakia, used to complain to my mother about how the Czechs forced Slovakia into union with them. The Slovaks had been trying to get out of that "forced marriage" for decades. The "velvet divorce" finally gave them the opportunity. No wonder they don't celebrate the Czech national day, while the Czechs still do.

[4Freedom]

Bump for later reading.

[4Freedom]

Roast pork, sauerkraut and dumplings!

Svickova! Did I spell that right? ;^)

[Think free or die]

" Svickova! Did I spell that right? ;^)"

Yup!

[Think free or die]

"But doesn't it still signify their separation for the Austro-Hungarian empire? Prior to WWI, what are now the Czech Republic and Slovakia were provinces of the Austro-Hungarian empire ruled by the Hapsburgs."

Indeed it does. Quite a few Czech-Americans observe it. I wouldn't be surprised to see it drop off in the Czech Republic now, and even more in Slovakia. I find in talking to my cousins that the study of history was greatly diluted during the years they were growing up under socialism. They knew that the stuff they were being taught was heavy on B.S., but they didn't have the full scope of what was missing. Many of the history texts were revised or destroyed in these years, resulting in some gaps in what is commonly studied and known. Even well educated people will sometimes admit to rather a limited knowledge of their national history (by European standards). They are busy earning a living and raising kids, like adults all over the world. There's limited time available for going back and learning that which was missed in formal studies. I've seen other weakening in cultural and folk traditions as the Czech Republic becomes increasingly re-integrated into the European mainstream and the pace becomes more hectic.

[GSlob]

You spelled it OK, but I'm racking my brain at the following problem: how come that the people with enough taste buds to create the best beer in the world somehow fell woefully short in other parts of their cuisine? This belongs to the more fundamental mysteries.

[Whispering Smith]

How quickly we forget. There was another piece to the old Checkoslovakia. I think it was and may still be called Ruthenia. It was detached as a part of the SOVIET's assumption of eastern Poland and maybe some parts of Romania. I am not sure of the Romanian part.

[goldstategop]

Yes, Austro Hungary included Bosnia, Bohemia, Moravia, parts of Poland, and Hungary up to Bukovina which became part of Romania after 1918. It was a multinational empire in which the Germans, the dominant ruling group, where already a minority.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[DTA]

>>>>>>"My parents were Czechs but they moved to Bratislava - to Slovakia - in 1953 and I was born in 1957 in Bratislava. So I'm by birth Slovak, but I'm bilingual, we spoke at home Czech and Slovak, but I have lived all my life in Bratislava.<<<<

Nope, he is Slovakian-born Czech."Slovak" is ethnicity, Slovakian is citizenship. Being born in one country does not make you member of people living in that country, but make you citizen.

[4Freedom]

"...how come that the people with enough taste buds to create the best beer in the world somehow fell woefully short in other parts of their cuisine?

I enjoyed Czech cooking, myself. Wholesome, hardy, flavorful and satisfying are the words that come to mind not frilly like French cuisine. More functional than decorative.

Food for folks that work hard, play hard and drink hard in all kinds of weather. ;^)

[Maeve]

I know this is a serious article, but I am seriously craving kolaches right now...

[GSlob]

Well, when I was there I found it too heavy and incipid. But de gustibus non disputandum est.

[It's me]

My parents were Czechs but they moved to Bratislava - to Slovakia - in 1953 and I was born in 1957 in Bratislava.

snip...

Nope, he is Slovakian-born Czech."Slovak" is ethnicity, Slovakian is citizenship. Being born in one country does not make you member of people living in that country, but make you citizen.

My parents were Czechs but they moved to Los Angeles- to America- in 1958 and I was born in 1960 in Los Angeles.

So you are saying I am not an American? True I am an American born Czech but I am American.

If what you say is true, when does anyone become American?

[4Freedom]

Try Czech restaurants here in the states. I believe you'll find their preparation benefits from the ready availability of reasonably priced high quality ingredients.

Things may have improved dramatically in Eastern Europe, but it will be a while before their marketplace is on a par with ours.

[GSlob]

If you want authentic cuisine, then check a "hospoda" in Prague, or still better in a non-touristy provincial town. Yes, "u Maliru" on Mala Strana in Prague is a good restaurant, but it is atypical and not representative of national cuisine. Ditto for the Czech restaurants in the States.

[GSlob]

"when does anyone become American?"
Depends on what the meaning of "is" is. There is genetics, there is nationality/citizenship, and then there is a civilizational [sociological] affiliation. Genetics one cannot assume, nationality/citizenship is afforded by the others, civilizational affiliation one could assume [or discard and change, with some effort] all by oneself. So which one do you mean by an "American"?