Politics of the past: the use and abuse of history - Socialists ...

History and National Identity
193
Štefan Šutaj
Inhabitants of Slovakia – whether of Slovak or of Hungarian nationality
– have differing opinions about a large number of events in
the history of Slovak-Hungarian intra-state relations. This is caused
by several factors. Despite the existence of a common school system,
there are differences in the readings of history that pupils encounter
in their history lessons, because teachers often interpret
historical events loosely.
Historical memory is formed individually, and all individuals store up
traces of various events that have affected their lives. For example,
family upbringing plays a significant role. The 20 th century has left
its impressions – a stamp of the past – on every Hungarian or
Slovak family. Members of Slovak, Hungarian and mixed families
‘struggled’ not only in organisations alongside one another, but also
in opposing ones. There is also inter-generational dialogue about
these events, and this has significantly influenced the formation of
opinions on individual historical events.
A further element that has left its mark on the formation of opinions
and attitudes among the inhabitants of Slovakia is societal environment.
This means social environment, including affiliation to a
religious denomination or to interest groups; the nature of the milieu
in which the individual lives is also important (town or village –
size of municipality). Just as there are different types of communities,
their prevailing atmosphere leaves its mark on the formation of
attitudes to historical events.
At all these levels, however, we also encounter the important role
of ethnicity and ethnic affiliation. The degree or measure – the
strength – of an individual’s identity plays a significant role.
Since 1986, the Institute of Social Sciences has conducted a great
deal of research, in which we have obtained the opinions of respondents
on the history of Slovaks and Hungarians. In this article,
Professor Stefan Šutaj works at the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute
for Social Studies. He is co-chairman of the Mixed Committee
of Slovak-Hungarian Historians.