Štátne symboly Československa a Slovenska (slovensky) – Vrtel Ladislav (2022)

The author's third book, following the work Slovenský znak – jeho pôvod a vývoj do roku 1918, which was published by VEDA in 2021, focuses on the fate of state symbolism in the turbulent 20th century. It presents the activities of the Prague Heraldic Commission operating from 1918 to 1920, which was tasked with proposing the symbolism of young Czechoslovakia, as well as discussions about the state coat of arms and flag, which ultimately reflected the Czechoslovak state-political concept. It similarly outlines the work of heraldic commissions during subsequent pivotal periods in our history – in 1938, 1939, and 1945. In all cases, it illustrates the political motives behind individual proposals for state symbolism, and ultimately their enacted forms, both in words and images. It recalls the equal use of Czechoslovak and Slovak symbolism in the anti-fascist resistance in Slovakia, but also the disappointment over the failure to achieve a post-war national reconciliation between Slovaks and Czechs. This was expressed through the rejection of the proposal for a symmetrical emblem and the continuation of Czechoslovak symbolism. This culminated in 1960 with the adoption of the Constitution of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the 'abolition' of the Slovak emblem in state symbolism. The book sheds light on hopes for...