Groß, Steffen: Why a Well-Understood National Consciousness and Nationalism are Two Totally Different Things
Lětopis Abstract 2011 2: Groß, Steffen: Why a Well-Understood National Consciousness and Nationalism are Two Totally Different Things
When you read Jan Skala’s programmatic work “Wo serbskich prašenjach” (1922) almost ninety years later, its incredible topicality is almost
immediately apparent. It is very striking that current discussions often revolve around the question of the “protection” or the “preservation” of
traditions etc. On the other hand, the development or statement of aims are seldom discussed. As a result, there is hardly any justification to talk
of Sorbian nationalism, as Sorbs already lack a sufficiently broad national consciousness and a well-understood self interest in their own
nationality. But if their national consciousness is underdeveloped, then their nationalism cannot be excessive, nor can it be too intense. It is more
the case that the Sorbian people and many Sorbs (still) have a problematic tendency to question their own identity and to be at odds with it. Sorbs
would do well to have a somewhat more self-confident, patriotic attitude based on an insight into their own origins, and to be conscious of the fact
that cultural diversity is something of high value, which needs to be developed dynamically.
|
![[*]](images/davis/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
