Slovakia’s national anthem gets a makeover amid political tensions

Slovakia’s national anthem is set for a revamp, thanks to a project backed by the Culture Ministry and led by composer and conductor Oskar Rózsa.

The new version, produced in collaboration with the Slovak Philharmonic, the Bratislava Boys’ Choir, and the Slovak Radio Children’s Choir, is the first of its kind in three decades.

“I’ve always been bothered by the official version of our anthem when it’s played by anything less than a skilled orchestra. It can end up sounding like a brass band or even comical,” Rózsa said.

His idea for a fresh rendition of the anthem dates back to 2011, but it was not until Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová, nominated by the far-right Slovak National Party, took office that the project gained traction. Šimkovičová has been supportive of initiatives with a nationalistic flavour, which cannot be said about LGBT+ or other “liberal” projects.

No political motivation

Rózsa firmly denies any political motives behind the project, stating, “For me, the anthem is a state symbol beyond politics. Associating me with any political party is absurd.”

While the original lyrics and melody remain unchanged, Rózsa has made several adjustments to the arrangement. He has created two distinct versions: one for a full symphony orchestra with large choirs and another, more lyrical version featuring strings and a children’s choir.

The recording took place last week at the Slovak Philharmonic in Bratislava and is now in post-production, with plans for the final mix to be completed in a major studio specialising in film scores.

The premiere is set for January 1, 2025, which is Independence Day in Slovakia.

Timing not right, some say

However, not all ministers are convinced of the timing. Richard Raši, minister for investment from the Hlas party, commented, “The anthem is our pride and symbol, but I’m not sure changing it is the top concern for the people of Slovakia right now.”

Opposition MP Zora Jaurová of Progressive Slovakia also questioned the initiative. “Discussing the national anthem is legitimate, but it should come from a societal debate, not a ministerial idea,” she said. She likened the project to “the orchestra playing on the Titanic as the ship was sinking,” highlighting the broader crisis in Slovakia’s public cultural institutions.

Music journalist Juraj Čurný explained that the current version of the anthem, “Nad Tatrou sa blýska” (Lightning O’er the Tatras), dates back to December 1992, an adaptation of the folk song “Kopala studienku”, with lyrics by Janko Matúška (1844) and arrangements by Ladislav Burlas. While some alternate versions have been created since, Čurný believes that revisiting the anthem is a natural step.

“The mere fact that a new version is being created doesn’t seem out of the ordinary to me. Thirty years is enough time to look at the anthem with fresh eyes,” he noted, as quoted by the state broadcaster STVR.