Bratislava
Katedra kulturológie at the Comenius- University in Bratislava
The „katedra kulturologie“ (department for cultural science) at the Comenius- University in Bratislava celebrated in October 2005 the 10th anniversary. (In this context lecturers and students organized a conference „Kulturologie as Academic Diszipline“.) Mrs PhDr Anna Remišová, one of the founders of the department, is pleased to educate the first generation of cultural scientists. Soon some of them will finish their thesis. Mrs Mgr. Viera Bartková works for example about the Slovak artists, who lived in the 19. century abroad (e.g. Italy). This includes the research of European movements, which were unknown because of the political circumstances for a long time and which are for the present of great importance.
Before studying at the „katedra kulturologie“ the students had to pass an entrance examination. Every 10th of the applicants can start the study.
During a discussion about the European idenity/ identities with a group of students from the „katedra kulturologie“, who are very well informed about the contemporary movements in Slovakia and Europe, some mean points could be recognized:
- A shrinking of the ambition to move to the western part of Europe for work. The tendency of collecting experiences abroad and using this in Slovakia is growing.
- Slovak contemporary literature and art is characterize by searching of and asking for identity/ identities. This includes the reflection on the different layers of time and their conditions in Slovakia (of course including the relations in Europe). On this way of searching new forms are generated.
- The relationship to the time of socialism depends on the generations and their experiences.
- Between eastern and western Slovakia exists the problem of unequal economic situation and leads to an unequal access (for example education, job…).
- Cultural nearness to Czechia.
By the way: one of an important „western“ questions is: Do the Slovaks rather feel as eastern or western European? The answer of a Slovak student: Here in Slovakia I feel like the center of Europe.