New Book 'Murky Wells' Exposes Slovak Writers' Collaboration with Wartime Fascist Regime

SME highlights a significant new publication that dares to confront a difficult chapter in Slovak history: the complicity of its literary elite with the fascist regime. Peter Getting's book, 'Studne mútne' (Murky Wells), meticulously unearths the extent to which celebrated Slovak writers, poets, and publicists actively supported a regime responsible for severe human rights abuses and the deportation of tens of thousands. The article emphasizes that this is not merely an academic exercise but a necessary act of historical reckoning, challenging the sanitized narratives that have often prevailed. Getting's work, described as 'shocking,' exposes how many figures, later lauded by the communist regime, were deeply involved in promoting the fascist ideology, even participating in the 'Aryanization' of Jewish property. This perspective is crucial for understanding how national identity and historical memory are constructed. While Western media might focus on political or military aspects of the era, Slovak publications like SME feel a particular responsibility to scrutinize the cultural and intellectual figures who shaped public discourse. The book's unflinching look at figures like Milo Urban, Ján Kostra, and even Dominik Tatarka (for his later Stalinist writings) forces a reevaluation of Slovakia's literary canon and the moral compromises made during a dark period. The article poses a vital question: can the 'conscience of the nation' facilitate a slide into totalitarianism, or is the artistic community merely a mirror of broader societal failings? Getting's research suggests the latter, pointing out that many ordinary Slovaks also profited from the regime's actions, including the confiscation of Jewish assets. This deep dive into the 'artistic collaboration' is essential for a complete and honest understanding of Slovakia's past, moving beyond nationalistic pride to acknowledge uncomfortable truths.

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Pokiaľ režim na Slovensku v rokoch 1939 – 1945 chápeme ako totalitný a zločinný, zámerom je poukázať, aký podiel na tomto zločine mali slovenskí literáti, básnici, spisovatelia a publicisti