The new version of the Slovak national anthem was broadcast by Slovak Television and Slovak Radio in the first minutes of 2025. It will be performed live for the first time on January 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the New Year’s concert of the Slovak Philharmonic. The adaptation of the national anthem was prepared by the MK in cooperation with the Slovak Philharmonic. The author of the arrangement is Slovak composer, conductor and producer Oskar Rózsa.
He commented on the publication of the anthem on January 1, 2025 on Telegram. This was preceded by the criticism of many personalities and colorful defense of Rózsa. “I greatly appreciate your support, wonderful reactions and insights. I’m glad that what I intended and subsequently tried to realize in conditions that I wouldn’t wish on anyone, managed to be transferred to you despite the callous and characterless attacks, whose intention is to manipulate and influence you and hurt me,” he wrote.
“My personal story with the national anthem will probably forever be marked by a lump in the throat and tears in the eyes, nothing can be done about it. I take, I accept. I never wanted to impose anything on anyone or harm anyone or anything. What actually succeeded or failed, only time will tell… And as for who the new edit is actually for, or not, I was right again, I apologize,” concluded the artist.
The new version of the anthem caused various reactions in Slovakia, but it didn’t take long for a reaction from the Czech Republic to appear as well. Czech opera director and scenographer Tomáš Ondřej Pilař took a new version of our national anthem underground. “The new version of the Slovak anthem will enter the textbooks as a perfect misunderstanding of vocal symphonic instrumentation. It would be best described as a metal fan who wants to write something in the style of Pirates of the Caribbean. (Yes, and for Picard’s tertiary conclusion, they were kicked out of the conservatory 150 years ago). I have to admit that this hymn is seriously “like no other,” he wrote on the social network.
“The new version of the national anthem is recommended as the official national anthem of the Slovak Republic in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of the Interior. It can be played at all official events,” MK said. After January 1, it will be possible to use older versions of the Slovak national anthem. “The new version will be gradually introduced, while the exact time horizon is not set. It is estimated that it will be within three to four months,” it added, adding that the use of the older version will not be sanctioned.
At the same time, the Department of Culture noted that the singers a musicians can continue to sing the national anthem at various events as it has been until now. “A special version of the new adaptation of the national anthem is also prepared for this variant, which can be used as a musical background,” he added.
