Culture Ministry to Make Changes to State Anthem

Bratislava, October 23 (TASR) - The Culture Ministry is preparing changes to the state anthem in collaboration with the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, aimed at giving the anthem a new form, even though neither the original lyrics nor melody will change, TASR learnt from head of the ministry's press department Petra Bacinska on Wednesday. The aim of the remake is to underline the importance of the anthem as a state symbol. "The task has been given to the distinguished Slovak songwriter, conductor and producer Oskar Rozsa, who collaborates with the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Bratislava Boys' Choir and Children's Choir of the Slovak Radio. The new version of the anthem is going to be more symphonic, monumental and inventive," stated the spokesperson, adding that the new version is designed to appeal more also to the young generation. The musical structure of the Slovak Republic's anthem goes back to the 19th century and the generation of Slovak poet Ludovit Stur. In 1918, the song became part of the anthem of erstwhile Czechoslovakia. Since the founding of independent Slovakia in 1993, the first two stanzas of songwriter Janko Matuska's lyrics have been used as the official anthem. mf/mcs