Center of Bohemian and Slovak Historical Studies

In spring 2010 the Department of History of the Ancient World and Middle Ages (Head assistant professor  I. M. Likhtey) and the Department of Modern and Contemporary History and Historiography (Head prof. Mandryk I. O.) State Higher Educational Institution "Uzhgorod National University" ("UzhNU") made ​​a proposal to establish at the History Department of this university the Center of Historical Studies in Bohemistycs and Slovakistics, which would act on a voluntary basis and would aim to unite scholars engaged in the study of the history of the Czech and Slovak nations. The initiative of this two departments supported the Academic Council of the Faculty of History and Academic Council of "UzhNU." As a result in July 5th 2010 was issued an order of rector "UzhNU" № 97 / 01-03 about the establishment on the basis the Department of Ancient World and the Middle Ages and the Department of Modern and Contemporary History and historiography the Centre of Historical Studies in Bohemistycs and Slovakistics (further - the Center). The coordinators of his work from the Department of Ancient World and the Middle Ages was appointed assistant professor I.M.Likhtey, and from the Department of Modern and Contemporary History and Historiography –assistant I.O.Shnitser. The same order was approved the Regulations of "The Center of Historical Studies in Bohemistycs and Slovakistics" which, among other things, provides for the publication of scientific collection "The Historical Journal at Bohemistycs and Slovakistics."

The second edition of "The Historical Journal of Bohemistycs and Slovakistics" (compiled by Igor Likhtey) was released in 2012, who presents the material of international scientific seminar of historians and Uzhgorod and Preshov Universities "The Slovaks and Ukrainians through the Prism of Neighborhood". It was held on 22nd  -23rd September 2011 in Uzhgorod on the initiative of the Centre of Historical Studies in Bohemistycs and Slovakistics of Uzhgorod National University and the Institute of History of Preshov University. The Forum held at a high scientific level, in a friendly working atmosphere.

The Director of the Institute of History assistant professor Lubica Harbulova, deputy dean of the Faculty of Philosophy professor Peter Shvorts, assistant professor Marian Vizdal, Ph.D. Ian Adam and Patrick Derfinyak represented the Preshov University. In the seminar participated from the Uzhgorod National University Professor Ivan Mandryk, assistant professor Igor Likhtey, assistant professor Igor Shnitser, assistant professor Iana Tovtyn, lecturer Miroslav Kiral.

Since 25th -26th of October 2012 in Uzhgorod "The Slovaks on the Transcarpathian Ukraine: history, culture, customs and traditions," held an international scientific conference co-organizers were The Center of Historical Studies in Bohemistycs and Slovakistics, the Institute of History of the Preshov University (the Director Lubica Harbulova) and the Society of Transcarpathia’s Slovaks of Ludovit Stuhr (the Chairman Valeryja Balanko). The event was supported by the management, which takes care of foreign Slovaks in the government of the Slovak Republic. The material of conference will be published in the next issue of "The Historical Journal of Bohemistycs and Slovakistics."

Except the scientific collections, dozens of scholarly articles have been published within the frameworks of the Centre activities several monographs, namely:

Tovtyn J. The Social-political situation of the Slovak lands within the Habsburg monarchy (1526-1610). - Uzhgorod: Polihraftcentre "Lyra", 2011.-160 p.

Likhtey I. Between the Shtaufens and Vellefauxes: the consolidation of the Czech kingdom and enhance its international status during the reign of Prshemyslav Otakar I (1197-1230). - Uzhgorod: Polihraftcentre "Lyra", 2011.-336 p.

Attached to the activities of the Center scholars participates in the international scientific conferences in Slovakia and the Czech Republics. It is worthy of note that in March 2013 assistant professor  I.Shnitser was invited to Carol University in Prague to deliver a series of lectures on his research problems.

Besides, the Center has organized two excursions (in 2011 and 2012) for the students of the Historical faculty along outstanding and memorable places of the Eastern Slovakia. The coordinators of the Centre and students (H.Dubynchak, A.Ponzel), who study the history of Slovakia, in 2012 had a one month a probation in the Summer School of Bratislava University in Modry.

Nowadays professor  I.Mandryk, assistant professor I.Likhtey, assistant professor I.Shnitser, assistant professor Y.Tovtyn, Y.Andrusyak participates as volunteers in the activities of the Centre. All the work that is carried out within the Centre, is possible only through the support of patrons and community organizations. 

M. Polyuzhyn
29.10.2014