Censorship of Hungarian music in interwar Slovakia

Abstract

This paper analyses the approach of the first Czechoslovak republic toward the issue of music censorship on the territory of Slovakia. The topic focusses especially on Hungarian songs and music in general. The Czechoslovak establishment used censorship practises as a tool to combat unwanted and dangerous opinions and views in a variety of areas – press, theatre, films, radio, etc. Music was no exception to this rule as its content in terms of themes and lyrics posed a threat to the public order, constitutional values and national safety. This article is going to answer several questions, such as what kind of music was mostly the subject of censorship activities, what particular content was deemed as illegal and what form of censorship the Czechoslovak authorities preferred in the case of music.