The Přemyslids - Building the Bohemian State and Nation

After accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union, the question of Czech national identity re-arises. The new historical situation should be taken as a challenge rather than a threat. It requires an open and adequate answer. As the identities of all modern nations are based on their history, our project, too, is focused on the beginnings of the Czech national history, namely the epoch of building of the Czech state by Přemyslids. This era ought to be recognised as a starting point for the whole further historical development up to the present. The proposed project intends to cope with a key segment of Czech history, from its beginnings up to the first great transformation in 13th century. For the sake of publicity, the occassion of the anniversary of extinction of the Přemyslids dynasty in 1306 is used. However, the focus goes beyond the historical role of this particular dynasty of rulers. It is envisaged to provide an internally coherent dramatical narrative of the origin and the following metamorphoses of the Czech state. The narrative will be elaborated into a representative publication (issued in several language mutations) and presented both in media and in scientific discussions.