Głos Miloša Martena w sporze o sens czeskich dziejów

The paper named Voice of Miloš Marten in the dispute over the sense of Czech history examines the role of the text Nad městem in this particular historical debate. Marten (1883–1917) was a literary critic and essayist and contributor to the magazine „Modern revue”. The choice of dialogue as a literary genre of this piece, follows in with the discursive character of the historic dispute. The dialogue between the Czech Michal and the French foreigner follows the most turbulent moments of Czech history – starting with the emergence of the Hussite movement, the Battle of White Mountain and its consequences and concluding with the baroque art and culture. Many interpretations of this text see in the figure of Allan, who is a Frenchman enthusiastic about Prague, the great French poet Paul Claudel. The dialogue Nad městem is a personal reading of the events, in which the essayist stands for a reassessment of the approach to the past. He suggests changing the stereotyped view of the decline of Czech culture in 17th century and returning the oppressed Catholic tradition to its proper place within Czech culture.