The European Crucible of Diversities. Europejski tygiel zróżnicowań

The collaboration among Central European nations—Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Hungary—known informally at first as the Visegrad Triangle and later, after Czechoslovakia's dissolution, as the Visegrad Four or Visegrad Group (V4), is deeply rooted in centuries of shared history and culture. These nations are united not only by shared ideals and historical experiences but also by their political and economic backgrounds, societal connections, and cultural heritage. Christianity has played a pivotal role in the formation and development of national identities in each of these countries, with religious bonds being reinforced over centuries through shared veneration for the same heroes, leaders, and saints. Throughout a millennium, political alliances have often been formed in response to common adversaries. The shared experiences under Communist regimes also form a crucial link among these peoples.

This publication arises from individual and collective scholarly research, meetings, discussions, academic conferences, and thoughtful exchanges. The contributing authors, hailing from diverse countries and academic institutions, aim to shed light on the national identities of the Visegrad Group. Their goal is to highlight the elements that bind these four nations together and to showcase their common cultural heritage, focusing particularly on traditional culture as well as Europe's broader cultural legacy.