The Spanish Civil War in the Journalism of Ladislav Novomeský

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Autor/ Author: Peter Olexák  

In: Kultúrne dejiny

ISSN: 1338-2209 (Print)

ISSN: 2989–3313 (Online)

Ročník/ Volume: 17

Číslo/ Issue: Supplement

Strany/ Page Range: 148-164

Rok vydania/ Publication Year: 2026

Jazyk/ Language: Slovak

Vydavateľ/ Publisher: VERBUM – vydavateľstvo Katolíckej univerzity v Ružomberku

Abstrakt/ Abstract: This study examines the reflection of the Spanish Civil War (1936 – 1939) in the journalism of the Slovak intellectual, poet, and politician Ladislav Novomeský. The conflict is interpreted as a major turning point in European history that transcended a domestic struggle and became a symbol of the ideological clash between democracy and fascism. The aim of the paper is to analyze how Novomeský shaped his attitudes toward the Spanish war in periodical press and to assess the significance of his writings within the Slovak cultural and political context, using the methodology of cultural history and discourse analysis. The study highlights Novomeský’s active engagement, from his participation in international congresses and his stay at the Spanish front to his journalistic work in DAV and other periodicals. His reports and commentaries framed the conflict primarily as an anti-fascist struggle and emphasized the need for international solidarity, while also serving as a polemical response to conservative and clerical press interpretations. The analysis reveals the dual character of his writings: they provide authentic testimonies and a modern reportage style, yet are shaped by ideological perspectives and a mobilizing function. Novomeský often idealized the Republican side while downplaying its internal tensions. Nevertheless, his journalism represents an important contribution to the development of Slovak war reportage. The study also traces his later reflections in the 1960s, showing how his interpretations evolved under the influence of historical distance and broader tensions between ideology, experience, and memory.

Kľúčové slová/ Keywords: Ladislav Novomeský. Spanish Civil War.

Citácia/ How to cite:
OLEXÁK, Peter, 2026. Španielska občianska vojna v publicistike Ladislava Novomeského. Kultúrne dejiny. Online. Roč. 17, č. Supplement, s. 148-164. ISSN 1338-2209 (Print). ISSN 2989–3313 (Online). Dostupné na:

Toto dielo je publikované pod/ This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.