According to a newly adopted law, a foreign country’s national anthem cannot be sung or played in Slovakia unless an official delegation of that state is present. Therefore, singing the Hungarian anthem is now punishable by law. This is significant given that the country harbors half a million Hungarians; in fact, this number is so large that it amounts to eight to nine percent of Slovakia’s total population.

As Slovakian newspaper Parameter reported, the Parliament passed a law making singing another country’s hymn an unlawful act. Among others, the proposal was voted on by representatives of the Hungarian-Slovakian party HID-Most.

Dušan Tittel’s (SNS) parliamentary answer is a prime example of anti-Hungarian sentiment: “I recommend that you go to Dunaszerdahely to watch a football game; I’d love to go with you, especially when the 9,000 fans of the DAC start singing the Hungarian anthem. We can try it, but I don’t think it would make you feel good.” Tittel acted as the main advocate of the law.

From May 15th, singing the Hungarian anthem is punishable by a EUR 7,000 fine.

FC DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda is a Slovak football team based in Dunaszerdahely (Dunajsiká Streda). The club is strongly supported by the Hungarian minority in Slovakia and is famous for its atmosphere. The fans begin each game by singing Hungarian songs.