The folk and folk creation and production as instruments of propaganda in the socialist society of the Czech Lands. Myth and state politics
Abstract
I have divided my paper into two parts. In the first I deal with the development of the term “folk” in modern Czech national society and in connection with the contents of this term also the meaning which was ascribed to the folk and their creation and production in various times and under social systems.
Further, I will try to capture the interconnection between the term folk and the nation and the role which was projected onto so-called folk creation and production during the formation of national and state identity. In the second part I analyze the importance of folk creation and production as instruments of propaganda in the postwar society of the Czech Lands.
At the same time I show that the political concept of folk, varying over time, correlated with the importance attributed to folk creation and production. The post-February regime, however, also tried to support and influence the free time of ordinary citizens.
That is why school clubs, Pioneer clubs, cultural houses, the content of whose programs became the production of objects of natural materials, the making of common baked goods, decoration of Easter eggs, etc., were established.