The Slovak Parliament passed the Patriotism Act on Tuesday. The legislation set to come into effect as of April 2010.

According to the act, the Slovak national anthem must be mandatorily played in all schools at the beginning of every school week. The anthem will be played also at the beginning of every session of the Government, Parliament and regional parliaments, as well as at all public events. The Slovak national anthem must be played also at the beginning of all sport events organized by Slovak national sport associations.

School curriculums will include the patriotic education, with public schools required to place a national emblem, flag, the text of the anthem and preamble of the Slovak Constitution at every classroom. These items will also need to be present at every place where sessions of local parliaments and Higher Territorial Units (VUC) parliaments are held.

According to the original proposal, people were to swear an oath of allegiance to the Slovak Republic when receiving their first identity cards. The same was expected of MPs, mayors and governors when receiving their decrees. However, authors have made concessions in final amendment - hence, only state employees will be required to swear allegiance to the state.

Now the Patriotism Act have to be signed by the Slovak President. If President Ivan Gasparovic sighs the act, it will take effect as of April.

(SLOVAKIA TODAY, TASR / ILLUSTRATION PHOTO)