In August 1991, in an atmosphere of concern for the joint state, the first seminar on Czech-Slovak relations was held in Liberec. It was initiated by the Czech-Slovak Understanding Movement and organized by the staff of the newly created Faculty of Education in Liberec, the North Bohemian Museum and the Institute for Contemporary History of the CAS. This created a traditional event that is unique not least for its long-term continuity.
As a place for regular meetings and professional discussions by Czech and Slovak historians, educators, archivists, students and others interested in Czech-Slovak history, usually held in the last decade of August, the seminar has even survived the collapse of the CzechoSlovak Federation and its importance may have increased.
Besides the traditional organizer of the seminar - the Department of History of the Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education of the Technical University of Liberec - the Jan Hus Educational Foundation has recently taken part in its organization, which has allowed many Czech and Slovak teachers to participate in the seminar, as has the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes. The focus and thus also the structure of the seminar is, of course, evolving; in recent years, the emphasis has been on the didactic use of the chosen topic, which corresponds to the inclusion of a didactic side, including workshops, into the programme. Similarly, a block devoted to the reflection of the given topic in filmmaking has become a stable part of the seminar.
