National anthems are an important part of cultural heritage and national identity. However, in some cases, states decide to change or ban the use of certain anthems, which may be due to political, historical or social factors. Let us consider a few examples.
Afghanistan: abandoning the musical anthem
After the Taliban came to power in 2021, Afghanistan’s anthem was changed to the nasheed, a traditional Muslim chant sung a cappella. This decision was due to the religious beliefs of the Taliban, who consider music and the use of musical instruments haram (forbidden) in Islam. Thus, Afghanistan has become the only country where the anthem is sung exclusively without musical accompaniment.
Slovakia: limiting the singing of foreign anthems
In 2019, the National Council of Slovakia adopted amendments to the law on state symbols, which prohibited the performance of foreign anthems on the territory of the country without the presence of official delegations of the relevant states. The decision caused a political uproar, as many perceived it as a restriction of the rights of the Hungarian minority, especially in the southern parts of the country where there is a significant Hungarian diaspora. It was later recognized that the amendments had been erroneously adopted and they were returned for revision.
China: use of the anthem of the Republic of China in Taiwan
In Taiwan, where the anthem of the Republic of China is officially used, there has been controversy over the song’s association with the Kuomintang party, which ruled China until 1949. Advocates of Taiwanese independence have suggested replacing the existing anthem with one more suited to the island’s modern identity. However, officially the anthem remains unchanged despite the existing debate.
Conclusion
Changes or bans on the use of national anthems and symbols often reflect complex political and historical processes within a society. Such decisions affect national consciousness and identity, sometimes generating heated public debate and controversy.
