The aim of the paper is an attempt at evaluating the Eastern Partnership from the point of view of the socio-cultural dimension in a broad sense. Do cultural and civilisational factors influence relations between the EU and Eastern European and South Caucasus countries? Is the EU capable of further enlargement? The Eastern Partnership is experiencing significant turmoil (Russia-Ukraine war, unstable South Caucasus) which begs the question of the future of the policy. Moreover, the paper tackles the issue of the EU’s internal factors and their influence upon relations with Eastern countries.

Central functions of strongholds in early medieval societies

Early medieval strongholds had various functions – e.g. symbolic, geopolitical, political-administrative and administrative-fiscal. Great majority were built after the mid 9th century. In the 2nd quarter of the 10th c. a network of strongholds indicates the nascent Piast state.

Centrální funkce hradišť v raně středověkých společnostech

Central Europe – the concept, the historical conditioning, the significance

The notion of Central Europe as a historical region assumed importance after the end of the First World War and again in the 90’s of the 20th century. The aim of historical conditioning of this region was to build the political unity which would be able to oppose the threat from the East and the West. Polish researchers played a crucial role in the research of this region. They even often initiated this research.

Střední Evropa – pojem, historická podmíněnost, význam

The article is devoted to the Grunwald swords and Wałęsa’s ballpoint pen as material correlates of concrete events and objects that can deliver a message whose content depends on the current political, social and cultural context.

On the question of origin of St. Svorad and eremitic influences at the monastery on Mount Zobor. The author of the article refers to the search for the roots of eremitic movement in Slovakia in the early 11th century, which is linked to St. Svorad.