GOD, LOVE AND COUNTRY

Antonín Leopold Dvorák (September 8, 1841 – May 1, 1904), the great Czech composer, had a profound faith in God.

His motto was Bůh - láska - vlast (God - love - country)

"...my slogan is and always shall be; God, Love and Country! And that alone can lead to a happy goal."

In my opinion, this is better and more Christian than the patriotic slogans of Britain, my home country, and Finland, my adoptive country.

During the First World War, which ended 90 years ago last month, and in which my grandfather lost his leg, Britons went to war in response to the call "For King and Country".

During the Second World War, Finns went to war against Soviet Communism with the motto "koti, uskonto, isänmaa" - 'home, religion, fatherland'.

If we put God first, other things will fall into place in the right order.

These photos were taken in Prague in 2000, in the Dvorak Museum and at his grave. Represented are his Czech Bible, which he used to compose his "Biblical Songs", his violin and piano, his doctoral robes, and a poster for his oratorio "St. Ludmila".