The Visegrad Defence Pact
Created in the 1950s, the Visegrad Defence Pact (VDP) serves as the defence branch of The Visegrad Union. All of the Visegrad Union's member states are also members of the defence pact. As much as the Union ensures close political, economic and cultural ties and cooperation between the countries of eastern central Europe, the VDP ensures their mutual defence, as well as their cooperation in international military events, in domestic disaster relief operations, in peacekeeping missions abroad and in regular mutual defence exercises.
Current member states :
- The Czech-Moravian-Silesian Republic
- The Slovak Republic
- The Hungarian Republic
- The Transcarpathian Ukrainian Republic
- The Polish Republic (as part of the United Confederation of Polish Peoples)
- The Kingdom of Silesia (as part of the United Confederation of Polish Peoples)
- The Kingdom of Galicia (as part of the United Confederation of Polish Peoples)
Symbolism used in the flag :
The swords = Each sword represents one of the seven member states and the contribution of their armed forces to the defence pact, as well as the will to protect and defend the citizens of that specific country, no matter the cost. All swords are the same size, shape and colour, denoting the equality of all member countries of the VDP. Their placement in a near-circle - as if on a round table worthy of knightly chivalry - is a reference to the original
Visegrad Treaty of the 14th century, in which the kings of the Czech, Polish and Hungarian lands signed the first ever mutual defence pact in this part of Europe. Since all countries that are today members of the Visegrad Union and the VDP once belonged to the medieval Visegrad Treaty, this historical call back is highly relevant and serves as a reminder of political and diplomatic tradition.
The wreath = Symbolizes the commitment to the defence and preservation of peace within the territory of the Visegrad Union, as well as within the territory of all other countries that are allies of the Union or have friendly relations with it. It also symbolizes that the VDP tries to seek primarily peaceful solutions to internal as well as international crises of a political and military nature, that its military doctrine focuses on defensive measures rather than offensive ones and that the VDP has a commitment to help in peacekeeping operations abroad.
The torch = It consists of the letters "V" and "U" stacked on each other, forming a stylised torch. The "V" and "U" letters primarily denote the Visegrad Union (VU), reinforcing the pact's alliegance and subservience to it and its civilian governments. The letters also have secondary meanings : "U" also symbolizes the Latin word
unitas, referring to the unity of the countries of the Visegrad Union and the VDP. (To further symbolize this unity, the torch's flame sprouting from the top of the U is officially referred to as "The Flame of Central European Unity".) The "V" can symbolize a variety of lofty ideals that the VDP considers its guidelines. It is usually interpreted as the Latin words
veritas ("truth"),
valeo ("strenghth"/"I am strong"/"courage"/"bravery") and
victoria ("victory").
The Anthem of the Visegrad Defence Pact
Listen to the full instrumental version of the anthem. The anthem commemorates the sacrifices of each country's servicemen in the line of duty, defending both the Union and international peace. It starts as a rather mournful, contemplative piece, but gradually becomes a booming, magnificent, upbeat symphony, celebrating the valour of these servicemen, whether dead or living.
(OOC: This is from the post-
*WWII years of my Sparrow Avengers universe, aka the European Crimson Skies universe.
Yes, that ATL is a rather strange place, with several mild PODs in the second half of the 19th century and really world-shattering ones during the ending phases of the First World War. Needless to say, even their ATL interwar period and WWII were
really weird and rather different in several key aspects.
And yeah, though I borrowed that existing song for the anthem, it's a song that was never used in that game, hence why I think it deserves a shot.
)