The paper presents unromantic concept of nationalism of Jonas Zaborsky in the context of the development of modern Slovak identity. Author compares Záborský's thinking and romantic nationalism of Ľudovít Štúr. According to him, the difference of these approaches is in the method of the formation of national consciousness. Záborský rejects the romantic notion of institutionalization realized only by revolutionary means or political reform. He understands forming of the nation as a process involving the deeper social changes, including a change of mentality.
