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Slovenian President receives participants of the 43rd International Writers’ Meeting

Brdo pri Kranju, 7.5.2011  |  press release


Slovenian President Dr Danilo Türk hosts a reception on the occasion of the 43rd International Writers’ Meeting (photo: Tamino Petelin¹ek/STA)The Slovenian President, Dr Danilo Türk, hosted a reception on the occasion of the 43rd International Writers’ Meeting. In his address, he first pointed out that Slovenia is especially pleased to have the opportunity of hosting this year’s meeting, under the auspices of PEN International, since last year its capital took pride in being UNESCO’s World Book Capital City.

The President went on to address one of the topics discussed by the writers at this year’s meeting, namely the issue of interconnecting various cultures at a time of intense migration. Today this issue is particularly topical, said Dr Türk, as he drew attention to the recent withdrawal of certain important European countries from the concept of multiculturalism.
Slovenian President Dr Danilo Türk hosts a reception on the occasion of the 43rd International Writers’ Meeting (photo: Tamino Petelin¹ek/STA)President Türk highlighted the fact that wherever various cultures come into contact, there is an ever-present problem of linguistic integration. In this context, the question arises as to whether linguistic integration of immigrants into the language of their new environment constitutes a condition for or an obstacle to multiculturalism. In Dr Türk’s view it is a condition, yet the situation of migrants cannot be equated with the situation of autochthonous ethnic groups, who represent a traditional and historical population.

The Slovenian President concluded his address by inviting the participants of the 43rd International Writers’ Meeting to reflect on these issues and wished them a pleasant stay in Slovenia.

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