Slovenian President meets representatives of Slovenian minorities from neighbouring countries

Ljubljana, 7.2.2009  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, today received representatives of the Slovenian minorities in Austria, Italy, Hungary and Croatia. In separate meetings, they discussed the functioning of the Slovenian cultural organisations and the status of the Slovenian minorities in the individual countries. Talks also focused on the search for new areas of co-operation between the minorities and Slovenia in a time when physical borders in Europe have to a great extent been abolished.

After the discussions, the Slovenian President hosted a reception to mark the Slovenian Cultural Holiday. In his address, he said that Slovenians have a respectful and serious attitude towards culture, because the national identity was first shaped culturally, without the development of all the political institutions typical of modern nations. This delay has been eliminated by changes over the past decades and, today, the Slovenian nation has its own state with all the necessary institutions, said President Türk. And because it was through culture the nation was established, Slovenians have, in Dr Türk's view, a specific, almost religious, attitude towards culture, which is quite often interpreted in an explicitly elitist manner. Culture is primarily understood in terms of the greatest artistic achievements, and sometimes also achievements in science. However, not enough has been done to perceive culture in all its dimensions, and in the everyday forms of expression of people, President Türk added.

Cultivating our existence is at the core of Slovenia's development, according to Dr Türk; Slovenia has already reached a solid level of the economic and political development, but in the future, society needs to be cultivated and made increasingly oriented towards culture. The idea of a common Slovenian cultural space, in past, present and future, was highlighted by President Türk as one of the fundamental dimensions of our cultural existence. This future is part of a wider, European development. During this process, the cultural identities of nations will not vanish, said Dr Türk, explaining that the strength and the future of Europe do not lie in eliminating differences, but in promoting diversity and the richness of cultures. Challenges are awaiting us, and are not only part of our development, but also part of the challenge of modern Europe, he said, adding that we should be creative and oriented towards the future. President Türk concluded his address by highlighting the role of the Slovenian Cultural Holiday in reflecting on these issues.