Slovenian President receives representatives of Slovenian minorities from neighbouring countries

Ljubljana, 7.2.2010  |  speech

Address by Dr Danilo Türk, President of the Republic of Slovenia, at the reception for representatives of the Slovenian minorities from Austria, Italy, Hungary and Croatia to mark the Slovenian Cultural Holiday
Ljubljana, 7 February 2010


Fellow Slovenians,
Dear guests,

Today, Slovenia is again celebrating our national cultural holiday. This is an important day since the national identity of Slovenians emanates from our culture. The Slovenian nation was born as a cultural nation and the culture of the Slovenian nation has created the basis for everything – our political awareness, our place in Europe, our state and also our future.

Sometimes we think of how the culture, which once was of essential importance for the formation of a nation, has gradually – after Slovenia created its own state – lost some of its original significance. I would like to encourage critical thinking on such ideas. The culture is presently not always at the front line of endeavours for progress, it is not always visible and it is not always considered part of the way forward. Deeper consideration, however, reveals that at the current time of world crisis, at a time when we are looking for ways to overcome the recession, when new examples for the development of states and nations are being created, it is the culture that represents the driving force that will guide our nation and set us on the right path.

In Slovenia, we must cultivate all aspects of our life. We must develop into a more educated, advanced, and innovative, in one word, into a more cultured nation. Culture is not just art and science, though these are among the finest features of the culture. Culture is much more complex; it is also about our mutual relations and our way of life. And when we think of the culture in its broadest meaning as well as in the meaning of its constant vital significance for our nation and the future, we cannot ignore such basic terms as "common Slovenian cultural area" and new features arising from this common Slovenian cultural area.

If, today, we look around us and into the places where new things are being created, we cannot overlook the progress and expectations we see, for example, in the province of Udine region, in ©peter/San Pietro, which in past decades has provided people with cultural content, language and education. Today the cultural centre at ©peter/San Pietro is being integrated into further development of the Slovenian nation and into this part of Europe through the interesting project of a multicultural centre, which, I hope, will link all strands in the Slovenian culture and relations with other cultures. When I refer to this development, I must emphasise immediately that I have chosen it for its exceptional meaning. Such examples, which point to the vitality of the Slovenian culture in all parts of the Slovenian nation, in the Republic of Slovenia as well as in neighbouring countries and elsewhere, are not difficult to find. I have chosen one example that I believe is characteristic for present time – a time of searching and directing towards new options. At the same time this orientation requires a continuous care for its foundations, for those main strands, that represent the backbone of efforts for Slovenian cultural development and for the Slovenian cultural area to remain alive and strong.

We cannot ignore such basic values as the international legal framework of minority rights, including international agreements defining the status of Slovenian national minorities in neighbouring countries. In the talks we had today, much was said about how irreplaceable international treaties are – for the status of Slovenians in Italy and the Slovenian cultural area as well as for the entire range of relations between Slovenia and Italy. The international legal framework of these relations, the Osimo agreements, were concluded in different times and under different circumstances, but included provisions that refer to the status of national minorities, thus providing for the fundamental, long-term, and we can even say everlasting, basis for cultural development.

The same, or perhaps with even more dramatic emphasis, applies to the Austrian State Treaty – a treaty concluded in a different time in a manner characteristic of that time, but with contents that are even today of great importance for the Slovenian minority in Austria as well as for the destiny of the Slovenian culture. These contents provide an irreplaceable basis for all of what is being planned for the future and as we must constantly bear in mind as well as understand and manage – as the basis for our political action and any other action. Article 7 of the Austrian State Treaty remains an integral part of the framework of the Slovenian cultural space. If today we are happy to see progress also for Slovenians in Styria, we can see that this very progress brings us closer to what the Austrian State Treaty once stipulated for the Slovenian minority in Carinthia as well as in Styria.

Slovenia does not have agreements of this kind with all neighbouring countries, but we have reached some understandings. And these understandings, reached in the past with the neighbouring Republic of Hungary, must be implemented. We are sometimes disappointed when we see a relatively small amount of financial resources running out and funds always lacking for the purposes of education and cultural help to the Slovenes in the Porabje region. Sometimes, we are saddened by this. We cannot accept this situation and should, therefore, draw the attention of our partners in Hungary to these difficulties over and over again. Today is one such opportunity to express our opinion publicly.

Finally, there are no specific agreements with the neighbouring Republic of Croatia. We share a completely different history; recently we have also experienced periods of nervousness. However, the present situation has brought considerable relief and hope. That's why I would like to conclude my speech with words of hope. A year ago, when we met here, we had then opportunity to express our concern about relations between Slovenia and Croatia at that time, as well as our concern about these relations affecting the situation of Slovenians in Croatia. That period is now over. We have a new beginning and new tasks. These tasks have not yet been implemented, but we are moving in the right direction and I believe that by establishing a new, positive atmosphere, we will also establish a new basis to enable Slovenians in Croatia to become part of the common Slovenian cultural area, as part of all the strings connecting Slovenia and Croatia. In the future, we may also enter into a more binding basis for further development. Again, this reflects the hope that I would like to express on today’s occasion.

Today is also an opportunity to think of our culture and of our cultural future. To all of you, working for cultural organisations, cultural associations and media, as well as Slovenian political organisations, I wish every success throughout the year. I trust that a year from now we can continue to pursue our goals. We have an opportunity today to attend some pleasant events that are organised particularly on the day of February 8th. I wish you an enjoyable stay in Ljubljana, a pleasant atmosphere and a warm feeling about the prizes to be awarded this afternoon to artists who have recently distinguished themselves, particularly with respect to the cultural development of Slovenia. Thank you and all the best in the future.


Acknowledgement of the President of the Slovenian Associations Alliance of Croatia, Darko ©onc:

Dear Mr President,
Fellow Slovenes,

Allow me, on behalf of the guests invited to the reception on the occasion of the Slovenian Cultural Holiday, to express my sincere thanks for the invitation and your willingness to continue our noble tradition.

Tomorrow, Slovenian associations, institutions, clubs and the hearts of individuals will be filled with the dignified and overwhelming feeling that we belong to one of the most enduring, hardworking and talented nations in Europe, that we not only have survived through centuries of oppression, but have also given to this area our contribution to scientific, economic, social and cultural progress.

Our dreams have come true and we have our own country – Slovenia. We may be somewhat disappointed that all Slovenians do not live in one country, but we believe that borders crossing a national body, in the united Europe are becoming increasingly loose and that problems that affect us beyond the Slovenian national borders will eventually disappear.

The culture of our ancestors and parents accompanies us throughout our life. When looking for our peculiarities or differences, we revive and cherish the culture that we were born and raised into. We are also aware that we must look for bonds, for similarities and for all that associates us with the nation and the environment in which we live. Bearing a burden of human concerns in everyday life, we must consolidate, rebuild and revive all that in our home country Slovenia is taken for granted and sometimes not sufficiently appreciated, such as language and culture, including our rich cultural tradition.

Mr President, I believe you understand the specific situation of a Slovenian living abroad. Your understanding and support will encourage the spirit of progress and all our efforts will not be just endeavours for the mere survival and persistence of the Slovenian community, but will also give us a new impetus to strengthen co-existence, love, openness, and the spirit of freedom – the values that were praised by France Pre¹eren and which are also the values of a united Europe.

Mr President, please accept my sincere congratulations for the cultural holiday.