The village of Benica marks its 100th anniversary this year. Among the many guests at the event were members of the Association of Slovenians of the Republika Srpska Triglav Banja Luka.
History has been silent for a long time, today it is speaking. Today, they remember the survivors of Golgotha experienced by coastal and Istrian Slovenians. The books by author Stanislav Bense and the short film "The Coastal Exodus" by Uroš Lipovšek, PhD, Meta Lokar, MSc, and Jože Žnideršič are depictions of the real events of the forced emigration, persecution and immigration of many coastal Slovenians and Istrians around the world. The fate of immigrants from Primorje and Istria that moved to Prekmurje cannot be compared with many Slavic emigrants around the world. Their great life energy and willingness gave these unfortunate people an incentive to create a new and better life in Prekmurje and the former Yugoslavia.
The event was organized by the Local Community of Pince Marof - Benica and the Association of Inhabitants of Primorje and Istria in Prekmurje. The official speaker at the celebration was the playwright, writer, winner of the Prešeren Award and many awards and prizes, Tone Partljič. The visitors were greeted by the president of the Pince Marof - Benica Local Community, Marlena Škvarc, numerous representatives of Primorska and Istria, other local communities of coastal and Istrian municipalities. The Association of Slovenians of the Republika Srpska, Triglav Banja Luka, gave a gift, warm words and sincere congratulations, through Mr. Stanislav Bense and the current president of the Association, Nataša Tomšič, to all members of the Association of Inhabitants of Primorje and Istria.
The cultural program included performance of Mixed Choir of the Lendava Pensioners Association, Prekmurje Folklore Group, Lendava and Children's Folklore Group of the Association of Slovenians Triglav Banja Luka.
Despite the geographical distance, we managed to maintain strong ties for socializing and successful implementation of joint projects.
Nataša Kajmaković
Translation Ana Marjanović
