Importance of social activities and international cultural cooperation
Ljubljana, 19 June 2014
Members of the Association of the Slovenians of the Republic of Srpska Banja Luka took part at the international expert conference organised by ZRC SAZU in Ljubljana.
Opening and welcome speeches: Marija Lukšič Hacin, president of the Institute for Slovenian Emigrants ZRC SAZU, Branka Bukovec, secretary of the Society for the development of voluntary work Novo mesto, Zoran Janković, mayor of Ljubljana. On behalf of Gorazd Žmavc a speech was given by state secretary of the Office of the Government of Republic of Slovenia for Slovenians Abroad Brigita Čokl.
Beside other speakers from Slovenian associations from former Yugoslavia a speech was given by Darko Mijatović, president of the Union of Slovenian Associations in BiH »Europe Now«. Following a realistic picture of the work in the Union his presentation was also realistic. Most of the associations in the Union are not successful. He stated that work and organisation as well as results were the closest to the planned ones in the Association of Slovenians »Triglav« in Banja Luka. He stated that a big accent is placed on language lessons. Students of Slovenian from Banja Luka are successful as are students in Prijedor and Doboj. It is obvious that success is better if there is quality transfer of knowledge from a teacher to students. Possible Slovenian Department in Banja Luka was also mentioned. In the opinion of Mijatović, department in Banja Luka would produce big and very successful personnel.
Most of other speakers e.g. from Skopje (Macedonia), Podgorica (Montenegro), Slovenians from Kosovo, Zagreb (Croatia), Belgrade (Serbia) mainly spoke about their cultural activities, exchange visits but very little about any success in learning the Slovenian language. Financial crisis present all over surely is one of obstacles for creativity and desired success. Discussions on that topic were the most interesting.
In the afternoon, there was an interesting presentation of books »Relocation and social activities of Slovenians in other parts of Yugoslav territory: historical overview and the present« and »From a language to a language: Anthology of modern minority and immigrant literature in Slovenia«
Nataša Kajmaković
