On 5 September 2014, in Banski dvor, the Association of Slovenians “Triglav” Banja Luka organised presentation of a documentary “Istrian exodus” by Uroš Lipuščka, PhD, Metka Lokar, MSc and Joco Žnidaršič, who themselves explained in the introductory part how the movie had originated. Mr. Lipušček and Ms. Lokar heard about our association several years ago as one of the most active ones in the preservation of the Slovenian language and culture and our major role in networking with the homeland.
They themselves suggested a contact with the Primorje people of Prekmurje because the destiny of Slovenians of Slatina was similar to theirs. This year, we first met in Prekmurje, in Benika, and we soon expect them to visit us in Banja Luka. 50-¬minute documentary shows the position of Primorje people and Istrians during the First World War when a lot of them due to repression and especially after the victory of fascism in Italy and Italian occupation of Primorska left their homes and with modest property moved to West and Central Europe. Many of them ended up in a wider territory of the then Yugoslavia. Many families moved to Bosnia, more precisely Banja Luka and its vicinity, but also to Macedonia and elsewhere while others found their new homes in Prekmurje.
The documentary which originated within the production of Libra News, follows difficult life of refuges of Primorje, their endless living energy and willingness to start a new life in Prekmurje and in the territory of Banja Luka in BiH.
Movie projection was attended by many people of Banja Luka, members of our Association as well as Mr. Branko Zupanc from the Consular Office of the Republic of Slovenia in Banja Luka, representatives of National and University Library in Ljubljana and guests from Prekmurje.
