Minister visiting Slovenian communities in Dalmatia and Montenegro
Ljubljana, 27 November - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch is visiting Slovenian communities in Dalmatia and Montenegro this weekend. At meetings in Zadar and Split yesterday she learned about the communities' lively activities.
Ljubljana
Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
File photo
According to a press release from her office, Jaklitsch met representatives of the Slovenian association Lipa (Linden tree) in Zadar, which is active mainly in culture. It organises annual workshops of amateur painters from Slovenia and Croatia. The association noted the lack of Slovenian language lessons as they would like for the language to be fostered among the youngest.
The minister also visited the association Triglav in Split to learn about the rich activities of what is the oldest and largest such association in Dalmatia. It will mark its 30th anniversary next year. The meeting was also attended Branko Roglić, Slovenia's former honorary consul in Split.
The minister also visited the Slovenian Consulate General in Split and attended a gala concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Triglav choir. She honoured the singers with recognitions from the Public Fund for Cultural Activities.
Jaklitsch is due to visit Dubrovnik today before travelling on to Montenegro for meetings with representatives of the Slovenian community in Podgorica.
Slovenians have the status of an ethnic minority in Croatia. In the 2011 census roughly 10,500 declared themselves Slovene. Fifteen Slovenian cultural associations and a Slovenian business association are active in Croatia. They are all members of the Union of Slovenian Associations in Croatia.