Exhibition on Hungarians in Prekmurje opens in parliament
Ljubljana, 20 March - An exhibition on the Hungarian ethnic minority in the Slovenian region of Prekmurje opened in the Parliament House in Ljubljana on Wednesday. National Assembly President Urška Klakočar Zupančič stressed in her address that the community's rich cultural heritage is an indelible piece of Slovenia's cultural mosaic.
The opening event was also addressed by Ferenc Horvath, the MP representing the Hungarian minority in the National Assembly, who gave the initiative for the exhibition.
By preserving their identity, he said, Hungarians in Prekmurje contribute to the cultural, linguistic and religious diversity of Slovenian society.
He said the exhibition, a collaboration of individuals and organisations working to preserve and share their heritage, brings insight into the community's culture, architecture and cuisine.
Klakočar Zupančič meanwhile stressed the role of the coexistence of two neighbouring nations while adding that "Slovenia is proud to guarantee the right of the Hungarian minority to representation in parliament in the constitution".
She noted Sandor Petofi, the greatest Hungarian poet, who spent part of his life in Slovenian lands and shared many traits with his Slovenian contemporary France Prešeren.
The display symbolically marks 15 March 1848, the day when Hungarians remember the beginning of the revolution against the Austrian Empire that led to Hungary's independence.
The cultural programme at the opening ceremony featured students of Lendava Bilingual Secondary School and a choir from three bilingual primary schools.