Slovenian communities abroad celebrating Culture Day
Klagenfurt/Gorizia/Szentgotthard/Zagreb, 4 February - Culture Day will also be celebrated on 8 February or the days leading up to it by Slovenians around the world, including those in Slovenia's neighbours. While one of the first events marking the Slovenian cultural holiday will take place today in Austria, the presence of culture will be felt strongest in Italy's Gorizia on Saturday.
Ljubljana
The monument to Romantic poet France Prešeren (1800-1849), the work of sculptor Ivan Zajec and architect Maks Fabiani, which was unveiled in 1905.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
File photo
The day honouring Slovenian culture and the country's national poet France Prešeren (1800-1849) will coincide with the opening of the Nova Gorica-Gorizia European Capital of Culture project in the two neighbouring cities.
The opening ceremonies will feature over 2,000 performers from both sides of the border. A day-long programme across five main venues is titled From Station to Station, symbolising the unity of Nova Gorica and Gorica.
In Austria, a celebration will take place today at the intercultural centre iKult in Klagenfurt. Focused on the theme of a shared Slovenian cultural space, the event will include a keynote address by historian and journalist Janko Malle. Slovenia's Consul General in Klagenfurt Maja Balant Slobodjanac will deliver the opening remarks.
Meanwhile, Slovenians in Tainach, Austria, marked the holiday early with a cultural event on 26 January at the local Catholic Education Centre.
In Croatia, Slovenian Culture Day will be celebrated on 8 February at the Croatian Cultural Centre in Rijeka, featuring a performance of Dr Moliere by Ljubljana's Šentjakob Theatre, directed by Milan Golob.
In Hungary, festivities will take place on Friday, 7 February, in the theatre hall of Szentgotthard, organised by the Association of Slovenians in Hungary and the Slovenian Self-Government organisation. Titled From the World of Raba Valley Fairy Tales, the event highlights the enduring spirit of Slovenian culture, rooted in language and ancient folklore traditions.