Minister Arčon visits Slovenian minority in Udine province
Udine, 18 March - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon visited the Slovenian minority in the Italian province of Udine on Tuesday to meet with representatives of Slovenian associations, visit a bilingual school and see an exhibition in a local ethnographic museum, the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad announced.
Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon.
Photo: Office for Slovenians Abroad
File photo
At a meeting with representatives of associations and organisations of Slovenians in the province, Arčon noted that cross-border cooperation that includes minorities is one of the greatest treasures of the EU.
"A true Europe is lived on the borders, where different nations, different cultures intertwine," the minister was quoted by the office.
Representatives of the Slovenian minority presented to Arčon the challenges faced by the bilingual schools in the area and expressed concern about the decline in knowledge of the Slovenian language.
They welcomed the intention to establish a European grouping of territorial cooperation between border municipalities from Slovenia, Italy and Austria, as they want to strengthen cooperation with Slovenia. They see many opportunities in tourism.
In San Pietro al Natisone, Arčon met with Mayor Cesare Pinatto and visited the Pavel Petričič multi-level bilingual school.
The minister also visited the Resia Valley, where he met with the mayor of the commune of Resia, Anna Micelli, and representatives of the Slovenian community in the area.
Arčon also visited the seat of the Julian Prealps Natural Park, saw an exhibition on Goldhorn, the legendary chamois buck from Slovenian folklore, and concluded his visit at the Ethnographic Museum of the People of the Resia Valley in Stolvizza.