CURRENT EVENTS
Boris Jesih reappointed as Head of the Slovenian Emigrant Association
At the general meeting of the Slovenian Emigrant Association, which took place in the afternoon of the last day of September, dr. Boris Jesih was unanimously reppointed as the Head of the Association. The members have also elected a seven-member Executive Committee and a two-member Supervisory Committee. The former is comprised of Silva Črnugelj, Helena Janežič, Nadia Molek, Jože Osterman, Katarina Rebič, Rozina Švent and Miha Zobec; and the latter of Barbara Suša and Edita Žugelj.
In continuation of the meeting, Secretary General Jasmina Ilić summed up the efforts made from 2020, when the Association was headed by a new committee, to 2024, when the Association organized the Welcome Home event in Celje. According to Ilić, 2021 was marked by the 70th anniversary of the Slovenian Emigrant Association, which was awarded with the order for merit, and the following year 2022 by archive management – a hefty task that is yet to be completed as digitalization continues.
During the presentation of the Association’s business report, it was found that the Association managed its financial resources rationally and that a diverse work program is planned for 2025.
Former Consulate-General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland Alenka Jerak: The exceptional untapped potential for cooperation between Slovenia and the USA
On 31 July 2024, Alenka Jerak completed her five-year term as Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland. During her term, she aspired to actively present and promote Slovenia, its culture, heritage, tourism, economy and science, paying special attention to the activities implemented by the local Slovenian community. In the interview for Rodna gruda, she condensed her impressions and experiences from a city known by many as the “Slovenian Cleveland.”
GENERATIONS
Marjan Hlastan: Bringing the guitar and the Bible closer to people
In July, the Slovenian Emigrant Association was visited by Baptist minister Marjan Hlastan and his wife. The couple that lives in McKinney, Texas, spent their summer weeks in Slovenia. Together with his father, Hlastan was among the founders of the Baptist movement in Slovenia. For a number of years, he used to be a minister in Celje, but has lived in Texas for 14 years now. He is also a musician who has found a special place for music in his concept of contemporary evangelism. It is thanks to Hlastan that the Slovenian calendar includes the Day of Reformation. In his interview for Rodna gruda, he also spoke about the Baptist values and his evangelist work among other.
Half a century of the Triglav Society in Buenos Aires
During World War I and World War II, Slovenians living in areas that remained on the Italian side of the Italian-Yugoslav border faced severe persecution by the Italian government. Their mother tongue was banned, their names and surnames made Italian, they were tortured and even killed. Many fled their homes to move to Yugoslavia, while others crossed the pond. Some of them moved to Argentina, which, at the time, was known as the promised land. In Buenos Aires, these Slovenians came together and formed associations, which cooperated to establish a strong cultural life and preserve the Slovenian national identity. On 7 August 1974, the associations formally merged into Slovenian-Yugoslav Association Triglav (Association Mutual Esloveno Yugoslavia Triglav of AMEY Triglav;). Now, on 10 August 2024, the Association celebrated its 50th anniversary that was attended by many people – and not just those of Slovenian descent.
SLOVENIAN WONDERS
The Goričko Natural Park: A haven of mental tranquility and physical invigoration
The Goričko Natural Park is part of the Goričko-Őrség-Raab Natural Park that spans across three countries. In her interview for Rodna gruda, Senior Nature Conservation Counsellor and landscape architect Stanislava Dešnik explains that, “The Park comprises lands surrounding the Tripoint stone, which was erected in 1923 based on the Trianon Peace Treaty signed after World War I and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary.” In Slovenia, the area covers the Goričko Natural Park between the Austrian and Hungarian borders; in Austria, it includes the Südburgenland; and in Hungary, it covers the Vas region.
SLOVENIAN LANDSCAPE
September brings a political roller-coaster, health reforms and salary negotiations
While it was forecasted that the summer would drag into the fall, dropping temperatures and rainfall all around Slovenia seem to indicate otherwise. Unsightly conditions can also be observed in politics, where a tsunami is sweeping across human resources. It started with a commissioner saga, continued with ministerial replacements and Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant being in the red, and concluded with health reforms and salary negotiations in the public sector.
