CURRENT EVENTS
Slovenians in foreign policy and diplomacy
Along with other institutions, the Office for Slovenians Abroad has organized the traditional Welcome Home gathering. Among the agenda highlights was also an international debate about Slovenians in foreign policy-making and diplomacy. Participating in the discussion were four Slovenian women who play an important role in foreign politics, namely Tatjana Rojc in Italy, Barbara Antolić Vupora in Croatia, Erika Köleš Kiss in Hungary and Ana Blatnik in Austria.
The debate, which was split in two parts, was introduced by Boris Jesih, the President of the Slovenian Emigrant Association. Giving the welcome address on behalf of the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad was State Secretary Vesna Humar.
GENERATIONS
Most Atelier artists’ colony: Delimitation with no limits
Much like the previous years, this year was no exception with organizing the artists’ colony in Most na Soči for Slovenians living abroad. Since Nova Gorica and Gorizia have been proclaimed the 2025 European capitals of culture, we have decided this year’s central topic would be Delimitation with no limits.
Unlike previously, we did not publish a call this year. Instead, we selected painters who had participated in previous colonies and invited them again. Participating in the colony were Ivana Kneževič and Radmila Jeremić Čurćin from Serbia, Borka Jokić and Dragan Gačnik from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Miranda Rumina and Martina Markich Cobson from the United Kingdom, Irena Hribar Schmidt from Canada, Marjan Ogradni Kekec from Germany, Matej Maglica from a local fine art association and the undersigned Dare Trobec.
The works were unveiled at an exhibition at the House by the Lake (Vodna hiša in Slovenian), which is also where they were created, in the municipal building in Nova Gorica and at the ARS Gallery in Gorizia, Italy. At the end of the year, the paintings will also be put on exhibition at the Slovenian Emigrant Association and the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad.
CULTURE
Slovenian Emigrant Association breathes art into the Welcome Home gathering
This year’s traditional annual Welcome Home gathering for Slovenians living abroad was marked by Nova Gorica and Gorizia being named the European capitals of culture. It was the largest edition of Welcome Home thus far, partly due to the European capital of culture initiative, which has opened up new dimensions – both substantial and symbolic. Nova Gorica and Gorizia hosted a multi-day program that attracted thousands of people from all continents with various performances, exhibitions, expert discussions and opportunities for networking. In addition to expert content, the Slovenian Emigrant Association also contributed to the project by putting on display two exceptional art exhibitions.
On 16 June 2025, the City Municipality of Nova Gorica opened three exhibitions by the Slovenian Association in Hungary, St. Raphael’s Society and the Slovenian Emigrant Association. The Slovenian Association in Hungary put on display a selection of the best artworks produced in over 20 years of artists’ colonies in St. Gotthard, while St. Raphael’s Society presented a selection of the best photographs from their photo competition dubbed My piece of Slovenia. The Slovenian Emigrant Association prepared an art exhibition entitled Delimitation with no limits, which came to life at this years Most Atelier artists’ colony in Most na Soči. The exhibition showcases the works of eight Slovenian artists living abroad and three Slovenian artists. In the scope of the Welcome Home gathering, the Association also opened an exhibition by Irena Hribar Schmidt (signed Aneri) entitled Nature and peace at the ARS Gallery in Gorizia.
SLOVENIAN WONDERS
Robidišče: Where past and future meet
“What one person considers the edge of the world, might be the start of something new for another,” claims Sataša Mesec, who together with her husband left her comfort zone to establish a safe haven for creativity in Robidišče – the westernmost village in Slovenia. It is not just a summer home, but an opportunity for bringing the past and the future together. Following a discussion on the opportunities and challenges in tourism, Mesec also gave an interview for the readers of Rodna gruda.
