CURRENT EVENTS
Joe Valenčič, “Our history is also your history!”
Joe Valenčič, an American Slovenian from Cleveland, film producer and promotor of the Slovenian community in the USA, participated in an evening for Slovenian emigrants, which took place at the Logatec Public Library and was co-organized by the Slovenian Emigrant Association and the Library. At the event, he presented the livelihoods of Slovenians in the USA – particularly the community in Cleveland – and captivated the audience with his stories.
“I am proud of our history – the history of American Slovenians. I believe it is also important for those of you living in Slovenia, since the history of Slovenian America is also a part of the broader Slovenian history,” Valenčič emphasized in his opening words. Slovenians who have emigrated to the USA have, according to his words, tapped into everything the States offered, including technology, communications and the resources necessary to form a world parallel to the Slovenian homeland. “Even today, we have Slovenian cultural infrastructure, national halls, parishes, choirs and associations all throughout the States,” Valenčič added. Cleveland is known to have a large Slovenian population – out of 1.5 million inhabitants, 8,000 are of Slovenian descent. Across the states, there are 30 Slovenian parishes and about 30 national halls, which act as cultural hubs and social hotspots for American Slovenians.
CULTURE
Spring throughout all four seasons
In September, Slovenia was visited by a renowned American artist of Slovenian descent – Gary Bukovnik from San Francisco. His visit was facilitated by the Slovenian Emigrant Association in cooperation with the Public Fund for Cultural Activities of the Republic of Slovenia (JSKD) and the Slovenian Migration Institute of ZRC SAZU and with co-funding by the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad. Also contributing to the organization was the U.S. Embassy in Slovenia.
The ceremonial opening of Bukovnik’s art exhibition took place on 15 September 2025 at 18:00 at the ZRC SAZU atrium, which was packed to the brim with attendees. Opening the event was Boris Jesih, President of the Slovenian Emigrant Association, who thanked the artist for his invaluable contribution to Slovenian culture. Attendees were also addressed by Head of the Slovenian Migration Institute Marina Lukšič and Director of the JSKD Mojca Jan Zoran.
with the atrium of ZRC SAZU packed to the brim.
GENERATIONS
Echoes of Slovenia: A cultural bridge connecting generations and territories
Paraná is the capital of the Entre Ríos province in Argentina. It was also the capital of the country in times when Buenos Aires was separate from other provinces. In 1878, this area was inhabited by Slovenians who colonized the deserted area based on a contract with Austria. Several decades ago, their descendants established two associations that carry out activities at the cultural and national levels.
In Argentina, there are a couple of active Slovenian radio broadcasts, while some have sadly already stopped broadcasting. Paraná also has a Slovenian radio broadcast dubbed Ecos de Eslovenia (Echoes of Slovenia in English), which features Slovenian compatriots from Argentina and elsewhere on a weekly basis.
The broadcast is hosted by Teresita Princič (her maiden name is Morales), who has two children living in Slovenia. In Buenos Aires, she is helped out by Ana Tomšič, who is her colleague and assistant. They both took the time to present their project to the readers of Rodna gruda.
SLOVENIAN WONDERS
Vuga House becoming a literary hub and a safe haven for creativity
After decades of living abroad, Barbara Vuga has decided to move back from Mexico and show hew daughters and extended family what life is like in our green, safe and calm country. She tackled a glorious project of renovating a 200-year-old Vuga House in Most na Soči. And since the apple does not fall far from the tree, Barbara – being a hispanist and comparatist – also works as a writer and translator.
Her readers have got to know her through her first picture book entitled Zgodba o drevesu (The story of a tree in English), in which she expressed her affinity for the Soča Valley and its people. Following a three-month vacation in Slovenia, this affinity was precisely what convinced her not to return to her home in Mexico, but rather stay in Most na Soči and remain loyal to her home for a while… perhaps forever.
Mag. Kristijan Radikovič
