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Slovenia House - proposal The proposal has been put forward by A. L. Ceferin ISSV Inc. and submitted by PeterMandelj, the representative of the Australian Slovenian Emigrant community at theinaugural series of meetings of the Council of the government of Republic of Sloveniain July 2007.Identifying the state of the Slovenian language and identity among the descendants of Slovenian emigrants in Australia, the so-called “lost generation” A.L. Ceferin, thepresident of the Institute for Slovenian Studies of Victoria Inc. put forward two majorproposals:1.Slovenian emigrant web portal2.Slovenia House in Ljubljana The portal in major languages spoken by the descendants of Slovenian emigrantswould provide the necessary information on issues of interest and/or concern to the“lost generation”. These are the descendants of emigrants who have lost thenecessary communicative skills in Slovenian language but feel the pull of Slovenianheritage and wish to reconnect.Slovenia House in Ljubljana is an idea that has arisen after frequent visits to Sloveniaby Aleksandra Ceferin since 1997. It followed from the observation of other emigrantsand their families visiting Slovenia, particularly students of Slovenian languageattending regular state school classes, including adults. It emerged that those who hadrelatives visited them, and were taken also sightseeing. Very few spent any time at thecapital Ljubljana, absorbing some of the cultural wealth on offer. Those withoutrelatives came as tourists, to visit the scenic and historical spots around Slovenia,taste the local specialties and take with them some memorable photos.Slovenian House as envisaged by A.L. Ceferin would fill the lack and provide aconnection to Slovenian heritage that many visitors of Slovenian descent are seeking. The concept is as follows:Slovenian House/Slovenski dom ali Slovenska hiša. It is envisaged as a historicalbuilding in the old part of Ljubljana. It would function as a cultural embassy, a place formeetings, with space for lectures and smaller cultural events. There might beconference rooms, cyber and office spaces with facilities, reading room withpublications in Slovenian and several major languages. The staff would facilitate andprovide advice and guidance regarding courses, excursions, tours. It would alsoorganize and facilitate events and excursions. Guides and dialogue partners might beprovided by university students who could get credits through their activities andinvolvement with the descendants. Ideally the Slovenian House would also providemodest affordable accommodation / rooms for shorter periods. They might alsoorganize participation in local cultural events, such as festivals and fruit harvesting.Such an institution could become a spring board for a deeper knowledge of Sloveniaand investment for the future.(English translation of the original text by A.L. Ceferin)
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