Minister stresses importance of Slovenian language in Carinthia
Klagenfurt, 16 April - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon wrapped up on Tuesday a two-day visit to Carinthia, Austria, where he met with representatives of the Slovenian minority. He noted the importance of mpreserving the Slovenian language in education and said he will strive to ensure support for staff training starting in pre-school education.
Ljubljana
Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon.
Photo: Bor Slana/STA
File photo
"Every time I come to Carinthia I have the opportunity to meet people who carry out their mission with great enthusiasm, which we are very proud of," said Arčon.
He noted the importance of preserving the Slovenian language in all levels of education. Arčon will strive to ensure support for the training of staff, from staff in pre-school education on, he said.
Arčon met with Roman Roblek, the secretary-general of the Slovenian Business Association (SGZ), and thanked him for his work. Roblek was one of the key initiators of a petition that Carinthian Slovenians filed with the European Parliament regarding minority rights, which calls for measures to ensure the use of Slovenian in education, public administration and courts.
On Monday the minister visited Zell, a municipality with the highest proportion of Slovenians in Austria, where he met with representatives of the local sports club DSG Sele Zell, who is also active in the efforts to preserve the Slovenian language and culture.
The minister was received by Zell Mayor Heribert Kulmesch and visited the primary school and cultural centre. Arčon also paid tribute to Zell's thirteen victims of Nazism at the local cemetery.
The minister further visited the Slovenian culture centre in Eberndorf, where he heard a presentation on the challenges and the reality of the Slovenian minority in Carinthia.