The 16th Slovenian Day, which was dedicated to marking the centenary of the settlement of Slovenians in the Slatina area and its surroundings, was held on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at the Sports Field, next to the Park Šume, in Slatina.
Due to the decision of the Government of the Republic of Srpska to declare July 5 a day of mourning, the event was moved to Sunday morning at short notice. All participants in the program and a large number of guests respected our invitation to the event, so that the traditional event was successfully held, in beautiful and sunny but very warm weather.
At the beginning, the president of the ''Triglav'' Association Banja Luka Mladen Lunić addressed the attendees on behalf of the event organizers. He recalled the events and circumstances that influenced the settlement of our ancestors in these areas, as well as the life of Slovenians in their new homeland. On behalf of the local community, the attendees were welcomed by the President of the Local Community of Slatina and Malo Blaško, Uroš Vujasinović, as well as the President of the City Assembly of Laktaši, Srđan Blagojević. The honorary speaker at the event was the Ambassador of Slovenia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Damijan Sedar, who supported our Association in its efforts to preserve the language, culture and tradition of the Slovenians in this area.
The attendees were then addressed by the President of the Society ''Primorci in Istrani v Prekmurju'' from Lendava, Nataša Tomšić, who, with warm and carefully chosen words, addressed primarily the members of the Triglav Association and expressed her support, presenting as a gift an artistic photograph of the Pomurje swamp forest, to remind us of the friendship we cherish with them and with whom we share a similar fate as emigrants. This was followed by her particularly emotional performances of the recitations: ''Motherland'' by Tone Krkovič and the Prekmurje folk song: ''Wandering dream'', with musical accompaniment.
Her performance started the cultural program in which the mixed choir of our Association "Davorin Jenko" participated by performing two songs: "Lepa Nera" and "Dajte, dajte". Students of Slovenian language and culture classes, Marija Budiša from Slatina, recited a song by Feri Lainšček, My Slovenia, while Marija Mihajlović from Trn sang the song "Three Birds". The choreography "Tangle of Koriška dances", which we were unable to see last year due to heavy rain, was performed by the children's folklore group of our Association, which, as expected, won the hearts of all present. At the end of the program, a group that was young in terms of age, but with an artistic impression surely serious male choir of the Grammar School from Celje, performed under the name "FaVoZa". The choir is led by the experienced and dedicated conductor Gregor Deleja, known to our audience from the performances of ''Octet 9'', back in 2014 in Banja Luka and Slatina.
A particularly solemn event was the presentation of the Triglav Banja Luka Association's recognition to the long-time Slovenian language teacher and writer, Barbara Hanuš, for her long-term and extremely dedicated contribution to the preservation of Slovenian culture, language and national consciousness among Slovenians in Banja Luka and the Republika Srpska. Barbara Hanuš worked for many years as a teacher of additional Slovenian language classes in our Association, where she brought the Slovenian language closer to younger and older generations with great dedication and warmth. Her work went beyond the framework of classical teaching - she was a mentor, connector and inspiration for students and parents. Today, she continues her mission as an associate at the Department of Slovenian Language Teaching at the University of Banja Luka, where with her knowledge, dedication and love for the language she builds bridges between Slovenia and the local community. Her professional work significantly contributes to the recognition of the Slovenian language and culture in the academic space of the Republic of Srpska. With her work, personal integrity and persistent dedication to the Slovenian community, Barbara Hanuš is an example of dedication. The award is an expression of our gratitude, respect and recognition for everything she has done and continues to selflessly contribute to the well-being of the community.
After the cultural program, a traditional Slovenian lunch followed, where we served goulash with polenta, which once again won over the senses and palates of our guests, thanks to the staff of the ''Roštiljnice Rogić'' from Trn.
In the entertainment part of the event, for the first time in Slatina, a big band orchestra performed, which was also the 40th guest performer at the Slovenian Day celebrations held in Slatina. These were the boys and girls from Šmarje pri Jelšah, led by conductor Bojan Logar. Despite the hot afternoon, their strong and good will led them to show us a part of their repertoire, which consists of classical jazz music to Slovenian popular songs. The gathered guests had the opportunity to enjoy their performance, later with the vocal support of the ''FaVoZa'' choir, but they also regret that it was short-lived, due to the time of the guests' return from Slovenia, but also the need to prepare the location of the event for the continuation of the 5th Petrovdan indoor football tournament, which was briefly interrupted in order to celebrate Slovenian Day.
According to estimates of organizers, the meeting was attended by about 300 participants and visitors, the program was elegantly led by our member Bernarda Pleša, and the event itself was covered by RTRS.
Mladen Lunić
