On Monday, June 8, 2026, in the beautiful surroundings of the House of Milanović, the "Triglav" Association organized a screening of the documentary film "100 years of Slovenian immigration to Slatina" by Dušan Tomažič.
After the first screening of the film in Slatina, in December 2025, the documentary was also shown to the audience in Banja Luka. The introduction to the screening was given by Association member Ana Marjanović, while Mladen Lunić, a descendant of one of the families that moved to Slatina, spoke about the filming process and its significance.
After the screening, the Consul of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Banja Luka, Zvone Žigon, PhD, shared his impressions with the audience, saying that while watching the film he learned many facts that he did not know about the settlement of Slovenians in Slatina, and emphasized the importance of nurturing heritage and preserving stories and memories through this type of art. Mrs. Elizabeta Kirn Kavčič, who will take over the position of Consul in Banja Luka from September, was also with us and expressed her satisfaction that the Slovenian community is so active in this area and her hope that it will continue to be so in the future. Mrs. Jadranka Ilić, representative of the City of Banja Luka, stated that she enjoyed the screening, that she learned some new facts about the arrival of Slovenians in these areas, and confirmed that the activities of the "Triglav" Association, as the most active association of national minorities in Banja Luka, will continue to receive the support of the City.
This documentary film took us back to the time when the first Slovenian families arrived in Slatina, bringing with them their culture, customs and values. Their story is one of courage, adaptation and preserving identity across generations. It was not only a film as a document about the past but also a reminder of how important it is to nurture a common heritage and mutual understanding. The film reminded us that history is not just a series of dates and events, but a living story of people who, with their work, culture and values, shaped the community we live in today.
This evening was a reminder that the strength of community is in diversity and that the richness of an environment is in the people who make it up.
The documentary is the result of cooperation between the Association of Slovenians of the RS ''Triglav'' and Radio Television of Slovenia - Television Maribor, supported by funds from the Office for Slovenians Abroad.
Ana Marjanović
