State of Slovenia Photo: Dušan Zidar/Mostphotos Slovenia - the Real Feeling

Home , Gojmir Anton Kos, Television in Slovenia, Zdravljica

diligent, responsible, focused State of Slovenia Photo: Dušan Zidar/Mostphotos Slovenia - the real feeling

The year 1991 was a turning point for Slovenia and Slovenians. In that year, Slovenia appeared on the world political map as an independent state. But the Slovenians laid foundations for statehood more than a thousand years ago. The country’s extraordinary geographical position – where the Alps face the Pannonian plain and the Mediterranean meets the mysterious Karst – played an important role in this process. The diverse landscape has marked the country’s rich natural and cultural heritage, inspired the creativity of its inhabitants and produced a number of exceptional individuals. Slovenian identity and nationality are closely linked to the Slovenian language, one of the few languages to have preserved the dual grammatical form.

Slovenia is very proud of its natural features, as they allow us to be what we are. Two thirds of Slovenia’s territory are covered with forests, with green being the dominant colour. We like to call it ‘Slovenian green’, associating it with balance between nature and society and the diligence of Slovenians. Green is also in the national brand logo “I feel Slovenia”, referring to unspoilt nature and our focus on keeping nature unspoilt. Our past

Over thousands of years, Slovenians have The principality of Carantania is particularly The crossroads of the Alps, the Pannonian century, when it published its first books and maintained their small numbers with pride, notable for the ancient ritual of installing Plain and the Mediterranean was a very lively formed the germ of the national programme. and it was the small size of Slovenia that Carantanian dukes. The ritual took place at area even before that. It was inhabited by Over time, history has created a number of compelled us to accept variety and diversity. the Prince’s Stone (Knežji kamen) and was various peoples, who helped shape the area’s important symbols that remain embedded in We are a South Slavic nation. In the 6th cen- performed in a Slavic language. It persisted cultural heritage. The Illyrians in the early Iron our historical memory: the Carantanian coat tury, our Slavic ancestors emerged from the in its original form until the first half of the 15th Age, and then the Celts, who in the 3rd century of arms and the Carantanian hat, the Prince’s Carpathian Mountains and settled in the ter- century. The installation ritual was also de- BC established the Celtic Kingdom of Nori- Stone from the Zollfeld Field (Gosposvetsko ritory of present-day Slovenia. As early as in scribed by French historian Jean Bodin in his cum, which later became a Roman province. polje), the Freising Manuscripts, the coats of the 7th century, they founded the first Slavic book Six livres de la Republique. Thomas Jef- The period of the Roman Empire left a rich arms of Slovenian regions, particularly Car- state, the principality of Carantania, under the ferson, an American Founding Father, under- cultural heritage in the first towns that ap- niola, the dynasty of the counts of Celje, the leadership of King Samo. Carantania existed lined a reference to it in his copy of the book, peared in this area. linden leaf, and Triglav, the highest mountain for almost 300 years and was known for its which gave rise to speculation that it inspired in Slovenia. These were the basis for the democratic organisation and the sovereignty him in writing the draft of his “Declaration of It took a long time for the rich blend of old national symbols of the Republic of Slovenia of its people. Independence”. However, there is no histori- and new to mould into an independent na- – the coat of arms, the national flag and the cal evidence of this. tional community, which matured in the 16th national anthem.

Photo: Gojmir Anton Kos/Archives of National Gallery of Slovenia Photo: UKOM Archive

250,000 The first evidence of human habitation on BC the territory of the present-day Slovenia Despite the fact that, until the 20th century, the 6th The Vače situla, one of the most important century 1991 Slovenian national community was governed BC finds from the Hallstatt period The year when Slovenia became an by foreigners – most of the time it was under Habsburg or later Austro-Hungarian rule – it after Dominance of Slavic tribes independent parliamentary republic. 568 managed to shape its national identity. After the First World War, Slovenia became part 7-11th Carantania, the oldest known independent of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and after the century Slavic tribal union Second World War, of the Socialist Federal 9th Beginning of the formation of the Slovenian Republic of Yugoslavia. century nation After more than seventy years of living in Yu- 10th The Freising Manuscripts, the earliest goslavia, the Slovenians reached a consensus century known text written in Slovenian on independence. In a plebiscite in 1990, al-

14-15th most 90 per cent of the Slovenian electorate century Beginning of Habsburg hegemony voted in favour of Slovenian independence. In June 1991, Slovenia became an independent 1550 The first book written in Slovenian state. In January 1992, it was recognised by the European Union, and shortly afterwards it also became established in the international 1848 The first Slovenian political program community. In 1998, the young state of Slo- venia became a non-permanent member of 1918 Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes the UN Security Council, over which it also presided.

1946 Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia The year 2004 was an important milestone for Slovenia, as in that year it joined the Euro- Proclamation of the independent Republic 1991 pean Union and NATO. On 1 January 2007, of Slovenia Slovenia became the first of the new Member States to adopt the EU’s common currency. It 2004 EU membership was also the first new Member State to hold the Presidency of the Council of the European 2008 EU presidency Union, during the first half of 2008. Photo: Jakše-Jeršič

Slovenia’s political system Parliament The President of the Republic represents The bicameral Slovenian Parliament con- the Republic of Slovenia and is the sists of the National Assembly and the commander-in-chief of its armed forces. National Council. The highest legislative The President calls elections to the National authority is the National Assembly (with 90 Assembly, promulgates laws, proposes a deputies elected for a four-year term) with candidate for Prime Minister to the National one representative of each of the Hungarian Assembly following consultations with and Italian minorities, which has the right to the leaders of deputy groups, proposes enact laws. The deputies represent all the candidates for judges of the Constitutional people of Slovenia. Court and members of the Court of Audit, appoints and recalls ambassadors, accepts The National Assembly exercises legisla- the credentials of foreign diplomats, grants tive, voting and monitoring functions. As a clemencies, etc. legislative authority, it enacts constitutional

amendments, laws, national programmes, The Government of the Republic of Slovenia resolutions, etc. It also creates its own in- is a body with executive power and is the ternal rules, ratifies the state budget and highest body of the state administration. treaties and calls referendums. It elects According to the Constitution, “Slovenia It determines, guides, and coordinates is a state of all its citizens and is founded the Prime Minister and other ministers, the the implementation of state policies in on the permanent and inalienable President of the National Assembly and up accordance with the Constitution, laws and right of the Slovenian nation to self- to three Vice-Presidents. The monitoring other general acts passed by the National determination”. function of the National Assembly includes Assembly. the setting up of parliamentary enquiries, votes of no confidence in the Government With regard to the EU, the Government The Republic of Slovenia is a parliamentary The Constitution also lays down the or Ministers, and constitutional proceedings represents the Republic of Slovenia and representative democratic republic and a foundations of the legal system, which is against the President of the Republic, the makes submissions to EU institutions. social state governed by law. The present based on respect for human rights and Prime Minister or Ministers in the Constitu- The Government functions as a cabinet led by a Prime Minister. It consists of the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia fundamental freedoms, on the principle tional Court, Human Rights Ombudsman etc. was adopted on 23 December 1991, of a legal and socially just state, on a Prime Minister and ministers. Ministers head ministries and determine the political following the results of the plebiscite on the parliamentary form of state authority, and on The right to vote is universal and equal. All guidelines for their activities. Their number sovereignty and independence of Slovenia the separation of legislative, executive and citizens who have attained the age of eight- is not determined in advance, every on 23 December 1990, when Slovenians judicial powers, with a parliamentary system een years have the right to vote and stand government coalition decides on the number overwhelmingly voted for secession from the of government. for office. Yugoslav Federation. according to its political goals and needs. Photo: Anže Malovrh/STA

The judicial system is the third branch of The Bank of Slovenia is the central bank state authority. The task of the judiciary of the Republic of Slovenia. In carrying is to decide on the rights and duties of out its role, it operates according to the citizens, and charges brought against Statute of the European System of Central them. All courts are regular courts, and Banks (ESCB) and of the European Central act in accordance with the principles of Bank (ECB). As a member of the ESCB constitutionality, independence and the its key tasks are to define and implement rule of law. There are four levels of courts Euro zone monetary policy, to conduct of general jurisdiction: country and district foreign exchange operations, to hold and courts, higher courts (which are courts of manage the official foreign reserves of appellate jurisdiction) and the Supreme Member States, and to promote the smooth Court, which is the highest court in the operation of payment systems. system. Local self-government The state prosecutor’s office holds a Slovenia has a long tradition of regionalism special place in the justice system, as it is an independent state authority, but and local self-government. The Local part of the executive branch of power. Self-Government Act stipulates that a municipality is a basic self-governing local community, with at least 5,000 inhabitants; The Constitutional Court is the highest an urban municipality has at least 20,000 body of judicial authority with regard to inhabitants. the protection of constitutionality, legality, human rights and basic freedoms. Judges The Human Rights Ombudsman is responsi- independently exercise their duties, but in ble for the protection of human rights and accordance with the constitution and the fundamental freedoms in relation to state law. authorities, local authorities, and persons in public office. The Court of Audit is the highest body for supervising state accounts, the state budget The information commissioner is an autono- and all public spending. It is independent in mous and independent body which super- the performance of its duties and bound by vises the protection of personal data and the Constitution and relevant legislation. access to public information. Photo: Dunja Wedam/www.slovenia.info

Society Population private social work activities, stimulates and supports the development of self-help, Slovenians comprise the majority of popula- charity work, programmes enabling a more tion. There are also national minority com- independent life for the disabled, and volun- munities of Italians and Hungarians, who tary work. Rights to social care services and are considered indigenous minorities. Their contributions are determined according to rights are protected under the Constitution, the principles of equal availability and free each having a representative in the National choice for all those entitled. Assembly. Other ethnic groups include Cro- ats, Serbs, Bosnians, Macedonians, Monte- The state makes efforts to prevent social negrins and Albanians that came to Slovenia exclusion, particularly by influencing the so- after World War II. The status and special cial position of the population in the areas of rights of Roma communities living in Slove- taxation, employment and work, and through nia are determined by statute. grants, housing policy, family policy, health care, education and in other policy areas. Welfare state

The right to health-care services comprises Religion services at the primary health care level, Under the Slovenian Constitution, religion including dentistry, health-care services in and state are separate. Religious commu- certain types of social care institutions, spe- nities enjoy equal rights, and pursue their cialist out-patient services, hospital and ter- activities freely. According to the Constitu- tiary level services. It also includes the right tion, no one is obliged to declare their reli- to health resort treatment, rehabilitation gious or other beliefs; no precise figures on treatment, and transport by ambulance and the numbers of various religious groups are other vehicles, medicine, and technical aids. available. Under the compulsory health insurance scheme, insured persons are also entitled The majority of Slovenians are Roman to different financial benefits (compensation Catholic, although various other religious for salary during temporary absence from communities, spiritual groups, societies and work, reimbursement of travel cost etc.). associations are registered in Slovenia, including Evangelical, Muslim and Orthodox The state ensures the functioning of social According to Statistical Office of the Republic communities. of Slovenia, among 21,111 children born in care institutes, creates the conditions for 2013, the most boys were named Luka and the most girls were named Sara. Media fulfilling the democratic, social and cultural The Slovenian media scene is traditionally needs of the citizens of the Republic of very diverse. Private owners took over most Slovenia, Slovenians abroad, Slovenian segments of the media, which led to certain national minorities in Italy, Austria and changes. Since Slovenia has only two Hungary, Italian and Hungarian national million inhabitants, the language remains communities in the Republic of Slovenia”. the most limiting factor for the Slovenian media, influencing its economic potential All other media, printed or electronic, and possibilities for further expansion. depend on their economic success. The print media depend on sales and The Slovenian Constitution guarantees advertising, while electronic media rely “freedom of expression of thought, free- mostly on profits from advertising. The dom of speech and public appearance, traditional dailies (Delo, Večer, Dnevnik), of the press and other forms of public communications and expression.” which first appeared after the Second World War, have the largest circulation All Slovenian media, with the exception of and number of regular subscribers. Other the public institution of Radio and Television newspapers are published (Finance and Slovenia RTV SLO, are privately owned, various regional newspapers), numerous and the state has no authority over them, weeklies (Nedeljski Dnevnik and Jana being nor does it have any responsibility for the most popular), fortnightly publications, their work and existence. Public radio and academic and professional journals, television, which broadcast on several cultural magazines, entertainment tabloids channels, and the Slovenian press agency and magazines. are guaranteed basic financial support arising from subscription fees, which all Slovenia has two news agencies: Slovenska owners of television and radio receivers are tiskovna agencija (Slovenian Press Agency required to pay. or STA), which is an important source of information and is almost fully, more than RTV SLO was established by the Republic 95-per cent owned by the state, and the of Slovenia. It is “a public institution of Morel Press Agency, the first and so far the special cultural and national importance only private and independent press agency performing public service in the field of radio in Slovenia, which was established in 1992 and television activities with the intention of as a family business.

Photo: Katarina Krmelj Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA National symbols of-arms is located in the upper left-hand corner, with the central point of the coat-of- arms covering an area which is one-quarter of the length of the flag and the point where Affiliation to the state the white and blue colours meet. The top The design of Slovenian national symbols half of the coat-of-arms, where the stars was influenced by historical circumstances: are, is on the white stripe, and the lower half the Slovenian struggle for independence, on the blue stripe. The height of the coat-of- the struggle to preserve the Slovenian arms is one-third of the flag. language, the struggle for a unified and autonomous political-administrative entity, The coat of arms a united Slovenia, and the struggle for The national coat-of-arms of Slovenia is fundamental political and human rights. The a shield, in the middle of which, on a blue basis of Slovenian national symbols was ground, is a representation of Mt. Triglav in th formed in the 19 century in accordance white, under which are two undulating blue with the concept of national awakening. The lines which represent the sea and rivers, and national symbols of Slovenia are enshrined above which are located three six-pointed in the Constitution of the Republic of gold stars that form a downward-pointing Slovenia, and their use is provided by law. triangle. The shield is bordered in red. The design of the shield is in accordance The national flag with accepted principles of geometry and The Slovenian flag is the white-blue-red colour. The coat-of-arms features all three national flag of Slovenia with the national colours of the Slovene tricolour: white, blue, coat-of- arms of Slovenia. The white-blue- and red. The gold stars recall one of the red Slovenian flag, whose colours come colours of the historical flag of the province from the medieval coat of arms of the Duchy of Carniola. of Carniola, became a symbol of Slovenian identity as early as in the 19th century. The lower part of the coat-of-arms symbol- ises the Slovenian landscape, which en- The ratio between the width and length of compasses Alpine peaks in the northwest, the flag is one to two. Each colour occupies the maritime expanse of the Adriatic in the one third of the width of the flag. The coat- south and the Pannonian plain in the east. The verticality of the Alps is represented a united Slovenia, furthered by the Slovene by the highest mountain, Triglav, while the national movement, which at that time was maritime and lowland areas are expressed very active in the cultural and political fields. by the two horizontal waves. The mountain Zdravljica became an important feature of and the water at its foot can equally be un- Slovenians’s struggle for recognition of derstood as universal symbols which do not their rights and freedoms, calling for great- refer uniquely to the Slovenian landscape. er awareness of national identity. The fact They symbolise the fundamental inner bal- that its author, France Prešeren, is consid- ance of the human individual, and the bal- ered the greatest Slovenian poet also adds ance between masculine and feminine prin- to the symbolism of the poem. ciples. The coat-of-arms was designed by sculptor Marko Pogačnik, who describes it The poem is about the co-existence of na- as a ‘cosmogram’. tions and is a toast to all good- hearted people. The stanza of the poem that is used in The national anthem the anthem is about equal opportunities and the peaceful co-existence of nations in the The text of the Slovenian national anthem is world: the seventh stanza of Zdravljica (A Toast) by Slovenia’s greatest and most celebrated poet, France Prešeren (1800–1849). The God’s blessing on all nations, melody of the anthem is from the 1905 Who long and work for that bright day, choral work of the same name by Stanko When o’er earth’s habitations Premrl. Zdravljica was written in 1844 and No war, no strife shall hold its sway; published with some changes in 1848, dur- Who long to see ing the Spring of Nations in Europe. It has That all men free The national brand I FEEL SLOVENIA been interpreted as promoting the idea of No more shall foes, but neighbours be. Slovenia’s national brand “I feel Slovenia” has been in use since 2007. The brand was de- veloped with a view to increasing Slovenia’s competitiveness in different fields. Since two thirds of Slovenia are covered with forests, green is the dominant colour in the logo. We like to call it ‘Slovenian green’; it tells a story of unspoilt nature and our desire to keep it that way. It is no coincidence that the brand’s slogan is “I feel Slovenia”: one can not get to know Slo- venia by simply viewing its image – one must feel and experience it – through words, sounds, colours, touch, action, and experience. “I feel Slovenia” is an emotional brand, and this sets Publisher: Government Communication Office of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana it apart from the brands of other countries. Editor: Polona Prešeren, M.Sc. Cover photo: Borut Peterlin Design: Irena Kogoj Print: DZS, d.d. More info: www.slovenia.si Photo: UKOM Archive I feel at home.