Periodic Report Slovenia

Culture(s) in the Republic of Slovenia is defined by rich material and conceptual diversity, which has been formed on the Slovenian soil since prehistoric times and contains all elements of the European civilisation. Although it had lived within multinational countries until 1992, it has become and remained one of the basic momentums of Slovenian historical development and a place of free expression of human creative diversity. Slovenian cultural policy strives for stimulation of development of individual and group creativity in the area of culture, provision of free, independent and dynamic cultural creation, protection of Slovenian cultural heritage and tradition, development of cultural diversity and enhancement of cultural exchange between Slovenia and the world (from the National Programme for Culture 2008-2011, the new one 2012-2015 still under discussion).

With respect to cultural diversity and implementation of the Convention 2005 Slovenia consistently works towards provision of language rights and needs of all its inhabitants, support to cultural development of different communities, groups and individuals within its territory (Hungarians, Italians, Roma, immigrants etc.), as well as promotion of diversity and creativity of artistic expression. In recent years efforts were made for the digitisation of cultural material and further development of creative industries. Slovenia carries out measures for targeted and systematic cultural education and partnerships between educational and cultural sectors, in line with the UNESCO “Road Map for Arts Education”, with an outstanding and highly recognised best practice of annual Cultural bazaar.  

A particular stress was given to the role of culture during the Slovene Presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2008, which coincided with the European year of Intercultural dialogue. Slovenia continued with activities in the field of cultural diversity also during the consequent Chairmanship of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers (May-November 2009). Within the framework of “Ljubljana –World Book Capital City” 2010-2011 the Ministry of Culture with the support of the UNESCO organised a major international event “Writing, publishing, translating: building cultural diversity in South-East Europe” in April 2011. The cultural diversity is currently a leading theme of the European Capital of Culture Maribor 2012.

During last years Slovenia has been strengthening cultural cooperation and intercultural dialogue with and between the Western Balkan countries through regional and international cultural networks and projects, for example by establishing the Platform for South East Europe and within it the Regional Hub of the Balkan Incentive Fund for Culture. Slovenia's international development cooperation has comprised cultural cooperation and donations to cultural institutions and many projects in developing countries.

Slovenia acknowledges the fact that culture manifests itself in various ways, including a way of life, while cultural diversity is important for the complete realisation of the human rights of all living in a certain society. Therefore, continuous work and further efforts are needed to find new syntheses and innovative solutions to the benefit of the entire society, based on mutual cultural influences, positive cultural interactions, creative and productive interculturalism.