Slovenians that live around the world traditionaly gathered the first weekend in July at several events around Slovenia.
At celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the post-war departure of refugees held at Cankarjev Dom in Ljubljana, the Prime Minister, Janez Janša said that Slovenia independence was the result of efforts by Slovenes at home and abroad and that should not be forgotten. The celebrations were organised by the association Slovenia Around the World (SVS). On Sunday there was a gathering of the Slovenian Emigrant Association (SIM) in Kamniška Bistrica, where organisers decided against having any famous speakers. Peter Česnik, who has returned from Australia and resettled in Slovenia and is head of the SIM Organising Committee said, "This is not a political meeting, where important speakers should appear. I think these misguided attempts at conciliation just disturb Slovenian emigrant visits and events, and are misplaced."
In his speech at Cankarjev Dom Mr Janša made specific reference to the help received from Slovenes abroad in gaining independence. Mr Janša said, "We can never be thankful enough for their help in attaining international recognition for Slovenia's independence, when they flooded their foreign ministries with requests to immediately recognise our independence". He also thanked them on behalf of the Slovenian government.
Approximately 1500 people attended the main Meeting in My Country event organised by SIM in Kamniška Bistrica and the organisation, which was founded 51 years ago, was very pleased with this year's participation. "This means," said a SIM member "that the Slovenian umbrella organisations can still satisfy Slovenian emigrants and I think the events that SIM has been organising for 50 years are worthy of praise and very much enjoyed, especially by older emigrants. On Saturday the SIM association organised a trek to Mt Triglav, which is of great symbolic importance to Slovenian emigrants.
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