On August 17, 2026, a ceremony was held in Velika Polana marking the anniversary of the unification of Prekmurje with Slovenia. The event, titled "Prekmurski svetek," brought together numerous guests including high-ranking officials such as President of the National Assembly Zoran Stevanović, President of the National Council Marko Lotrič, Minister of Culture Ignacija Fridl Jarc, Minister of Defense Valentin Hajdinjak, representatives from Pomur, the state council, church, local politics, business, and other sectors of local life. The ceremony began with the Slovenian national anthem, followed by speeches highlighting the historical significance of the region's integration into Slovenia. Velika Polana Mayor Damijan Jaklin opened the event by reflecting on the early days of the Prekmurian language and the individuals who shaped it. He emphasized that freedom and unity were not gifts from fate, but decisions made by people when they gathered in Beltinci on August 17, 1919. Jaklin noted that Prekmurje had not remained Slovenian due to high politics in Paris, but because of the determination of ordinary people who refused to abandon their language even when it was dangerous. He highlighted writers such as Miško Kranjec from Velika Polana and military pilot Štefan Hozjan from Brezovica. Jaklin stated that Prekmurje is an equal part of Slovenia, not an isolated area, but its eastern heart. He stressed that equality, not pity or mercy, should be expected from the rest of Slovenia. He reminded attendees that the Prekmurians have not lost their language in the past and will not lose it in the future. He urged the preservation of the Prekmurian language, emphasizing that as long as it lives, the awareness of who they are will remain alive. The main speaker, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Jernej Vrtovec, spoke about the current challenges faced by Prekmurje, particularly the struggle against drought affecting the region’s fields. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by farmers and assured them that they would not face these challenges alone. Vrtovec highlighted Prekmurje’s potential, noting its rich resources, creative people, agriculture, tourism, culture, the Mura River, Gorica, Lendava Mountains, thermal and geothermal wealth, and the need to develop this potential. He emphasized that Prekmurje should not become a region from which young people flee due to lack of opportunities. Instead, he called for it to be a place where youth return, find employment, and build families. Vrtovec concluded by linking the historical events of 1919 with the present, stressing the importance of continuing the legacy of unity and strength. President Nataša Pirc Musar, in her address, described the day as a commemoration of historical memory and a celebration of belonging. She reflected on August 17, 1919, when Prekmurians expressed their desire to build their future alongside their compatriots on the other side of the Mura River. She emphasized that today, over a century later, Prekmurje is an inseparable and valuable part of Slovenia, not just on maps but through its language, culture, literature, music, cuisine, and shared historical memories. Pirc Musar highlighted that Prekmurje has maintained its identity by preserving its roots. She pointed out that the resilience of the Prekmurian language, poetry, and written word during difficult times teaches that connection does not mean uniformity, and that community is strongest when differences are embraced as a form of wealth. She warned against forgetting the Slovaks who remained outside the borders of the newly formed country in 1919, emphasizing their continued importance to the Slovenian nation. She concluded by stating that history teaches that no acquired right, no community, and no connection is self-evident, and that constant effort is required to maintain them. She called for respect for each other, preservation of language and cultural heritage, solidarity among regions, and recognition that Slovenia is strong only when all its parts can develop and have a future within it. The ceremony marked the events following World War I, when Prekmurje, after decisions made at the Paris Peace Conference, became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. Yugoslav forces occupied the area on August 12, 1919, and five days later, the region was handed over to civilian administration, reunifying the Prekmurians with their motherland after centuries under Hungarian rule.
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