Knowing History Means a Better Future

Anton Harej: History as a Path to a Better Future On July 20, 2026, Anton Harej, former mayor of Nova Gorica and active socio-political activist, shared his journey with listeners on Radio Ognjišče. His reflections spanned personal history, political challenges, and the role of religious figures in uncovering hidden chapters of regional history. Born the youngest of five children in Dornberk, located in the heart of the Vipava Valley, Harej grew up in a traditional environment where visiting the church and participating in religious ceremonies were considered essential parts of life. The transition to the Škofja Loka Gymnasium in Vipava marked a pivotal moment in his life. There, he was deeply influenced by teachers such as Franc Kralj and Janez Zupet, who sparked his interest in history and Latin. These early experiences laid the foundation for his later work in researching local family records from the 17th century. Harej’s engagement in social and political affairs was driven by a desire to support the Christian-democratic option in the Gorizia region, which had limited representation. After studying political science and taking a brief break due to family obligations, he became actively involved in local politics in Nova Gorica upon being invited by Otton Filipič. In 2022, he took on the role of mayor, responsible for tourism. His tenure was marked by challenges, including criticism of the lack of collaborative spirit and the “Balkan style” of leadership, where words often did not match actions. He was particularly critical of the management of the European Capital of Culture (EPK) 2025 project, highlighting financial mismanagement and weak oversight over the expenditure of 14.5 million euros. One of Harej's greatest disappointments was the initial exclusion of Christianity from the application dossier for the EPK 2025. Alongside the priest Bogdan Vidmar, he worked tirelessly to ensure that the diocese and the Church would have a place in the program, given Gorizia’s historical significance as a former archbishopric. They succeeded in launching several projects, such as the Gorizia Trail between Oglej and Santo Giro, and the Wine of Friendship and Peace (Kapela na Kostanjevici). Unfortunately, initiatives aimed at educating younger generations about the importance of peace and coexistence were not completed successfully. The late priest Bogdan Vidmar played a crucial role in Harej’s efforts to bring attention to the region’s past. Under his guidance, a core group of intellectuals formed around the civil initiative TBH (Tebe Boga hvalimo). Together, they organized a cross-border conference where historians critically examined the “own oven”, a term referring to the atrocities committed during the Italian Fascist era. Slovenians discussed the burdens imposed by partisan forces after the occupation of Gorizia in 1945. Harej’s investigations revealed the scale of wartime violence in the area. Over 900 people were killed in just 40 days, surpassing the number of victims in the Tržaška region. The site of the JAMA near Zalesniki holds particular significance, as Vidmar recently donated a notable relic there. Harej emphasized that if the EPK fails to address these divisive narratives, the project will remain superficial and ineffective. A video of this relic can be found on YouTube. In addition to his political career, Harej served as a state secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture. During this time, he offered a critical perspective on agricultural policy in Slovenia, pointing out key challenges faced by the sector. He highlighted the strong ideological approach to agricultural policies and expressed hope that a new government might change this. He stressed the need to shift public perception of farmers, emphasizing their role in preserving the land and producing food rather than being seen as polluters. He noted that environmental committees in the European Union are currently stronger than agricultural committees, and strict environmental regulations sometimes unnecessarily hinder infrastructure development, such as roads.