Gardener on today's holiday: "Boundaries cannot erase a nation"; Janša: "Memory should be a source of self-confidence"

On August 16, 2026, Jernej Vrtovec, deputy prime minister and minister of infrastructure and energy, addressed attendees at a central state ceremony in Velika Polana commemorating the unification of Prekmurje with the broader Slovenian nation. Speaking on the occasion of the national holiday marking the 1919 integration of Prekmurje into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, Vrtovec emphasized that borders could not erase the identity of a people who knew their roots and belonging. He highlighted the importance of preserving national consciousness, cultural heritage, and balanced development across all regions of Slovenia. According to Vrtovec, Slovenia must not become divided into areas of future and areas of departure. The future, he argued, must be everywhere. The ceremony marked the centenary of the momentous events of August 17, 1919, when the Paris Peace Conference decided that Prekmurje would join the newly formed kingdom. On August 12, 1919, Yugoslav forces occupied the area, and five days later, during a mass gathering in Beltinci, local authorities were handed over to civilian administration. This act signified the return of Prekmurje to its perceived homeland, a sentiment Vrtovec reiterated during his speech. He noted that the region’s return was not merely political but symbolic of a deep-rooted connection to Slovenian identity. Vrtovec also spoke about the challenges faced by farmers in Prekmurje due to this year's severe drought. He expressed concern over the struggle of Slovenian farmers and assured them they would not face these difficulties alone. “Without Slovenian farmers, there can be no Slovenian food,” he stated. In addition, he warned against demographic decline, emphasizing that without Slovenians, Slovenia as it is known today and as it should be would cease to exist. He called for efforts to ensure that the Slovenian people will continue to live on Slovenian soil for the next century. Damjan Jaklin, mayor of Velika Polana and host of the ceremony, underscored the significance of the Prekmurian language and culture as the foundation of national identity. He pointed out that the unification was not solely the result of political decisions but also the persistence of local communities. Jaklin stressed that Prekmurje does not expect charity or pity but equal treatment in terms of investment in roads, schools, hospitals, and jobs. His remarks reflected the current aspirations of the region, which seeks recognition and support on par with other parts of Slovenia. Prime Minister Janez Janša, in a message accompanying the celebrations, acknowledged the historical significance of the unification. He described it as a pivotal moment in Slovenian history, one that confirmed the region’s historical ties, language, culture, and shared national consciousness. Janša emphasized that the unification was not just a change in borders but also a reaffirmation of identity. He credited the success of the unification to the collective effort of many individuals, including patriots, clergy, teachers, politicians, and cultural figures who resisted the circumstances of their time and preserved the Slovenian language and national awareness. According to Janša, the region once known as Prekmurje had long been under foreign rule. Despite aggressive suppression of Slovenian identity in the second half of the 18th century, the people of the region maintained their language, customs, and sense of connection, both among themselves and with the wider Slovenian nation. He cited the example of Mihael Barla, a Slovenian Evangelical priest from Prekmurje, whose poetic collection was written in pure Slovenian. At a time when forced migration was common, Barla’s work was a bold declaration of identity. Premier Janša reminded citizens that great changes have always resulted from community efforts rather than individual actions. He noted that the unification succeeded because it lived in the hearts of the people, stronger than political pressures and daily uncertainty. It was a manifestation of faith in self-identity and trust in the future of the Slovenian nation. He added that Slovenians on the other side of the border never doubted their true identity as Slovenians, unlike some other groups historically separated from their mother nations. The celebration included high-profile political figures such as President of the National Assembly Zoran Stevanović and President of the National Council Marko Lotrič, along with several ministers and mayors from Pomurje. Cultural performances featured the Orchestra of the Slovenian Army, renowned Prekmurian music groups such as Prašnati and Belmura, and youth from Velika Polana. In her address, President of the Republic Nataša Pirc Musar recalled the events of August 17, 1919, when the people of Prekmurje, through a mass gathering in Beltinci, expressed their desire to build the future together with their compatriots across the Mur River. She emphasized that today, more than a century later, Prekmurje is an inseparable and precious part of Slovenia, not just on maps, but especially through its language, culture, literature, music, cuisine, and shared historical memory. Without Prekmurje, she said, Slovenia would simply not be the country we know and love. Pirc Musar highlighted how Prekmurje has managed to maintain its distinctiveness throughout the centuries by safeguarding its roots. She noted that the resilience of the Prekmurian language, poetry, and written word endured even during periods of intense pressure on national identity. This perseverance teaches that unity does not mean uniformity and that strength lies in embracing differences as a form of enrichment. She also reminded people of the Porabians, Slovenians who remained outside the borders of the new state in 1919. These individuals, she said, remain an integral part of the Slovenian national and cultural space. Pirc Musar concluded by stating that history teaches us that no acquired right, no community, and no connection is ever taken for granted. Continuous effort is required to preserve respect for each other, the language and cultural heritage, solidarity among regions, and above all, the understanding that Slovenia is strong precisely because each of its parts can develop and find its future within it.