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Cultural Relations

India and Slovenia signed Cultural Exchange Programme in year 1996 for cooperation in the field s of culture, arts, education, sports and mass media. Further a Programme of cooperation in the field of culture, arts, education, sports and mass media for the period 2019-24 was signed during the President Ramnath Kovind’s visit to Slovenia in September 2019.

There is considerable interest in Indian culture amongst the Slovenians. A Hindi Chair was functional in the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana from 2009-2013. Mission had been facilitating Hindi classes in the department of Languages, University of Ljubljana. An India corner was established in the of the University of Ljubljana by the embassy. India and Slovenia has an agreement for exchange students in the fields of scientific programmes, and several Indian students are jointly selected by the Department of Science in India and Slovenian Education institutions for studies in Slovenian institutes such as Joseph Stephen and National Institute of Chemistry. Some other prominent areas and initiatives in the educational and intellectual exchanges are as follows:

  • India Study Centre in Nova (New) University: During EAM’s visit to Slovenia in September 2021, establishment of India Study Centre in Nova University, Ljubljana, with cooperation of ICCR was announced. A letter of intent was signed in this regard later during President of ICCR Dr.Vinay Sahasrabuddhe’s visit to Slovenia in September 2021. In January 2022, an India corner was established in the university library.
  • Indologist/Sanskrit Scholars/writers/friends of India: There is a visible interest in Slovenia for studies in Indology, Indian language and culture. Ms. Vlasta Pacheiner Klander, a 91 year old Sanskrit scholar from Slovenia has been living legend, who has contributed substantially in promotion of Hindi language and vedic studies in Slovenia. Sanskrit is being taught continuously for 100 years, (since establishment of university of Ljubljana) at the Department of general and Comparative Linguistics. Mr. Evald Flisar, a well-known figure in contemporary Slovenian Literature has his work translated in Bengali and Hindi. His plays have been produced in Bengali.
  • Ayurveda: Although, Ayurveda is an official practice in Slovenia, it is classified as a Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practice (also in the law it is defined as Traditional Indian Medicine) and not as a healthcare practice. It is quite popular amongst Slovene people. Efforts are on for establishing an Ayurveda chair in Alma Mater Europaea, Institution in Maribor. Mission, with the support of Ministry of AYUSH, co-hosted the 5th International Ayurveda Congress, as a part of the 11th European Congress for Integrative Medicine from 21 to 23 September 2018 in Ljubljana. As part of Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, mission in collaboration with Alma Mater Europaea University, Maribor organised “Open Ayurveda Day’ on 06 August 2021.
  • Yoga: Yoga in Slovenia has been popular even before the declaration of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21st June by UNGA in 2014. Large number of Slovenian practice yoga and several individuals and institutions promoting yoga. The Ist IDY was celebrated at large scale in 28 cities and municipalities across Slovenia. In last two years embassy of India in collaboration with local stake holders, government and municipalities has organised first two edition of Surya Festival of Yoga and Wellness, corressponding with the International Yoga Day across Slovenia.

 

While there is greater interest in Yoga, Ayurveda and Indology, Slovenian population is appreciative of India’s performing arts, especially cinema as well as visual arts. There have been several events organised over the years in these fields and some the prominent ones are listed under:

  • An ICCR sponsored seven member theatre group “Yatrik” and another group “Banyan Tree Productions” performed at the 45th Festival of Slovenian Drama in March 2015.
  • Exhibition “Phulkari” was presented in January-February 2016 at Slovene Ethnographic Museum.
  • Exhibitions titled “Sacred India” and “Archiva” was presented in February-March 2017 at National Assembly of Slovenia.
  • Some of the Indian films, especially from South Indian industry have been shot in different locations of Slovenia
  • There are three busts of important Indian personalities in Slovenia – (i) Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in Maribor; (ii) Mahatma Gandhi in Slovenje Gradec; and (iii) Jawarhar Lal Nehru in Gorinska Brda.
  • Gandhi @ 150 celebrations in 2018: Mission organised series of preogrammes to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Famous Slovene singer Ms. Ana Vipotnik, recorded Gandhiji’s favourite bhajan “ Vaishnav Jan to”. The Slovenian Postal department released a commemorative postage stamp of Gandhi in September 2019. Mission in collaboration with India-Slovenia friendship society organised tree plantation event in Smartinski park in Ljubljana. In September 2020, the 150th birth anniversary celebration of Gandhi culminated with a conference tilted “Footprints of Mahatma Gandhi, a Man for All Times”.
  • President of ICCR Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe visited Slovenia in September 2021 and delivered lectures in Nova University, Ljubljana and Alma Mater Europaea, Maribor.
  • Sadguru Vasudev, visited Slovenia in March 2022, as part of his Slovenia chapter of Save Soil initiative. Mission organised a special event “conscious planet” for the diplomatic community, local government dignitaries and stake holders from various fields.

 

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

Some of the prominent events organised under the AKAM Initiative:

  • Surya Festival: 1st edition of Surya festival of Yoga and wellness was organised by the mission in collaboration with local government, municipalities and stake holders from 21 June to 05 July 2022.
  • 75th Independence day: The Independence day 2021 was celebrated with Indian community and friends of India in Slovenia. A special event by KAP Jassa, Slovenian Kite Flying Club presenting celebrations of spirit of freedom was organised.
  • Life of Buddha: Mission in collaboration with Department of Philosophy, University of Ljubljana, and Institute of Monastic Studies and Contemplative Sciences organised an event on “Life of Buddha” on 29 October, 2021.
  • Iconic India week- Jubilant January 2022: Mission celebrated the Iconic India Week-Jubilant January edition from the 26 January and 07 February. Owning to the Covid situations the literary, cultural and gastronomy events were organised in both physical format and virtual formats. Highlights of the week being opening of India corner in Nova University library and Ljubljana city library, Indian cuisine ‘Taste of India” in collaboration with the Indian Restaurants in Ljubljana, virtual Lecture and Classes on Gandhian Philosophy and Satyagraha. virtual event “String of Hope: Kite flying in Slovenia”, a virtual event “22 yards: Cricket in Slovenia”.
  • Iconic India week-Fabulous February 2022: Embassy in collaboration with the University of Ljubljana organised the MADHYAMAVYAYOGA – Sanskrit Play directed by Dr. Luka Repanšek, Department of Comparative and General Linguistics, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana and sponsored by ICCR at the Spanski Borci Culture Centre, Ljubljana. Embassy in collaboration and ICCR, organised a series of dance performances “Indradhanush-The Indian Rainbow” by the renowned Indian contemporary dance artist Terrence Lewis and his troop Paradox, in various cities around Slovenia.
  • Conscious Planet: Mission in collaboration ISHA Foundation Ljubljana, organised a special event “Conscious Planet: Save Soil” with the Sadguru Vasudev, in Ljubljana.
  • Bio27-Biennial of Design: Mission collaborated with and supported the 27th Biennial of design, Ljubljana, Super Vernaculars - Design for a Regenerative Future organized by Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO) Slovenia. The BIO27 commissioned projects, also included projects involving Indian participation.
  • Kite Festival: Mission collaborated with KAP JASA, the Kite Flying Association of Slovenia and organised the first International Kite Festival in Slovenia in Maribor from 26 May to 28 May 2022.
  • Second edition of Surya Festival of Yoga and Wellness: The second edition of the Surya Festival of Yoga and wellness was held from 10-21 June 2022. The highlight of the festival was organisation the Guardian Ring for Yoga event on the banks of the iconic Bled lake on the occasion of 8th International Yoga Day.
  • Har Ghar Tiranga: The Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign by the Government was extensively celebrated with special events organised for the Indian diaspora in August 2022.
  • India corners: In September 2022, mission in collaboration with local governments of cities of Bled and Piran, established India corners in the in Intergenerational Centre library in Bled and Lucija branch of the Piran city library.

Indian community: There are around 400 Indian nationals comprising of either researchers/students, professionals in hospitality sector, and private business owners living in Slovenia. Association of Indians in Slovenia (AIS) was established and registered with local authorities in November 2020.

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