Dr Andreja Valič Zver
This year will be pivotal in many ways because of numerous decisive developments. All those who once predicted “the end of history” and celebrated the victory of “liberal democracy” can now only shake their heads at how wrong they were. After all, even among the so‑called Sovietologists, there was not a single expert in the late 1980s who foresaw the collapse of the Soviet Union and its bloc. History always finds a way to surprise us, one way or another. Still, it is undoubtedly useful to understand it, because knowledge of the past allows us to sense where the present is leading us and in which direction the future may turn.
This is why it is worthwhile, especially in this year marking the 35th anniversary of an independent, sovereign Slovenia, to tell the younger generation the stories of how our country came into being and of the heroes who defended it. I sincerely hope that the next – democratic, centre‑right – government will have the opportunity to encourage celebrations of our nation’s greatest holiday at least somewhat as magnificently as the third Janša government did in 2021. At that time, more than 600 events were held at the level of ministries and various governmental, state, and other institutions, organisations, associations, societies, and local communities, as well as among Slovenians abroad and in neighbouring countries. Every day we published contributions about the events from 23 December 1990 to 15 January 1991, from the plebiscite to international recognition. The book “The Triumphant Year 1991” and other publications were released. Several documentary films were produced, including “Zdravljica” by director Mitja Okorn, “The Longing of a Nation”, a film about Dr Jože Pučnik, and testimonies of the independence figures. The project “30 Peaks for 30 Years” was, with its commemorative hikes, a unique tribute to the defenders and those who fought for independence.
Over the past four years, it has become increasingly disheartening to witness the divide between Slovenians who sincerely love their homeland and wish it prosperity and development, and, on the other hand, those who humiliate and rob us in broad daylight in every possible way. Those for whom an independent Slovenia was never an “intimate option” now stand in the front rows at state ceremonies. Those who fought for it with weapons can barely survive on miserable pensions and wait endlessly for medical services. Many who helped in various ways during the struggle for independence (for example, firefighters) have received no recognition due to bureaucratic obstacles. Meanwhile, the May beetles of 1945 and their proud successors (!) still receive undeserved so‑called “veterans” pensions’ from our taxpayers’ money. All these and other anomalies will have to be cleaned up by the next centre‑right government. There is no longer room for rotten compromises with the left, as one of the supposedly “centrist” bridge‑builders so conveniently promises.
Will Slovenians fall for the same traps again? Or will we “straighten our crooked backs”, as Dr Jože Pučnik wrote? Let us not deceive ourselves any longer, conditions at home and abroad are extremely tense and, above all, unpredictable. Nations, states, and empires have disappeared in such circumstances. It is a true miracle that Slovenians have survived at all. But today, unfortunately, the outlook is not good. It seems we are being controlled by mafia‑like networks of all kinds. And beyond that, hidden structures would prefer to see us humiliated to the level of a protectorate, a colony, or some exotic entity that once attempted to be a state. What else should we make of the renewed warnings from a few days ago about a two‑tier European Union, or about merging the (unelected) positions of President of the European Commission and the European Council? Or about abolishing the European Council altogether? If Slovenia currently has the right of veto on the most important decisions, in the future it would lose that right. Let us not be naïve, over the past four years, the Golob’s coalition has proven capable of selling anything, as long as it benefits them personally.