By: Sara Kovač (nova24tv.si)
“On the birthday of Slovenia, a holiday for all of us who carry our homeland in our hearts, I wish for us to nurture, love, respect, and cherish the Slovenian language, the achievements of compatriots at home and around the world, and our roots. May we proudly sing ‘Zdravljica’ and raise the Slovenian flag. May we desire and know how to pass on the heritage and love for our homeland to our children and grandchildren. May the Slovenian song and the healthy spirit of Slovenianness echo permanently in the heart of Europe. Not even the slightest breeze or a fierce storm will blow it away because the roots will be deep, and caring for future generations will be self-evident,” wrote the president of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), Janez Janša, on the occasion of Statehood Day.
You can read the entire message below:
Thirty-two years ago, Slovenians became masters on our own land. We finally witnessed the arrival of independent Slovenia – this precious fruit of the perseverance of many generations of Slovenian women and men, this precious fruit of courage, heart, and reason of the generation that fought for independence. It was an honour and privilege for us to be part of this sacred time of the Slovenian nation.
Today, we can draw strength from those inspiring times to confront the trials and challenges of the present. Even the generations of Slovenians who lived on this land in the past centuries can serve as examples and inspiration to us. Let their love for the Slovenian land, for which they shed blood and sacrificed their lives, inspire us. Let their respect for the roots from which we as a nation have grown be our example. Let their respect and care for the Slovenian language and culture throughout the centuries be an inspiration to all of us today. It is because of all these things, because of the actions and creativity of many Slovenian women and men who carried love for their homeland within them and passed it on to others, that we are now an independent nation with our own state.
There are larger nations than us who do not have their own state. Even in Europe, and even within the European Union (EU), there are larger nations whose language is not an official language of the EU. There have been numerous nations larger and stronger than us, but they no longer exist today. No one speaks their language anymore, their graves are sadly forgotten, and their heritage can only be found in rare museums.
But Slovenians stood and persevered, as Primož Trubar prophetically wrote. We stood and persevered to truly live in freedom and prosperity. Not everyone thinking and acting the same way but being capable of living with the differences that always exist among free people. In a tolerant community, respecting freedom of expression and applying the same principles of judgment to the actions of all citizens. Being able to come together when fate puts greater challenges before us. Proud of our own accomplishments and open to the knowledge of others. In a space where peace and justice prevail, which we perceive as our home and feel as our homeland.
On the birthday of Slovenia, a holiday for all of us who carry our homeland in our hearts, I wish for us to nurture, love, respect, and cherish the Slovenian language, the achievements of our compatriots at home and around the world, and our roots. May we sing the national anthem, ‘Zdravljica’, with pride and hoist the Slovenian flag. May we desire and know how to pass on the heritage and love for our homeland to our children and grandchildren. May the Slovenian song and the healthy spirit of Slovenianness echo permanently in the heart of Europe. Not even the slightest breeze or a fierce storm will blow it away because the roots will be deep, and caring for future generations will be self-evident.
Or as Ivan Cankar says: “One who loves their homeland embraces it entirely with a single embrace of their thoughts: not just it but everything they have ever loved and will love later. Because love is one and indivisible: in one brief heartbeat, everything is compressed – Mother, Homeland, God.”
Sincere congratulations on Statehood Day. All the best, Slovenia.