It is known of the human occupation in the region where Slovenia is now located since 60,000 years before Christ [1], and of the ancestors of present-day Slovenians since the 6th century [2], but consensual historical references cite the beginning of Slovenian existence in the territory 1200 years ago [3]. Throughout this period the Slovenian people lived without a state of their own, under the domination of other ethnicgroups: Romans, Lombards, Austrians (Habsburgs) and Italians in some areas.
But the idea of having a country never eluded them, which was finally achieved in the referendum of 23 December 1990, in which the option of separating from Yugoslavia won with 88% of the vote. It was then marked, for june 25, 1991 the de facto independence. In the time period between December and June much diplomatic work, even coming from people from a country not legally existing, was done in order to get international support and recognition of the new country that would arise. Slovenians abroad were contacted, and the measure of the possible, and the degree of influence of each of their citizens this was done. In Brazil it was no different, so much so that on May 3, 1991, in a meeting at the residence of Mr. Janez Hlebanja, in São Paulo, the Union of Slovenians of Brazil was created. According to the draft meeting drawn up on that date, they were present: Mr Janez Hlebanja, Vladimir Ovca, Štefan Bogdan Šalej, Franziska Brunček, Frederico Helbanja, Ivan Cimermam (journalist from Ljubljana) and Carlos Gallizia. On the same occasion, they unanimously decided to write the purpose of the Union and its first measures, which to this day remains: “The association of Slovenians in Brazil aims to defend and preserve the language, Slovenian culture and Slovenian cultural heritage and traditions”.
The official application for registration of the Union of Slovenians of Brazil, forwarded to the 3rd Registry of the Civil Registry of Legal Entities, signed by Mr Vladimir Ovca, was made on November 25, 1991, thus marking the legal date of the foundation of the Union of Slovenians of Brazil.
It was elected by the group as the first president Mr Vladimir Ovca, and also his successor for after a year in office, Mr. Janez Hlebanja. Then the Slovenian Union was chaired by Mr Peter Slavec, and then by Mr Martin Crnugelj who has been reappointed to the current date.
We are an associative entity recognized and regulated as a legal personality in accordance with Brazilian law, to which it reports annually. It has a presidency and a board elected in a democratic and participatory manner, through the open vote of its members during general meetings. Decisions are always collegiate, the strategies with the greatest impact are all discussed and approved also at an annual general meeting.
Membership of the Slovenian Union is open to all Slovenians and descents, as well as to supporters and can be performed by completing an online proposal.
The financing of UEB activities is done through voluntary semiannual donations, as well as by annual budget allocation provided by the Government of Slovenia that funds projects of specific interests.
The exercise of membership in the Union of Slovenians takes place, in person, through meetings on festive dates, usually held in the city of São Paulo or online through our virtual programs. We have provided our members with social network tools that allows them to remain integrated into our community, even living in remote locations, through the use of our web portals and digital platforms. One of the great examples of such strategy are the Slovenian language classes that are held on-line, promoted and subsidized by the Union of Slovenians, taught by teachers living in Brazil and abroad, of which, every six months, dozens of students participate.
[1] STEWART, Jacqueline Widmar (2004). Finding Slovenia. Ljubljana: Mladiska Knjiga, 2011, p.35.
[2] GRANDA, Stane (2009). Slovenia- an historical overview. Ljubljana: Government Communication Office, 2008, p.40.
[3] FIGHT, Otho (org.), GRDINA, Igor et all. The land and its surroundings. Brasilia: FUNAG, 2015, p.118.