"I am pleased that you endeavour to, and are willing to, work for the language and for the community."

The President of the Republic started her visit to the Slovenes of Porabje in Gornji Senik by stopping at the Slovenian model farm, which is one of the most recognisable tourist destinations in Porabje, and which has played an important role in preserving Slovenian language, culture, and national identity since the beginning of 2015. She looked with great interest at the diverse activities and produce of the farm itself, and that of other local providers grouped under its roof. 

Afterwards, the President of the Republic visited an exhibition marking the 25th anniversary of the "Between Mura and Raba" book collection in the Slovenian Lipa Cultural and Information Centre, which publishes works by local authors based in Prekmurje and Porabje. The president commended the community's efforts to preserve the Slovenian language, especially among young people, who are increasingly leaving Porabje.

This was followed by talks between the President of the Republic and representatives of the Slovenian national community, who presented to her the community's organisation, its activities and priorities, and the challenges it is facing.

The president thanked them all for their efforts, for the comprehensive development of the Slovenian national community in Hungary, and for their perseverance and dedication in consolidating national awareness. Moreover, she emphasised the contribution of Slovenes in Hungary to the strengthening of good neighbourly relations between the two countries. 

She expressed her satisfaction that the Slovenian national community is becoming an increasingly important driving force of economic development in its environment. She welcomed both countries' increased support for the economic development of Porabje and Pomurje, and emphasised that economic development and jobs are an essential precondition for young people to stay at home, and for the community to be alive and active. In this regard, the president warmly commended the proactivity of Slovenians in Porabje, who have been successful in designing projects and obtaining European funds. The president was particularly enthralled by the "Model Farm" project, which follows the contemporary guidelines of organic production and the development of sustainable tourism, which is becoming increasingly attractive to young people.

Community representatives see the biggest challenge in education, where knowledge of the Slovene language needs to be combined with efforts to provide perspective (mainly economic) to the young generation of Slovenes in Porabje. The interlocutors pointed out that the community needs the planned construction of a Slovenian/bilingual educational core. The President of the Republic confirmed that the strengthening and modernisation of teaching of the Slovenian language in Porabje must be addressed in an appropriate manner, and said that she is aware that the Slovenian national community in Hungary remains vulnerable despite its many achievements. "In number, it is among the smallest national communities in Hungary. Therefore it continues to require carefully planned support in its efforts," she emphasised. "The nation is dying off without a language," she said and added that she is to warn her Hungarian interlocutors of this at tomorrow's talks.