President of the Republic on a working visit to the Slovenian community in Rijeka

President Pirc Musar first visited the Slovenian Home – Bazovica Cultural and Educational Society in Rijeka, which will celebrate its 80th anniversary next year. She thanked the president of the Slovenian Home, Dr Jasmina Dlačić, and the leaders of various activities for their dedicated and often voluntary work in preserving the Slovenian language, culture and traditions, as well as for their significant contribution to the community’s ties to the homeland and its visibility in Croatia.

President Pirc Musar highlighted the importance of education and work with young people, in particular the promotion of learning the Slovenian language and the integration of Slovenian culture and history into the Croatian education system under Model C, according to which Slovenian is taught as a second mother tongue in elementary and secondary schools. In 2025, the Republic of Croatia adopted a curriculum for Slovenian language instruction, thereby officially integrating Slovenian into the education system with clearly defined learning objectives and proficiency standards.  Slovenian as a minority language is currently taught as an elective subject at ten elementary and four secondary schools, and there are also Slovenian language courses at the universities in Rijeka and Zadar. "If neighbouring countries cooperate well at the highest level, it is good for everyone in both countries. I would like to thank the Republic of Croatia for introducing Slovenian language instruction into the regular curriculum last year, so that today around 700 pupils and students across Croatia can learn the language," said the President of the Republic in a statement to the media.

She went on to stress that preserving the Slovenian language and identity in a time of numerous global challenges requires constant support, cooperation and active participation from both the community and the state. She assured her audience that the Republic of Slovenia would continue to strengthen dialogue with the Republic of Croatia and support efforts for the successful work of the Slovenian national community. 

At the Pećine Elementary School, President Pirc Musar, together with President Milanović, enjoyed a heartwarming cultural performance by the pupils. "It is wonderful to see that Slovenian poetry and song are alive among the Slovenian children here, who are preserving their mother tongue, culture and ties to their homeland," she said. She also thanked Croatian President Milanović for his presence at the event, demonstrating his respect for the Slovenian minority in Croatia and reaffirming the good relations between the two neighbouring countries.

President Pirc Musar subsequently visited the First Croatian High School of Sušak. Together with Gašper Dovžan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Croatia, and Vesna Humar, the State Secretary at the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad, she listened to presentations by representatives of Slovenian associations. These are precisely the people whom the President of the Republic often highlights as forming a bridge between the two countries by preserving language, culture and community across borders, and as proof that identity knows no borders but lives wherever people nurture it with dedication and pride.