INSTITUTE BURJA EXPLORING EUROPE UNDER ERASMUS+

Under the Future Perspectives of Knowledge project, we implement staff learning mobility to improve the practices of non-formal education for minorities in Slovenia

This time we went to St. Etienne, a laid-back French town with a population of just under 200,000, which lies right next to Lyon, France’s second-largest city. The French-Slovenian Friendship Association (Association France Slovénie) is based there, whose president is also the honorary consul of the Republic of Slovenia in France, prof. Dr. Tatiana Dumas Rodica. Together with our colleague Nina Intihar, they hosted us on staff mobilities in adult education, which we carry out as part of the Erasmus+ program.

The association has been operating for almost two decades, since 2003. It connects the Slovenian community in the region and encourages Slovenians in France to actively participate in building intercultural dialogue between the two countries. For many Slovenians, the association represents a homely and authentic contact outside their homeland and is often a springboard for successful integration into French society.

Through various projects, the association members promote Slovenia, nurture Slovenian culture and cultural heritage, and strengthen multiple competencies to integrate better Slovenians living in France. Members of the association co-create many projects of an educational nature.

They promote school exchanges, help students and connect with various institutions for the lifelong learning of adults. They organize events in the field of culture and organize the presentation of Slovenian artists, writers or Slovenian films in France. They also participate in projects of an economic nature, such as Slovenian presence at various promotional fairs or presentations of Slovenian tourist attractions and gastronomy.

Many activities are dedicated to young Slovenians who come to France to study or gain experience and knowledge. The association helps such individuals with concrete information about studies, employment and life in France. The association is very open, and they constantly strive to cooperate with various organizations, educational institutions, companies and diplomacy in the french environment or Slovenia. They also connect with other Slovenian and French associations and with associations of immigrants from the former Yugoslavia. They also organize humanitarian aid and often help solve various bureaucratic complications. Interestingly, many members of the association are French, who maintain contact with Slovenia in one way or another.

We also spoke with them during various individual or joint meetings and presentations as part of the visit. Because of all of the above, we found many common points as we implement similar work programs in the culture and education of immigrants. At the same time, the immigrant experience led us to visit the association in France. During many conversations in which we exchanged our experiences, looked for potentials for future cooperation and talked about possible joint projects, we also touched on a fascinating and current topic concerning potential collaboration and relations between the two countries.

In 2025, Nova Gorica will be the European capital of culture. In the Franciscan monastery of Kostanjevica near Nova Gorica lie the remains of the last members of the French royal family of the Bourbons.

With his way of ruling, Charles X came into increasing conflict with the parliament, and in 1830 he launched the so-called July Revolution. The king had to leave the throne and France together with his family. They first went to Scotland, to Edinburgh, then to Prague, and in 1836 they came to Gorica as guests of the Coronini counts. The reason they chose Gorica was the mild climate of Gorica, as well as Charles X’s fear of contracting cholera, which was spreading throughout Europe at the time, but there was no such thing in Gorica.

Seventeen days after arriving in Gorica, the seventy-nine-year-old Karel X died of cholera, as the only victim of the epidemic at that time in Gorica. When the patient lay dying, he looked at Kostanjevica through the window of his room. He expressed his wish to be buried in this monastery church. Thus, Kostanjevica became “Little St. Denis”, as all French kings, except for three, rest in the Basilica of St. Denis north of Paris. Charles X is the only French king who is buried outside of France, and the only king who is buried in Slovenia.

For quite some time, the French authorities tried unsuccessfully to move the remains of the Bourbons to St. Denis. But now the cooperation is going in the opposite direction. Nova Gorica and St. Denis could become twin cities, which will deepen the intercultural dialogue between the two countries and enable long-term cooperation and potential for various cultural or educational projects.

Ultimately, we would like to thank the hosts for the warm welcome. In addition to all the work, they also organized a wonderful experience of socializing with the association members. Many delicacies were waiting to taste on the table, both from the Slovenian and the French gastronomic offer.