Collection and keeping of archival material of Slovenian societies abroad is significant for conservation of the Slovenian cultural heritage. It gives evidence of diverse activity of Slovenian societies and provides basis for the work of the researchers of our broader cultural history. In particular during major anniversaries of societies when various publications on the history of their activity are being prepared, it is especially evident how indispensable organised and stored records are. Without them the traces of their rich past and activity would be lost. It is necessary to be highly aware of that and make sure that the material does not get lost, especially at the departure of certain members or termination of activities of a society.

Between 14 and 19 September 2008, the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenes Abroad and the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia organised in cooperation with the Institute for Slovenian Emigration Studies SRC SASA a seminar for Slovenian emigrant archivists. First such seminar was held already in 1999 (attended by Slovenian emigrants from transoceanic countries), followed by the seminar in 2004 (Slovenian emigrants from transoceanic countries were joined also by some Slovenian emigrants from Europe). In future, these seminars are planned to be organised every third year. They should contribute to unification of the basic knowledge on archiving and recording of the participants, establish contact with professional institutions in Slovenia and among themselves, and in the long-term to implement a worldwide network of Slovenian emigrant archives. This would raise the awareness on the importance of collection of archival material or conservation of the Slovenian cultural heritage in the world.

The manual and guide for archivists of Slovenian societies in Sweden was prepared by a 2004 seminar participant, which should prove quite helpful to other emigrant archivists as well. 

The manual

Seminar 2008
 Programme

 

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Archive of Slovene migrant handcrafts

Online Archive of Slovenian emigrant handicrafts emerged as an outcome of mutual interest both to the Slovene Ethnographic Museum (SEM) and the Institute for Slovenian Studies of Victoria (ISSV), as well as personal interests of Daša Koprivec and Aleksandra Ceferin.

Online exhibition on www.rocnadela.org