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Institute for Slovenian Studies of Victoria Inc.

President's Report

1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019

Projects in Australia and Slovenia

I. Translation and publication - 2019

Work: Jurij Venelin, Starodavni in današnji Slovenci (Ancient and Modern Slovenes),
translated from Russian into Slovenian by Ana Brvar, et. al., First edition reprint, Amialetti &
Amialetti, Ljubljana, 2012. (334 pages)
An excerpt from this monograph has been translated from Slovenian to English by A.L. Ceferin to
be published in 2020.
The book is the first Russian study of Slovenian history. Venelin is known for research on the
history of Bulgaria and Slovenia. His research on Slovenes was published posthumously as a
second part of the history of the Bulgars in 1840.

Article on Yuri I. Venelin - 2017

M. V. Eduardovna, pp. 291-305, Studia Mythologica Slavica, Vol. 20, 2017, SAZU, Ljubljana.
Article is in Russian at: https://ojs.zrc-sazu.si/sms/issue/view/605
“This article is devoted to the memory of Yuri Ivanovich Venelin (1802-1839) who was an
outstanding historian, philologist, folklorist, ethnographer and inspirer of the Bulgarian fight for
liberty. The year 2017 is the 215th anniversary of his birth. He was the founder of the Slavic
studies, made science expeditions to Balkans and collected rich folk, language and historical
material; however, his scientific works have not been studied deeply. Venelin collected the first
anthology of ancient Slavic manuscripts (Walachian and Bulgarian) manuscripts (there is a full list
of manuscripts in the article), but these manuscripts have not been analysed and published (the
list is kept in the Russian State Library in Moscow). He published the first grammar book of the
Bulgarian language and published the first book about the history of Bulgarians. Venelin proved
the theory of relative links the Bulgarian people and Slavs, and he was ideological inspirer of
Bulgarians during their fight against Turkish occupation. He wrote the first program of teaching
Slavic studies for universities in Europe. He proved that Varangians were not Scandinavians but
they were Rus’ people. Unfortunately, few scientists have explored Venelin’s rich scientific
heritage. Author: Matveenko Veroniсa Eduardovna, Ph.D., senior lecturer, Russian Language,
Department № 3, Faculty of the Russian Language and General Educational Disciplines, RUDN
University (Moscow, Russia), 117198, Russia, Moscow.”

II. Project: Sloveniana Webzine

Two articles were published online by A.L. Ceferin in Webzine category Notable Slovenes;
Vladimir Bartol and his Novel Alamut
Maksim Gaspari. Artist for the People
Category Link: http://thezaurus.com/category/webzine/notable_slovenes/
Article: https://thezaurus.com/vladimir-bartol-alamut/
Article: https://thezaurus.com/maksim-gaspari-artist-for-the-people/

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III. Visit to Russia and Slovenia from Aug. to Oct. 2019

A.L., Sasha, and Sandi, A.A. Ceferin visited Russia and Slovenia from late August to October.
They stayed in the spectacular cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, then in Ljubljana during
September and October. In September A.L. Ceferin and B. Ažman had a meeting with the Minister
for Slovenes Abroad, RS, Peter Česnik in Ljubljana. A.L.C and A.A.C. attended the launch of an
exhibition on art patron Žiga Zois (1747-1819), one of the most influential figures of the
Enlightenment in Slovenia; the exhibition displayed selected works from his library. The launch
was held on 15 October 2019 at The National and University Library (NUK) in the magnificent
Reading Hall with a recital on the harpsicord. While in Ljubljana, they visited main galleries and
museums in the vibrant capital; such as the Slovene Impressionists galleries in National Art
Gallery, and the outdoor sculpture park Forma Viva at Kostanjevica monastery in southern
Slovenia. The special large exhibition at City Museum of Ljubljana was unforgettable; priceless
Russian Icons from 13th to 20th centuries from state museums in Yaroslav and Moscow.
Among the many memorable places they visited in the regions, two trips were to: the nature trail at
Vintgar Gorge (soteska Vintgar) and the historic health spa of Rogaška Slatina.

References: Digital Edition, Correspondence of Žiga Zois,

http://nl.ijs.si/e-zrc/zois/index-en.html
https://www.nuk.uni-lj.si/aktualno/razstave/2019/ziga-zois
https://mgml.si/en/city-museum/exhibitions/473/icons/

IV. Portal - Thezaurus.com (2018-2020) Original portal www.thezaurus.org (1998-2017)

Thezaurus - Slovenian Language and Cultural Resources
The new portal is in early phase of technical development, requiring more human and financial
resources.

V. Project: Slovenian Webclassroom - E-Learning Resources (1998-2020)

Link http://www.thezaurus.com/webclassroom.html
Production of two new digital publications:
1. Novel – 1840 (translated into English)
Ferdinand Kolednik, (transl.) George Koziak - A Slovenian Janissary, First English Edition,
Industrial School for Deaf, P.Q., Montreal, Canada, 1953. (162 pages)
Josip Jurčič, Jurij Kozjak, slovenski janičar, povest iz petnajstega stoletja domače zgodovine,
1864, Mohorjeva družba.
Links: Part 1 https://www.scribd.com/document/456991415/Jurij-Kozjak-CH-1-V111-1864
Part 2 https://www.scribd.com/document/457080419/Jurij-Kozjak-CH-1X-XV1-1864

2. Retrospective Exhibition Catalogue – 1986 (Slovenian)

Rastavni Katalog, Cevc Anica, Baloh, Vera, Retrospektivna razstava, 8. oktober - 16. november
1986, Maksim Gaspari 1883-1980, Ilustrator, Narodna Galerija, Ljubljana, 1986. (130 pages)
Link: https://www.scribd.com/document/456674322/Catalogue-Maksim-Gaspari-1986

VI. ISSV Archives and Study Resources documents on open publishing platform
Scribd.com, California, USA.
The platform archives ISSV project documents published online from 2010-2019. Total 1,650
docs. (total views 181,000 to 2016) Scribd revising its statistics service in 2017, altered total views
already accumulated in accounts of 2010.

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1. ISSV Archives - Link http://www.scribd.com/thezaurus .

2. Slovenian Study References - Link http://www.scribd.com/Slovenian%20study%20references
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3. Slovenian Webclassroom - Link http://www.scribd.com/Slovenian%20Webclassroom
4. ISSV Library Resources https://www.scribd.com/user/4892753/ISSV-Library-Resources (2017-)
In 2019, over 40 reference materials were published in the four Scribd.com accounts.

VII. Web Presence and Statistics in 2019

Thezaurus portal is in prime rankings on Google Search with word search: Slovenian language in
Australia, Slovenian language resources, Slovenian studies in Australia, Valvasor, etc.
The number of visits of the four ISSV websites is an average of 17,525 per month. The number
of hits is an average of 172,637 per month. (utilising Webalizer Version 2.23)
www.thezaurus.org, www.thezaurus.com www.valvasor.org www.rocnadela.org

VIII. ISSV Library (1976-)

It was established as a resource base for teachers and students when Slovenian Teachers’
Association of Victoria (STAV) was founded in 1976. ISSV Library contains over 1,550 reference
publications in fields of Slovenian language and culture for educators, students, researchers, and
members. The library collection is expanding with recent reference works and donations from
organizations and individuals in Australia and Slovenia.
Opening Hours: Saturdays 2.30pm to 6.00pm during Victorian state school terms by appointment.
Link http://www.thezaurus.com/indexd1cc.html?/issv/issv_library_1976_-/
ISSV Library News about the new acquisitions is posted on Scribd.com account named ISSV
Library Resources and on Facebook.

ISSV Library Collection. New Acquisitions in 2019

Ralph Churches, A Hundred Miles as the Crow Flies : A Great Escape of WW11. A Freedom Trail.
Second edition, Estate of R.F. Churches, Kensington, Victoria, Australia, 2017
Description:
“After escaping a P.O.W camp with six others, Australian Lance Corporal Ralph Churches went
back for his mates, all ninety of them. He got them airlifted to safety from behind German lines. 
He had help; the Slovene partisans, well organised and committed to ejecting the Germans. These
partisans led the P.O.W.s to safety through the hills of Slovenia. 
A first-hand account of one of the great escapes of WW11, a tale of cunning, patience, incredible
luck, courage and generosity.” 

Purchased in Ljubljana, October 2019:

Bilingual/Multilingual Editions (Slovenian/English/...)
Antologija Literature Ivana Cankarja s prevodi v tuje jezike, Univerza v Ljubljani, Filozovska
Fakulteta, Ljubljana, 2018.
Matevz Celik, Designing the Republic Architecture, Design and Photography in Slovenia, 1991-
2011, MAO, Ljubljana, 2011. (catalogue, 254 pp.)
Josef Permarčič, Kolsca, Vasi sredi jezera, Villages in the middle of the lake Bilingual edition
(Slovenian/English), NUK, Ljubljana, 2015.
Forma Viva, International Symposium of Sculptors, 20th, 21th., Kostanjevica, Portorož, Ravne.
1980 - 1981.1982.
Literature
Oton Župančič, Mehurčki in petdeset ugank, Mladinska knjiga, Ljubljana, 2018.

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Janez Jalen, Bobri - Trilogija; Sad, rod, Vrh (1942/1943) , CMD, Celje-Ljubljana, 2016.
Marjeta Zorec, Slovenske narodne pesmi, Založba Karantanija, Ljubljana, 2014.
Ivan Cankar, Primož Vitez (ed.), Kako sem postal socialist, Mladinska knjiga, Ljubljana, 2018.
Zarko Petan, Kdor išče, ga najdejo, CMD, Celje, 2006.
Miha Celar, Bobri voz, Interactivni strip, CMD, Celje, 2016.
History - Exhibitions / Catalogues
Nataša Golob, Na pergamentu in papirju, rokopisi in tiski iz mariborskih zbirk, Narodni muzej
Slovenije, Ljubjana, 2017.
Slovenians in the 20th Century, Permanent Exhibition Guide, NMCH, Ljubljana, 2013.
Art, Design - Exhibition / Catalogues
Ivan Grohar, Izbrane slike, 14.okt. -14 dec. 1997, (catalogue, 240 pp.) Narodna galerija, Ljubljana,
1997.
Rihard Jakopič, Beležnice, Narodna galerija, 18. nov. 2015-28. feb. 2016.(catalogue, 100 pp.),
narodna galerija, Ljubljana, 2016.
Zdenko Kalin, retrospektivna razstava 1935-1985, 24. april-26.maj 1985, Moderna Galerija v
Ljubljani, 1985.
NSK, From Kapital to capital, Exhibition Guide, 11 May-16 August 2015, Moderna galerija,
Ljubljana, 2015.
Marko Sustaršič, 1927-1976, A retrospective, feb.- sept. 2013. Moderna galerija, Ljubljana, 2013.
History
Ivan Prijatelj, Borba za individualnost Slovenskega književnega jezika v letih 1848-1957, Ljubljana,
1937.
Ignacij Voje, Od Osmanov do Celjanov, Celjska Mohorjeva družba, Celje, 2014.
IX. Language Community in Victoria

Two Slovenian community organisations continue to provide fortnightly language classes.

Australian Slovenian Association Geelong, “Ivan Cankar”
Contact Details: Link https://www.facebook.com/AustralianSlovenianAssociationGeelong/
Slovenian Language Class for Adults
The Slovenian Language School is in the Association’s Monthly Newsletter published on
Facebook; two hours every second Sunday morning from 10.00 to 12noon.
See: IC Association’s Newsletter on Facebook.
Geelong Assoc. Contacts: Dan Furlan - 0408 525 523 Ida Marcola - 0419 881 067

Slomšek Primary School, Slovenian Catholic Mission, Ss. Cyril & Methodius, Kew,
Franciscan Order (OFM)
Contact Details: Link https://www.glasslovenije.com.au/versko-melbourne.htm
Primary level sessions for annual community perfomances are offered during school terms
organized by teachers Veronica Smrdel and Julie Bogovič, every first and third Sunday from
11.10am to 1.00pm after mass service at the Slovenian Catholic Mission in Kew. The teachers
organise activities for performance at religious and traditional community celebrations throughout
the year, including Mother’s and Father’s Days. The events and performances are recorded and
published in www.Glasslovenije.com.au throughout the year.

Aleksandra L. Ceferin
President
Institute for Slovenian Studies of Victoria
31 May 2020

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