Projects / Programmes
Ustvarjanje spomina in ohranjanje kulturne identitete med slovenskimi izseljenci in njihovimi potomci (Slovene)
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.06.00 |
Humanities |
Culturology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 6.05 |
Humanities |
Other humanities |
Researchers (6)
Organisations (1)
Significance for science
The project results are important for the development of interdisciplinary approach in cultural studies as they introduce a range of new features. With the publication of the life stories in the Digital archive of life stories of Slovenian emigrants and their descendants (http://zgodbe.zrc-sazu.si/life-stories.html, also on Slovenci.si), we have pointed to the significance of collecting and publishing life stories of not only the most renowned Slovenian emigrants but also of more or less anonymous members of Slovenian emigrant communities. Recorded, analyzed and publicly accessible material contributes to the accessibility and transfer of knowledge, and this represents an important step in the process of affirmation of science in a broader sense. The analyses of individual stories, memories and migrant experiences have contributed to a better understanding of past and present migration processes, construction of identities and preservation of Slovenian cultural heritage(s).
The results have contributed several original and new elements to Slovenian social and human sciences. They bear most relevance in the field of cultural studies, oral history and other cooperating disciplines in Slovenia. The most important contributions include published scientific articles and books on the cultural production and cultural heritage of Slovenians in Argentina; on aleksandrinke and Slovenian emigrant women in general, their organizations and activities within migrant communities; and on the inportance of childhood and food in the context of memory, migration and cultural identities. Further on, the accomplished comparison of literary themes, subject matter and motifs in the works of Slovenian emigrant writers with literary themes, subject matter and motifs in the works of emigrant writers of other nationality, relating to the creation of memory and preservation of cultural identity is something new and original, and it represents a good example of fruitful cooperation between cultural studies and literary science.
Among many relevant results of the project for the development of science, we would mention two:
1. the monography, Dressed to Go: Women's Stories on Migration (2009) was the first in Slovenia about life stories of Slovenian women migrants and women migrants to Slovenia. It was a unique case of a comparative research that includes historical and contemporary perspective as well as emigrant and immigrant experience of women. It looks that this book have had an impact since quite a few scholars published books with the focus on women migrants' experiences afterwards.
2. the interdisciplinary monography Slovenian emigration in the perspective of children experience – the cultural and historical aspects (2011) has been also a unique book at the time of its publishing. The topic of children in migration context did not exist among the research topics in Slovenia therefore we were glad to see that the next year the annual meeting of the Slovenian history scholars was dedicated to this theme. It is an important topic for Slovenia, which has seen in the past continous – also forced - migrations of children.
Significance for the country
Direct impact of the project on the development of Slovenian society concurs with the national Research and Development Program and with the thematic priorities within the Public call. The impact of the project results has been considerable in the following areas: 1) current cultural development of the Slovenian society; 2) the preservation of Slovenian national cultural heritage as it is construed and preserved among Slovenians abroad; 3) preserving and strengthening of the Slovenian national identity. The results of the project will have a long-term effect on the development of intercultural awareness. For this reason, we have made sure that the research results were extensively presented not only in Slovenia but also internationally, in academic circles as well as in wider public.
The project results are relevant due to their comparative approach. The processes of identity building in Slovenian emigrant communities have been compared to similar processes in migrant communities of other nations. Cross-generational transfer of knowledge, values, traditions and collective memory have been discussed within all parts of the research. The research results will therefore be of great importance for the development of various national strategies in the field of culture.
Recorded, transcribed, preserved and accessible material represents a part of the Slovenian cultural heritage. The digitalized collection of émigré material has placed Slovenia on the world map of the countries that value their national heritage, recognize the migrants’ contribution to their national heritage and develop modern approaches to its research and preservation. The research results are especially relevant for the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenes Abroad, which is also the beneficiary of the project. The research project is harmonized with the thematic priorities of the Office regarding the youth in migrant communities and with the Act on relations of the Republic of Slovenia with Slovenes Abroad. The project results, especially the life stories archive have been used for the purposes of the Office’s website Slovenci.si.
In the context of the indirect impact of the project on the development of Slovenian society, the emphasis is primarily on the promotion of the country, access to foreign knowledge and education.
Slovenian emigrants are among the most important cultural intermediaries and international promoters of Slovenian culture. As Slovenia devotes to the cultural activities of Slovenian emigrants and their preservation of cultural identity greater research attention, Slovenian emigrants will be able to become even better equipped for the manifold promotion of Slovenia in the countries where they live.
The multidisciplinary composition of the project group, which includes internationally acclaimed scientists linked into vital networks of research and educational activities, ensures unimpeded access to foreign knowledge and enables the critical comparison and application of new findings and research results. Some members of the project group are university teachers and/or mentors in the process of undergraduate and postgraduate study. As educators in charge of study subjects and mentors in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral research within ongoing national and international study programs, they will ensure the transfer of research results into educational content and the education of young researchers in this field.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
