Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.32728/mo.07.2.2012.03
CONTEMPORARY EDUCATIONAL PROCESSES IN THE SLOVENE RELIGIOUS CENTRE OF STS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS IN AUSTRALIA IN THE PRESERVATION OF SLOVENE EMIGRANTS
Jana Goriup
; Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor (Slovenia)
Abstract
Intense emigration of Slovenes to Australia, especially to Victoria State, commenced after WW I and reached its climax in the 1970s. The Slovenians in Australia are the fourth largest non-European immigrant community and they felt the need to organize their cultural and social life a long time ago. The article discusses one of the major and first organizations of the Slovene emigration: The Religious Centre of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Kew, Melbourne, which has for decades been providing shelter for many of the emigrants and their families. The article especially considers the educational role of the Franciscan priests. As they built a wide network of their educational activities soon after their arrival in 1955, the Centre surpassed the boundaries of a Catholic Franciscan “Mission”. Two of the most exposed goals of their religious, social and educational roles have been the preservation of the Slovene heritage and education aiming at integration of Slovene emigrants in Australian everyday’s life. Through activities of the Centre, the Slovene emigrant community managed to form an immanent and specific way in transmitting the ethnic particularities of the native country both to their younger generations and to the Australian social environment (through the monthly review “Misli”, Slovenian school, language classes, choirs, sporting and social activities, radio etc.).
Finally, as the paper is a result of a case study research including direct involvement in the research, the author tries to answer the question whether the above mentioned educational activities have lead to an establishment of a more positive relationship between the majority (Australians) and minority (Australian Slovenes) communities.
Keywords
identity management; emigration; citizenship; education; Slovene emigrant community; Franciscan priest
Hrčak ID:
83745
URI
Publication date:
23.6.2012.
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