Sociology and Space, No. 5-6, 1964.
Original scientific paper
THE MATERIAL BASES OF CULTURAL LIFE IN THE SLOVENIAN VILLAGE
Janez Jerovšek
Abstract
The considerations of the author of this paper are based on data and informations
collected in the survey carried out by the Sociological Institute in Ljubljana.
At the beginning the author states that intensive changes of social structure
of population are the main features of the contemporary Slovenian village. These
changes, in comparison with ohter regions of Yugoslavia, are here the most intensive.
In Slovenia it is hardly impossible to find a region where the population
would not be able to employ themselves in nonagricultural activities.
The author considers the material bases of cultural life in rural communities
with population below 500 and separately in those ones above 500 inhabitants. In
the focus of his attention are two important cultural institutions, particularly for
the rural population: cultural halls and libraries. He presents the main data about
these institutions such .as their number, time of erection, equipment, state, maintenance,
function etc. He cites the figure that 19.2% of all rural communities with
more than 500 inhabitants (448) have no cultural halls and more than 52.5% have
no libraries. But the most grievous fact is hat many of existing cultural institutions
are poorly equipped, old and badly maintained what makes the conditions
tor the cultural activity very disadvantageous.
Taking into account that Slovenia is the most developed region in Yugoslavia
and that in rural communities with population over 500 live only 5—10% of
peasantry and that illiteracy hardly exists (1.9%) the author critically reviews the
neglectance of material base of cultural life in villages. In that respect he has
given some definite suggestions and proposals. According to his judgments, in the
conditions of rapid changes of social structure of population it is impossible to
satisfy the cultural needs of rural population in a traditional way and by traditional
forms i. e. by amateur and folklore activity. Above all the modern cultural
life presupposes better material base and larger financial means. As local communities
do not have possibilities for financing the development of cultural life,
the communes, as larger and stronger administrative units aggregating more local
communities, should invest more in the construction of the material base of cultural
life in villages.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
121346
URI
Publication date:
21.7.1964.
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