Carinthian Slovenes

Carinthian Slovenes, also called Carinthian Slovenians, are a group of people who speak the Slovene language. They live in the area of Carinthia, which is part of Austria. This area is close to the country of Slovenia.

Even though they are a smaller group in Austria, their rights are protected by the laws of Austria and international agreements. This means they have special support to keep their language and culture alive.

They also have seats in a special council called the National Ethnic Groups Advisory Council, where they can share their ideas and concerns with the government. This helps make sure their needs are heard and their traditions are respected.

History

The area where people speak Slovene today was settled long ago by different groups, including West Slavic peoples and South Slavs. Over time, South Slavs became the main group. A early Slavic state called Carantania formed here, which later became part of the Duchy of Carinthia.

In the 700s, Carantania became part of the Frankish Empire and later the Holy Roman Empire. German noble families grew in power, but many people in the countryside still spoke Slavic languages. Bavarian settlers also moved into some areas, creating a language border that lasted until the 1800s. The city of Klagenfurt was a place where both German and Slovene cultures existed.

Carinthian Plebiscite

Main article: Carinthian Plebiscite

When the Austro-Hungarian Empire ended after World War I, there were conflicts about whether some areas should join Germany-Austria or the new State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs. A vote was held in some districts where most people spoke Slovene. About 59% of those who voted chose to stay with Austria. Before the vote, leaders promised to support Slovene culture. Because of these promises and other reasons, about 40% of Slovenes in the voting area chose to stay with Carinthia. In some towns, most people voted to join the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.

At first, the Slovene community had rights such as bilingual schools and newspapers, and representatives in local governments.

Interwar Period

During the years between World Wars I and II, German nationalism grew in Austria. This led to more unfair treatment of Carinthian Slovenes. Promises made to them were broken, and they were forced to assimilate. Some were even told their language was not really Slovene.

Nazi persecution and anti-Nazi resistance during World War II

Persecution grew worse after 1938 and got even stronger in 1942. Many Slovene families were forced from their homes, and some were sent to difficult places far away.

After this, many members of the Slovene minority joined resistance groups fighting against Nazi rule. When they returned to Carinthia after the war, some faced unfriendly reactions from German-speaking neighbors.

Austrian State Treaty

After World War II, some people in Carinthia still had negative feelings toward Slovene language and culture because of what happened during Nazi rule.

On May 15, 1955, an important agreement called the Austrian State Treaty was signed. It included promises to protect the rights of Slovene and Croat minorities in Austria. In 1975, a group called the Unity List almost won a seat in the state assembly, but did not succeed. Before the next elections in 1979, the voting districts were changed in a way that made it harder for Slovene representatives to be elected.

In 1957, a group called the Kärntner Heimatdienst was formed to support German-speaking Carinthians. In the 1970s, there was a dispute over signs with place names in both languages, but things became less tense after that. However, some statements by Slovene politicians are still seen by some German-speaking people as questions about Carinthia's borders, even though Slovene leaders and organizations say this is not true.

Current developments

Since the 1990s, more German-speaking people in Carinthia have become interested in learning about Slovene culture. Starting in 1997, groups from both communities have met regularly to discuss issues. However, political disputes over bilingual signs showed that tensions still exist.

Area of Slovene settlement and proportion of the population

In the late 1800s, about one quarter to one third of people in Carinthia were Carinthian Slovenes. Over the 1900s, their numbers went down, partly because many were pushed to adopt German culture. Today, most Carinthian Slovenes live in the south and east parts of Carinthia, in areas like the Jauntal, Rosental, lower Lavanttal, the Sattniz mountains between the Drau River and Klagenfurt, and lower Gailtal. Some towns with many Carinthian Slovenes include Zell (89%), Globasnitz (42%), and Eisenkappel-Vellach (38%).

The exact number of Carinthian Slovenes is debated. Some say there are more than official counts show because people sometimes change their answers based on political feelings. For example, in one town, the number of Slovene speakers dropped from 80% in 1951 to 11% in 1961, even though the population stayed about the same.

Language

See also: Slovenian dialects

The Carinthian group of Slovene dialects is spoken in areas beyond Carinthia's current borders. These dialects are used in Slovenian Carinthia, the Pohorje Mountains, and the upper Drava Valley in Slovenian Styria. A special version of this dialect is also found in Rateče, close to the border with Italy. Nearby, in Kranjska Gora, people speak a mix between Carinthian and Upper Carniolan dialects.^{[citation needed]}

Carinthian Slovenes mainly speak four dialects: the Jaun Valley dialect, the Rosen Valley dialect, the Gail Valley dialect, and the Ebriach dialect. These dialects are very pure examples of the Carinthian group. Even in German-speaking parts of Carinthia, many place names still show their ancient Slavic roots. Over time, German and Slovene have influenced each other's sounds and words.

The old German term Windisch was once used for all Slavic languages, especially the Slovene spoken in southern Austria. Some groups still use this word, but many Carinthian Slovenes dislike it because of its past negative meanings. Experts say there isn't really a separate Windisch language or dialect.

After World War II, Carinthian Slovene literature grew strongly. Writers like Florjan Lipuš and Gustav Januš gained fame, with Peter Handke translating some of their works. Many other authors followed, creating fresh and modern literature. Maja Haderlap wrote about important historical events, including the brave resistance efforts of Carinthian Slovenes during tough times.

Educational system

In 1848, a rule was made that children should learn in their own language. For a time, this was helped by the Roman Catholic Church. Later, rules changed so that many schools taught mostly in German, with Slovene as a helper language. This upset many Slovenes.

After World War II, a new rule allowed children to learn in both German and Slovene for the first few years of school. But soon, some people did not like this, and parents could choose to take their children out of bilingual classes. Over time, fewer children joined the bilingual classes. Today, there are special schools where children can learn in both languages, and interest in learning both has grown again. In recent years, more children are choosing to learn in both German and Slovene.

Civil society institutions

The Slovene minority in Carinthia has many groups that help support their community. Two big groups are the National Council of Carinthian Slovenes, which has Christian and conservative views, and the Association of Slovene Organisations, which is more left-wing and liberal. There is also a political group called the Carinthian Unity List that takes part in local elections. Other important groups include cultural, economic, farming, sports, and student organizations.

Media

There are several media outlets that serve the Slovene community, including a weekly newspaper and news-sheet, as well as bilingual publishers.

Lobbying

Some groups give out an annual award called the Einspieler Prize to people who have worked hard to help different groups live together peacefully. Past winners include business leaders, politicians, and professors.

Notable personalities of Slovene ethnicity from Carinthia

Here are some well-known people from Carinthia who have Slovene roots:

• Matija Ahacel – a scholar who studied language and shared folk songs
• Tomaz Druml – a skier who competed in Nordic combined events
• Andrej Einspieler – a priest, writer, and someone involved in politics
• Ivan Grafenauer – a critic of literature and a student of traditions
• Maja Haderlap – an award-winning writer and poet, known for her novel Angel of Oblivion
• Marko Hanžič – a historian who was a member of the Jesuit order
• Milka Hartmann – a poet
• Valentin Inzko – a diplomat, and was once the top leader for Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Anton Janežič – a scholar of language
• Urban Jarnik – a researcher of traditions
• Martin Kušej – a director of theater and opera
• Cvetka Lipuš – a poet
• Florjan Lipuš – a writer and translator
• Matija Majar – a priest, language expert, tradition researcher, and political activist who wrote about the United Slovenia idea
• Angelika Mlinar – a member of the European Parliament MEP
• Vinko Ošlak – a writer of essays
• Wolfgang Petritsch – a diplomat, and was once the top leader for Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Angela Piskernik – a scientist who studies plants and works to protect nature
• Gregorij Rožman – a Bishop of Ljubljana
• Josef Stefan – a mathematician and scientist who studied physics
• Katja Sturm-Schnabl – a scholar of literature, history, culture, and language
• Rudi Vouk – a lawyer and someone active in politics
• Peter Wrolich – a cyclist who raced
• Peter Handke – a writer who won the Nobel Prize for literature
• Daniel Tschofenig – a ski jumper