Slowenischer Kulturverein Edinost Schiefling

The Slowenischer Kulturverein Edinost Schiefling (Slovene: Slovensko prosvetno društvo EDINOST Škofiče) is a Slovenian cultural association based in Schiefling am Wörthersee in the Austrian state of Carinthia. Founded on 22 January 1905 as an educational and singing society named "Slavček" (Nightingale), it was renamed "Edinost" (Unity) before the Carinthian plebiscite, a name chosen to emphasise the cohesion of the Slovenian community. Its first chairman was the parish priest Stefan Singer. The association describes itself as a bridge between the two ethnic groups in the region, working to preserve Slovenian culture in Schiefling while bringing Slovenian culture and language closer to the German-speaking community. Its programme is particularly rich for children and young people, with a strong emphasis on language competence. Music is its most important field of activity, and it also cooperates with cultural associations in Slovenia and with German-speaking cultural practitioners. Edinost is one of many cultural organisations of the Slovenian minority in Carinthia. Its activities have historically included theatre performances, singing events, public assemblies and lectures, and it has long served as a focal point of Slovenian educational and cultural life in the village. The association is led by an elected committee (Odbor/Vorstand); as of the official website, the chairman (predsednik/Obmann) is Mitja Rovšek, MBA, with Mag.a Magda Errenst as deputy chair, Mag.a Daniela Topar as secretary, DI Darko Urbajs as deputy secretary, Stanislaus Pörtsch as treasurer and DI Damjan Pörtsch as deputy treasurer, with Andrea Jäger and Mag. Alexander Smole as auditors. The association remains active, organising concerts, youth activities and cultural events that sustain Slovenian language and identity in southern Carinthia.

The Slowenischer Kulturverein Edinost Schiefling traces its origins to a founding meeting held on 22 January 1905 in the hall of the Krištof Villa in Schiefling (Slovene: Škofiče). The organisation was initially called the Bildungs- und Gesangsverein "Slavček" (Educational and Singing Society "Nightingale"). Before the Carinthian plebiscite it was renamed "Edinost" (Unity), a name intended to emphasise the cohesion of the Slovenian community. The first chairman was the parish priest Stefan Singer. In its early years the association purchased a harmonium, books and songbooks, and organised numerous theatre performances and singing events. It held three to four public assemblies per year, at which chairman Singer lectured on the history of the Slavs. Rehearsals took place in the Blatnik house in Schiefling. In 1908 the association celebrated the 60th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph. At an assembly in 1913, priests from Zahomc taught women and girls how to act in a Christian-national and economic spirit; members also received advice on gardening and farming. National tensions and the outbreak of the First World War interrupted the association's activities for several years. Little is known about its work during the Yugoslav administration, though it can be assumed that it took part in agitation for Yugoslavia. After the Second World War and the consolidation of the Slovenian minority's organisational life in Carinthia, Edinost continued as one of the many cultural organisations representing the cultural interests of the Slovenian community in Schiefling. Its cultural policy has encouraged contemporary forms of expression and quality cultural creation, linking with cultural associations in Slovenia and with German-speaking cultural practitioners. Music has remained its most important field of activity, and special attention is given to activities for children and young people. In the 21st century the association maintains a bilingual public profile, with its website in Slovene and German, and continues to organise concerts, youth programmes and cultural events. Its committee includes representatives of both linguistic communities, reflecting its self-described role as a bridge between the Slovenian- and German-speaking populations of Schiefling am Wörthersee.

• 1914

  Activities interrupted by national tensions and the outbreak of the First World War.

• 1913

  Public assembly at which priests from Zahomc instructed women and girls in Christian-national and economic spirit.

• 1908

  Celebrated the 60th anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph's reign.

• 1905

  Founded on 22 January in the Krištof Villa hall as the educational and singing society "Slavček".

• 1905

  Renamed "Edinost" (Unity) before the Carinthian plebiscite.

A community-based Slovenian minority cultural association in Carinthia, acting as a bridge between the Slovenian- and German-speaking communities and focusing on youth language and cultural education.

• Music and singing events

  Concerts and singing performances, the association's most important field of activity.

• Theatre performances

  Theatrical productions organised by the association since its early years.

• Children's and youth programmes

  Programmes for children and young people with a strong focus on Slovenian language competence.

• Public assemblies and lectures

  Historically three to four public assemblies per year, including lectures on history and practical advice.

1. 1SPD Edinost Škofiče/Schiefling | Kärnten | Kulturspd-edinost.at
2. 2Zgodovina / Geschichtespd-edinost.at
3. 3Slowenischer Kulturverein Edinost Schieflingwikidata.org