10 / 1999

Irena Milanič

Mary Jugg Molek - an American writer and poet with Slovene roots

ABSTRACT
The article aims to give an overview on the literary works of Mary Jugg Molek (1909-1982). The author of the article investigates in particular her poems published between 1932 and 1943 in Mladinski list - Juvenile and her book Immigrant Woman published in 1976. Insight is given as to how this second-generation poet and writer dealt with her Slovene background.

10 / 1999

Irena Milanič

Mary Jugg Molek - an American writer and poet with Slovene roots

ABSTRACT
The article aims to give an overview on the literary works of Mary Jugg Molek (1909-1982). The author of the article investigates in particular her poems published between 1932 and 1943 in Mladinski list - Juvenile and her book Immigrant Woman published in 1976. Insight is given as to how this second-generation poet and writer dealt with her Slovene background.

10 / 1999

Bogdan Kolar

St. Joseph KSKJ Local Lodge, Bridgeport, Connecticut

ABSTRACT
More than two hundred local branches of the Kranjsko slovenska katoliška jednota were founded across the United States. One of these, the Society of St. Joseph in Bridgeport, Connecticut (and subsequently in Fairfield, Connecticut), was closely connected to the Slovene parish there. Both institutions were dominated by Slovene im migrants from Prekmurje, which gave original characteristics to both parish and local society. At the time of its foundation the society offered support and protection. Its current activities arepredom inantly social and connected with the preservation of Slovene ethnic features.

10 / 1999

Bogdan Kolar

St. Joseph KSKJ Local Lodge, Bridgeport, Connecticut

ABSTRACT
More than two hundred local branches of the Kranjsko slovenska katoliška jednota were founded across the United States. One of these, the Society of St. Joseph in Bridgeport, Connecticut (and subsequently in Fairfield, Connecticut), was closely connected to the Slovene parish there. Both institutions were dominated by Slovene im migrants from Prekmurje, which gave original characteristics to both parish and local society. At the time of its foundation the society offered support and protection. Its current activities arepredom inantly social and connected with the preservation of Slovene ethnic features.

10 / 1999

Breda Čebulj Sajko

Ethnic Identity of the First Postwar Generation of Australian Slovenes

SUMMERY
The history of Australia is doubtlessly connected with the rapid population growth of the continent which is the result of the continuing immigration from 1788, that is the onset of the British colonization, onward. The colonization by the British caused two demographic processes: at first a rapid decrease of the Aboriginal population, which started to climb gradually 2 only after 1945, and constant immigration of the English, Scots, and the Irish; from the beginning of the 19th century onward these were followed by other ethnic groups. Since this ongoing immigration to Australia has always determined the destiny of the country and its population, immigration to the fifth continent plays a primary role in Australian history, politics, economy, culture and, last but not least, in daily lives of those who consider themselves Australians (Anglo-Saxon whites, born in Australia), as well as those who had immigrated there (the so-called »new Australians«).

10 / 1999

Breda Čebulj Sajko

Ethnic Identity of the First Postwar Generation of Australian Slovenes

SUMMERY
The history of Australia is doubtlessly connected with the rapid population growth of the continent which is the result of the continuing immigration from 1788, that is the onset of the British colonization, onward. The colonization by the British caused two demographic processes: at first a rapid decrease of the Aboriginal population, which started to climb gradually 2 only after 1945, and constant immigration of the English, Scots, and the Irish; from the beginning of the 19th century onward these were followed by other ethnic groups. Since this ongoing immigration to Australia has always determined the destiny of the country and its population, immigration to the fifth continent plays a primary role in Australian history, politics, economy, culture and, last but not least, in daily lives of those who consider themselves Australians (Anglo-Saxon whites, born in Australia), as well as those who had immigrated there (the so-called »new Australians«).

10 / 1999

Avgust Horvat

The beginning, development and present state of secondary school courses among post-war Slovene immigrants in Argentina

SUMMERY
All those who live abroad value their mother tongue very highly. In our case this is the Slovene language. Post-war Slovene immigrants to Argentina felt it their natural duty to pass on the spoken and written language to their descendants. They therefore founded joint local centres and primary school and secondary school courses designed to complement the transfer of the mother tongue taking place in families. In the environment in which they live, it is often not understood why Slovene is spoken in the home, but parents stick to their decision, and by attending primary school in this environment the children master both languages, often a lot better than their contemporaries of other nationalities. The decision to enrol in secondary school courses is made by the children themselves, though they are already considerably under the influence of an environment which tries to achieve the necessary education with the minimum effort. For this reason enrolments are relatively few. I f in first-generation families pas sing on the mother tongue was a duty, in second-generation families consciousness of this duty lessens, which affects children mainly during the period of adolescence. We should of course not forget ethnically mixed marriages, which are so much the more exposed to assimilation.

10 / 1999

Avgust Horvat

The beginning, development and present state of secondary school courses among post-war Slovene immigrants in Argentina

SUMMERY
All those who live abroad value their mother tongue very highly. In our case this is the Slovene language. Post-war Slovene immigrants to Argentina felt it their natural duty to pass on the spoken and written language to their descendants. They therefore founded joint local centres and primary school and secondary school courses designed to complement the transfer of the mother tongue taking place in families. In the environment in which they live, it is often not understood why Slovene is spoken in the home, but parents stick to their decision, and by attending primary school in this environment the children master both languages, often a lot better than their contemporaries of other nationalities. The decision to enrol in secondary school courses is made by the children themselves, though they are already considerably under the influence of an environment which tries to achieve the necessary education with the minimum effort. For this reason enrolments are relatively few. I f in first-generation families pas sing on the mother tongue was a duty, in second-generation families consciousness of this duty lessens, which affects children mainly during the period of adolescence. We should of course not forget ethnically mixed marriages, which are so much the more exposed to assimilation.

10 / 1999

Zvone Žigon

Slovene Identity in Venezuela

SUMMARY

Among the countries of South America to which large numbers of Slovenes have emigrated, Venezuela is perhaps the most modestly represented in the otherwise relatively extensive literature on Slovene emigration, and only a few articles are to be found on Venezuela either in periodical publications or in specialist or academic literature. For this reason the author decided to make an 18-day visit to Venezuela, during the course of which he met 22 families and spoke with 71 members of the first, second and third generations of immigrants. He spent most time with the family of Tončka Brundula, the president of the Slovene Society of SS Cyril and Methodius in Caracas. After having compared written statements and oral testimony, the author estimates that around 600 Slovenes came to Venezuela and remained there. The majority arrived in 1947, while others continued to arrive gradually until 1960, when immigration from the Slovene ethnic territory more or less came to a halt. Slovenes in Caracas began coming together for communal events as early as 1952, while in 1966 the Cyril and Methodius Society mentioned above was founded. The various events are always attended by around 150 people of Slovene origin (of different generations) and their non-Slovene family members.


Among the second generation, in which the author is most interested, the Slovene language is mainly present among children of Slovene parents, while in most other cases it has partly or completely disappeared. In most cases we can talk about an ‘identification’ identity, i.e. a recognition in principle of Slovene ethnic roots and occasional interest in Slovene matters.


The author fin s that following the death of the Slovene priest Monsignor Janez Grilc in 1997, the Slovene community in Venezuela has found itself at a turning point. It has been left without a spiritual leader and organizer, and without a fresh consolidation; i f the society does not start operating again, the already fairly weak links connecting the dispersed community will be broken, which could lead to accelerated assimilation and the complete disappearance of a Slovene identity.

10 / 1999

Zvone Žigon

Slovene Identity in Venezuela

SUMMARY

Among the countries of South America to which large numbers of Slovenes have emigrated, Venezuela is perhaps the most modestly represented in the otherwise relatively extensive literature on Slovene emigration, and only a few articles are to be found on Venezuela either in periodical publications or in specialist or academic literature. For this reason the author decided to make an 18-day visit to Venezuela, during the course of which he met 22 families and spoke with 71 members of the first, second and third generations of immigrants. He spent most time with the family of Tončka Brundula, the president of the Slovene Society of SS Cyril and Methodius in Caracas. After having compared written statements and oral testimony, the author estimates that around 600 Slovenes came to Venezuela and remained there. The majority arrived in 1947, while others continued to arrive gradually until 1960, when immigration from the Slovene ethnic territory more or less came to a halt. Slovenes in Caracas began coming together for communal events as early as 1952, while in 1966 the Cyril and Methodius Society mentioned above was founded. The various events are always attended by around 150 people of Slovene origin (of different generations) and their non-Slovene family members.


Among the second generation, in which the author is most interested, the Slovene language is mainly present among children of Slovene parents, while in most other cases it has partly or completely disappeared. In most cases we can talk about an ‘identification’ identity, i.e. a recognition in principle of Slovene ethnic roots and occasional interest in Slovene matters.


The author fin s that following the death of the Slovene priest Monsignor Janez Grilc in 1997, the Slovene community in Venezuela has found itself at a turning point. It has been left without a spiritual leader and organizer, and without a fresh consolidation; i f the society does not start operating again, the already fairly weak links connecting the dispersed community will be broken, which could lead to accelerated assimilation and the complete disappearance of a Slovene identity.