Institute for Slovenian Studies of Victoria Inc.

President's Report

1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016

Projects in Australia and Slovenia

Activities In Australia

ISSV Archives
Catherine Bryant, a researcher undertaking a history and analysis of the VSL contacted A. Ceferin in 2013
and recorded an interview in August 2013 about her role at the Victorian School of Languages and
subsequently was in contact during the next three years. For C. Bryant’s study A. Ceferin provided primary
source documentation and extensive ISSV archival material about the history of Slovenian language taught
at the VSL, including rare photo records of years at VSL. A. Ceferin’s book Slovenian Language in Australia
25 Years was cited and included in her publication. C.Bryant completed a PhD study of VSL in 2016 at the
Swinburne University of Technology and received a scholarship to undertake this study from the VSL School
Council. In 2015 VSL celebrated its 80 year anniversary and is the largest languages specialist school in
Australia. VSL offers over 40 languages, to 15,000 students in 40 centres. Distance education is offered to
1,400 students.

New publication: Catherine Bryant & Bruno Mascitelli, From Small Beginnings, The Victorian School of
Languages, Australian Scholarly Publishing, North Melbourne, 2016.
Book https://www.scribd.com/document/333458767/History-The-Victorian-School-of-Languages-2016
Victorian School of Languages https://www.vsl.vic.edu.au

Events
Public lecture: Historiography of the Holocaust in Yugoslavia, 6 October 2016
A talk by Jovan Cuibrk, Serbian orthodox Bishop of Slavonia, discussion of his new book and the struggle of
historians to provide a full account.
JHC Events http://www.jhc.org.au/news-and-events/calendar-of-events/item/523-holocaust-yugoslavia.html

A. Ceferin attended the significant event, with S. Ceferin, on joint invitation from Dr. Michael Cohen, Director
of the Jewish Holocaust Centre in Elsternwick, and Nik Mijatovic President of the Australian Serbian Cultural
Foundation. Our friend Dr. Slobodanka Vladiv-Glover attended. We ordered several copies of the book due to
limited copies at the lecture.
The Jewish Holocaust Centre is a memorial institution dedicated to the memory of six million Jews murdered
by the Nazis and collaborators between 1933 and 1945.

JHC - School Education Program from Primary to Tertiary levels

The Centre has a comprehensive education program which is strictly age-specific. “The Jewish Holocaust
Centre has a team of trained educators supported by trained and experienced guides and Holocaust
Survivors. Each education program or experience is based on our mission:
We consider the finest memorial to all victims of racist policies to be an educational program which aims to
combat antisemitism, racism and prejudice in the community and foster understanding between people.”
Program Details http://www.jhc.org.au/education/for-teachers/school-education-program.html
Links to Resources http://www.jhc.org.au/education/for-teachers/links-to-other-holocaust-resources.html

1
Book Launch: Making a Difference: Fifty Years of Indigenous Programs Monash University 1964-
2014. By Dr. Rani Kerin, 27 October 2016
A. Ceferin attended on the invitation from the Yulendj Indigenous Engagement Unit at Monash University,
and was gifted a copy of the book from the author. Monash University in 1964 was the first university to
support research and teaching of contemporary Aboriginal Australia.
Link http://www.monash.edu/about/indigenous/engagement-unit

Projects: 2016 to 2017

ISSV as Partner Organisation: conceptual artists Dr. Bara Kolenc and Atej Tutta on proposal of
premiere of a theatre performance in Australia in 2017 or 2018. A major success, their project
performance was awarded first prize by the audience at the Berlin Festival 18 May 2016.
In November 2016 A. Ceferin received a proposal from B. Kolenc, researcher at Ljubljana University, as well
as an email from Jana Grilc of the Slovenian Embassy of Canberra about the proposal, seeking support and
hosting by ISSV to assist in hosting a premiere of a play in Melbourne; presenting the life of Slovenian lawyer
Dr. Ljuba Prenner. A. Ceferin has stated that ISSV will partner in supporting the tour with promotion, liaison
and tour advice. She recommended to B. Kolenc that an application is sent to the Melbourne Festival as well
as the Malthouse Theatre, which will provide the suitable stage space for the production which has a team of
ten. B. Kolenc advised she is in the process of seeking funding from the Government of Slovenia. Their
project Metamorfoze 4: Blackholes is to be staged at Theatre Dortmund in Germany in 2017.
Details of work and publications: https://www.barakolenc.com

Portal - Thezaurus.com - 1998 to 2017 - 19 year Anniversary

Since the inception of Thezaurus - Slovenian Language and Cultural Resources www.thezaurus.com , as
one of paticipating language organizations developing a platform of Lotelinx websites of the Education
Department of Victoria, launched on 1 January 1999, 19 years of online publishing is marked in 2017. The
domain name was registered 26 June 1998, and the Thezaurus project began as one of the educational
websites of the Education Department of Victoria, designated as the LOTELINX project. A suite of continuing
educational and cultural web projects have been published on the Portal since 1999; Sloveniana Webzine,
Galeria Sloveniana, ISSV Archives, Links and Bookmarks, Slovenian Community, Slovenian Language,
Slovenian Literator, Slovenian Webclassroom, Thezaurus Forums. The web projects are updated, new
materials and information published in the projects on an annual basis.

ISSV Web Projects 1999 to 2017 - four web sites programmed by Zavod Neuropolis, Ljubljana
Four web sites are maintained; initiated and developed in co-production with web developer Bojan Ažman of
Zavod Neuropolis in Ljubljana.
Thezaurus - Slovenian Language and Cultural Resources www.thezaurus.com (1999)
Archive of Slovene Migrant Handcrafts www.rocnadela.org (2008)
Life and Work of Johann Weichard von Valvasor www.valvasor.org (2010)
Online Cartography of Slovenian Migrant Communities www.sloveniana.com (2011)
Details of Web Projects: http://www.thezaurus.com/index8b4e.html?/issv/thezaurus_and_web_projects/

Portal Thezaurus.com
In 2014 Thezaurus portal required migration to another web hosting server in Slovenia and an upgrade in
technology. First published 1 January 1999, the portal required restructure in 2004-06. With issues of
changing technology in 2014 it was essential to migrate the portal. One consequence was that Thezaurus
Forums was taken offline in August 2015. From 2014 to 2016 the ISSV Inc. presence is heightened with the
utilization of Social Media of three accounts with posts on Facebook and Twitter.
https://www.facebook.com/thezaurus.issv
https://www.facebook.com/aleksandra.ceferin https://twitter.com/Thezaurus_

2
The portal www.thezaurus.com requires a substantial upgrade on a new CMS Wordpress program. Financial
support by the Urad za Slovence RS / Office for Slovenes Abroad for the maintenance and redeveoplment of
the large complex website has been submitted in the annual grant application in November 2016. The
present funding provided by Slovenian Government covers the web hosting service, and not necessary re-
programming.The gallery with its enormous collection of albums and photos represents a problem, because
the older technology is no longer compatible. It will be necessary to greatly reduce the number and size of
photo albums.

Project: Slovenian Webclassroom – E learning Link http://www.thezaurus.com/webclassroom.html

1. Contemporary Slovenia on the Web
One project in the Webclassroom is the continuing series of study units containing web resources named
"Slovenia on the Web" (Slovenija preko spleta) since 2001 on contemporary Slovenia (Sodobna Slovenija) in
four categories: Country (Dežela), Society (Družba), Arts and Culture (Umetnost in kultura), Leisure and
Recreation (Prosti čas in rekreacija). There are 31 units online. Three new units will be published in 2017:
Country: Protection of Biodiversity / Zaščita biotske raznovrstnosti
Society: NUK / Narodna in Univerzitetna Knjižnica
Society: Roman city Emona

2. New Collection: Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century Slovenia

A collection of bilingual (Slovenian/English) academic papers were published in 2002 to accompany a special
National Museum exhibition in Ljubljana. The original publication is held in ISSV Library. Two papers were
selected for publication in 2016.
Source: Maja Lozar Štamcar, Maja Žvanut, Theatrum vitae et mortis; podobe iz 17. stoletja na
Slovenskem, razprave, Narodni muzej Slovenije, Ljubljana, 2002, pp.341.
Link https://www.scribd.com/collections/17705376/17th-18th-Centuries-Slovenia

- Maja Žvanut, Theatrum vitae et mortis; podobe iz 17. stoletja na Slovenskem, pp.187-201,
Link https://www.scribd.com/doc/290498806/Maja-Lozar-Stamcar-Maja-Žvanut-Theatrum-vitae-et-mortis-
podobe-iz-17-stoletja-na-Slovenskem

-Mateja Kos, Največja sovražnica človeškega zdravja je nezmernost, pp.11-37,

Link https://www.scribd.com/doc/290498679/Mateja-Kos-Največja-sovražnica-človeskega-zdravja-je-
nezmernost

3. Collection: Johann Weikhard von Valvasor

In 2016 we published an entire monograph work on J. W. Valvasor, and an extract on the importance of
Valvasor in world history from the book by John Wills.

-Branko Reisp, Korespondenca Janeza Vajkarda Valvasorja z Royal Society of London, Ljubljana, 1987
Link https://www.scribd.com/doc/306030153/Correspondence-Janez-Vajkard-Valvasor-with-Royal-Society-
1685-1688-ed-1987 (117 pages)

-Extract, pp. 231-236. John E. Wills Jr. 1688 - Global History, New York, 2002.
Link https://www.scribd.com/document/332619510/JV-Valvasor-pp231-236-John-E-Wills-Jr-1688-A-Global-
History

4. Collection: Slovenian Mythology

Fifteen recent academic papers were published from the Slovenian journal Studia mitologica slavica,
Link https://www.scribd.com/collections/3968600/Slovenian-mythology-papers-eng
Link https://www.scribd.com/collections/3968601/Slovenian-mythology-papers-slo

5. Collection: Geography of Slovenia

Five academic papers were published from the Slovenian journal: Acta geographica Slovenica

3
Link https://www.scribd.com/collections/17712355/Geography-Slovenia-papers-eng

Translation and Publication work completed in 2016

- Zlati cvet. Bajeslovje Slovencev by Jožko Šavli, Studio RO-Humar, Bilje, 2008, The Golden Flower, A
Slovenian Mythology, by Jožko Šavli (524 pages).
The work is being edited and publication will proceed.

Social Media and Networks

The Thezaurus Forums first appeared in 1999, were re-programmed in 2002; in 2014 were in total 1,791
posts, with 440 followers. The Forums have been offline since August 2015 due to constant spamming; they
may be reprogrammed when there are sufficient resources for a restructured presence. ISSV has a presence
on Facebook Thezaurus and followers are at: J.V. Valvasor, and on Twitter (2,300).

Web Statistics for 2016

For 2016 Thezaurus portal had 4.301.311 views, and 320.802 visitors, which is 358.443 views per month,
and 26.734 visitors per month. Viewers originate from USA 25%, Australia 33%, 35% from Slovenia, and the
rest from 85 countries mainly from Europe.
It is important to note that Thezaurus appears on the first page on Google Search with search terms such
as; Slovenian language, Slovenian Community, Valvasor, Iconotheca etc.

ISSV Archives - Link http://www.scribd.com/thezaurus

16 new PDF docs. (390 docs.), Total 54,000 views

Slovenian Study References - Link http://www.scribd.com/Slovenian%20study%20references%20

20 new PDF docs(170 docs.) Total 59,000 views

Slovenian Webclassroom - Link http://www.scribd.com/Slovenian%20Webclassroom

17 new PDF docs. (961 docs.), Total 68,000 views

ISSV Library est. 1976-

It was established as a resource base for teachers and students when Slovenian Teacher’s Association of
Victoria was founded in 1976. With the support of individuals, Slovenian organizations, Slovenska Izseljenksa
Matica, Urad za Slovence RS, ISSV Library contains over 1,500 reference books in the area of Slovenian
language studies for educators, students of Slovenian, researchers, and members. The library collection
continues to expand with new reference works and donations from organizations, individuals and companies
in Australia, Slovenia, and USA.
Opening Hours: Saturdays 2.30pm to 6.00pm during Victorian state school terms by prior arrangement:
Link http://www.thezaurus.com/indexd1cc.html?/issv/issv_library_1976_-/

J.W. Valvasor Library Collection 2016

A reference list has been published online of publications and facsimile editions held in ISSV Library. The
works are available for study and research purposes.
Link https://www.scribd.com/document/347651157/J-W-Valvasor-Collection-ISSV-Library-2016

The collection of publications and facsimile editions of the works of Valvasor has been augmented since the
launch of the gifting of Iconotheca Valvasoriana to the State Library of Victoria in 2010.
The last two purchases were in 2015; a complete four-volume set of The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola -
facsimile of 1689 edition held at NUK Ljubljana, and a Compendium.
- Die Ehre dess Hertzogthums Crain, Theil 1., Theil 2., Theil 3., Theil 4., Laybach : Nürnberg, 1689.

4
Facsimile edition. Redaction and Afterword by Branko Reisp, “Valvasorjev čas, življenje in delo”, Vol. 4.,
Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga; München: Dr. Rudolf Trofenik, 1970-1974.

- Compendium of Valvasor Study Resources, Ljubljana, Zavod Dežela Kranjska, 2014.

Bidovec, Marija, et. al., Studia Valvasoriana : zbornik spremnih studi ob prvem integralnem prevodu
Die Ehre Des Hertzogthums Crain v slovenski jezik, Ljubljana, Zavod dežela Kranjska, 2009-2014.

Timelines: http://www.valvasor.org/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Weikhard_von_Valvasor

Language classes in Victoria

Two organisations in Victoria are providing regular Slovenian language sessions in Victoria, and information
about them online.

Australian Slovenian Association Geelong, Ivan Cankar.

Link https://www.facebook.com/AustralianSlovenianAssociationGeelong/
There is an “Adult Slovenian School” News about the class, time and dates of sessions, two hours every
fortnight, is provided on Facebook in the Association’s Monthly Newsletter.

Slomšek Primary School, Slovenian Religious Centre, Kew.

Link http://www.glasslovenije.com.au/versko-melbourneOznanila_2016.html
A class at primary level is held every first and third Sunday at the Centre, from 11.10am to 1.00pm. Regular
announcements about the class is in Slovenian language at www.Glasslovenije.com.au

Language classes in Queensland

Slovenian Language and Culture Association, Queensland

Link https://www.facebook.com/Slovenian-Language-and-Culture-Association-Queensland-
1499991690303084/
About SLCAQ Slovenian Language and Culture Association Inc. (SLCA) was founded in November 2015. Its
main mission is to maintain and promote Slovenian language and culture in Queensland.
SLCA offer lessons of Slovenian language to all members of the Slovenian community living in Queensland,
as well as all other interested persons, regardless of their age, nationality, or prior knowledge of Slovenian
language. Lessons are conducted in three locations across Queensland: Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold
Coast.
Contact with ISSV: Jerneja Svetičič the President of this Association wrote to me in December 2015 about
the new association and its aims asking for support. We have already published information about their
initiative in the Community Category www.Thezaurus.com I also sent her a complete updated list of
Slovenian as a second language learning materials for all levels published in Slovenia.

Learning Slovenian - New Project by SLCAQ in 2016

Link http://learnslovenian.azurewebsites.net/
A member of their Executive Committee: Alenka Caserman Leskosek wrote to me in January 2016
requesting my comments and assistance with the project. The vision of the project is on the website:
“Learn Slovenian allows you to learn Slovenian language vocabulary and grammar.
This project is maintained by a small group of volunteers from around the world - Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
and Australia. We're always seeking for more volunteers to join our team - content editors, language
teachers, designers, testers and software developers.”

Aleksandra L. Ceferin
President
Institute for Slovenian Studies of Victoria

13 May 2017