The institute aims to carry on the tradition of Slovenian-Austrian exchange in the Austrian capital performed in the past by the Slovenian Science Institute.

The Science Institute was closed in 2014 when its funding was cut in Slovenia. Its work was subsequently assumed by an informal network which has successfully evolved to establish the Slovenian Institute in Vienna.

The head of the newly-founded institute, Herbert Seher, said that the informal group had worked in the past two years towards formalising their work. This was achieved when the Slovenian Institute obtained its license late last year.

While lacking a regular source of funding, the organisation is seeking to patch together a programme of events for the first half of the year, which will feature celebrations of Slovenian Culture Day, observed on 8 February, next week.

A feature of the institute's activities this year will also be celebrations of 25 years of Slovenian independence, while the institute will dedicate its activities to Martin Luther next year.

Through successful events the institute hopes to secure financial backing from Slovenian and Austrian institutions so that it can build a programme tailored to needs of Slovenian speakers in Vienna and those interested in Slovenian-Austrian cultural exchange.

Another priority will be promoting Slovenian-Austrian scientific cooperation, said Seher, who announced that the institute was hoping to become a meeting point for experts.

Author: STA

Photo: Wikipedia (Photo is symbolic)