Every year, the Slovenian anthem is sung a little louder and more often, Slovenian songs are played and Slovenian flags are flown all over the world at the end of June. Slovenians from near and far prepare with pride and great responsibility events to celebrate Slovenian Statehood Day, their country of origin and their hearts.

This year, the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad, in cooperation with our compatriots, prepared a musical salute to Slovenia on the occasion of Statehood Day, thus bringing together and preserving for eternity a part of this sincere and heartfelt celebration.

"Dear Slovenes, may Slovenian song warm Slovenian hearts at home, abroad and around the world. Sincere congratulations on the occasion of Statehood Day," begins Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and Minister for Slovenians abroad Matej Arčon. This is followed by an interplay of videos from around the world, showing Slovenians whose hearts beat abroad singing the song “I love you, green Slovenia” (Ljubim te, Slovenija zelena), joined by dancers from many Slovenian folklore groups around the world. 

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to making this musical project come to life. Thank you to Oto Pestner, the author of the music and lyrics, who made it possible for this beautiful composition to be heard by his compatriots all over the world. Thank you to the author of the choral arrangement, promising young musician Jurij Mušič. The heart of this project is undoubtedly Slovenes abroad. A big thank you to the Argentinian Slovenians from AudioPristava – Adrian Gaser, who took care of the video editing, and Matjaž Rožanc, who brought together all the sound recordings of choirs, groups and individuals. Thank you to the Kraški Kvintet, an outstanding ensemble of Slovenians living abroad from Trieste, Italy, who recorded the excellent soundtrack. Many thanks also to all the compatriots who sent sincere and heartfelt recordings. Without them, this project would not have taken shape.

Participants in the musical salute are the Anton Martin Slomšek children's choir from the Slovenian School in Menodza, Argentina, the Triglav Banja Luka Association of Slovenians from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Triglav Subotica Association of Slovenians from Serbia, the Camerata Slovenica Sarajevo mixed choir from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Vancouver Slovenian Society choir, the Fran Venturini mixed choir from Italy, the Slovenski dom Zagreb mixed choir from Croatia, the combined Slovenian Mendoza Choir and the Mendoza Octet from Argentina, the Plamen vocal group under the direction of Maria Ahačič Pollak from Canada, the Ex-Corde mixed choir from Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Emona Ruma Association of Slovenians from Serbia, the Slovene Association from Sweden, the Kredarica Novi Sad Association of Slovenians from Serbia, the Planika Zrenjanin Association of Slovenians from Serbia, the Slovenian mixed choir Slomšek from Belgium, the Slovenian Men's Choir from Buenos Aires, Argentina, the youth choir San Justo from Buenos Aires from Argentina, accordionist Fred Pavlič from Vancouver, Canada, the Nagelj folklore group from Toronto, Canada, the Mladika folklore group from Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Stu Ledi folklore group from Trieste, Italy, the children's folklore group and adult's folklore group of the Vancouver Slovenian Society from Canada, the Pristava children's folklore group from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the staff of the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad.

Congratulations on Slovenian Statehood Day!