Organised by the Slovenska izseljenska matica, the Slovenian emigrants association, Meetings in My Country involves several events which give expatriates as well as Slovenians at home a chance to get to know each other better. The events range from artistic exhibitions, music and sporting events, round-table debates, symposiums, host appearances by emigrant cultural groups, as well as traditional Slovenian language summer courses. This year, fifty Slovenian expats set out for the highest Slovenian peak, Mt. Triglav. A tradition of this kind of socializing goes back to 1956, when a Slovenian emigrants' picnic was organised in Polhov Gradec, near Ljubljana, as part of a visit by a strong delegation of Americans of Slovenian descent. The last emigrants' picnic was held in Škofja Loka in 1988, whereupon the event developed into the much broader Meeting in My Country.

Strong Emigrant Community

Slovenians pass for inventive, diligent and business-oriented people. Wherever they have migrated, they have found their place under the sun and brought a part of their home culture along into the wider world. Their enterprising spirit can be traced among the first emigrants who left their largely farming-oriented homeland at the turn of the 19th century, and particularly among economic emigrants, who went abroad mainly to seek better business and job opportunities. Even today, they are associated with a number of cultural, social and religious clubs, societies and organisations. They meet for holidays or Slovenian language hours, exchange their experiences, carry on Slovenian traditions and even publish Slovenian papers. As Slovenia was struggling for its independence more than a decade ago, they helped to actively promote its international recognition.

There were several waves of emigration, which did not cease until recently. Most Slovenians settled in the United States, Canada, the western European countries, Australia, Argentina and other countries of South America. Many individuals can also be found elsewhere, among them missionaries, adventurers, and entrepreneurs, who, despite their reluctance to admit it, have themselves become emigrants over the years.

In Europe, Slovenian emigrants mainly live in the EU member states and Switzerland. Most of them would admit that life in Slovenia is of a higher quality, yet they seem to compensate for this through higher earnings abroad. Many emigrants say that Slovenia still does not afford enough opportunities for entrepreneurs. Moreover, they feel less and less as foreigners in their adopted homelands, and will feel even less so when Slovenia becomes a full-fledged member of the EU.

The majority of Slovenians certainly emigrated to the United States. For some time before World War II, Cleveland figured as the second largest Slovenian city and is even today home to the largest Slovenian expat community. While they emigrated to the United States mainly before World War II, most Slovenians who left their homes after the war settled in Canada and Australia, as well as Latin America, particularly in Argentina. In Canada and Australia, Slovenians make up a constituent part of the multi-ethnic communities, made possible by policies in both countries that promote multiculturalism.

Slovenians abroad have always enjoyed the support of their native country: Slovenska izseljenska matica issues publications intended for emigrants, as well as books of fiction and non-fiction written by them and provides other assistance that they require. It is well aware that Slovenians abroad remain important partners of their homeland.