193 © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 D. Perko et al. (eds.), The Geography of Slovenia, World Regional Geography Book Series, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14066-3_13 Culture in Slovenia Mimi Urbanc, Mateja Šmid Hribar, and Peter Kumer Abstract Slovenian culture has been decisively shaped by its geo- political position in contact with natural, social, political, and cultural milieus in the heart of Europe and more recent global trends, migration, and the country’s acces- sion to the European Union. Slovenia’s ethnic, linguistic, and religious character is relatively homogeneous, espe- cially in rural areas. Towns are more diverse because, in addition to ethnic Slovenians, the Slovenian language, and Catholicism, they also include other ethnic groups, languages, and faiths. The Slovenian language has been a basic pillar of nation-building and the drive toward inde- pendence. In their leisure time, Slovenians are involved in various societies, mostly volunteer frefghting and moun- taineering, and outdoor activities such as gardening, pick- ing berries and mushrooms in the woods, and hiking. Slovenia is distinguished by great diversity in cuisine, folk culture, and cultural landscapes; these are marked by diverse landforms, land use, and land fragmentation, vari- ous types of settlements, and a large proportion of for- ested land. The mountains, sea, karst caves, and churches in prominent locations play a signifcant role in shaping national identity. Keywords Cultural geography · Lifestyle · Creativity · Cultural landscapes 13.1 Ethnicity Despite its geographical position at the crossroads of Slavic, Germanic, Romance, and Hungarian infuences (Perko 2001, 2004), Slovenia’s ethnic identity is quite homogeneous; its ethnic diversity is below the EU and global averages (Alesina et al. 2003). In addition to the majority of ethnic Slovenians (83.1% of the total population, or 92.3% of those that self- identifed by ethnicity; SURS 2002), there are two recog- nized minority groups: Italians (0.1% of the population) in the southwest and Hungarians (0.3%) in the northeast (Žurej 2004). The Roma (0.2%) are another indigenous ethnic group; they live scattered throughout the country. By far the most members of other ethnic minorities are immigrants from various other parts of the former Yugoslavia (SURS 2002). Slovenian policy with regard to minority ethnic groups exists at three separate levels. The historical minorities (the Hungarians and Italians) are provided complete legal protec- tion, the Roma receive selective protection, and the “new” minorities receive only basic, rudimentary protection (Komac 2007). This can easily be seen at the level of politi- cal representation. Members of the Italian and Hungarian minority groups have double voting privileges (general and special) at the local and national levels. This special voting privilege allows them to elect their own representatives to municipal councils and also to elect their own representative as a member of Slovenia’s parliament. The Roma have the right to elect their own representatives to municipal and city councils where they live, whereas members of other ethnic minorities have no special mechanism for having their voice heard in public affairs. This and many other issues affect their level (or lack) of integration into society as a whole. The Roma population is clustered in rural settlements in northeastern and southeastern Slovenia (near Murska Sobota, Novo Mesto, Črnomelj, and Kočevje) as well as some other towns (Ljubljana, Maribor, Velenje, Celje, Jesenice, and Radovljica). Historical sources indicate that Roma people M. Urbanc (*) · M. Šmid Hribar · P. Kumer ZRC SAZU Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia e-mail: mimi@zrc-sazu.si; mateja.smid@zrc-sazu.si; peter. kumer@zrc-sazu.si 13