On the occasion of the International Migrants Day, the Municipality of Postojna organized a special event.
Municipality of Postojna organized and hosted an event marking the International Migrants Day on 18 December. The event was organized by the municipality as part of the European project My Path – Raising Awareness of a Receiving Society on Migration Issues (co-financed by European AMIF funds). The event marked 25 years since the proclamation of Migrants Day and offered an opportunity to reflect on migrant experiences and on how local communities shape inclusive environments.
The Mayor of Postojna, Igor Marentič, emphasized in his address that Postojna has a migration history spanning more than a century. In recent years, the municipality has become an important partner in the reception and integration of migrants, as confirmed by numerous examples of good practice.
The Director of the Government Office for the Care and Integration of Migrants, Mag. Katarina Štrukelj, highlighted that Slovenia has faced various migration challenges in recent decades — from refugees from the former Yugoslavia, through the Syrian crisis, to the arrival of people from Ukraine. The Office has continuously adapted and developed support mechanisms for care and integration.
Attendees at the event also had the opportunity to listen to the following esteemed speakers: the Mayor of Ilirska Bistrica, Dr. Gregor Kovačič; Goran Lukič from the Workers’ Counselling Centre; the Head of the Employment Office of Slovenia, Anka Rode; Member of Parliament Aleksander Prosen Kralj from the Gibanje Svoboda party; Member of Parliament Iva Dimic from the Nova Slovenija party; and a representative from Ukraine, Boris Kalashnikov.
The event was also attended by our President of the Intercultural Dialogue Association, Furkan Guner. He presented our work and spoke about personal experiences with integration, the challenges faced by migrants, and ways to overcome them.
The discussion brought together representatives from the government, local communities, and migrants. The speakers highlighted personal experiences, challenges in integration, and the importance of cooperation between institutions and individuals. Special emphasis was placed on how migrants actively shape their own path in a new environment.
The authors Katja Virloget Hrobat, Robert Altin, Alessandro Monsutti, and Giuseppe Grimaldi presented an exhibition that, through personal stories, depicts the borders, journeys, and experiences of migrants. The exhibition concluded the event with a powerful visual message about the visibility and invisibility of migrant lives.
The event in Postojna demonstrated that successful integration is the result of cooperation, openness, and understanding. Migrants are not merely recipients of support but active co-creators of the community, enriching our shared society with their experiences and knowledge.
