 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 3,972[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Kranj,Ljubljana,Jesenice | |
| Languages | |
| Macedonian,Slovene | |
| Religion | |
| PredominantlyEastern Orthodox orSunni Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| OtherSouth Slavs |
| Part ofa series on |
| Macedonians Македонци |
|---|
 |
| Culture |
| By country |
| Subgroups |
| Religion |
| Language |
| Other |
Macedonians in Slovenia areethnic Macedonians who reside inSlovenia. According to the official census of 2002, there are 3,972 declared Macedonians in Slovenia, with 4,760 listingMacedonian as their mother tongue.[2]
During the years of theYugoslav federation, manyMacedonians migrated to theSocialist Republic of Slovenia. Most of them came from the east of theSocialist Republic of Macedonia and they settled mainly in the town ofKranj and the capitalLjubljana. Macedonian communities can be also found in larger towns such asJesenice,Nova Gorica,Maribor andCelje. Around 450 Macedonians reside in theCelje region.
There are three larger cultural associations inSlovenia. The biggest ones areKUD Makedonija fromLjubljana,[3]KUD Kiril i Metodij fromKranj[4] andKud Biljana fromMaribor.[5]They were founded in the 1990s afterSlovenia become an independent republic. Cultural Associations were founded to encourage learning of the Macedonian language, heritage and customs for those living in Slovenia. They mainly gather Macedonians for major holidays likeEaster,Ilinden andChristmas. Each association has its own center for gatherings and folklore acts. There is also a Macedonian language school in Kranj which is targeted at younger Macedonians.
Macedonians in Slovenia are predominantly ofOrthodox religion. Due to the lack of priests there is only oneMacedonian Orthodox Church inSlovenia, which opens only on some occasions; for weekly mass adhererants of the church use theSerbian Orthodox Church. The first Macedonian church organization was the MCO (Македонски црковен одбор/Makedonski crkoven odbor). The first meeting was held on April 13, 1993, where there was talk about establishing aMacedonian Orthodox Church inSlovenia. Good communications have been established between the Macedonian Orthodox Church andRoman Catholic Church, which is the predominant denomination in Slovenia. Many Macedonians also use the Serbian Orthodox Church.The Community was leased the churchSt.Marija Roženveska which is located in centre of Kranj. It is used by Macedonians only on bigger holidays.[6]
There is just one newspaper which is written for Macedonians in Slovenia calledNaše Sonce (Наше Сонце,lit. Our Sun). It is printed by the cultural association of St.Cyril and Methodi whose office is inKranj. The first edition was printed on December 1, 1997.The newspaper mainly writes about problems and activities of Macedonians living inSlovenia.[6]
| Europe |
| .svg) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | ||||||
| Americas | ||||||
| Oceania | ||||||
according to the2002 Slovenian Census | ||
| Over 20,000 people |
|  |
| Under 20,000 people |
| |
