The Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies (CSEEES) recently welcomed Dr. Miha Zobec, a researcher at the Slovenian Migration Institute and Slovene Research Initiative Faculty Exchange Fellow, for a discussion about the vibrant Slovenian culture and the migration histories that have shaped both the nation and its communities abroad. Zobec, a man of diverse interests and deep knowledge, shared insights with CSEEES autumn 2024 intern Jo Baldwin on the intersections of identity, tradition, and historical memory within the Slovenian context.

When asked about his favorite Slovenian tradition, Zobec didn’t hesitate to mention the carnival. “Each year, all the villagers who want to participate dress in the same costume. On the day the carnival is held, they go around the village on a cart, pulled by a tractor, and stop at each house. Then they sing and get something to eat and drink in exchange.” This rural, community-oriented celebration reflects a sense of camaraderie and shared history that’s deeply rooted in Slovenia’s cultural fabric.

Discussing underappreciated aspects of Slovenian culture, Zobec noted that Slovenia’s small size often leaves it overshadowed by its larger neighbors. “Nevertheless, I think that whoever comes to Slovenia is surprised by its diversity and beauty.” He expressed pride in his country’s rich literary and artistic traditions, recommending works like Alamut by Vladimir Bartol and I Saw Her That Night by Drago Jančar, as well as the music of Iztok Mlakar and Vlado Kreslin. For film enthusiasts, Zobec suggested The Outsider, which explores the identity struggles of a second-generation Bosnian immigrant in 1990s Slovenia.

In addition to his cultural insights, Zobec discussed his research on migration patterns in Slovenia, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Institute's book, Daring Dreams of the Future : Slovenian Mass Migrations 1870-1945 (which Zobec presented to the Ohio State community), examines migration as an inherent aspect of human life. “The book links migration and mobilities to the life strategies and economic practices of individuals,” Zobec explained. He emphasized the transformative impact of migration on the Slovenian territory, citing how the outflow of 310,000 individuals during the age of Mass Migrations reduced the country’s demographic growth by half.

Zobec’s exploration of migration history delves into nation-building processes and the role migration played in shaping Slovenian identity. “With the establishment of the Yugoslav state following the First World War, the state discouraged emigration of constitutive ethnicities like the Slovenes while promoting the departure of ethnic minorities.” Despite these policies, Zobec remarked, migration offered a liberating experience for many, allowing individuals to break free from the constraints of rural life and seek new opportunities abroad.

In examining the emotional dimension of migration, Zobec highlighted the ways Slovenian families maintained their connections across great distances. “Reading emigrant correspondence, families’ daily concerns come to life—questions about one’s health, celebrating birthdays, and sharing news from the village,” Zobec said. “They endeavored to further this attachment by sending packages containing things they considered necessary—or the ones they just nostalgically longed for.” This aspect of his research reveals a poignant aspect of the Slovenian emigrant experience: despite physical separation, families remained emotionally united.

Zobec’s research also covers the significance of Slovenian cultural institutions abroad, such as homes, churches, and cultural centers, which provided a sense of community and continuity for immigrants. However, he noted that the role of these institutions has evolved over time. “In places like Cleveland, some institutions still exist, like the Slovenian National Home, but their role has greatly transformed.” Zobec recounted a conversation with an interviewee who called these institutions “victims of their own success,” as many descendants of the original immigrants left for educational and career opportunities, leading to the gradual dissipation of these associations.

Reflecting on his research in Argentina and the United States, Zobec acknowledged both similarities and differences in Slovenian migrant experiences. “In Argentina, the bulk of Slovenian immigrants arrived in the interwar period, whereas to the U.S., they came in the pre-World War I era.” While both countries built their identities around European immigration, the migrants’ lifestyles were characterized by modesty and hard work, traits that resonate with Slovenian values to this day.

Zobec’s interest in migration extends beyond Slovenia’s borders. At the Slovenian Migration Institute, researchers focus on contemporary migration issues such as refugee movements along the Balkan route and the phenomenon of brain circulation in East Central Europe. With his research work at The Ohio State University, Zobec expanded his studies and explored the broader implications of Eastern European migration patterns.

Concluding the interview, Zobec shared an observation that struck him during his fieldwork in Cleveland: “What surprised me was the importance the immigrants’ descendants attribution of music and folklore as core components of Slovenian identity, rather than language.” In Slovenia, the ability to speak the language is often considered a key marker of national identity, but for the Slovenian-American community, cultural expressions like polka dance serve as an enduring link to their heritage.

Miha Zobec’s journey—from his village roots to his research in migration history—embodies the spirit of homo migrans, the idea that migration is a fundamental aspect of human existence. Whether celebrating Slovenian carnival traditions or preserving Slovenian cultural institutions abroad, Zobec’s work captures the resilience and adaptability of Slovenian identity in a rapidly changing world. As he continues to share his findings with international audiences, Zobec ensures that the stories of Slovenian migrants, past and present, are not forgotten but are remembered and celebrated.