In 2025, the Institute for Ethnic Studies (INV) celebrated its centenary – a century of scientific research into ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity and the promotion of understanding between communities. It is the oldest scientific institute in Slovenia, founded in 1925, and the first non-university research institution in the country, as well as one of the first institutions in the world to systematically study national minorities and their rights.
The INV filled the year of its centenary celebrations with a wide variety of events, activities, conferences and celebrations.
In the spring and autumn, the Institute opened its doors to the public with an Open Day as part of Slovenian Science Month. A total of 120 primary school pupils visited the building. Researchers and other INV employees designed a “maze” of content stations for the schoolchildren, through which they traveled in search of new knowledge. Three thematic stations were particularly highlighted, conveying the main message and research mission of the institute to the schoolchildren: the Italian and Hungarian minorities and the German-speaking community in Slovenia, immigrants and Roma in Slovenia and Slovenian minorities in Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia.
In addition to the open days, the institute promoted its research activities to the public through its publishing activities. At the Liber.ac academic book fair, the institute presented its most extensive book selection to date, which was offered to readers free of charge and attracted record interest.
Part of its selection was compiled into book packages, which were donated to bilingual libraries in Croatia, Hungary, and Porabje, as well as to German-speaking communities in Slovenia.
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