Ambassador Iztok Mirošič and Minister for Slovenians abroad Suzana Lep Šimenko conclude their visit to Slovenian communities in Bethlehem and New York

In Bethlehem, historically known as home to the world’s largest emigrant community of Slovenians from the Prekmurje region, the Minister and Ambassador visited a monument commemorating the twinning of Bethlehem and Murska Sobota. The two cities have maintained longstanding ties of friendship, with the Bethlehem–Murska Sobota Sister Cities Association playing an important role in preserving and further developing these connections.

In the presence of several members of the Sister Cities Association, they visited the former St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. The church is now owned by a nonprofit organization that has ensured that its premises will continue to be used for community-oriented activities. Some of the church’s furnishings and other items are now preserved at Holy Trinity Church in Bethlehem and at the Evangelical Church Museum in Murska Sobota.

At the National Museum of Industrial History, they learned about the lives of former steelworkers, including many immigrants from Prekmurje who played an important role in the economic development and social life of the area. They also visited a local cemetery, where the surnames on the gravestones still bear witness to the many members of the Slovenian community buried there.

The visit to Bethlehem concluded with a meeting with members of the board of the Bethlehem–Murska Sobota Sister Cities Association, who presented their activities and efforts to further preserve and strengthen the ties between the residents of the two cities.

Minister Suzana Lep Šimenko and Ambassador Iztok Mirošič continued their visit to New York, where they visited the National Museum of Immigration at Ellis Island and met with members of the Slovenian community. The meeting, organized by the Slovenian Society of New York under the leadership of Dr. Jurij Toplak, brought together numerous Slovenians from different generations and professional backgrounds. Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tone Kajzer also attended the meeting.

At the meeting minister Lep Šimenko emphasized the importance of intergenerational connections and opportunities for cooperation between Slovenia and Slovenians abroad in the fields of education and the economy. Minister Kajzer highlighted the importance of preserving Slovenian identity, language, and ties with the homeland. He particularly emphasized the potential of young Slovenians, professionals, and entrepreneurs to further strengthen connections between Slovenia and the United States. Ambassador Iztok Mirošič highlighted the important role of Slovenians in American society, the activities of Slovenian organizations, and the Embassy’s commitment to maintaining contact with Slovenian communities throughout the United States.

The meetings demonstrated that, even after several generations, Slovenian communities continue to maintain strong ties with Slovenia and actively preserve the Slovenian language, culture, and shared heritage.