The Government would rename the Coast-Karst Statistical Region
The Slovenian window into the world in the southwest of the country has a tumultuous history with numerous changes of national frameworks and This appropriately diverse use of names. For some, there is a coast or southern coastal, for others Istria or Slovenian Istria, when there is a whole in play.
If, now, together with the neighboring Karst, it is labeled the Coast-Karst Statistical Region, the policy in Ljubljana has decided today otherwise. On the portal of the largest coalition party, Movement Freedom is a fresh statement that the government has adopted a proposal for renaming the Coastal and Karst Statistical Region to the Istrian-Karst Statistical Region.
The government, however, is hunting for the renaming date. Namely, if it wants to rename the statistical region, Slovenia must communicate this to the Eurostat and the European Commission by 31 in March this year, it states in a press release.
Changes were suggested by coalition MPs and Member of the Italian Community
The change was proposed by a group of five coalition MPs to the government, they said. Tamara Kozlovič (Freedom), Andreja Zivic (Freedom), Robert Janev (Freedom), Meira Hot (SD) and Matej Tašner Vatovec (Left) and Member of the Italian National Community Felice Ziza 21 in February this year, the National Assembly filed an initiative to rename the Coast-Kraška Statistical Region to the Istrian-Karst Statistical Region.
MEPs suggested to the government to start the renaming process, « as this would reflect the historical, cultural and geographical characteristics of the region. » According to the initiatives, the mayors of all four Istrian municipalities were affixed: Piran, Izola, Koper and Ankaran, and the Council of the Coast-Karst Development Region also imposed unanimous support. Otherwise, the beginnings of the initiative date back to 2019, but came from the Municipality of Koper.
The first signed under the initiative of Tamara Kozlovič, derived from this region, believes that by renaming the statistical region, we would not only change the name, but also express the recognition of the peculiarities of the landscape with incredibly rich cultural heritage, exceptional natural beauty and friendly, open and hospitable people who named their home Istria:
“Istria is not only land along the Slovenian sea, it is the way of life and coexistence of nations that have built a unique world over the centuries, in which diversity does not separate but connects. The Istrians and Istrians are immensely proud of our land and roots, our olive groves and vineyards, to the sea that hugs us, and the hills in which our rebellious spirit is born. We are proud of our name and we will be glad if our statistical region will soon be worn. «
The geographical and cultural aspects of the region, which include the Slovenian Istria and its Karst part, are better covered by the name Istrian-Karst region, which is also confirmed by the views of geographers and linguists, according to the government. Photo: Blaž Samec/Work
For renaming to find six major arguments
The signatories to the parliamentary initiative came from the study of the study of the area of four seaside municipalities, prepared by the Institute for Linguistic Studies of the Scientific Research Center (ZRS), and took into account broader socio-cultural and historical factors.
-The geographical and cultural aspects of the region, which include the Slovenian Istria and its Karst part, are better covered by the name Istrian-Karst region, which is also confirmed by the views of geographers and linguists, believe.
– Research and roundtables organized in cooperation with locals show that the locals accept the name Slovenian Istria more than the symbol of their identity than the name of the coast. In particular, they do not state what research is.
– The study reveals that terms such as Slovenian Istria and Istria are often used in official, tourist and scientific texts. Statistical analyzes of the frequency of names confirm that the name Istria is closely linked to regional identity and recognition, especially in the field of tourism.
– Examples such as the name of the wine -growing district of Slovenian Istria show that the use of this name has long been reinforced by regional identity. The renaming of the statistical region would ensure the coordination between the official and social name of the area.
– The area covers the characteristics of Slovenian Istria and the Karst, which would be more appropriate to cover.
– Slovenia, if it wants to rename the statistical region, must communicate this to the Eurostat and the European Commission by 31 in March this year. The opportunity to arrange this question is therefore open.
