Slovenia — books & literature

The story of Slovenia

Slovenia's story begins with Alpine Slavs who settled the eastern edge of the Alps in the late 6th century CE, forming the early Slavic principality of Carantania , one of the oldest Slavic polities in Europe. Pressured by Avar power, the region submitted to Bavarian and then Carolingian overlordship in the 8th century, beginning well over a millennium of Germanic and Habsburg-linked rule. Between the 11th and 14th centuries, feudal dynasties such as the Spanheims, the Counts of Celje, and finally the House of Habsburg consolidated the historical Slovene lands, which stayed under Habsburg Austria until 1918. A brief flowering of self-rule came under Napoleon's Illyrian Provinces (1809-1813), centred on Ljubljana, which sparked national self-awareness among Slovene speakers. After the Habsburg collapse in 1918, Slovene territory joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later Yugoslavia, and endured occupation during the Second World War before becoming a republic of socialist Yugoslavia in 1945. On 25 June 1991, Slovenia declared independence, secured after the brief Ten-Day War, and has since built one of the most stable and prosperous states to emerge from Yugoslavia , joining the EU and NATO in 2004 and adopting the euro in 2007.

Timeline — key moments

1. circa 595

   Alpine Slavs settle the eastern Alps, ancestors of modern Slovenes.

2. circa 660

   The Slavic principality of Carantania is established, among the earliest Slavic polities.

3. 745

   Carantania submits to Bavarian overlordship and is absorbed into the Carolingian Empire.

4. 1335

   Habsburg rule begins over Carniola and neighbouring Slovene lands, lasting until 1918.

5. 1809-1813

   Napoleon's Illyrian Provinces, capital Ljubljana, spark Slovene national awareness.

6. 1918

   Habsburg rule ends; Slovene lands join the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.

7. 1945

   Slovenia becomes a constituent republic of socialist Yugoslavia.

8. 1991

   Slovenia declares independence (25 June) and secures it after the Ten-Day War.

9. 2004

   Slovenia joins the European Union and NATO.

10. 2007

    Slovenia becomes the first 2004 EU entrant to adopt the euro.

Top 10 things to know about Slovenia

1. Slovenia is one of the most forested countries in Europe, with woodland covering over half its territory.
2. Lake Bled, with its island church and clifftop castle, is one of the most photographed sights in Europe.
3. The Postojna and Škocjan cave systems are among the largest and most celebrated karst caves in the world.
4. Slovenia was the first of the 2004 EU entrants to adopt the euro, in 2007.
5. The Slovene language is written in the Latin alphabet and is one of the oldest continuously used Slavic literary languages.
6. Slovenia borders Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia, and touches a short stretch of the Adriatic Sea.
7. The Julian Alps and Mount Triglav, the national symbol on the flag, dominate the northwest.
8. Ljubljana was European Green Capital in 2016, prized for its pedestrianised riverside centre.
9. Slovenia has one of the highest shares of protected natural land in Europe, including the Triglav National Park.
10. Basketball star Luka Dončić and skiing champion Tina Maze are among Slovenia's best-known modern athletes.

Famous people from Slovenia

Say it in Slovenia's language

Did you know?

• ★Slovenia is one of the most forested and greenest countries in Europe by land share.
• ★Lake Bled's island church bell is said to grant a wish to anyone who rings it after climbing 99 steps.
• ★The Postojna Cave system is explored partly by an underground train, one of the oldest tourist caves in the world to offer one.

Slovenia culture

• Prešeren Day, 8 February, is a national holiday honouring poet France Prešeren and celebrating Slovene culture.
• Kranjska klobasa (Carniolan sausage) and potica, a rolled nut pastry, are staples of Slovene cuisine.
• Slovenia has a strong wine-growing tradition, particularly in the Štajerska and Primorska regions.
• Outdoor and mountain culture runs deep , hiking Triglav, the highest peak, is considered a Slovene rite of passage.

Why read Slovenia's books

Slovene literature carries an outsized legacy for a small nation , from Prešeren's Romantic verse, which gave Slovenia its anthem, to Cankar's modernist prose that put Slovene storytelling on the European map. Reading Slovenia's books opens a small language with a large literary voice.