Celebrating Slovenian Heritage at the Immigrant Festival in Argentina

Adrián Ruiz Mianovich, an ASEF Alumni and proud member of the Slovenian community in Argentina, recently gave a talk on the ASEF Junior Fellowship program at the Fiesta Provincial del Inmigrante (Provincial Immigrant Festival) in Las Breñas, Chaco, Argentina.

The festival serves as a vibrant cultural gathering where descendants of European immigrants celebrate their heritage through traditional cuisine, music, and dance performances. It also includes the annual selection of a Little Princess, Queen, and Grandma Queen as part of its festivities. The Slovenian community, to which Adrián belongs, has been an integral part of the festival since its inception, from the Yugoslav era to the present day.

A special connection to the festival runs in Adrián’s family. His grandmother, Margarita Klemenc, daughter of Leopold Klemenc, a Slovenian immigrant from Črnomelj, was crowned Grandma Queen in 2021, proudly representing Slovenia.

The recognition below highlights the strong Slovenian presence in the province, where many Slovenian immigrants arrived in the mid-20th century.

Las Breñas even has its own miniature Prešern Square (Prešernov trg), a symbolic landmark that reflects the enduring cultural ties of the Slovenian community in the region.

Beyond the festival, Adrián’s Slovenian community is active throughout the year with various cultural and sports events. Notably, last year, they won the Basketball Championship representing Slovenia, with Adrián and his father playing as part of the team. The community also proudly supports women’s sports, with a female basketball team led by Adrián’s aunt, Claudia Ruiz.

Through cultural heritage and active participation, the Slovenian community in Las Breñas continues to celebrate and preserve its roots while fostering a strong sense of identity and connection to Slovenia.