Slovene Radio Program in Argentina - Listen to - with Joy, interview

A popular Slovene radio program in Argentina "Window to Slovenia" is marking this months the 20th anniversary of its existence. On this rare occasion, a talk with program`s editor, Mr. Mirko Vasle, excerpts from the interview.

Mirko Vasle, congratulations! How do you recall the beginnings?

Mirko Vasle: The Slovene radio program in Argentina "Window to Slovenia" was established in 1987 by the late Albert Cuk, an entrepreneur, who - at the beginning- also financed the program.

The program was originally named "the Slovene Corner in Argentina" and we were 25 of us, out of which only few had any experience in this field. As the time passed, the number decreased, and only the most creative remained. I myself was responsible for sports. It now sounds strange, but we used to read sport news and other news with a three weeks delay. Our only source used to be the Slovene newspaper "Delo" which we used to receive from Slovenia by mail.

In 1993, the founder of our program, Mr. Cuk, passed away and we faced new challenges. The Cuk family, for example, did not allow the use of our program`s original name and we had to change the name. We named it "A Window to Slovenia, managed to get sponsors and financial assistance from the Slovene government office responsible for Slovenes abroad and Slovene Ministry for culture.

A Slovene radio program in Argentina, why and for whom?

Mirko Vasle: Our program is meant for Slovenes living in Argentina and here I wish to underline all over again, ours is not a political program. It is bilingual and it is meant also for local Argentineans and other nationalities.

How are you organized and how are you functioning?

Mirko Vasle: We are five of us: Ana Licen, Marjana Pirc, Betty Miklavc, Nestor Stocca and myself. Every Saturday Tatiana Willenpart reports in Spanish directly from the Slovene capital Ljubljana. I head the program in Argentina assisted by Marjana. Nestor and Betty receive phone calls, Anna is coordinator between technician and studio.

Our announcer rea adds in Spanish and is Argentinean, her name is Sandra Ayala (as the announcer should be professional). In case the add is in Slovene language, I read it out myself.

Who are your listeners and how far - territory wise - reaches your program?

Mirko Vasle: Mostly Slovenes in Argentina, but also other nationalities in Argentina and locals, probably due to the music. Our program can be listen to some thousand km from the Argentinean capital. There are black holes, for example a city 200 or 300 km outside Buenos Aires cannot be reached. We transmit life and on internet we can be reached under the link http://www.datamarkets.com.ar/okenceslo

We are on air every Saturday from 13.00 to 14.00 hrs local time on Radio Splendid, which is one of the three oldest radio stations in Argentina. Some hundred thousand listeners listen to our program. As there are some 25.000 Slovenes living in Argentina, it shows clearly that we managed to address them. Among 625 radio programs in Buenos Aires, our programs was listed on 116. place according to popularity in a recent survey.

How do you make your programs?

Mirko: Over the past years, during our Saturday program, we also have interviews. We talk to Slovenes from all over the world – politicians, scientists, researchers, persons from culture, sports, representatives of the Church, ordinary people, for which we feel they could be of interest to our listeners. Up to now we have conducted some 600 interviews.

There is the cultural part of our radio program. At present we present Slovene scientists, few years ago we presented Slovene poets and writers – all in Spanish language. What is interesting that as result of our program, a book was published under the title "Breve historia de la literatura eslovena", - (A Brief History of Slovene literature), first of its kind, in Spanish.

As mentioned, every Saturday our correspondent in Slovene capital Ljubljana Tatiana Willenpart reports life about events there. Our program is being supplemented with news from different sources from Slovenia, such as agencies and newspapers, STA, Siol, newspapers Delo,Vecer, Radio Ognjisce, Radio and TV Slovenia etc. We play Slovene music, mostly folk and ethnic music, which is close to the heart of our listeners.

Which program is close to your heart?

Mirko: I enjoy the interviews as one never knows what the person will say and or react on a particular questions. The responses from Slovenes who live abroad or far from Slovenia is also quiete interesting. For most they are surprised when they are contacted from a Slovene radio program from Argentina.

I still remember the interview with the well known Slovene Dr. Ciril Rozman, a physician, who lives more than 50 years in Barcelona, Spain and who saved the life of equally well known Spanish tenor Jose Carreras, in his fight with leukemia.

For me each and every interview represents a challenge as I make notes during the interview and translate at the same time. When the interview ends, I sum up the main thoughts in Spanish.

A pleasant event, meeting, surprise, which occurred during preparation of your program?

Mirko: When we search for the person which we wish to interview – and after many phone calls and mails, we finally talk to him, the next questions is about his place of birth in Slovenia. If that place is close to the birth place of our parents, one feels warm at heart. It happened several times.

We ourselves, very much look forward to each and single interview, which we are sure our listeners will listen to with interest.

Your contacts with native Slovenia and what support are you getting and from whom?

Mirko: Over the past years our contacts with native Slovenia are getting better and better. We cooperate with all the media responsible for Slovene abroad. As mentioned, our radio program receives financial assistance from the Slovene government office for Slovenes abroad.

A word about Slovenes in Argentina, how many they are, where they live, their cultural life?

Mirko: There are some 25.000 Slovenes in Argentina and their descendents. Most live in Buenos Aires and its surrounding. Others live in Bariloce, a southern city under the Andes, in Mendoza, some hundred kilometers north from Bariloce, others are scattered all over Argentina.

They arrived in three waves. First wave arrived here during the year 1875, second wave between First and Second World Wars. These two generations of Slovenes are full integrated, and no longer speak Slovene. While the third wave – the so called political emigrants – arrived in Argentina after the Second World War. They still speak Slovene. Their children who attend primary and secondary school, on Saturday also attend Slovene language courses.

In Buenos Aires and its surrounding there are 7 Slovene cultural centers, there are theater groups, musical groups, those concerned with Slovene culture are organized in "Slovene Cultural Action". The mass on Sunday is conducted in Slovene language.

Finally, a wish or message?

Mirko: Our radio program "Window to Slovenia" is marking this month 20 years of its existence. We hope to reach also 25.

Mirko Vasle, editor of the Slovene radio program "Window to Slovenia" in Buenos Aires, Argentina, it has been pleasure talking to you.

Picturing the team of the popular Slovene radio program "Window to Slovenia" in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Editor Mirko Vasle is first on the left.