Political Life

The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (SCS) was based on the idea of unity and proximity of three tribes of one Yugoslav nation. Uniting three nations into one state represented a collision of various historical development, traditions, and religions, economic and legal systems. Burdened in such a way the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later Kingdom of Yugoslavia, had to face from its very beginning numerous political upheavals, mostly deriving from various views on internal state organization.

At the beginning of 1920s around one million Slovenes were living (8,5 %) in the Kingdom of SCS. The largest part of Slovenes was supporting Slovene People’s Party, under the leadership of a clergyman Dr Anton Korošec, first vice-president of the Kingdom and the most prominent representative of Slovene national interests.

The Capital - A Kingdom in One City

During both wars Belgrade as the capital of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, experienced great urban, economic and demographic changes. Number of inhabitants increased from about 100.000 at the end of the Great War to 320.000 at the beginning of World War II. The causes of such demographic “explosion” can be found in increased economic development of the city, attracting increasing numbers of people of various professions from all parts of the newly formed state. According to Belgrade population count in 1921, 1.059 inhabitants spoke Slovene, in 1931 56.776 Roman-Catholics (19,65 %) lived in Belgrade. Second population count was made in the spirit of “integral Yugoslavia”, meaning that Serbs, Croats and Slovenes were registered in the same column and because of that the number of citizens of various nations is not discernible. Nevertheless it can be presumed, that during both wars several thousand Slovenes lived in Belgrade, leaving traces of their activities in records, kept in the Historical Archives of Belgrade.

All Businessmen from Gevgelija to Maribor

Various activities in all areas of social life progressed in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia with the development of economy. Businessmen would allay themselves with one another thus ensuring institutional support to their own activities. The Statute of Tradesmen Association of the Kingdom of SCS was approved in 1923 at the convention of Belgrade businessmen. Institutions’ work was regulated with regulations on activities, duties and rights of members. Their products and services were presented with accompanying catalogues at fairs all over the Kingdom. Tradition and culture, and above all folklore of all the nations in the Kingdom, were presented in accompanying programme of large fairs with various manifestations. Businessmen would make organized trips to conferences and congresses, where knowledge and skills were exchanged.

National and Cultural Affiliation

Numerous humanitarian, cultural and educational societies and associations in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia actively worked for the purpose of rapprochement of Slavic nations. Amongst these was also The Circle of Serbian Sisters, established in 1903. One of their activities was organizing costumed balls, Pan-Slavic balls, where attendees wore national dresses from various parts of the kingdom. Apart from society members, the Royal Family members, diplomats and numerous eminent citizens attended.

Pan-Slavic movement Sokol (Hawk) was established in 1862. In Bohemia its main goal was to strengthen national consciousness as well as moral and physical powers of the Czech nation. After the end of World War I, Serbian movement Sokol embraced the Yugoslav idea and joined the Yugoslav Association Sokol, established in Ljubljana in 1922.

Architects

By designing a project for St Anton of Padova Church Jože Plečnik, renowned Central European and most important Slovene architect from the end of the 19th, beginning of 20th century, left a visible mark in the architecture of Belgrade. Rotund shaped building with a belfry is considered one of the most original sacral architectural concepts in Belgrade. Two of Plečnik’s pupils were active in Belgrade – Janez Valentinčič, who supervised the finishing works of the St Anton belfry, - and Ludvik Tomori, who finalized a residential building, intended for state security employees after World War II, and Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs building. Architect Alojz Lavrenčič is the author of several successful building projects during both wars, while sculptor Lojze Dolinar worked closely with Serbian architects designing sculpture decorations on state institutions’ buildings. He is also the author of a large number of memorial sculptures.

Painters

As members of eminent artistic societies Slovene artists, painters, sculptors and graphic artists would regularly exhibit at the most important cultural events in the state. Their work would stand out especially at the Spring Exhibitions of Society of Friends of Arts “Cvijeta Zuzorić”, held at the Arts Pavilion in Kalemegdan, where mostly work of Yugoslav artists would be presented. They would also create within the Artists Society “Lada”, which promoted Yugoslav idea, and had sections in Belgrade, Zagreb and Ljubljana. Especially close was cooperation between Serbian and Slovene sections, which held joint exhibitions. Unique artistic expression was a particular trait of Rihard Jakopič, Ivan Vavpotič, Ivan Kos, Albert Sirk, France Kralj, Tine Kos and others.

Choirs

On the lake near Triglav

A boat is slowly sailing back and forth

(Po jezeru, folk song about Slovenian treasure – Bled)

In the kingdom music performances, concerts and balls always began with a national anthem Bože pravde (God of Justice), upon continuing with folk songs or dance music. Songs were performed by soloists or choirs, members of Yugoslavian Choir Association, established in 1924. All over the country choirs performing at the concerts, would also perform traditional local songs. Singing society Ljubljanski zvon performed at their concert in Belgrade their traditional local songs Kaj ti je, Mojca and Kregata se baba in devojka. Singing societies Slavec and Association of Yugoslav Teachers from Ljubljana (founded by choir master Srečko Kumar) as well as choir Glasbena matica Ljubljana were received very well.