Emigration is a phenomenon that has been asociated with Slovenes throughout history. Slovenes emigrated to various countries over different periods of time. Many of them emigrated to Argentina. Most individuals who immigrated to Argentina before World War I did not establish permanent Slovenian communities and they eventually almost completely assimilated. Most Slovenes, between 25,000 and 30,000, emigrated to Argentina between the two World Wars. They settled primarily in the capital, Buenos Aires. These settlers predominantly came from Slovenian regions Primorje and Prekmurje and some from Benečija in Italy. All three communities formed their own societies. Some of them also organized their own Slovenian schools or language courses. The past cultural activities of pre-war emigrants have dwindled nowadays. After World War II, Argentina welcomed another group of Slovenians. About 6,000 anti-Communist-oriented Slovenian refugees found a new home in this Latin American country. Larger communities of post-war Slovenian emigrants were formed in Greater Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Bariloche and Tucuman. In order to preserve Slovenian language and distinctive identity of the community, the post-war emigrants have established a unique system of Slovenian Saturday schools. In the area of Great Buenos Aires they organize Slovene elementary school courses, Slovene secondary school course Marko Bajuk, and ABC courses in Slovenian for Spanish speakers. In the past also Slovenian higher education courses and art school existed. This Slovenian education has largely contributed to the preservation of the post-war community, its identity and the Slovene language in the modern period.
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