STANE BOROVNIK hails from Velenje, a small town with a labor-oriented community that gained significance after World War II when large coal deposits were discovered. The subsequent establishment of a coal mine spurred rapid growth, attracting young families and leading to a relatively higher standard of living compared to other areas in Slovenia and Yugoslavia. Despite the town's prosperity, access to public services, schools, and cultural amenities was somewhat limited. During the late 1960s, Stane attended elementary and high school amidst a cultural shift influenced by Western music, particularly rock, rock and roll, and jazz.
Stane became interested in town twinning and youth exchange programs after witnessing German visitors in Velenje and hearing about Velenje youths visiting Esslingen. This led to Stane's involvement in coordinating international youth exchanges among twin towns, including Esslingen, Schiedam, Vienne, Neath, and Norrköping. Despite initial reluctance due to political affiliations, Stane agreed to lead the initiative under the condition of autonomy and sufficient resources.
Stane's parents had contrasting experiences during World War II. Stane's mother, growing up on a farm near Velenje, found herself caught in a precarious situation, as her home served as a passageway for both partisans and Germans. Despite her initial confusion, she eventually sided with the partisans, working as a courier and engaging in underground activities. However, she was later caught by the Germans and imprisoned in Austria, facing false accusations of collaboration upon her release. Conversely, Stane's father, living on a mountain farm south of Velenje, had fewer encounters with German forces but steadfastly supported the partisans. His family provided assistance whenever possible, offering food and shelter to partisan fighters. Despite their support for the resistance, neither of Stane's parents were members of the communist party, and they harbored resentment towards the party's post-war treatment.
Stane's family initially held negative perceptions of Germany, viewing it as a source of evil due to the wartime experiences and propaganda. Therefore, the idea of visiting Germany didn't hold much appeal to them, and they expressed displeasure when Stane returned from trips to Germany. However, as Stane continued to visit Germany and share their experiences, their family gradually softened their stance. They began to listen and learn about the realities of contemporary Germany, gaining a more nuanced understanding beyond the historical context. Over time, Stane's family became more receptive to the idea of visiting Germany and exploring its culture and society.
The 1970s marked a period of flourishing for Europe, characterized by a sense of unity and increased mobility. Memories of war began to fade, and the concept of traveling across borders became more feasible, especially with the advent of air travel. Stane emphasizes the importance of viewing Europe as a united family, transcending political divisions.In organizing youth exchanges, Stane encouraged participants to focus on commonalities rather than political differences, urging them to refrain from engaging in political debates. By focusing on everyday life and human connections, the exchanges allowed participants to see that despite cultural nuances, people's lives were fundamentally similar across different European towns and cities.
THE INTEGRATION OF WESTERN EUROPE AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR was driven by a broad movement aimed at peace, security and prosperity. Organized youth exchange between European cities formed an important part of that movement. This research focuses on young people who, from the 1960s onwards, participated in international exchanges organised by twinned towns, also called jumelage. Friends in a Cold Climate asks about the interactions between young people while taking into account the organisational structures on a municipal level, The project investigates the role of the ideology of a united West-Europe, individual desires for travel and freedom, the upcoming discourse about the Second World War and the influence of the prevalent “counterculture” of that period, thus shedding a light on the formative years of European integration. (2024-02-06)
After the Second World War a number of friendship ties were established between towns in Europe. Citizens, council-officials and church representatives were looking for peace and prosperity in a still fragmented Europe. After a visit of the Royal Mens Choir Schiedam to Esslingen in 1963, representatives of Esslingen asked Schiedam to take part in friendly exchanges involving citizens and officials. The connections expanded and in 1970, in Esslingen, a circle of friends was established tying the towns Esslingen, Schiedam, Udine (IT) Velenje (SL) Vienne (F) and Neath together. Each town of this so called “Verbund der Ringpartnerstädte” had to keep in touch with at least 2 towns within the wider network. Friends in a Cold Climate looks primarily through the eyes the citizen-participant. Their motivation for taking part may vary. For example, is there a certain engagement with the European project? Did parents instil in their children a a message of fraternisation stemming from their experiences in WWII? Or did the participants only see youth exchange only as an opportunity for a trip to a foreign country? This latter motivation of taking part for other than Euro-idealistic reasons should however not be regarded as tourist or consumer-led behaviour. Following Michel de Certeau, Friends in a Cold Climate regards citizen-participants as a producers rather than as a consumers. A participant may "put to use" the Town Twinning facilities of travel and activities in his or her own way, regardless of the programme.
The interviewee describes town twinning and youth exchanges that ranges from the period Yugoslavia was under leadership of Tito until the period when the Republic of Slovania became an independent country.
