Is Slovenia truly more central european than balkan? Is it a mix of both? How do you see it? I am curious what slovenians themselves say
Posted by Efficient_Resource15@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 149 comments
Alternative-Prune318@reddit
Slovenia is a country of slaves that adapted to every occupator. It has very quickly adopted American values and is in my eyes basically a micro version of America.
xripkan@reddit
You can't go from Austria to proper Balkans
You need a transitional zone. This is Slovenia
7amdrei7@reddit
Graz is more balkan than Ljubljana or Istria.
adude995@reddit
why?
7amdrei7@reddit
It just feels more "balkan" than Ljubljana. And Istria is just italian.
I thought this is what we are doing here, deciding which countries "feel" balkan.
Because other than feel, Slovenia has nothing to do with the Balkan peninsula. Same as a bunch of other countries (Romania, Hungary, half of Croatia, half of Serbia etc).
adude995@reddit
I agree on the balkan as feeling part.
I was just wondering what exactly makes you feel Graz more balkan than Ljubljana.
Graz more chilled than Ljubljana since it's not capital?
7amdrei7@reddit
I don't think Graz is more chill. Ljubljana is crazy small. And a lot of it is pedestrian. I found it more chill than all of Austria. People are also more chill in Slovenia, like a mix of Austrians and Italians.
I'm not saying Graz is "balkan", I'm just saying it is more than Ljubjana.
It has more brutalist buildings (like you find in former communist countries) and overall has a more similar vibe to Hungary / Transylvania. But I spent like a day there so it's really very subjective. I traveled to Ljubljana at least 10 times.
NightZT@reddit
Have you been mostly to Gries and Lend while in Graz?
7amdrei7@reddit
I don't know which areas those are. I stayed in the centre, in a semi-pedestrian area (there was a tram I think).
But I drove out of it and saw an outskirt with a bunch of old comunist-style apartment buildings. I know those are all over Europe but they are mainly associated with Eastern Europe. It gave me that vibe.
Specialist-Juice-591@reddit
At least the southern parts is geographically Balkan
NobleK42@reddit
Balkan is a state of mind ;)
duskygrouper@reddit
As someone living in Graz, I can't confirm that. But Ljubljana and Istria are not really Balkan either.
RichAssociate534@reddit
Go to Fužine and you will see balkan
Admirable_Gas1653@reddit
Accurate, but I would add Croatia to the mix too
vrcekpiva@reddit
Ha, absolutely not.
Zagreb is wild in balkan mentality compared to Ljubljana or even towns close to border and Zagreb.
int23_t@reddit
Zagreb is mostly not in the Balkan peninsula as it's north of Sava so checks out.
Admirable_Gas1653@reddit
Exactly that’s what I mean, Croatia is part of the transition zone
pawyderreale@reddit
Austria is arguably balkan, at least koroška
CodewortSchinken@reddit
There is no need for a reansitional zone, because the Balkan effectively starts in Graz. Once you leave the Alps towards the southeast half finished brick houses with no plaster on start to pop up in the countryside.
RestaurantBoring417@reddit
The transition zone from the Balkans to Central Europe is Croatia, there is nothing Balkan about Slovenia
Ambitious_Foot2327@reddit
As an South eastern autrian I love the Transition Zone. Graz and Vienna has a big Balkan influence. Slovenia and northern croatia is very similar to us. It feels always like a Home away from Home to be in slovenia or Istria.
takepaws@reddit
Accurate answer
Gizmo77776@reddit
First Slovenians is written with capital S. ;)
Yes, they are more Central European than Slovakia.
It is only because they border Austria.
You can measure that in any atlas. :)
Thank you for asking such a glorious question.
Ujemegaz@reddit
You waited all your life to reply so valiantly.
Gizmo77776@reddit
I could have gone to history but yawn....
But who knows maybe Albania will be locomotive of The Balkans in next century?
The term Balkan is quite comical.
You can have Balkan in Vienna as well if we want to make a theory.
And relax good sides of The Balkans ah they will one day outweight bad sides.
kezajan@reddit
Slovenia culturally isn't balkan in any way
fireswalkwithme@reddit
That's true, but they are very european tryhards wanna be! I lived in Austria, Slovenian people would try to act more culutrally european than Austrians themselvs!
DullBirthday6750@reddit
Don’t have to try
NightZT@reddit
I had slovenian colleagues at university in Vienna that lectured me about waste seperation when I'd throw stuff away and didn't pay attention where lol
Piss-frog@reddit
They are just our gay Balkan brothers
DullBirthday6750@reddit
Cope. You will never surpass us in any metric
Living-Past-9038@reddit
We are balkans and central Europe at the same time. I would say culturally we are mix between Balkans, Central Europe and Southern Europe. Like vibe in Slovenia is mix between Austria, Italy and Croatia. We are introverted compared to other balkaners but extroverted compared to austrians, our food is mix of Austrian, Balkan, Italian and Hungarian influence, we are obsessed with sports and nature, we have this mentality that we dont care what happens as long as it doesnt bother me so we are more individualistic. Slovenian dream is house in the middle of nowhere without neighbours. I would say slovenians are bigger alcoholics than rest of Balkans.
Unable-Stay-6478@reddit
They're Balkan.
DullBirthday6750@reddit
You don’t get a say. Its Central European culturally, historically and geographically
Poglavnik_Majmuna01@reddit
The only Balkan features of Slovenia are those brought to the country by foreigners in the 20th century.
They are not culturally Balkan in any way. You can argue about geography, but we all know that Balkans is determined by vibes rather than geographic boundaries.
Slimshadyhighschool@reddit
Exactly look also at the language, it is very similar to german, right? Nothing in common with croatian/serbian.
DullBirthday6750@reddit
Its not similar to croatian or Serbian no
emuu1@reddit
That's just plainly not true, it's a slavic language and it's like 70% similar to Croatian, even more with the Croatian dialect of Kajkavian.
Slimshadyhighschool@reddit
I was ironic.
loleenceee@reddit
The funny thing is, in terms of demographics, they are becoming way more balkanic nowadays compared to when they had open borders with the “South”
StrudlEnjoyer@reddit
It's just a continuation of it.
tipoftheiceberg1234@reddit
How many times is this going to be asked. This is the 1000th post about this.
Slovenia is culturally Central Europe. They were for 1000 years. 70 years of Yugoslavia cannot change that. They are about as balkan as Hungary and only a bit more balkan than Slovakia.
If this was 100 years ago, someone from Prekmurje would view a place like Niš as a different cultural sphere. Burek and cevapi and things like that are sold in Slovenia, the same way they’re sold in Czech Republic. Slovenians might be more familiar with the dishes, but they know that they aren’t part of Slovenian cuisine.
I know this is what they tell you not to do, but whenever you have doubts about Slovenia, think “would Slovakia have this/identify with this?” If the answer is no for Slovakia then it most likely is for Slovenia.
Efficient_Resource15@reddit (OP)
I have seen everything from people saying they are totally balkan, to just half, to not at all, even calling them little austrians or saying they are southern czechs/slovaks. As a romanian I haven't had any proper interaction with them and even our media doesnt and pop culture has no connection to Slovenia so I am just trying to learn more
DullBirthday6750@reddit
We are not balkan and thats that
tipoftheiceberg1234@reddit
They may claim to be Balkan when it comes to partying but that’s only because Serbian music became something acceptable to blast in clubs during Yugoslavia. It would be the exact same thing in Slovakia if it was part of Yugoslavia too.
Otherwise than that - folk music, dance, costumes, traditional foods, climate, history… they’re up there with the Czechs. There’s even hypotheses (albeit, mostly discredited) that Slovenes are West Slavs (like Polish, Czech, Slovak) but that they were “absorbed” by south slavs.
Linguistically it’s not too stable of a theory, but even in myths there’s a bit of truth
crivycouriac@reddit
I would not associate us with Czechs. They are the most hardcore Israel supporters quite unlike us
NightZT@reddit
Is support for Israel there a mainstream position in the general population?
crivycouriac@reddit
Indeed
NightZT@reddit
Wow that's sad
tipoftheiceberg1234@reddit
Oh do they support Israel? Ew
That opinion aside… I would not associate you guys with Serbs or Bulgarians. More like Slovaks and Polish
crivycouriac@reddit
Czechs are the most hardcore of Israel supporters. Almost like their whole nationhood of loving Israel.
lesalesa23j@reddit
Interesting how almost all protestant/calvinist countries are very pro israel…
NightZT@reddit
It's sad how true this assessment is. I'm a protestant myself and one time I went to church the priest was rambling how Israel will crush the muslim "invaders". 3/4 of my family is catholic however so I'm also quite often in the catholic church and the priest there talked about all the inhuman things Israel does to the Palestinians.
It very well aligns with the protestants being constantly on the wrong side of history. Where I'm from there was also a very significant difference in nazi party membership between protestant villages and catholic villages
tipoftheiceberg1234@reddit
I was not aware of this. That’s awful. They have a duty to inform themselves better.
Eastern_Fix7541@reddit
the per capita consumption of Burek in Slovenia is enough to make this question relevant.
Janosh_Poha@reddit
I have never looked at the Balkan Peninsula as a "cultural thing." I have always looked at it as a Peninsula, as a geographical location. Therefore, yes. I see Slovenia as a Balkan state.
DullBirthday6750@reddit
Slovenia is not part of the peninsula
lipiancarlliam@reddit
Geography is outdated. Depanding on the definition, either most of Croatia and all of Romania doesn't belong in it or entire Romania, some Hungary and some Moldova belong. So, it's easier to explain it societally or culturally. This is where Žižek comes in. If you ask Serbians, we say the pure Balkans are southern of us. If you ask Croats, they say the Balkans start with us. If you ask Slovenians, Balkans start with Croatia. If you ask Austrians, Balkans start with Slovenia. If you ask Germans, Balkans start with Austria. If you ask Dutch, they don't really care about it.
CasperGwamm@reddit
Here in Zagreb we say that everything south of the Sava river is Balkans.
lipiancarlliam@reddit
By that definition, Slavonia, Slovenia and Vojvodina are all central Europe, not Balkans, which isn't physically inaccurate, but culturally nobody from eg. Poland would agree.
x-ploretheinternet@reddit
Bro the source of the Sava river is located in the north of Slovenia so most of the country would belong to the Balkan peninsula according to this definition
CasperGwamm@reddit
We do it mostly to troll people living across the river.
NikoZGB@reddit
Trnje for the win
Ok_Chip_5921@reddit
Half of Slovenia is south of the Sava river though
MrDilbert@reddit
Istria is south of the Sava river, yet if there's a region of Croatia that would be the furthest from Balkan, that would be it.
No-Specialist-1435@reddit
your coast literally goes along half the balkan peninsula.
DifficultWill4@reddit
I always thought the opposite. If we look at the geographic terms, peninsula is supposed to be surrounded by water on three sides. And considering the Adriatic sea only goes up to around Trieste, Slovenia wouldn’t fit into this criteria
Janosh_Poha@reddit
A basic Google search will tell you that the territory is a geological peninsula
MiskoSkace@reddit
Kupa (Kolpa) joins Sava at Sisak, even below Zagreb, and flows on the border. Though I've always thought it's Ljubljanica-Sava-Danube.
Big_Virge@reddit
I think your basic Google search has confused you
ChickenInvader42@reddit
Now look where Kupa (Kolpa) is located.
_BREVC_@reddit
The Balkans lack all notable geographic features of a peninsula though. No isthmus, no maritime climate (because it genuinely isn’t surrounded by water)… what kind of a peninsula is defined by a river, after all?
Culture was always the major criteria for the Balkans, geography was an afterthought.
Janosh_Poha@reddit
A basic Google search will tell you that the territory is a geological peninsula.
_BREVC_@reddit
I will give you the benefit of a doubt and assume you are trying to say that the territory designated as Balkans has unique geological properties compared to the rest of Europe. It does not; the Dinarides are just another extension of Alpine orogeny, and the geology of the wider area is too diverse internally and not unique enough externally (compared to other regions of Southern Europe) to warrant some unique status.
If I give you the benefit of a doubt, that is. Otherwise you could also just be mixing geology with geography.
Crni_SKadu@reddit
Google search is the arbiter of truth then or what. Even in the provided definition there's room for interpretation given that Danube doesn't encompass the entire border (according to it most of Romania doesn't fall under Balkan), hence its northern border is a matter of debate. To imply that what constitutes Balkan doesn't have political baggage is highly ignorant on multiple fronts.
Whether or not balkan is a peninsula is actually a matter of debate actually and it comes down to how one defines a peninsula. My geology professor thaught us that a piece of land is a peninsula if you can draw a cross and all 4 lines touch a body of water. According to him Balkan therefore isn't a peninsula.
MIkaela39752@reddit
i call them balkaners just so i dont inflate their already greatly inflated egos
Ha55aN1337@reddit
Yes, Slovenia is the balkan coutry with the ego problems 😂
DullBirthday6750@reddit
No its not
DullBirthday6750@reddit
Why do you think balkan is an insult? And you don’t get a say in what we are
WeakSalesTactics@reddit
Basic community service, we all need to keep Central Europe in line. Also don't forget to tell Austrians that they're directly responsible for both world wars, Slovakia that they're just Upper Hungary, and the Czechs that they're eastern europe and would be part of Upper Hungary if it wasn't for Skoda and Tatra. Before you ask, ignore Poland, they're objectively Eastern European (look at the map).
PavelKringa55@reddit
Just what I wanted to tell to Lechia Gdansk fans, but then I thought of dental work cost and decided not to do it.
CasperGwamm@reddit
Slovenia is the least balkan of all the Balkan states by virtue of not having been under Ottoman occupation.
DullBirthday6750@reddit
Its not balkan at all
Independent_Weight53@reddit
And I think this is beautiful
DullBirthday6750@reddit
Slovenia is Central European and nothing else
FauxBroJoe@reddit
Obligatory Slavic Žižek.
Reasonable-Class3728@reddit
I didn't click the link yet, but I know what the video it is. (I will watch it again of course).
Hestmestarn@reddit
This is *sniff* the correct *sniff* take *sniff*
duskygrouper@reddit
Pinpoint.
Bobinho4@reddit
This is the only answer to this question. What's up with asking this question so often?
TiredOperator420@reddit
I love Slavoj Zizek <3
HowHappyWorld@reddit
Slovenija is small Yugoslavia with all balcanic nations mixed together. Spectacular. Lets say developed Balkan.
gebruder_weiss@reddit
You can go into Google Street View and make a test.
Go alongside the border of Croatia and Slovenia, and find villages on both sides of the border.
Try to into a Slovenian village, you will think you are in Switzerland, for the most part. The grass is perfectly green and manicured, roads are perfect, road markings are beautiful, houses are all finished and have beautiful decorations around.
Then try going into a Croatian village, you know you are in the Balkans. Why? Unfinished homes, one way roads without markings, parkings are made out of dust, and not asphalt. Grass is green but yellow on edges, etc etc. That style of Croatian villages repeats in all Balkan states + Hungary, and you can clearly see it.
So no, Slovenia is not a transitional zone, in some places it looks better then Austria and closer to Switzerland, just with better vibes.
dumr666@reddit
coming from Slovenia, Balkan 100%, or 95%, but still balkan. People are denying it, but deep down we all know its true, but don't want to admit.
hruhru@reddit
Rage bait.
ts405@reddit
why? what’s wrong with the balkans?
Orthodox-Paradox@reddit
The real answer is gypsies (not ethnically but culturally)
Excellent_Theory1602@reddit
Yep
Remarkable-Item8390@reddit
Bulgarians
dwartbg9@reddit
Huh?
Best-Ad-1223@reddit
Yes, we're the source of all that is evil and wrong in the Balkans. Our apolpologies.
edible_string@reddit
The bridge on the second picture is exactly where the border is
SpartanKing76@reddit
Slovenia is edge of the Balkans. There are similarities especially due to its Yugoslav past and common language and close ties. At the other end you have Greece. Geographically some of it is in the Balkans and also the north has some cultural links but large parts of Greece are a million miles away from the traditional Balkans. Take for example Mykonos or Paros they have more in common with Fiji than Kosovo.
bigelcid@reddit
Dude...
Do we know what a continuum means?
edible_string@reddit
I don't know if we do, do you?
KronprinzRudolf@reddit
Until 1918, noone would describe Slovenia as a part of the Balkan. Then Yugoslavia happened.
10000S00001@reddit
Slovenia is 100% Balkan!
The Balkan starts in Vienna 😉
Bullshitman_Pilky@reddit
Yes, here women get raped and don't like it
zibo12@reddit
I think they are more central european than balkan..
standbymeme@reddit
I’m Slovenian ethnically but born in Australia, and having been a few times to the villages my family are from there is 100% more similarities in the vibe with Croatia then there is with Austria. I think the food and also the architecture of old town Ljubljana is more Central European so Slovenians like to use that as examples of why they are not Balkan, but they are to me definitely still Balkan (but as someone else said, the transition zone)
SoundConfident3925@reddit
You're confusing poverty with culture. Nearly 90% of Slovenian towns possess a medieval, Central European core identical to those found in Austria or Bavaria. And the vibe you're talking about isn't Balkan, because be sure we in Slovenia and Croatia (some parts) still commonly eat sauerkraut, a clear indicator of our connections with Sarajevo or Istanbul.
Honestly i bet my head, you never seen Slovenia not even on yt video. Čefur.
Particular_Acadia545@reddit
I think food/architecture wise it is hard to have it as a reference for „balkan“. Balkan should be geographically peninsula, and both Slovenia and Croatia are partially in it. With state of mind - i think it is both mixed. As a Croatian I put Croatians like 60% balkan. We have different regions, different architecture (Dalmatia vs Zagorje vs Slavonija vs Zagreb vs Istria vs Lika) and with that we have also have different food. Thinking of „balkan“ food, i would think heavy food like sarma, filled paprika, which I think dominates in Slavonija. Dalmatia/Istria has a lot sea food and then I would take it out as „Mediterranean/Adriatic“ compared to saying we are „Balkan“.
Ok_Tie_7564@reddit
While different parts of Croatia are very different from each other, I found the north-western part of Croatia (Zagorje) quite similar to Slovenia. Even their dialect (Kajkavski) sounds similar to the Slovenian language.
Defiant_Ad9767@reddit
TripleOtter@reddit
Central european buildings, balkan mentality.
Affectionate_Kiwi719@reddit
Only real use of term would be how they even started to use it, for politics.
Geographicly, def not.
Culture and history def not.
Never been under ottomans so could not be Balkan, def not during 1848 when it was used at Berlin Congres.
Only similarities is theres bunch Serbs and other there so they make it look like more Balkan.
RichAssociate534@reddit
We did not experience the war and war crimes from Serbia so our culture is not fuck up
DerpaNet3000@reddit
I have never been to Slovenia, but I play a lot of Geoguessr. In Slovenia I always get more Austrian vibes than Balkan vibes. By that I mean landscape, architecture, etc
MMortein@reddit
I think the border between the Balkan and "Europe" would be the Croatian and Slavonian military frontier
M3z0polis@reddit
It depends. If you go to parlament Pub in L'ingrés i Trg a Friday it's Austria. If you go a Wednesday is Bosnia.
Teabx@reddit
I have met some Slovenes and I think they do share some of the “balkan idiosyncrasies”, but they’re a bit more dialed down if that makes sense? I would consider them more central european that balkan, but this is based solely on those few individuals I have met.
SummersCold@reddit
https://youtu.be/bwDrHqNZ9lo
Particular_End_4917@reddit
Slavic European. Not balkanese
Acolyte_Truth_Seer@reddit
I travelled across majority of Slovenia 2 summers ago and it's the perfect combination of slavic, italian and germanic. Generally quite unusual compared to the other slavic-speaking countries
Junior_Research_821@reddit
Good ole topik of every balcan country trying to escale the balkan label lol
nickthesysadmin@reddit
27% of Slovenia is in the Balkans, practically based on the way of living they are Austrian, The fact that Croatia is their neighbor makes them very Balkan, the other item is 😂😂😂 all southern countries are fucking balkan and there aint a single thing you can do about it. The moment you cross the alps and pass Pyrenees you are in the Lazy countries, all tomato countries are like that, we say balkan I say south 😂 From Portugal to Romania and Bulgaria its freaking: we can do it later lands and go slow allow your self some time to think therefore 😂 Balkan. All drink and eat
Obladamelanura@reddit
Depends on region, bit no. National music is oberkraineg alpine music, national sport ski jumping amd skiing, national food krainer sausage potica nad struklji. But there is a lot of imigtants who make this picture a bit more balkan. In my region nobody thinks we are balkan as we eat weiner schnitzel and beef soup on sundays.
fireswalkwithme@reddit
TIL Slovenia has access to the sea! Dafuq
AP_dreamer@reddit
I consider Slovenia as part of the Balkan Peninsula, but overall we are a bit of a mix of Balkan and central Europe. This goes for the culture, architecture and our behaviour I would say. It also varies from area to area, but personally I would say we are more Central European. 🤷♀️
Emyhatsich@reddit
Yes. They are catholic, not orthodox. Used to be part of Austria - Hungary. Has close ties with Austria. Same could be said about Croatia. No strong ottoman influences. This is one of the reasons they are more developed.
CocoonNapper@reddit
When you bring as much order, meintenance, and structure as Slovenia has done in the last 20 years, you slowly drift away from the Balkan label. You're just too "snobby" at this point...
TheLeopardMedium@reddit
As a third-party traveler, Slovenia is absolutely more Central European than Balkan.
But don’t misinterpret that. I prefer the Balkans to Central Europe.
Toren6969@reddit
Tbh as a Czech I feel in Slovenia like I am at home. Even more than in Slovakia (minus the language). Like smaller and slightly more clean (more Austrian) home, but not stiff like Austria is.
I also like northern Croatia, but the vibe there Is defintelly different. Weirdly from my personal experience I see it like Slovenia = Czechia, Croatia = Slovakia and Serbia Is just Balkan version of Hungary.
electrash_@reddit
As Croat leave them from Balkan. It’s far better for them
Briefcase-3695@reddit
Bharny@reddit
If Slovenia is Central Europe, Croatia is aswell
MatchaAzra@reddit
They were never part of the ottoman empire which leads to a lot of cultural differences compared to the rest of the balkans. I think it is more periphery than balkans. But I do not really care if they consider themselve balkan or not. If they want to, fine with me. I just have very bad feelings towards slovenian people who act like the southern balkans are babaric compared to them. So I think there are very different perspectives on it, some people do everything to be middle european while others consider themselves balkans.
AstrophysicalP@reddit
This daily question and daily comment section argument makes Slovenia Balkan
TwNuOn@reddit
Yes, Slovenia is more like Czech Republic or Slovakia to me
v_rex74@reddit
Slovenian culture and mentality is pure central Europe. Problem is, they have great number of serbs, bosniaks and albanians who are dragging them down.
Street-Bluebird-5233@reddit
That is a Geographical limit between Balkan and Mittle Europa
Below horror, oriental despotism, Wymen get beaten get raped like it, above South Europe civilization wymen get beaten get raped but don't like it, remember Balkan - mittle Europa, don't forget it
Eastern_Fix7541@reddit
snif
Legitimate-Record90@reddit
Miss Melania Trump is from there so it’s known as the “brains of the Balkans”.
mladokopele@reddit
Interesting I thought she's Bosnian.
Legitimate-Record90@reddit
She’s not that intelligent 🤣
crivycouriac@reddit
I personally think we’re a cultural island without all too much similarity with anyone. That being said, the periphery factor does make us more Balkan than not.
medved76@reddit
Sweet Jesus.
General-Anywhere7168@reddit
Can it be both? 👀
Efficient_Resource15@reddit (OP)
I myself having only seen Slovenia from within my car travelling to italy I felt it looked closer to austria than any places in the balkans.
Closest I can compare it to is romanian transylvania which isn't even balkan, i'd dare say southern romania looks very balkan compared to either of them.
But I still know little qbout the local culture and how people behave and their overall identity.