Slovenian branch of Bilingualism Matters opens as part of AThEME project

students peform music school of Nova Gorica perform at launch of Slovenian Bilingualism Matters

On 25th November 2014, the Slovenian branch of Bilingualism Matters (“Večjezičnost Velja”) was launched at the University of Nova Gorica as part of the AThEME project.

Welcoming addresses were given by Dr. Rok Žaucer, director of the Center for Cognitive Science of Language, prof. Dr. Mladen Franko, vice-rector of the University, Sandra Sodini, director of the European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation (EZTS) and by Dr. Sara Andreetta, director of the new branch. Professor Sorace from the Bilingualism Matters HQ in Edinburgh gave a talk on the major facts, challenges and benefits of bilingualism. The talks were followed by a musical performance from students of the Music school of Nova Gorica.

The following day Professor Sorace held a public lecture entitled “Bilingualism: an investment for families and society” in Gorizia, on the Italian side of the border between Italy and Slovenia.

Both events were attended by an audience very interested in the topic of bilingualism! Indeed, in many cases they were bilingual themselves in Slovenian and Italian languages, due to the particular condition of living in the border between the two countries.