The Awakening of the Nation

The period of time is shown, when the territory was part of the multiethnic Austria Hungary. Its nations ruled by the Emperor Franz Josef Ith claimed their national and social rights. The Slovenes too cherished and developed their national consciousness through organizations in the fields of culture, education, economics and politics. As they were of paramount importance for the defence of the Slovene culture against Italian assimilation and irredentist tendencies it was in the ethnically bordering regions that cultural and educational associations were the most numerous. Initially they came into existence as reading societies, which began to be opened in the sixties of the 19th century. Important role of awakening was also done by the national awakening songs: a number of composers were active at that time. Some of their songs were so popular they gradually became part of the folklore. It was at that time that the first Slovene anthem was created and also the first anthem of Primorska.