Poetry and Reading Must Return to Society

Poetry in Slovenia faces marginalization, a trend that runs parallel to growing concerns about declining reading literacy. While the Slovenian language, with its dual grammatical number and melodic qualities, is uniquely suited for poetry and has historically been preserved by writers and poets, its current place in society is precarious.

Poets and editors report that approximately 300 poetry collections are published annually in Slovenia, nearly one per day. This output might suggest poetry's strong presence in daily life, but the reality is quite different. Poetry has been pushed to the margins, read and purchased infrequently. Poets struggle with low pay and limited opportunities for earning a living from their work.

Historically, poetry has held a significant cultural role in Slovenia, often featured in national celebrations with works by classic poets like France Prešeren and Srečko Kosovel. However, this deep-rooted tradition is not translating into contemporary relevance or economic viability for today's poets. The article suggests a need to actively bring poetry back into the public sphere and societal consciousness.