Jože Kopeinig from Tainach/Tinje in Carinthia, Austria

Proposers: Dr Janez Dular, Slovenian Language Section of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, and Dr Peter Vencelj, Society of Catholic Teachers of Slovenia

He was born to Slovenian parents in St Peter am Wallersberg/Šentpeter na Višinjah. After leaving school he studied theology and, following a two-year curacy, he took over the running of the Catholic Education Centre in Tainach/Tinje. Jože Kopeinig is the soul of the Slovenian population of Austrian Carinthia, whether in the spiritual, cultural or educational spheres. From a simple pastoral centre, which served as a gathering place for Slovenian priests who were members of the Sodaliteta society (the only Slovenian Catholic professional society, which this year celebrates its centenary), under his leadership the centre has grown into a modern and successful institution in which there is space for - as well as priests and the Slovenians faithful from Carinthia - Slovenian artists from both sides of the border and from the diaspora. The centre is decorated by works of art by Slovenian artists. Exhibitions are held in the gallery. Concerts, recitals and other events are occasions to present poets, writers, actors and musicians and in this way consolidate pleasure in the Slovenian language and the Slovenian cultural and spiritual heritage. Since 1990 the Catholic Education Centre has been becoming more and more a pan- Slovenian and even international education centre, a space for dialogue between nations, cultures, faiths, etc. The range of events includes parochial events, general educational, cultural and specialist events, pastoral activities, political-reconciliatory events and genuinely folk events. The education programme includes courses, seminars, workshops, round tables, study trips and holiday trips, interfaith meetings, etc. In one year over 500 events take place, and an important added value of this rich cultural/educational activity lies in the fact that the events take place in both languages of the province and in this way contribute to mutual knowledge, cooperation and quality coexistence in an area that all too often sees political and national tensions. Dr Kopeinig has been the heart of all this varied activity for 37 years!