| Abstract: | The article focuses on the public cultural engagement of the Gorizia-based women’s branch of the St Cyril and Methodius Society in the years leading up to the First World War. During the period of national conflicts that shook Austria–Hungary at the turn of the twentieth century, culture was an important building block of Slovenian national consciousness. The Slovenian national elite paid particular attention to this aspect and systematically developed a network of various cultural societies. By organizing public events, lectures, and training, founding libraries, as well as through a multitude of other initiatives, societies strengthened national consciousness in the Slovenian community and raised the level of education. In addition to cultural institutions, this framework encompassed societies whose scope of activities was primarily directed elsewhere. Among them was also the St Cyril and Methodius Society, which played a pivotal role in establishing and strengthening Slovenian educational infrastructure. This central Slovenian national defence organization in Austria–Hungary founded numerous branch offices throughout most of the Slovenian national territory. What made it particularly valuable was the high percentage of female membership, which also established independent branches and actively participated in public life. The Gorizia branch was one of its most notable organizations. In the period of Austria–Hungary, the town of Gorizia was a multinational centre in the crown land of Gorizia and Gradisca. During the period of nationalisms, the coexistence of the Slovenian, Italian, Friuli, and German communities gave rise to frequent conflicts. The Italian national elite, which held political power, used several levers to prevent the Slovenian community from being granted linguistic equality. The policy proved most effective in education, where the Slovenian community was denied the right to obtain a public Slovenian school in town; Slovenian cultural initiatives faced similar challenges. With its focus primarily on establishing private kindergartens and schools in Gorizia and its surroundings, the St Cyril and Methodius Society managed, at least in part, to compensate for the lack of Slovenian public education. Much of its success within the local environment was owed to its female branch, which was founded in 1889 and established itself as the nexus of Gorizia women’s national and cultural engagement. Women promoted the organization by holding a variety of charity and cultural events, such as concerts and plays. These served several different purposes, for example, providing opportunities to collect funds for Slovenian schools, promoting Slovenian culture, and strengthening Slovenian national consciousness among the wider public. Through their civic involvement, women obtained valuable organizational experience as well as greater public recognizability, which further contributed to their gradual emancipation. |
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