View source for Municipality of Idrija

{{Article
| status       = PHOTO
| maintainer   = Admin
}}
{{Infobox
| name                = Municipality of Idrija
| localname           = Občina Idrija
| street              = Mestni trg 1
| town                = SI-5280 Idrija
| logo                = Grb-SI-5280.svg
| map                 = http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lon=14.03&lat=46.0026&zoom=14&layer=mapnik
| telephone           = 386 (0) 5 373 4500
| fax                 = 386 (0) 5 373 4531
| email               = obcina.idrija@idrija.si
| website             = http://www.idrija.si
| contacts = {{Contact
| name                = Tomaž Vencelj
| role                = Mayor
| email               = 
}}
}}


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{{image|Municipality of Idrija 2008.jpg}}

The [[Municipality of Idrija]] covers a total area of 294 square kilometres and has a population of 12,000 people living in 38 settlements. Idrija is a member of the [[Slovene Association of Historic Towns]] and the heart of the Slovene [[:Category:Mercury mining heritage|mercury mining heritage]], included in the [[:Category:UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Slovenia|World Heritage List]] in 2012. Apart from the second largest mercury mine on the world, Idrija distinguishes itself also for the oldest preserved theatre house in Slovenia, the first secondary school with lessons in Slovenian (since 1901), its tradition of punk bands since the late 1970s (Kuzle, Šund, [[Zablujena generacija]]...), and even more traditional, the [[Lace Festival, Idrija|Idrija Lace Festival]]. The municipality's strong economy is driven by the impressive Idrija-based international concern Kolektor and Hidria Rotomatika. 
}}

==Support of culture==
The Social Activities Department of the Muncipality of Idrija covers the field of education, sport, culture, science, health care, and social care; its tasks depend on legislation. Both of Idrija's municipal institutions, the [[Idrija City Library and Reading Room|library]] and the [[Idrija Municipal Museum|museum]], were established and are now financed jointly by the municipalities of Idrija and Cerkno. The preservation and restoration of cultural and technical heritage monuments is financed by the municipality as well as the state.

The municipality financially supports various cultural events, among them, the annual traditional castle evenings held in the restored castle atrium. It also supports the activities of various cultural associations and issues the cultural publication ''[[Idrijski razgledi Magazine|Idrijski razgledi]]''. The rich musical tradition of Idrija is reflected in its large number of children which enter music school.

{{YouTube|N09lDuUUrhY}}
Documentary on the Kuzle punk band from Idrija (2010, with English subtitles)

==Mercury mining heritage==
Idrija is marked by a [[:Category:Mercury mining heritage|500-year tradition of mercury mining]]. The mine was closed down in the 1990s but the town has preserved many technical monuments. Part of the old mercury mine has been transformed into the [[Idrija Mine Museum]] and the [[Gewerkenegg Castle]] (1533) now houses the [[Idrija Municipal Museum]]. Slovenia's oldest preserved theatre building, built by Maria Teresa of Habsburg, is also located in Idrija as the mining town flourished with the help of international technical intelligentsia brought here by business. In 2012 the ''Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija'' project was submitted to UNESCO and the heritage in Idria got inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

{{YouTube|gxLNQ9ox0GA}}

==Public Fund for Cultural Activities==
The local branch of the [[Union of Cultural Societies of Slovenia (ZKDS)]] brings together 17 local cultural associations (drama groups, choirs, painters, etc.) comprising about 450 members. The oldest-established of these is the [[Idrija Brass Music Association]], a brass orchestra with over 350 years of tradition. The local branch office of the [[Public Fund for Cultural Activities of the Republic of Slovenia (JSKD)]], located at the municipal headquarters, also assists local associations and organises cultural events.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Mercury mining heritage|Mercury mining heritage on Culture.si]]
* [[Idrija Mine Museum]] 
* [[Idrija Municipal Museum]] 
* [[Idrija City Library and Reading Room]] 
* [[Lace Festival, Idrija]]
* [[Historical Archives Ljubljana: Idrija Unit]]
* [[:Category:Municipalities|List of municipalities]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.idrija.si Municipality of Idrija website] (in Slovenian)
* [http://www.rzs-idrija.si Idrija Mercury Mine] 
* [http://www.idrija-turizem.si/en/1.nivo/heritage-of-city-idrija.html/ City of Idrija Heritage]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idrija Idrija on Wikipedia]
* [http://www.theatre-architecture.eu/en/db/?theatreId=241 The Miners' Theatre in Idrija], the history of the oldest theatre in Slovenia from the Theatre Architecture in Central Europe (TACE) web database
*[https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kuzle/145385511944 Kuzle, a punk band from Idrija on Facebook]

UNESCO World Heritage List 
*[http://www.mizks.gov.si/fileadmin/mizks.gov.si/pageuploads/novice/pdf/SPAIN_Slovenia_AB_evaluation_Almaden_Idrija_2012.pdf Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija (Spain, Slovenia)] (pdf)
*[http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2012/whc12-36com-inf8B1-en.pdf Evaluations of Nomination of Cultural and Mixed Properties to the World Heritage List by ICOMOS, 2012] (pdf, p. 339-352)


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[[Category:Municipalities]]
[[Category:Mercury mining heritage]]

[[Category:EU funding of Slovene organisations (Culture and MEDIA Programmes)]] 
[[Category:EU Culture funding recipient]]