The writings of Tomazic, Bor, and Šavli nevertheless have to be placed within the somewhat chaotic renewal that Slovenian historiography is experiencing. Meanwhile, the majority of works that have appeared in the last few years deal with more recent subject matter (the Hapsburgs, the Isonzo [Soca] front, the Second World War), and permit the Slovenes to become acquainted with a past which was often buried or distorted by propaganda. These works attack the myth of the origins. One can blame them for tackling very superficially a subject which is as difficult as it is sensitive. As far as the Venetic theory in Slovenia is concerned, one has to point out that the published works, as well as the ensuing polemics, have served to awaken in the public at large an interest in history which cannot hurt this discipline. In our time, history is becoming more and more media oriented, and the historians, even the best known ones, participate in broadcasts of wide appeal. In Slovenia, which has only one history school and a limited one at that, other views - even if questionable - can only benefit research.
On the other hand, one cannot accuse the authors of the Venetic theory, who are after all only amateurs, of manipulating the public; whereas the official historiography, with all the knowledge of its specialists, has had no qualms about manipulating it for fifty years. As to the underlying problems raised by the Venetic theory, these go far beyond the Slovenian context and should be looked at from a regional, as well as a European point of view. The historical material stirred up by these amateurs appears to be so immense that it is difficult to believe in fast and simple answers. For example, to support arguments, based on etymology, appears, at the very least, premature. The uncertainties are numerous: the word korol or kralj - does it really come from Carolus as is believed [conventionally], or from Venetic curul as proposed by Šavli? note 29 The contradictions one finds in different national histories on the subject of the Veneti allow the development of a variety of hypotheses.
It is unfortunate that the specialists work in a closed circle, separated from one another. The Italian Venetologists might perhaps tarnish their reputations if they acknowledged the hypotheses of Bor, however improbable they might be. Could they be frightened of unleashing ideas of highly unpredictable dimensions about a possible link between their own ancient culture and the "Slavic barbarians" beyond their eastern frontiers? Only the specialists will be able to say if, amongst this enormous number of hypotheses, there are some valid ones. The unscholarly style, a text full of considerations that are concerned more with the problem of the image that the Slovenes have of themselves than with the history itself, does not make a strong case for the authors. But the energy, the labor, a distinct boldness, and a new, non-traditional viewpoint might re-launch research in a field that is still relatively poorly explored in Slovenia as well as elsewhere.
Despite their rough approach and being harnessed too strongly to the present time, the works of Tomazic, Bor, and Šavli bring a touch of fresh air to Slovenian historiography, and so, the younger, very promising generations are becoming familiar with a many-sided, and contested understanding of history. It would be a great pity to ignore such an important work. Quite to the contrary, it should delight historians even if some of the assertions provoke a burst of salutary laughter.
Professor Bernard's essay LA THÉORIE DES VÉNÈTES EN SLOVÉNIE which appeared in the Revue des Études Slaves, Paris LXX/1, 1998, is a welcome addition to the growing amount of material on the subject. Her observations concern not only Slovenes, but the entire region of central Europe.
She is apologetic for not having studied the Venetic theory more thoroughly, but it is clear she has considerable knowledge in the field, and her paper is well researched.
There are, however, a few details in need of correction. For example, in regard to Lusatian culture, Prof. Bernard states: "It has been impossible till now, despite numerous theories, to determine to which people it should be attributed." What matters, in our view, is that the Lusatian culture gave birth to new nations on the old pre-Indo-European foundation. The Proto-Slavic Veneti developed from the inner resources of this culture.
About the Veneti she says: "...one can locate the Veneti in several European and Asian places without being able to establish a connection between them." Obviously, the link among the Veneti in various places is their dissemination of the Urnfield culture. There is no doubt about that.
We refute her statement: "It would be dishonest to say that the three authors claim that the Slovenes descend directly from the Veneti." That is exactly what we claim. All our studies attempt to clarify this one point, namely, that Slovenes are direct descendants of the Veneti.
Another statement which needs some clarification is: "...they claim to have resolved, as if by magic, the problems that have plagued the specialists for more than a century...". From the very beginning our presentations were based on verifiable historical data, and there is nothing magical about that. We presented countless pieces of evidence which no historian, linguist, or archaeologist has been able to contradict so far. Nor are we making the same mistakes as our critics; that is, we are not presenting theories that we cannot substantiate.
Professor Bernard maintains our approach is not scholarly, but what could be more scholarly than presenting evidence and exploring it, as we have, in the greatest possible detail?
I would like to suggest that those who seriously wish to examine this problem point by point carefully read VENETI: FIRST BUILDERS OF EUROPEAN COMMUNITY - Tracing the History and Language of Early Ancestors of Slovenes by J. Šavli, M. Bor, and I. Tomazic. This is the most thorough work in the English language on the Venetic theory and its relation to the modern Slovenes. It presents an extraordinary number of details on every aspect of the subject covered by Professor Bernard.
VENETI: FIRST BUILDERS OF EUROPEAN COMMUNITY is published by Editiones Veneti, Vienna 1996, translated and printed in Canada, hardbound with an attractive dustcover, 534 pages, 150 illustrations, index. Price in the USA, Australia and other destinations $29.00 US, Canada $34.00 CAD. Postage included. Quantity discounts are available. To order this important publication write to: Anton Škerbinc Site 1, Box 17, R.R. 1 Boswell, B.C. V0B 1A0 Canada or Ivan Tomazic A-1080 Wien, Bennogasse 21, Austria.