Minorities without a kin-state gather in South Tyrol

What do the Roma, Sorbs, Frisians, Ladins, Pomaks, and Meskhetian Turks have in common? Their representatives belong to minorities that neither have their own state nor a neighbouring state where they form the majority population. As such, these minorities face very specific yet similar challenges when it comes to preserving and nurturing their respective cultures, languages, and identities. This makes it all the more important for them to unite and engage in regular exchanges – which takes place within the framework of the Non-Kin-State (NKS) Working Group under the umbrella of FUEN.

Between 29 May and 1 June 2025, the Non-Kin-State Working Group will hold its annual meeting – this time with the Ladins in St. Vigil in Enneberg/Al Plan de Maréo (Gadertal/Val Badia, South Tyrol, Italy). The conference is organised in cooperation with the Union Generela di Ladins dla Dolomites (UGLD). As the umbrella organisation of the Dolomite Ladins, the UGLD is committed to preserving and promoting the Ladin language, culture, and identity.

The focus of this year’s NKS annual meeting will be the use and visibility of minority languages at major events in the fields of sports, culture, and society. "This year’s meeting revolves around the question of how we as minorities without a kin-state can make our languages and cultures visible at major international events", explains Bahne Bahnsen, FUEN Vice President and spokesperson of the NKS Working Group.

The meeting will also address the importance of cultural richness in Europe. "In times of great change in Europe, it is crucial that we hold on to our linguistic and cultural diversity. At the same time, we must send a strong signal that we will cooperate even more closely and find a common European path", says Bahnsen, who himself comes from the North Frisian community. He emphasises that minorities without a kin-state make an important contribution to European identity: "We are the backbone of Europe’s linguistic and cultural heritage. Our communities have existed here for over 2,000 years – we love Europe, and we are Europe."

In addition to discussions on minority languages and tourism as well as multilingualism in South Tyrol, the programme will also include internal working sessions on the future of the Working Group. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the Ladin school system, the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, and various cultural and historical sites in the region. Another highlight will be a Ladin cultural evening.

The meeting will also provide numerous opportunities for networking with representatives of minority organisations from across Europe. Alongside Bahne Bahnsen, another FUEN Vice President will attend the meeting: Daniel Alfreider, Deputy Governor of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol and Regional Minister for Ladin Education and Culture, Infrastructure, and Mobility.

You can follow the progress of the meeting on FUEN’s social media channels.

Background: The Non-Kin-State Working Group within FUEN

The Non-Kin-State Working Group was established by FUEN in 2017 to give minorities without a kin-state the opportunity to discuss their specific concerns and challenges, to find solutions, and to develop joint strategies for preserving their small languages and cultures. Currently, it includes 40 organisations from 17 different countries. The group’s spokesperson is FUEN Vice President Bahne Bahnsen.

Website of the Working Group: nks.fuen.org