Vladni komisar Ivan Poljanec (1921)

slovenian

2017

volume 17, issue 3

Zgodovinsko društvo dr. Franca Kovačiča v Mariboru
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

Commissioner Ivan Poljanec preformed his function from January 1921 till the formal appointment of Viktor Grčar as mayor of the city in July 1921. With his appointment ended the period of commissioner-lead municipal politics. It also ended the three-year period that represented one of the most difficult times in the history of Maribor. It was a period of acclimatisation to the new political and social conditions. Maribor, in this new reality, in the new state the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians, had to face economic troubles. The city industry had to restructure. The new commissioner paid special attention to city's supply of energy, the development of trade and craft. This was also a time when the city had to deal with a loss of identity. The German citizens started leaving after they lost Maribor. The population census in 1921 confirmed that most inhabitants were Slovenians, but it was clear that the citizens of Maribor (of Slovenian origin) lacked tradition that had to be created later. They continued with the process of turning Maribor into a Slovenian city. At the same time the city authorities dedicated a lot of attention to culture. They financially helped the National Theatre, city cinemas, libraries, musical societies, and many others.

15.10.2021