Written in Slovenia - gov.si · On this occasion, the Statistical Office of the Republic of ... WRITTEN IN SLOVENIA 26-27 MADE IN SLOVENIA LESS IS MORE - KATJA AND JURE BRICMAN:

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ISSN 1854-0805

politicsenvironmentculturebusinesssports

2February 2006

Written in SloveniaInterview: Milan Dekleva and Karpo Godina

The Thermal Spas of Slovenia

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SLOVENIAINFIGURES


On 8 February Slovenia celebrates an official Day of Culture. It is not, however, merely a day off work. At first, this day com-memorated the giant of Slovene poetry, France Prešeren, but it later grew into a cultural holiday. Every year the state confers awards for special cultural accomplishments, the Prešeren Award and the Prešeren Fund Awards.

On this occasion, the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia issued data referring to Slovenia’s cultural life. They have established that there were 36% more books published in 2004 than 10 years ago. In 2004 there were 4,340 titles published in Slovenia, of which 3,686 were new, and 654 were reprints. Of all the books published, 74% were original first editions and 26% were translations. Most were fiction.

The latest data issued by the Statistical Office show that in addition to the National and University Library and the Cen-tral Technological Library, there are 55 university libraries, 137 specialized libraries and 61 general libraries. 648 school libraries were operating in Slovenian primary and secondary schools in 2002. The data also reveals that library visits have been increasing since the beginning of the 1990s, especially to general libraries, which can be observed from the number of units borrowed.

DAY OF CULTUREIn the season 2003/04 there were 35 theatres, groups and in-stitutes operating. Together they performed 5,137 shows. They had an audience of 1.052 million, 514,000 of them attending guest performances. Each theatre production was seen by 205 people on average. In the 2003/04 season, the Slovenian Philharmonic and five other professional orchestras gave 221 performances, attended by 173,000 people, of whom 57,000 attended guest performances. Each musical performance was seen by 785 people. In this season 49 cultural institutes and cultural centres staged 8,273 performances, which were seen by over 2 million visitors, half of whom saw guest per-formances. Over 2 million people visited 121 museums and museum collections to see various permanent or temporary exhibitions.

In 2003, 17 films were produced in Slovenia, ten more than in 2002 and considerably more than in previous years, exclud-ing 2000, when 17 local films were also made. 188 local and foreign films were distributed to cinemas. Films were seen by 2.9 million people, out of whom 244,000 or 8.5%, saw local film productions.

Cultural Indicators

Attendance (1000)

Museums and Professional Cinemasmuseum colections theatres

1991 1045 350 1792 9245 2459 444 41992 - 322 1588 11270 2136 441 31993 - 469 2343 11669 2440 454 11994 1809 452 2738 11973 2906 456 11995 - 468 2926 12812 3194 455 21996 2050 461 2714 13429 3441 458 31997 - 465 2503 14369 3647 470 31998 - 511 2569 15600 3722 470 41999 - 512 1965 16713 3976 471 32000 1516 502 2218 193512) 3917 5483) 172001 - 523 1791 21884 3598 5653) 92002 - 533 2689 18598 3735 6163) 72003 1534 539 2884 18701 4340 6193) 17

Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia

1. ) All library material since 1990.

2.) Home loans and inter-library loans. Source: National and University Library in Ljubljana.

3.) The number of legal and natural persons liable for radio and TV subscriptions on 31 December. Source: National and University Library in Ljubljana.

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Editorial: Government PR and Media Office, Director: Gregor Krajc, Gregorčičeva 25, 1000 Ljubljana, tel. +386 (0) 1 478 2636, fax +386 (0) 1 251 2312, www.uvi.gov.siEditor-in-Chief: Sabina Popovič, [email protected], Editor: Polona Prešeren, [email protected], Editorial board: Andreja Šonc Simčič, Vesna Žarkovič, Janja Knapič, Nataša Marvin, Nataša Pavšek, Production editing: Nataša Simsič, Translation: U.T.A. Miha Žličar s.p., Printed by: Tiskarna Pleško d.o.o., Number of copies printed: 3.500Available also at: http://www.uvi.gov.si/eng/slovenia/publications/sinfo

Government PR and Media Office: www.uvi.gov.siGovernment Institutions: www.gov.siSlovenian Tourist Board: www.slovenia.infoSlovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry: www.gzs.siSlovenian Chamber of Craft: www.ozs.siPublic Agency of the RS for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments: www.japti.siLjubljana Stock Exchange: www.ljse.siStatistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia: www.stat.siState Portal of the Republic of Slovenia: http://e-uprava.gov.si

8-1� WHAT MAKES THE NEWSA PEACE PLAN FOR DARFURSLOVENIAN WOMEN IN AMERICACOPERNICUS` BOOK DISCOVERED IN LJUBLJANAVICTORY FOR ANŽEJ

14-17 INTERVIEWMILAN DEKLEVA AND KARPO GODINA

22-25 COVER STORYWRITTEN IN SLOVENIA

26-27 MADE IN SLOVENIA LESS IS MORE - KATJA AND JURE BRICMAN: CATBRIYUR

�1-�8 THIS IS SLOVENIARIBNICATHE THERMAL SPAS OF SLOVENIA

42-46 SPORTDOGSLED RACING IN KRANJSKA GORACROSS-COUNTRY SKIINGDANCERS KATARINA VENTURINI AND ANDREJ ŠKUFCATELEMARK - AN ANCIENT SKIING TECHNIQUE

Sabina Popovič

Despite being such a small country, with a population that could fit into a suburb of an average world capital, Slovenia boasts a number of extraordinary men and women who are easily a match for anyone. In this issue, we present quite a handful of them.

In this month’s interview we talk to this year’s Prešeren Award winners, Milan Dekleva and Karpo Godina, two splendid artists, who have also received numerous other prizes. Poet, essayist and writer Milan Dekleva and film director Karpo Godina were awarded for their lifetime achievements, the former for literature, and the latter for cinema.

Katja and Jure Bricman, a successful married couple, who are both fine arts teachers by profession, but work as designers of chinaware, conceived their brand in their student years, naming it Catbriyur. The brand has become a synonym for artistic prestige and exclusivity.

The young Franci Rogač is especially well-known to children. His fairy tale heroes experience miracles brought about by their joie de vivre, faith, hope and love, values which he himself cherishes. Also known as Frakl, he is one of the most successful and original Slovenian fairy tale writers.

But the list of extraordinary Slovenes does not stop here. We must not forget to mention the dancers Katarina Venturini and Andrej Škufca, who have just recently won the prestigious title of World Champions in Latin-American dance in professional competition, and, of course Urška Drofenik, currently one of the top Slovenian fashion designers, who can compete with international fashion designers.

And there are many more interesting things to read. Enjoy!

Cover photo: Uroš Hočevar

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Monthly ReportBroadband Internet Connection on the Rise in SloveniaLjubljana, 14 January

Broadband Internet access saw a true breakthrough in Slovenia in 2005, as the number of broadband connections was three times higher in the January-October period over the year before, the Agency for Post and Electronic Communications said. According to the agency, the rise in broadband connections in Slovenia was much faster than the EU average, which only doubled in the same period. The agency moreover said that Slovenia has a number of

possibilities for broadband Internet connection to expand, which is a reason why operators have quite ambitious plans in this field. The number of broadband users increased especially after Telekom Slovenije unbundled its ISDN

STA, Vesna Žarkovič

digital telephony and ADSL broadband Internet packages in September 2005. After this, customers are no longer obliged to buy an ISDN package if they want to get ADSL. As part of this partnership scheme launched by Telekom together with Medinet, Perftech, Siol and Voljatel, more than 20,000 new ADSL broadband connections were set up only in the first two months after Telekom’s decision. According to the agency’s latest data, there are a total of 371,000 Internet connections in Slovenia. As many as 55% are phone connections, followed by ADSL with 28% and cable connection with 16%. The leading Internet providers in Slovenia are Voljatel, Siol and Arnes. Meanwhile, Siol, Medinet and Voljatel lead in providing ADSL connection (which holds 63% of all broadband connections), and Telemach, Arnes and KRS Tabor in cable access (36% of broadband access).

Gorenje, Arcont and Medex Top Rated Firms of 2005Ljubljana, 17 January

Household appliance group Gorenje, honey product maker Medex and Arcont, a manufacturer of doors and windows, have been named the top rated companies of 2005 by Slovenian rating firm I and its international partner Dun&Bradstreet. These companies have the lowest risk factors, they cover their liabilities in time, are successful performers and do not embark on risky operating or equity deals that might jeopardise their performance, rating firm I said on Tuesday about the companies’ A1 rating. The trio were selected from a shortlist of 10 companies, which had been selected among 444 firms with the highest rating; the number of the latter rose by 18% compared to the year before, deputy director of I, Andrej Brvar, said at the award ceremony.

Top rated firms in Slovenia are Arcont, Medex and Gorenje. Photo: Primož Lavre

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Monthly Report

EBRD Interested in Privatisation in SloveniaLjubljana, 19 January

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has said it was willing to invest several hundred million euros in privatisation projects in Slovenia, where it already has investments worth a total of EUR 588m.If the Government wishes that we take part in the privatisation, we are willing to invest, the head of the EBRD representation office for Slovenia, Francois Lecavalier, told the press in Ljubljana. Lecavalier expects that privatisation procedures would be launched in 12 to 18 months, or else they will not take place at all. The Government is doing its job in building a consensus, so it can be expected to take appropriate decisions, he said. According to him, it is time that the Government start trimming down its shareholdings in a gradual and controlled manner. It should let other investors in and create new jobs with this fresh capital, he said. The EBRD would like to take part in the privatisation of the Nova Kreditna banka Maribor (NKBM), Slovenia’s second largest bank, and the fixed-line telco Telekom Slovenije.

Government Takes Measures to Boost Phasing of EU FundsLjubljana, 19 January

The Government has taken financial measures to optimise the phasing of EU structural funds. The reallocations and granting of additional phasing rights will result in SIT 11bn (EUR 45.9m) in extra funds.Most of the extra funds will be earmarked for measures under the National Development Strategy and the Lisbon Strategy. An extra SIT 4bn (EUR 16.7m) will be funneled into projects for the technical development of small and mid-sized enterprises this year, with an additional SIT 2bn (EUR for 8.35m) for the promotion of innovation. Some SIT 5.5bn (EUR 23m) will be available for the development of tourist destinations and SIT 2.1bn (EUR 8.8m) for the training and education in the corporate sector. The Government said it had taken these measures despite a significant improvement in fund phasing since last year: by the end of 2005 the state published tenders for SIT 68bn (EUR 283.8m), or 87% of the available funds. These measures are crucial if the country is to use all available funds for the 2004-2006 programming period.The measures mean that the bulk of the funds will be used by the end of 2006, so Slovenia can focus in 2007 on activities that it will define in operational programmes for the next programming period.

Minister Drobnič Calls on Old EU Members to Lift Labour RestrictionsVillach, 20 January

Labour Minister Janez Drobnič said he hopes that a number of old EU member states would lift their restrictions for workers from new EU members as he attended an informal

meeting of EU labour ministers in Villach.Addressing the press on the margins of the meeting, Drobnič would not say which countries he would most like to see lift restrictions on labour from new EU member states, among them Slovenia. “Slovenia continues to underscore its wish for openness, for the free movement of services and labour. Slovenia poses no threats to other countries; other countries are not a threat to Slovenia,” he said. According to him, Slovenia hopes that some old EU members would open their labour markets to workers from Slovenia as early as this year. Apart from Austria and Germany, who have shown no readiness to lift restrictions, other old EU member states have expressed willingness to debate the lifting of restrictions, Drobnič said. However, Slovenia has entered into talks with Austria on possible exceptions to the restrictions, such as in the tourism and education sectors. He said that Europe needs to take measures to create a more flexible labour market.

Seaway’s Shipman Again Awarded European Boat of the Year TitleDüsseldorf, 23 January

The sailing yacht Shipman 63, made by the Slovenian company Seaway, has taken the European Boat of the Year honours at the nautics show in Düsseldorf. Another Slovenian boat, Elan’s Impression 344, topped the competition in the category of boats up to 10 metres.The Shipman 63, picked among 16 yacht shortlisted in the category of yachts longer than 14 metres, became the successful successor to the Shipman 50 model, which became the overall winner at the prestigious Düsseldorf show in 2004. The 19-metre carbon fibre boat was designed by Jernej and Japec Jakopin. It is the third independent product of the Seaway company (after Shipman 50 and Skagen 50). Seaway sells the vessel under the traditional Scandinavian trademark Shipman, which it acquired in 2003. Costing some EUR 1.5m, six Shipman 63 have been sold so far, making Seaway the world’s biggest producer of carbon fibre sailing boats. Seaway is already developing a 22-metre version of the boat, the Shipman 72, which is to be presented this spring. The Bled-based company and their in-house J&J

Minister Drobnič addresing the press. Photo: Arsen Perić

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Monthly Report

design office is the world’s biggest nautical development company. In 22 years of existence it has been responsible for more than 200 projects, which have led to the production of more than 41,000 boats in a total of 20 countries.

Government Takes a First Look at Privatisation ProposalsLjubljana, 31 January

Prime Minister Janez Janša’s economic affairs college reviewed the proposals for the privatisation of the banks NLB and NKBM, telco Telekom Slovenije and the energy sector, which the Government has received from expert groups it appointed last year.The meeting clarified certain dilemmas, but some questions remain open and new ones have appeared. The meeting was not designed to confirm or reject the proposals, but rather as a preliminary scrutiny of the proposals. The meeting featured the members of the PM’s college, the chairs of the privatisation groups, as well as supervisory and management board chairpersons of Nova Ljubljanska banka (NLB), Nova Kreditna banka Maribor (NKBM) and Telekom Slovenije. The working groups entrusted with drawing up of proposals for the privatisation of Slovenia’s largest banks, the national telco and the energy sector were established in November 2005.The proposals, which will not be disclosed before the Government has discussed them, are not binding for the Government, which argued that a second wave of privatisation is needed to ensure the competitiveness of the corporate sector. There is great interest in the proposal of the group assigned with the privatisation proposals for NLB. Media have speculated that the group is dissuading the state from allowing the Belgian financial giant KBC, a 34% owner,

to acquire a majority stake in the bank. Also according to unofficial information, the proposals for Telekom favour the privatisation of the telco as a group with a strategic partner, with the state keeping a 25% stake and the golden share. Telekom is the fixed-line utility, but the group includes the country’s biggest mobile provider, Mobitel, as well as the largest Internet service provider, Siol. The Government has also set up working groups for the privatisation of insurer Zavarovalnica Triglav and for the withdrawal of the Pension Fund Management fund (KAD) and Restitution Fund (SOD) from Slovenian companies. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has said it was willing to invest several hundred million euros in privatisation projects in Slovenia.

Euro Campaign Slogan “Euro - for All of Us”Ljubljana, 31 January

“Euro - for All of Us” will be the slogan that Slovenia will use in the information campaign in the run-up to the adoption of the euro in 2007. The logo and slogan will be used in the design of the web page www.evro.si, the information publications and all other activities. Slovenia has chosen its own slogan although the European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB) had proposed that the euro aspirants use one of their existing slogans. The decision was made by the euro campaign relations working group because of disagreements regarding the Slovenian spelling of evro versus the EU designation euro. Slovenia wants to bring the single European currency closer to the people, and in using one of the Commission’s slogans the spelling euro would have to be used. According to an agreement with the EU, Slovenia can use the spelling evro for domestic

Government discussing privatisation proposals. Photo: Arsen Perić

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use, but it has to use euro on cash and in EU legislation. Joaquin Almunia, the European commissioner for economic and monetary affairs, has said that Slovenia is currently fulfilling all criteria for the adoption of the euro, which it plans to introduce on 1 January 2007. If the assessment was made today, Slovenia would fulfill all criteria, he said in Brussels on 1 February. Yet since the risk assessment will be made in the coming months, the Commission will closely monitor the situation, as there are still some risks. According to him, this assessment places Slovenia in a more favourable position than Estonia and Lithuania, the other two EU members planning on adopting the euro next year. All three countries have made outstanding progress, Almunia said, adding that the achievements would not be overshadowed by the fact that not all may end up fulfilling the criteria by the end of the year.

Government Sets EU Agenda and Priorities for 2006Ljubljana, 02 February

The Government has adopted a draft declaration on Slovenia’s EU policy guidelines for 2006 and an action plan of EU-related activities. The document sets priorities for activities in the EU Council, including preparations for EU Presidency and the introduction of the euro, the implementation of Schengen border standards and the overhauled Lisbon Strategy, as well as preparations for the next financial perspectives and efficient use of EU funds.In preparations for the EU Presidency, Slovenia will focus on the programming aspect of chairmanship, conclude the staffing process and start training the staff. Event

logistics and media relations will also be on the agenda. Meanwhile, compliance with Maastricht criteria for euro adoption will dominate preparations for the adoption of the euro (scheduled for 1 January 2007) in addition to technical preparations for the changeover and the introduction of double price tags. The Government and the Bank of Slovenia will continue to carry out coordinated economic policies, whereby the preservation of fiscal discipline is crucial, the document reads. In preparations for the implementation of the Schengen border, meanwhile, emphasis will be placed on carrying out the recommendations made in an EU evaluation programme. The focus will be on the legal groundwork for the introduction of the Schengen Information System (SIS II) and preparations for the introduction of biometric features in visa procedures. Efforts related to the single EU market, especially services and energy, will be the focus of policies for the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy. Moreover, Slovenian officials will advocate the creation of an environment conductive of knowledge, research and education, as well as the lifting of restrictions on worker mobility, including the transitional period for workers from EU newcomers. As the country prepares for the 2007-2013 budget period, the authorities will work towards boosting EU cohesion funds and improving administrative capacity of all institutions taking part in the process. Slovenia will continue to be an active advocate of EU enlargement and participate in membership negotiations with Croatia and Turkey, whereby it will advocate compliance with all principles required in the previous rounds of enlargement, the document reads.

Slovenia to Achieve Average EU GDP in 8 Years at Current PaceLjubljana, 02 February

If Slovenia’s economy continues to grow at the rate as it did in 2005 relative to the 15 old EU members, it could achieve the average EU GDP sooner than in 8 years, according to the Economic Institute of the Ljubljana Faculty of Law.While the final GDP figures for 2005 are not out yet, the institute forecasts in its latest edition of Economic Trends that the economy will expand to the tune of 4.5% this year. However, should economic growth abroad lag 20% behind projections, Slovenia’s GDP would grow by only 4.1% due to a slowdown in exports, imports and investments. According to the institute’s projections, faster growth in the EU and “normal” domestic economic activity could significantly accelerate exports and imports. As a result, inflation would hover around 2.2% this year and the rate of unemployment drop substantially after a temporary increase early in the year. The institute is upbeat about the effect of petrol prices, saying that an increase similar to last year’s (12%) would affect only inflation, edging it up 0.2 percentage points to 2.4%. Yet in the event that oil gets “radically” more expensive (over 20% on an annual level), inflation could soar to above 3.1%. Analysing data for 2005, meanwhile, the report finds troubling signs of wage growth outpacing nominal GDP growth, especially in the tradeable sector, against a backdrop of

Slovenia will adopt euro in 2007. Photo: Leon Vidic

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WHAT MAKES THE NEWS

Slovenian President Janez Drnovšek Puts Forward a Peace Plan for DarfurAndreja Šonc Simčič, photo: Primož Lavre

In his quest to solve the crisis in the Darfur region of western Sudan, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Janez Drnovšek, has prepared a peace plan which has been proposed to the conflicting parties, i.e. the Sudanese Government and rebel groups. Two of the main rebel movements, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), have already announced that they support Drnovšek’s proposition. Both the SLA and the JEM consider the initiative as a sound ba-sis for the completion of a peace agreement, and are will-ing to discuss this matter with the Sudanese Government. The President has been seeking to hold negotiations between the conflicting Sudanese factions in Slovenia. Otherwise, he has proposed that the peace agreement could be signed in Germany.

The President has also announced that in the coming days, he would send his representative to Khartoum to meet with the Sudanese President, Omar Al Bashir, and try to conclude the negotiations with the government. President Al Bashir has already confirmed to Drnovšek that he would participate in talks held in Slovenia, although he wishes to dispatch his own team of experts beforehand. Drnovšek’s representative, Tomo Križnar, is already on location in Darfur, talking to the rebel groups. President Drnovšek explains: ‘’They are well acquainted with our propositions and have already communicated certain comments to us. We will try to coordinate them with the government side.’’ The Sudanese President, Omar Al Bashir, strongly appreciates President Drnovšek’s initiative and thanks him for the care and interest he has expressed about the conditions in Darfur. He sees this as a gesture of friendship, stemming from a genuine and sincere intention to help find a definitive peaceful solution to the conflicts in this part of Sudan. Mr Drnovšek’s plan links political and security solutions with special provisions that require the reaction of the international community, foreseeing the release of frozen EU funds for development assistance to

Sudan and funds promised at the Oslo Donors’ Conference in 2005. The President has announced the proposed peace plan to the US State Department, ambassadors of the UN Security Council Permanent Members, and ambassadors of states monitoring the Abuja negotiations, as well as to Austria, which currently presides over the EU. The basic element of the proposed peace agreement is to extend, in accordance with the situation in Darfur, the solutions determined by the 2005 North-South peace agreement in Sudan. The Darfur region wishes to be in an equitable position in the making of national political decisions and in the distribution of natural resources, especially oil, in order to ensure adequate development.

Besides the basic political solutions, the Drnovšek peace plan focuses strongly on security questions and security arrangements. He has addressed the presidents of Lybia

and France, requesting President Ghadafi carry out what he proposed in his offer and send 3,000 troops

to the Sudanese side of the border with Chad as soon as possible, and asking President Chirac for

the assistance of French troops stationed at a French military base in Chad to help the Chadian Army with border control and the assurance of security on the Chadian side of the border with

Sudan.

President Drnovšek also talked to the Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša

about efforts concerning Darfur. They discussed the coordination of the initial activities of Slovenian

humanitarian organizations, until their activities, which are

to commence in the next few days, start yielding results. Prime Minister Janša has agreed that Slovenia should send the Rol 1 Mobile Military Hospital, which has proven to be efficient.

The EU and, prior to that, the UN Secretary-General and

the US Government, have all welcomed President Drnovšek’s

initiatives towards solving the crisis. The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, is also involved in these collective efforts and supports the idea of convening a Special Conference on Darfur.

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WHAT MAKES THE NEWS

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And the Guest Star is…Vesna Žarkovič, photo: Marko Čufar

This year the newspaper The Slovenia Times in collaboration with Radio Slovenia International again selected the most highly regarded expatriates in Slovenia in their 2005 Guest Star Campaign. The Nominees and the Award Winners were presented at the final event in Kranjska gora, which offered also genuine communication and pleasant socializing.

In the category Diplomacy the former Turkish Ambassador to Slovenia, Balkan Kizildeli, was the most convincing and was declared foreign diplomat of the year in Slovenia. He convinced the jury with his contribution to openness and development in Slovenian society, Radio Slovenia International declared.

The award has been conferred for the second year running by two of the largest Slovenian media outlets oriented at foreigners, the newspaper The Slovenia Times and Radio Slovenia International radio station. At the ceremony staged at the popular ski resort of Kranjska Gora, the two media outlets also awarded the title of most popular foreigner living in Slovenia in the areas of business, sports and culture, as chosen by readers and listeners.

Austria’s Andreas Maierhofer, board member of Slovenia’s second largest mobile operator Simobil, became foreigner of the year in the field of business. Russia’s Edouard Kokcharov, member of the country’s handball champion club Celje Pivovarna Laško, was named sportsman of the year. In the field of culture, the winner of the popularity contest was the Chinese painter Huiqin Wang, who has lived in Slovenia for the past 20 years.

The Guest Star in Diplomacy, former Turkish ambassador Balkan Kizildeli, said that he was pleasantly surprised by the kindness and optimism, decisiveness, diligence, discipline and also self-criticism of Slovenes. He finds Ptuj the most enchanting place in Slovenia, and he likes Refošk best among Slovenian wines. He is also responsible for the unique

collection in the Regional Museum Ptuj, Ottoman Portraits of 17th Century.

The Guest Star in Business, Andreas Maierhofer, has witnessed some essential changes in politics and economy. He is convinced we have a bright future ahead. He likes Slovenia because of its small area and its simplicity; he also enjoys seafood cuisine and the wines from Goriška Brda. He thinks of Slovenes as open European people and likes being among them.

The Guest Star in Sports, Edouard Kokcharov, likes the Slovenian mentality because he says it is similar to the Russian. He was pleasantly surprised by the support of fans in Slovenia.

The Guest Star in Culture, Huiqin Wang, works in different fine art techniques from drawing to photography, collage and installations. She does not limit her paintings to the classic two dimensions with the illusion of space, but by using inox light objects, creates paintings reminiscent of television, shop windows, the beat and illusion of modern times.

The Guest Star Campaign is a project of the newspaper The Slovenia Times and Radio Slovena International in cooperation with their partners, which recognizes those expatriates among us that with their talents and personalities contribute substantially to the development and openness of Slovenian society. The purpose of the campaign is to bring closer to the public people who are not of Slovenian descent but have decided to live among us. Thus they help create a modern and cosmopolitan society enriched not only by its own cultural heritage and identity, but also by living with other nationalities. Last year’s Guest Stars were: Christine Okresek, chairman of the Österreich Institut (Austrian Language Institute), Richard Allen Johnson, president of Sava Tires, Marlene Ottey, athlete, and Christoph Steidel Porenta, renovator and jeweller.

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WHAT MAKES THE NEWS

For the past 79 years, the Slovenian Women’s Union of America (SWUA) has been living a legacy. This is our story that we want to share.

It was called mass immigration. Slovenes left their homeland looking for the American dream. For many it was just that, a dream, as life in America was difficult. “Women especially, felt the need for something to unite them”, recognized Marie Prisland. Therefore an organization uniting the Slovenian women living in America would serve as an “open forum for all women of Slovenian birth, where they could freely express their opinions and, at the same time, learn the lessons that their more fortunate sisters had gathered while living in this country”. On December 19, 1926, the Slovenska Ženska Zveza v Ameriki was founded in Chicago, IL. With written rules and by-laws, this organization was meant for longevity. Membership was not easy. One had to become a US citizen, which required knowing the English language. Slovenian women became role models for their children and to each other, the beginning of life long learning. In 1929, Zarja (The Dawn) became the official magazine of the SWUA. Zarja was, and continues to be the binding force of the organization. Through the years there were additions. In 1949, a scholarship programme began. Over 300 college and continuing education scholarships have since been awarded. In 1978 the Slovenian Heritage Museum was established. This museum and library holds artifacts and archives donated by Slovenian Americans. The library has a database of over 1,000 books. Five years ago a website and on-line newsletter were added.

Today, membership is open to men, women and youth. Vision, mission and purpose statements were written in 1999. This Mission Statement has become the main focus for future planning: To reach individuals by uniting them through their common interest in Slovenian culture and tradition.In recent conversations with agencies in Slovenia, discussion centered around today’s hurdles. Our founding members are gone, the USA is a nation of immigrants, and we have an eclectic population. In the United States, Slovenian ancestry is but a fragment of the population. Families of 100% Slovenian ancestry have become a mixture of heritages in just a few generations. Slovenia too, has experienced change. Gaining independence and becoming a member of the Euro Nation has catapulted Slovenia before the world’s eyes. Today, Slovenes are living around the globe. Despite all these changes, one fact remains constant. We share an ancestry. A newly written SLOVENIAN HERITAGE CODE could create a new direction. With just a few changes in wording, the SWUA Mission Statements could become the SLOVENIAN HERITAGE CODE. Its vision is to preserve the living spirit of our Slovenian ancestors by promoting and nourishing the legacy left to us for future generations. Its mission is to reach those of Slovenian origin by uniting them through their common interest in Slovenian culture and traditions. And its purpose is to provide resources, communication, and foster friendships in honour of our cultural heritage. The Slovenian heritage is seeped in tradition. By creating collaborative and innovative projects using the rich talents of both countries, Slovenian traditions would continue being the focal point of family celebrations for generations!

Perhaps France Prešeren said it best:To whom with acclamation And song shall we our first toast give? God save our land and nation And all Slovenes where’er they live, Who own the same Blood and name, And who one glorious Mother claim

Our hope now, our to-morrow -The youths …..(Translation by Janko Lavrin)

The story of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America continues when in June 2007, we will celebrate our 80th anniversary!

For more information visit www.swua.org

Slovenian Women in AmericaTekst and photo: Mary Lou Voelk

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WHAT MAKES THE NEWS

Copernicus’ Book Discovered in Ljubljana Library Vesna Žarkovič, photo: National and University Library in Ljubljana

sinfo february 0611

At the National and University Library (NUK) they made a surprising and quite extraordinary find, a second edition copy of Copernicus’ De revolutionibus from the year 1566. The discovery, which was completely unexpected, was made around New Year in NUK by a Slovenian physicist Dr Stanislav Južnič. The priceless 440-year-old work was once the property of the Ljubljana Jesuits. It is among the most precious books in the world, but its find also sheds new light on the astronomical and other accomplishments of our ancestors.

The discovery was indeed wholly unexpected and most surprising. It was precisely this book by Copernicus that put a characteristic stamp on modern science, and its presence in Ljubljana shows again that its inhabitants at the time were active supporters of the early development of the mathematical sciences.

The book found in Ljubljana is bound in well-preserved white vellum. To bind the inside of both covers two manuscripts of as yet unknown origin were used. At the time when the ownership inscription in it was made, in 1754, Baron Bernard Ferdinand Erberg of the Dol pri Ljubljani Mansion was a professor of mathematics and philosophy at Ljubljana colleges. In the spirit of the reforms proposed by Maria Theresa he acquired many new books and over fifty pieces of experimental equipment for instruction at the Jesuit College. In many respects Erberg became a founder of modern methods in teaching exact science. The book was printed in Basel, Switzerland on watermarked paper exhibiting the same marks as other copies held elsewhere.

After a fire in 1774 only around a thousand books survived from the former Jesuit college library at St. Jacob’s in Ljubljana. In the following year around one half of the books were catalogued with large numbers placed on their front covers. NUK keeps many items not included in this catalogue bearing the Ljubljana Jesuits’ ownership inscription on the front cover, including the precious second edition of Copernicus. The exceptional treasures of former Ljubljana libraries do not come as a surprise, for it is common knowledge that a good century ago the Turjak Mansion once standing on the site of today’s NUK was home to probably the best baroque library in Europe. The treasures of the Turjak library were later taken abroad, but they bear witness to an exceptional love for books in Ljubljana.

And where was the mistake? According to NUK, the book was catalogued under the wrong year in the 200 years old record by Matija Čop, otherwise one of the more notable Slovenian patriots, and the recorded mistake was carried over into the electronic catalogue.


MISS SLOVENIA SANJA GROHAR DID NOT WIN A SIGNIFICANT PLACE IN THE FINALS OF THE MISS WORLD COMPETITION IN CHINA, BUT MANY REMEMBERED THE DRESS THAT SHE WORE MORE THAN THEY DID THE DARK-HAIRED EXOTIC BEAUTY. THE GOLD DRESS, WORTH OVER €4,500, MADE FROM 20 METRES OF THE FINEST SILK, AND OVER A THOUSAND OF HAND-SOWN SWAROWSKI CRYSTALS, WAS CREATED BY URŠKA DROFENIK, WHO IS CURRENTLY ONE OF THE BEST SLOVENIAN WOMEN FASHION DESIGNERS, WHO CAN COMPETE WITH THE WORLD OF HAUTE COUTURE.

Urška Drofenik, Fashion Designer:

A Slovenian Woman Is Conquering the WorldAndreja Comino, photo: Vito Tofaj

Urška, who is turning 30 this year, has accomplished all that one can in Slovenia. There is hardly a singer, a presenter, an actress, a journalist or a business woman for whom Urška has not created a luxurious evening gown, wedding or some other dress for which she has been awarded in Slovenia and abroad. Her clothes can easily compete with those of the world’s most prestigious fashion designers.

All of this must have been noticed in Milan, the fashion capital of the world, since Urška’s designs have appeared in prestigious publications, such as Book Moda and Collezioni, where fashion names like Armani, Gaultier Paris, Gianni Molaro, Zuhar Murad, Christian Lacroix and others present their designs. Urška was invited to Italy a long time ago. ‘But the opening of a fashion studio there would be a tremendous responsibility, which is the reason that I did not choose Milan to first present my clothes, but Rome and Naples instead’, Urška told us enthusiastically, and added that she had

WHAT MAKES THE NEWS

Urška Drofenik is helped by more than 5 dressmakers, who make over 200 evening, wedding, prom and other dresses annually.

already sold this and next years’ collection. She has been invited to participate in fashion shows in Beirut, Dubai and elsewhere in the world where women crave prestigious evening dresses. At the beginning of this year Urška made one other important move, opening a big fashion studio in Rogaška Slatina. Now all the women who wish to own one of her designs can buy one there.

Another of her ideas will be realized soon, with the help of bag designer Mateja Glavnik, shoe designer Peter Skubic, the jewellery company Zlatarna Celje and others. A show of haute couture in one single place will come alive at the prestigious Sela Mansion in Ljubljana. All the whims and desires of women eager to find everything to look elegant from head to toe in one place will be fulfilled. This is what the petite, yet determined and modest Urška, who earned her first cash in the fourth grade of primary school when she was making colourful shorts for her classmates, has achieved!


WHAT MAKES THE NEWS

Victory for Anžej

Andreja Comino, photo: Vito Tofaj

Although January is a month when musicians rest after De-cember’s appearances at concerts and folk festivals, the national television network RTV Slovenia cut their holidays short as they had to prepare for the national song contest (EMA) for the Eurovision Song Contest. Even though there can be only one winner, the musicians put a lot of effort into their appearance at the most prominent music festival in Slovenia, since it provides excellent publicity for the entire year. EMA took place in the television studio of RTV Slove-nia on 29 January. Between the acts performed by fourteen singers and bands, actors Janez Škof, Aljoša Ternovšek and Boris Kobal made skilful appearances, this time trying themselves out as show hosts.

The screenwriter Marko Pokorn, co-writer of Naša mala klinika (Our Little Clinic), the hit show airing on Slovenia’s largest commercial television station, envisioned this year’s EMA as a show of talents, with Aljoša Ternovšek playing the role of a clumsy boy set on establishing himself as a singer with the help of his ambitious mother (Škof) and stylist (Kobal). Of course, the script was rich with humorous inserts and satirical references to the current political situation and the music scene. But the three men navigated well among the singers Nuška Drašček, Natalija Verboten, Rebeka Dremelj and Domen Kumer, Sergeja, Saša Lendero, Andraž Hribar, Marijan Novina, the band Atomik Harmonik, Maja Slatinšek, Ylenia, Anžej Dežan, the Katrinas, Monika Pučelj and Alenka Godec. Although Natalija Verboten and Atomik Harmonik were believed to be the favourites, the viewers of TV Slovenia and the expert committee decided otherwise. Via mobile and landline telephone voting, television viewers awarded the most points to Saša Lendero and if the five-member expert committee (consisting of Martin Žvelc, music producer and collaborator on Eurovision Song Contest projects, Nataša Assejev, first editor of EMA and long-time follower of the Eurovision Song Contest, Dragan Trivič, the winner of the 1993 national contest for the Eurovision Song Contest, head of the legal department of RTV Slovenija and musician, and Črt Sojar Voglar, musician and member of

the Society of Slovene Composers) had awarded her song a single point, victory would have been hers. Instead of the fair-haired Saška, the committee’s vote went to Anžej, who was struggling to speak and glowing with joy over his victory, overcome with emotion. “My victory was a complete surprise, and what I would like the most in Athens is to charm the audience with my voice and my genuine love for the Eurosong contest.” Anžej promises that his appearance in Greece will be explosive, cathartic and fierce. It is not yet clear whether his song will be slightly modified (the rules allow him to be accompanied by more backing singers, and even a slight change in rhythm) and what kind of outfit the young Anžej will wear on the stage, but there is no doubt that the young man from Celje will try to succeed where his predecessors have failed – to make it to the very top of the Eurosong.

Who is Anžej Dežan?Anžej, who will be celebrating his nineteenth birthday in June this year, is one of the most versatile young people around. He is a journalist, singer, television host, website editor, public relations representative with a variety of other interests. Music has held his interest since he was a little boy, and three years ago, he began taking singing lessons with Dada Kladnik. When she believed her student had learned enough, she sent him to the talent show Bitka talentov (Battle of the Talents), which is part of the popular Sunday family show Spet doma (Home Again). He won second place, which proved to be an excellent launching point for his singing career. Behind the scenes, he made friends with numerous Slovenian singers, such as Nuša Derenda, Alenka Godec and others. Born in Celje, Anžej was given a name typical of the Koroška region by his mother, who sings in a choir, while his father plays keyboards. Apart from music, he is also very interested in fashion; he is a true fashion chameleon who can please even the most critical eye.


INTERVIEW

This year’s winners of the Prešeren Award are

MILAN DEKLEVA and KARPO GODINA

POET, ESSAYIST, AND WRITER MILAN DEKLEVA, AND FILM DIRECTOR KARPO GODINA RECEIVED THE AWARD FOR THEIR LIFE WORK, THE FORMER FOR LITERATURE AND THE LATTER IN THE FIELD OF CINEMA. BOTH WINNERS ARE HIGHLY REGARDED ARTISTS AND HAVE THEREFORE BEEN AWARDED VARIOUS PRIZES ON OTHER OCCASIONS FOR THEIR CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS.

Milan Dekleva:

“For me, everything is worthy of a poem.”

Vesna Žarkovič

Photo: Primož LavrePhoto: Arsen Perić

sinfo february 0615

interview

You have published fifteen collections of poems, received numerous prizes, written prose works, both novels and other books, as well as children’s musicals. In 1989 you received the Prešeren Fund Award for your creativity, in 1991 the Jenko Award for the most original book of poetry, in 1995 the Župančič Award, which is awarded by the City of Ljubljana, and in 2003 the Veronika Award. This year you were awarded the most prestigious Slovenian prize in the arts, the Prešeren Award. When receiving a prize, one is given a chance to transcend oneself and look back on one’s own creativity. What do you see when you look back on your own creativity?

I’ve been writing for the last 30-35 years, during which period my work has matured to its true value. We’re actually talking about a literary oeuvre which spans a considerable period. The Prešeren Award is, I hope, solid proof that my work hasn’t been in vain.

You have said yourself that you keep looking for ways between the poetic heights and philosophical breadth. What does that mean in terms of life itself?

In ancient times poets were called the keepers of the bond between heaven and earth. Nothing has changed since. The relation has remained the same. People who were placed between heaven and earth are too conceited to be interested

in the bond; they are more and more preoccupied with their own power. Hence a harmony has been shattered and the bond has largely disappeared. If people forget about the bond, the consequences will take a heavy toll. By living in finite nihilism, people have completely subjugated the world and have turned against themselves. It is only the potential of reason that they use thus eating their own substance. That is why I say that poetry aims at the heights, whereas philosophy enshrines a breadth of thought and opens up horizons of meaning. In this way, a person is caught in these two basic co-ordinates. If merely one predominates, the balance is broken.

Do people nowadays live poetically?

Less and less. If we lose the memory of what we really are as mortal creatures who try to overcome the barrier, we will no longer be identical beings anymore. We will become something else, and the world will change dramatically.

You say that life has drained people.

Yes, without a doubt. We have environmental issues, we have smeared and scarred the world, perhaps even permanently damaged it. By venerating capital, nothingness acquires a cosmic vastness. Capital is completely impersonal and inhuman. It is alarming that we are unable to perceive the

Photo: Arsen Perić


interview

dead end of our journey and still uncontrollably participate in it. It is what we refuse to see that poses a real threat. A desolate soul is what I have in mind. Globalisation ousts local character and by doing so diminishes the cultural and civilisational memory of a family, tribe, nation, of all the things which used to define the world. The internet, which strives to connect the world, globalises in a way that renders things monosemous, the local becomes an obstacle which has to be removed as soon as possible.

Is a poet made or born?

It’s hard to say; however, it’s a fact that virtuosity consists of 90 per cent of work and 10 percent of talent, or something which is close to sacredness. Poets have always been perceived as closest to the gods, even when they played, at a time, the role of medieval jesters. Poetry has always been connected to spiritual healing, with shamans. Even narrators, such as minstrels, maintained a memory of spiritual postulates, of eternal values. It is the wholeness of the world that is uttered in each poem where one becomes in harmony with everything that surrounds one. I don’t like it when poetry is thought of as something sacred, such as language par excellence which refers to itself and talks only of its essence. No, the essence of a language lies in surpassing a human and a nation; it is a nation’s collective memory – logos. In the beginning there was word. A word in human understanding still bears the gods’ touch, but a tinge of perfection is only possible through momentary experience, poetic enlightenments.

How much does modern society require poetry?

A great deal. This world has become fairly wild in its functionality and the abundance of information. Literature and poetry are the mysterious path towards a purer Being. When reading, we are harmonious with the chosen rhythm, which is, as a matter of fact, the rhythm of the heartbeat. Literature is relaxation. We read in the natural rhythm of the body. A poem can be read as a refuge from the panic which accompanies us from dusk till dawn. Literature is not aggressive. It calmly waits for us to approach it and start absorbing it. It stands for some sort of meditation in everyday life. When we read poems they reveal to us what is truly valuable in life.

Where does all this creativity come from?

I am inquisitive by nature, and everything is of interest to me. For me, everything is worthy of a poem. In a world without privileged things, there are no privileged emotions. Everything is a miracle; one can experience infinity in practically anything. It is precisely the relation between an individual and the wholeness of the world which keeps stirring me. It is important not to glide on the empty surface of the world, which imposes certain useful patterns of how to behave, feel, or spend free time. This is violence. Inquisitiveness as a revolt against forced rules and regulations is more than welcome and this is how I picture the public work.

The work of editor of children’s programme on National TV?

Yes. We do not want to promote MTV’s patterns of behaviour, models which exploit teenagers and children and judge the

world only through the eyes of consumerism. We would like to challenge youngsters to watch TV actively; we would like to stir them to an extent which would make them respond to problems on their own.How do you see the public for which your programme is made?

Children are definitely the purest part of this world. They do not have shields yet, they do not know how to behave according to the rules of the adult world, they are not fully absorbed in our machinery of production and consumption. They are so near to birth, and every child is a birth of the universe. A cosmic cycle repeats itself in every being, from the big bang to its last breath and silence. To me working for children is the most sensible thing out of the nonsensical.

Your cinematic oeuvre is impressive: as a director of photography and a cameraman you have made twenty-three feature films, twenty-six short films, twelve television films and series, five short documentaries, and thirteen amateur films. As an editor you have worked on six feature films, seventeen short films, eleven television films and series, and six amateur films. In 1980 you directed your first feature, The Raft of Medusa. Altogether you have directed four full-length films, seven short films, eight TV films and series, five short documentaries, and six amateur films. You have made approximately four hundred propaganda films and received more than forty domestic and other international awards. You have directed full-length, short and feature films, documentaries, and TV films. With all of the films you directed you participated in the official programmes of the most prestigious international film festivals and won numerous awards. And now you also received the Prešeren Award. How do you interpret the fact that this year it was awarded in the field of cinematic art?

It was about time. It reflects my whole career, if not my lifetime achievement in cinematography. However, it is true that film, in the field of the arts, has rarely received the Prešeren Award. I am the fourth film director, following France Štiglic, Igor Pretnar and Matjaž Klopčič, to receive this award. In comparison to writers, actors and theatre directors, film directors are still underrated.

Karpo Godina:

“You have to prove yourself all the time.”

sinfo february 0617

interview

How much have your versatile professional roles influenced you as a film director?

The Academy of Theatre, Film, Radio and Television is a kind of exception to other academies in Europe. We educate only directors. However, in some other academies around the world, other people who work closely with the director when making a film are also trained. Mastering knowledge in photography, writing screenplays, and editing are of course big advantages, since all this knowledge influences one to adopt a more integrated approach to work. When I went to university, I wanted to study to become a cameraman, but since it was not available in Ljubljana I studied film and TV directing instead.

How did the loss of the Yugoslav film market influence your work?

I was lucky to be invited to The Academy in 1990, where I work as a university lecturer on film directing and camera for directors. I almost declined the proposal, because until that moment I had always been a freelancer and did not want to give up this status; but luckily I accepted the professorship. First of all, because I love doing the job; and secondly, because I would not have been able to survive in the Slovenian market. Until that moment, I had mainly been working in the Yugoslav market. As a lecturer, I train young people who have to be given a chance.

Do you first write a screenplay, or you choose actors beforehand?

I am one of the few who first write a screenplay and then choose the actors. I am not afraid of not finding the right ones.

How does the state respond to cinematic art?

I hope we are facing better times. Until recently, the Slovene National Theatre Drama Ljubljana had more money than the whole of Slovenian film-making. But the new Minister of culture has promised to balance things.

What are you currently working on?

Not long ago I handed in a new project which the Slovene Film Fund turned down because I had not enclosed proof

of permanent residence. This kind of bureaucratic attitude really upsets me. You are put on hold for a few years just like that. The situation is that nobody offers anything to anybody. You have to prove yourself constantly. Nobody has even a slight advantage, not even those who proved successful in the past. I miss some sort of continuity which we could build on, and professional support as well. In this way, despite all my achievements in the past, I am standing in the same line with others, I have to prove myself all the time. The film industry still requires large amounts of money, so fierce competition between ‘managers’, or some sort of lobbyists is a well-known fact. But it is us the film makers that move slowly in this infinite queue which leads to the doors of the Slovene Film Fund. At the same time I am happy about the success of the upcoming generation.

In your line of work, creativity is of vital importance. Where do you get it from?

From everyday life. My films are about current affairs; also the media and their stories are a rich source. I regularly cut out newspaper articles and interesting stories just the way my father used to do. A great deal of creativity and vigour also comes from my children. I am a father of five. They are between 11 and 37; four daughters and one son, from four mothers. They fill me up and mean the world to me.

What sort of films do you most like directing?

My three features can be regarded as a trilogy whose main theme is art. The Raft of Medusa puts the Yugoslav artistic avant-garde at the centre; The Red Boogie, music, and Artificial Paradise, film. Also Stella de Nord would continue this theme. All of them respond critically to the period. I feel closest to the films, which are about art, painting, the past, music, and film. I take art events as the time frame which I later on fill with different plots, stories of the present time. I have always been engaged in current social events. The present time is completely different from the times when I started working. Contemporary films mainly deal with intimate issues which are more personal and less socially engaged. I perceive the present in the way that everything is in the process of being made; we are all searching for ourselves. We live in some kind of a void, a confusion which we logically have to fill up with new ideas. Now the time has come for new worlds, therefore there will be plenty of subject matter to choose from.

Photo: Primož Lavre


BUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESS


PETRA SOVDAT, Business Daily Finance

Good Macroeconomic Signals

January’s consumer prices in Slovenia were down 0.5% from December. The deflation was primarily the result of lower prices of goods. Prices were up 2.4% in comparison with January 2004. Average annual inflation as measured by the harmonised index of consumer prices, which is used to compare price growth throughout the EU, was 2.5% in January. According to the latest figures, those for December 2005, the convergence criterion for inflation was also 2.5%, meaning that Slovenia meets the criterion.According to the national statistics office, the economic climate indicator also improved in January. The seasonally adjusted economic climate indicator was up 3 percentage points from the previous month, and up 8 percentage points from last January, while it was also 8 percentage points higher than the long-term average. The indicators

of confidence in the manufacturing sector, consumer confidence and confidence in the retail sector were also all higher. The seasonally adjusted indicator of consumer confidence was 10 percentage points higher in January than in December 2005. The rise was primarily the result of more optimistic consumer forecasts of the economic situation in Slovenia in the next 12 months. The indicator of consumer confidence is currently 8 percentage points above its long-term average.The Employment Service announced that the average number of unemployed last year (just under 92,000) was 1% down on the previous year, and almost 10% down on 2001. According to the Employment Service, the number of unemployed has fallen over the last five years, with the exception of 2002. There has been a similar fall in registered unemployment: having stood at 11.6% in 2001, it had fallen to 10.1% by 2005.

EU Money to Modernise Slovenia’s Rail Network

The European Commission has approved cohesion fund assistance for an investment project for a remote control system for electric traction devices on the Slovenian rail network. The project cost is €28.3 million, excluding VAT, of which EU co-financing will provide €23.5 million, or 83%. The remaining €4.8 million will be provided by Slovenia, reported the

railways agency today. The aims of the project are technical interoperability, compliance with current European standards, a higher level of transport safety, lower operating costs and system maintenance costs, and greater energy efficiency. Work will commence in 2006, and the project will be completed by the end of 2009.

Preparations for UMTS Tender

The post and electronic communications agency began preparations in the middle of January for a public tender for assigning radio frequencies for UMTS/IMT-2000 mobile services. The tender is to be published in the first half of this year. A maximum of three UMTS operators will be chosen. The largest Slovenian mobile operator Mobitel became the sole concession holder for 3G services (UMTS) in Slovenia in November 2001. Mobitel’s UMTS network commenced operation in December 2003.

In the middle of February Slovenia was shaken by the news that bird flu had arrived in the country. There is not yet any detailed analysis of the consequences, but poultry producers do not anticipate a major decline in sales. Perutnina Ptuj, the largest poultry producer in Slovenia, said that the market would be hit for just a week or so, based on its own experiences in Croatia. There sales of fresh meat fell by about a tenth in the first week after the discovery of bird flu, but there was no decline in sales of processed products. After just over a week, sales returned to normal, according to CEO Roman Glaser. Pivka Perutninarstvo director Stojan Herguth warns that sales could mainly be hit by a media-fuelled panic. It is worth remembering that at the end of last year the Slovenian Government earmarked 2 billion tolars (approximately €8.4 million) for purchasing supplies of tamiflu, enough for a quarter of the population (500,000 people). The first major consignment of the drug arrives in Slovenia in March.

Dr Vida Čadonič Špelič, Chief Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Administrationof Slovenia. Photo: Arsen Perić

Slovenia’s rail system will be modernised. Photo: Arsen Perić




Constitutional Court: No Restrictions on Sunday Trading Again

On 14 February, the Constitutional Court stayed the implementation of the first indent of the second paragraph of Article 17 of the Trade Act, which limited the opening of shops selling essential consumer items to ten Sundays a year. The ruling issued by the judges states that retailers that have shops selling essential consumer items can decide their opening hours for Sundays and holidays until a final decision is made by the court. The motion to examine the constitutionality of the law was lodged last December by Emona Obala Koper (traded as EOKG on the Ljubljana stock exchange), while the lodging of a joint motion was announced by around 15 other retailers, led by the largest retail company Mercator (traded as MELR). In the middle of January parliamentary deputies approved an updated Trade Act that had been passed on 20 December last year but subjected to a suspensive veto by the National Council. The updated law, which significantly expands the list of shops that can open on Sundays, entered into force on 25 January.

Mobitel is Slovenian largest mobile operator. Photo: Primož Lavre

Merger of Mercator, Delta and Agrokor Begins

By the middle of January negotiations had begun on the merger of the three largest retailers in the Balkans (Mercator, the Serbian holding company Delta, and the Croatian concern Agrokor) according to unofficial reports printed by business newspaper Finance. No official confirmation was forthcoming at the companies. The companies will be most likely incorporated into a new parent holding company, with Mercator and Delta merging in the first phase. Analysts expect most problems with the inclusion of Agrokor, owing to the history of political relations between Serbia and Croatia. Going by estimates of last year’s operating results, Mercator is the largest of the three companies. The company’s desire to expand with strategic link-ups was stated at a recent press conference by CEO Žiga Debeljak, who assumed the helm at the beginning of the year. He targeted market shares for Mercator of 12% in Croatia, 10% in Serbia-Montenegro, and 5% in Bosnia-Herzegovina. A link-up between Mercator, Delta and Agrokor could have begun back in 2004,

but for an argument in the summer of that year between Mercator’s then-CEO Zoran Jankovič and Delta CEO Miroslav Miškovič. Together with Ivica Todorovič and Argokor, they had supposedly agreed to a joint takeover of the Serbian retail chain C Market, but Jankovič then gazumped them by submitting an independent Mercator bid.

Good Reports of Last Year’s Performance

Novo Mesto pharmaceutical company Krka (traded as KRKG) was the first of the major PLCs to release an initial estimate of its performance last year. Its sales of 133.5 billion tolars of goods and services were 18% higher than in 2004. No net profit forecast was made. Also satisfied with its performance last year was petroleum trader Petrol (traded as PETG), although it did not release any detailed numbers. The group did publish more conservative forecasts for this year. By the end of the year the Petrol Group expects to have generated net sales revenues of 431 billion tolars, pre-tax profit of 9.3 billion tolars and net profit of 7 billion tolars (all IFRS figures). Petrol is forecasting sales of 1.9 million tonnes of petroleum products, which according to Finance’s unofficial figures is approximately the same as last year and the previous year. This would mean no significant increase from last year in gross earnings (if there is no change in the government decree setting prices for refined petroleum products). It is mainly gas that promises growth for Petrol, with the group aiming to have 1,810 gas depots by the end of this year, compared with the target of 1,200 for the end of last year.

Žiga Debeljak, Mercator CEO. Photo: Arsen Perić




Slovenian Companies Still Expanding Abroad

Velenje-based white goods manufacturer Gorenje (traded as GRVG) is to work with Schefenacker Grah SG Automotive of Slovenske Konjice, which represents the German company Schefenacker in Slovenia. This will allow Gorenje to improve its supplies of materials, components and services in the immediate vicinity of its production capacity, while they will develop new components together with suppliers.Grah Automotive is also building a plant in Serbia, where it will manufacture various parts for the auto industry. Gorenje will also begin work on the construction of a production building in Serbia in the autumn.A Slovenian-Montenegrin consortium including Slovenia’s second-largest financial company NFD Holding (traded as NF2R) has become the majority owner of hotel and tourism company Korali at the cost of €4.55 million. Koral has hotels in Bar, Sutomor, Ostros and Virpazar. The Montenegrin companies Atlas Mont, Trend and Podgorica-

based Fin Invest make up the rest of the consortium.Over the next three years Celje-based trading company Engrotuš will open 23 new supermarkets and a state-of-the-art logistics centre in Macedonia, creating 900 new jobs. The total value of the three-year investment in the Macedonian market is estimated at €61 million.By the end of March Alpos of Šentjur will have completed construction of its aluminium ladder assembly plant in Russia, which should cut transport costs for the market where it currently generates 15% of its ladder sales in value terms. The new plant will bring Alpos savings on total transport costs, while the cheaper Russian workforce will also see assembly costs fall. Last year Alpos generated €1.5 million of sales on the Russian market, mainly in aluminium ladders, but also partly in aluminium furniture. Last year’s sales were up 100% on those in 2004. Alpos currently has 10% of the market for aluminium ladders in Russia, but aims to double this in the coming years.

New Air Routes

Brnik Airport is welcoming the arrival of Turkish Airlines, its eighth scheduled operator, which will fly three times a week between Ljubljana and Istanbul. There are now scheduled flights from Brnik to 24 different destinations, and with the airport aiming to attract new carriers this number is likely to increase. Aerodrom Ljubljana (traded as AELG) has also reached agreement on new services with low-cost carrier Wizz Air, which will fly routes from Brnik to Brussels and London. From 26 March it will no longer be possible to fly from Brnik to Berlin, as low-cost carrier Easyjet is withdrawing the route because of unsatisfactory results. According to the director of Aerodrom Maribor Silvo Ambrož, low-cost carrier Ryanair should soon be coming to Maribor Airport, flying first to London, then later to Frankfurt and Barcelona. Maribor Airport also began a partnership some time ago with Austrian carrier Styrian Spirit, which flies from Maribor to Salzburg and Paris.

New air routes. Photo: Leon Vidic

sinfo february 0621

COVERSTORY

Slovenian literature – so it would seem, from close observation – has many problems, but remarkably enough no circumstance, from the economic situation to the weather, as it were, can harm it to the extent that it would lose its vigour. Most importantly, authors keep writing.

The proposal to cut the tax on books has failed to gain a majority in parliament twice since Slovenia’s independence and it has become lost in so-called inter-departmental and coalition negotiations a few times. The Slovenian partisan legislators and the official guardians of the national essence always have a great deal to say about the historical importance of Slovenian literature and the Slovene language regarding the fact that it was precisely the language and books written in it that preserved Slovenian identity, but unfortunately they often act otherwise. It holds in general, or at least it is constantly emphasized in discussions on Slovenian letters, that one can find here only an ongoing crisis of criteria and never-ending paradoxes, such as some Slovenes simply not reading or buying anything, while others buy and read more than buyers and readers abroad. At any rate, there is a series of institutions and a barely countable number of individuals that find the above unacceptable. It is they that give the whole campaign a sort of, if only provisional, meaning. A few years ago the oldest Slovenian book club, Svet knjige, carried out a member satisfaction survey, the

results of which suggest some new conclusions as to the reading habits of Slovenes: the analysis showed that the surveyed club members read on average 3.5 books in three months. 15.8 per cent of respondents read six or more books every three months, and 4.4 per cent do not read a single book in the same period. A good third of respondents said they read less or even much less than they used to. Almost a third borrow most books from the library or friends, a fifth of them buy half of the books and borrow the rest, whereas 17.9 per cent buy most of the books. The survey showed that on average men buy more books than they borrow, while the converse is true of women.

The general European publishing trends have not bypassed Slovenia, ‘the new star in Europe’ - print runs have decreased in the last decade and a half, with publishing houses seeking sales in a larger number of titles. The publishing market is not immune even to more radical shifts: two book promotional campaigns by two of Slovenian largest daily newspapers, Delo and Dnevnik, agitated the elite Slovenian publishers and even enraged them to the degree that the leadership of the competent association at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia considered requesting a market inspection and the services of the Competition Protection Office. The symbolic power of Slovenian publishing is still much greater than its real power, and Slovenian publishers know

Igor Bratož

Written in SloveniaPhoto: Uroš Hočevar


COVERSTORY

how to voice their problems, in fact they are almost as loud as when applying to the Government for a subsidy to publish books of national importance. The culture of Government subsidies is a particularity of Slovenian publishing, although there are of course similar models of protecting smaller languages elsewhere. The data on published volumes, especially Slovenian translations of literary works from other languages, from the second half of the past decade show the expected picture – a great predominance of translations from English, followed by German, French, Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian and Macedonian, while other languages, from Ancient Greek and Hebrew to Portuguese, Swedish, Russian, and Chinese, Basque, Bengali and Latvian, are very rarely represented, some by only one or two titles. Therefore, original Slovenian literature has considerable competition. The oddity or at least the peculiarity of Slovenian reading habits can also be seen in the data collected by publishing houses which show that, in recent years, best-sellers in Slovenia have not been literary titles or traditional non-fiction, but titles from the humanities. The Slovenian reading public, non-academic included, evidently loves Plato, for example, or Freud, buying both in relatively large quantities.

Slovenian Books in Translation For a book by a Slovenian author to appear in translation, what one needs in addition to the usual institutional or personal desire for recognition and a global breakthrough, the appropriate translator and the right publishing house, which knows how to manage the distribution and presentation of a normally less well-known or even completely unknown exotic author, is above all money. It can seem understandable that the fulfilment of the desire for the recognition of national authors abroad is in the interest and is the responsibility of the state. Slovenia, whose path to independence was, as was mentioned a number of times, essentially paved with the efforts of Slovenian writers, does this, although perhaps not yet wholly systematically and enthusiastically. With its open calls for projects the Ministry of Culture has for some time now been offering support for the translation of Slovenian works, which can also be granted to translators with permanent residence abroad, who translate works by Slovenian authors. Similar support is also planned for foreign publishers.

A brief overview of the publications of Slovenian authors abroad shows that the situation is not exactly disastrous. One of the most prominent Slovenian export items is the philosopher Slavoj Žižek, whose books can be found in the catalogues of leading international publishers. No less prominent is the work by 20th century Slovenian writer Vladimir Bartol – the novel Alamut, of which many have said that in view of the gloomy euphoria following New

York’s 9/11 it should actually have been made up, had it not existed already. After the many translations of this novel about religious fanaticism, only a translation into ubiquitous English was lacking, but this was done just over a year ago by the American publishing house Scala House Press, the book becoming a global best-seller. Perhaps the real litmus test for determining the range of Slovenian literature in translation is the opinion given recently by members of the Ljubljana diplomatic corps: the ambassadors were familiar with and had read the English translation of poems by France Prešeren, the greatest Slovenian poet, whose poems are available in an impressive number of translations; among more contemporary works the novels by Drago Jančar, one of the most distinguished of Slovenian contemporary writers, cannot be overlooked, especially many translations into German. Jančar, one of the winners of the renowned international Herder Award, maintains his presence in the German-reading book market: the well-known Munich publishing house DTV, Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, published his novel Rauschen im Kopf (Zvenenje v glavi / Ringing in the Head) three years ago and presented the author as the most important Slovenian writer, mentioning that in 1974 he was gaoled for “hostile propaganda” and “journalistic insubordination”, and that in 1998 Ringing in the Head was awarded the “highly esteemed” Kresnik Award, conferred by the newspaper Delo for the best Slovenian novel of the year.

The ambassadors in Ljubljana also had on their nightstands the French, Spanish and Turkish translations of Bartol’s Alamut and the French translation of the novel Smrt slovenske primadone (Death of a Prima Donna) by Brina Svit, a Slovene living in Paris. German speakers found the title Europa Erlesen Ljubljana, published in the eminent book series of the Klagenfurt publishing house Wieser, more than just informative; Slovakian readers can take pleasure in the translation of Jančar’s novel

Severni sij (Northern Lights), and in Czech one can read a selection of prose by one of the essential Slovenian classic authors, Ivan Cankar, plus Jančar’s novel Galjot (The Galley Slave). Regarding translations of Slovenian literature, some unusual facts immediately come to the fore: in the last twenty-five years, for example, 150 translations of Slovenian

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editions of his selected and new poems The Four Questions of Melancholy (Štiri vprašanja melanholije) published by White Pine Press. It was this New York publishing house that in its Terra Incognita series, edited by Aleš Debeljak, an established Slovenian poet, and featuring the works of Central European writers, also published the selected poems by doubtlessly one of the best Slovenian poets, now unfortunately the late Dane

Zajc, entitled Barren Harvest. On the book jacket Šalamun invites American readers to read ‘the greatest living Slovenian poet’ and promises they will never be able to forget him. Other Slovenian authors also enjoy international fame, and not without reason; many years

COVERSTORY

books into German were published in Klagenfurt, Austria, the centre of Slovenian minority. Meanwhile in Prague there lives a Mr František Benhart, who has signed off under more than seventy translations of 260 literary translations from Slovene into Czech in the last 150 years. The novel by Triestine Slovene Boris Pahor, Spopad s pomladjo (Engagement with Spring), and some of his other titles enjoyed astounding European success after being translated into English, French and German. The body of work by one of the most important Slovenian writers of the second half of 20th century, the late Lojze Kovačič, cannot be overlooked; in its German translation, his magnum opus, the novel Prišleki (The Newcomers), a story of ‘a child’s wandering through countries, languages and ideological fronts’, shone bright on the European publishing horizon; the publishing house did not promote it as one of the best Slovenian novels of the 20th century in vain.

A special “export” is that of one of the most distinguished contemporary Slovenian poets, Tomaž Šalamun, in the American book market: consolidated even further by three

Tomaž Šalamun

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Photo: Uroš Hočevar


ago the English translations of two novels, both intended as entertainment: Con Brio by Brina Svit and Guarding Hanna by Miha Mazzini (in Slovene the novel was published under the title Telesni čuvaj (Bodyguard) even New York’s

The Village Voice called attention to the translation, the publishing magazine Publishers Weekly praised the work as “a thoroughly unique black comedy” and “delightfully perverse and oddly touching story”), were nominated for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, which with its prize of € 100,000 is the most valuable award for a single literary work in the world (the international jury collects nominations from public libraries in capitals throughout the world; the only criterion they have to consider is the “high literary merit” of the work). We should also mention the former London Slovene and former president of the Slovene Writers’ Association Evald Flisar: on their global march his plays and novels have reached Arabic and thus 200 million potential readers. In Egypt they published his Zgodbe s poti (Tales of Wandering), three of his plays, frequently staged abroad, (Kaj pa Leonardo? (What About Leonardo?), Enajsti planet (The Eleventh Planet), Nora Nora (Nora Nora)), and his successful novels Čarovnikov vajenec (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice), Potovanje predaleč (A Journey too Far), Velika žival samote (My Father’s Dreams), Ljubezni tri in ena smrt (Three Loves, One Death) and Čaj s kraljico (Tea with the Queen).

Brina Svit

COVERSTORY

Photo: Uroš Hočevar All photos from bookstore Knjigarna Konzorcij in Ljubljana.

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COVERSTORYVIEWPOINT

Dr Marko Stabej, Associate Professor at the Department for Slovenian StudiesFaculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana.

Photo: Personal Archive

The first book in the Slovene language was printed abroad. Since the only way to communicate with his people was through a book, Primož Trubar, a Slovenian Protestant reformer in German exile, wrote ‘Catechismus’, the first book in the Slovene language, which was published in 1550. Thirty-four years later the entire Bible had been translated into Slovene by Jurij Dalmatin, and in the same year, the scholar Adam Bohorič gave the most up-to-date grammatical description of the Slovene language. From that time onwards, books and the Slovene literary language were the strongest unifying forces that connected Slovenes separated by living in countries with different administrations and policies. After the first fifty years these two forces slightly weakened, only to recover again at the end of the 18th century and become central to the Slovenian nationalist movement in the 19th century. Slovenia

would not be an independent country today without strong politicians and economists; however, it was Slovenian writers who played a significant role in its formation.

That is all very well and worthy of respect, but the important place of Slovenian books and literary language is accompanied by some dangerous traps. Critics have been drawing attention to these for some time, but they might not have been loud enough, because those who are, are silenced very quickly. The first trap is that Slovenian language and literature are worshipped rather than used as a communication tool in everyday life. Most Slovenes prefer to buy a small number of thicker books (in a physical sense), than a large number of thinner books. Most buy books as decoration to go with their furniture, and not for reading. This is especially true of serious, intellectual literature

with artistic value, and not so much of handbooks and manuals which help you to fix anything from the garden to the soul. It can be demonstrated by relatively (for Slovenian book market) huge sales of the etymological dictionary and Plato’s collected works. The other trap is set automatically: whoever writes books in Slovene as well as all those who translate foreign language literature into the Slovene language are doing valuable work for the community and are literally making sacrifices for the community’s benefit. Since the writers or the translators feel they are sacrificing themselves, they expect society to reward them. The reward should be financial, in the form of a grant, state support or scholarship. Almost no one expects a reward from royalties, because of the common belief that writers do not work for profit, but for the community. Authors who have made sacrifices are not to blame if the community does not appreciate this by refusing to buy and read their books. This is the reason for the present situation; on the one hand, little public money is given to publish many books, but on the other hand, it seems that too much money is spent on too little high quality reading. A rescue from the two traps discussed above cannot come by means of a subsidy system, but from a changed mentality which will result in language and literature being used and not just needed from a distance, and this is the most difficult thing to achieve.

In conclusion, I would like to mention what is apparently the greatest contradiction: although there are more and more foreigners learning Slovene (which the majority of Slovenes still finds extremely strange, even though it is a sign of the power of a language and its vivacity), it is naturally still true that the only way for Slovenian literature to acquire more international readers is through translations, that is in transformed state of existence. Even though literary success abroad is impossible without financial support and the support of lobbies, which are likewise caught in the above-mentioned traps, foreign markets are usually a good filter of quality, expressive power, and readability. Can we at least believe those national prophets who prophesy from abroad? Trubar was well worth believing.

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Katja and Jure live and work in Kotlje in the Koroška region. In addition to being married, they have a lot in common. Among other things, they are both fine art teachers and have a refined taste for beauty. They take a special interest in porcelain products, which they are manufacturing and promoting more and more successfully in Slovenia and abroad. They have quite different personalities, but they are somehow still compatible. Katja describes Jure as explosive, innovative and prone to change, whereas she is much calmer, although she likes to experiment. They conceived their brand back in their student years and named it CATBRIYUR. It has now become a synonym for prestige and exclusivity; and yet, not long ago, the story was completely different.

Catbriyur... That is how they named one of the first collections of jewellery, fully presented as part of their student assignment. The word is an acronym of their names. Today this is not only a brand name, but also an artistic name under which they place different products on the market. Their imagination knows no limits, and it seems that they complement each other here also. Without each other they would probably be leading entirely different lives. “If we weren’t together, Jure would probably be homeless, and I’d be teaching in school until retirement whilst self- sufficiently creating various things in my garage,” Katja speculates.

The garage where the Catbriyur collection was born is now too small… But before making something out of nothing, Katja and Jure experienced quite a few disappointments and often asked in despair: should we continue at all? In jest they often say they started out from a minus, not nothing.

They bought a porcelain furnace…

And then, by way of coincidence, they bought a porcelain furnace. “It actually wasn’t a coincidence. At a certain pedagogical seminar where there was also talk of porcelain, I got the idea that making unique porcelain products could be creative and marketable at the same time. And so we bought the porcelain furnace and took up the age-old, though to us, completely new craft,” says Katja. They gave it a try, but wanted to sell it already after a few months. “We experienced failure after failure. We didn’t have the basic know-how to make the products using even the less demanding ceramic techniques, let alone the most demanding porcelain technique.” In order to survive they made other things. They made a couple of music videos, and tried presenting their own TV programme on the local TV station, but there was no real understanding for their ideas. After having completely lost their will and their hope in several fields, there came an invitation from the Small Business Support Network (SBSN), which they today understand as a cause for the successful continuation of the porcelain story. “All of a sudden, you say to yourself, there is more to the world than Koroška and Slovenia. What if…?”

With the speed of light on their way to success after beginners’ bad luck…

And then things took off. “Once it had started, everything moved with the speed of light.” And so the home garage became too small. They moved to a workshop in Prevalje. They met an Italian partner, started to appear in the media, and suddenly demand was so high that they needed the

Urška Krišelj GrubarPhoto: Jure Bricman/Catbriyur

KATJA AND JURE BRICMAN: CATBRIYUR

LESS IS MORE

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help of fifteen people to be able to meet all orders. They saw no reason they should not repeat their success story abroad. They signed an exclusive deal for the Italian and French markets for a period of five years. They are also present in the American market, where they have a representative in New York under the wing of SBSN. Furthermore, the TV show ‘Slovenian Magazine’ aired on Slovenian national TV, a New York TV station, SAT 1 and in the Alpe-Adria countries, was very influential. With the help of the media their products are becoming increasingly popular as business and protocol gifts.

Alongside the tea and coffee sets they developed their collection to include dresses decorated with porcelain, jewellery, perfume in porcelain bottles, and furniture with porcelain inlay. At the same time they are constantly looking for new ways to express their genius. One that is eagerly expected is a set of offbeat porcelain lamps to be presented at a new Ljubljana gallery in a few months.

Less is more…

But their strategy has changed, since they simply cannot cater to all tastes and wishes. “Less is more,” they say. Still, in spite of everything, Koroška has become too small. “That is why we, too, unfortunately are moving to Ljubljana. You simply come to realize that it really is harder on the periphery.” Besides, the couple travel a lot. And wherever they go they take their products with them and photograph them in exotic settings. This is how the photos in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, America, Canada, the Sahara Desert, etc. were produced. In Ljubljana, however, they will present their cups photographed on home Koroška soil, thus ensuring that the environment they come from is also represented in the capital.

Katja and Jure - together in business and in private…

Katja and Jure are usually presented together. They both sign off under the Catbriyur brand. It crossed my mind that they might perhaps have difficulty distinguishing the conceptual designer from the initiator, but they do not bother with this. They make up Catbriyur together. “Perhaps we have no problems with authorship also because, in view of the difference in our characters and interests, we each play our own part in the creative process. Jure is dissatisfied with every product we make and immediately starts working on a new one, while I like to improve what we have made.” Katja says that Jure is the true perfectionist, ready to destroy a technologically perfectly good product if its design does not

suit him, while she herself is much more rational. “At the end of the day we live from porcelain!” Jure is the one planning and designing the whole look of the new collections, while Katja concentrates on designing the finer parts such as handles, smaller details and patterns, which is what gives life to their cups. Katja’s turf is technology, while Jure’s is marketing. I wondered how they can separate their business life from their private life, since this is the eternal question of spouses living and working together. “We try to separate our family and our business to a certain extent, but this is not always easy because our home itself is a part of our working environment. Jure works at home about six months a year, since the period between June and December is not a season for designing new collections, which is done in the workshop.’’

Dreams are the best part of the creative project

They reveal that they are dreamers, but do not wish to determine their dreams any closer so as not to perceive them as a bond, but let them be realized in peace without the big expectations and media hype. “There are no limits for the two of us; dreams are actually the best part of the creative process.” Still, they tell us in confidence that their dreams are connected to successfully establishing their brand around the world and expanding their galleries to the bigger European cities. I guess when one finds what one was created for in this world, the source of one’s energy, imagination and great desire becomes inexhaustible. Katja and Jure have already proved this. One of their more successful projects in the last few years was their cooperation in the exhibition Tables of Europe taking place in Budapest in spring 2005. This presentation was organised by the Government Public Relations and Media Office (prepared by Alenka Ivančič) upon Slovenia and other new states joining the EU. Visitors

of the exhibition liked the Slovenian table with the unique catbriyur porcelain the most. The Slovenian Table has since then also been successfully presented in Finland.

They have had much success. Some already see a bright future ahead, comparable to international names such as Swarowski, Armani or Benneton. The Bricmans remain down to earth, in spite of the unlimited possibilities. After the galleries in Prevalje and Bled they will try to conquer Ljubljana with this year’s gallery opening. After Ljubljana... who knows, perhaps the galleries carrying the resounding name of Catbriyur will appear in all the bigger European cities? Why not?


S O C I E T Y

Klara Krapež

THE PREŠEREN AWARDS AND THE PREŠEREN FUND AWARDS

At a ceremony on the eve of the Slovenian cultural holiday, the President of the Prešeren Fund Board, Dušan Jovanović, conferred two Prešeren Awards and the Prešeren Fund Awards.The Prešeren Award for 2006 went to poet, essayist and writer Milan Dekleva for his lifetime achievements in the field of literature, and to director Karpo Godina, for his lifetime achievements in film. This year’s winners of the Prešeren Found Awards are: sculptor Mirko Bratuša for his exhibition in the Circulo de Bellas Artes Gallery in Madrid, Spain; pianist Bojan Gorišek for his concert performances in the past two years; actress Nataša Barbara Gračner for the roles of Katerina Ivanovna Verkhovtseva in ‘The Brothers Karamazov’ by Dostoevsky, and Nuria in ‘A Spanish Play’ by Yasmina Reza; writer Milan Kleč for his book ‘Srčno dober človek in zvest prijatelj’ (A Good-hearted Man and a Loyal Friend); puppeteer Silvan Omerzu for his trilogy ‘Misterij življenja in smrti’ (The Mystery of Life and Death) and for visual representation, text adaptation and direction of the puppet

Winners of the Prešeren Awards and the Prešeren Fund Awards in 2006. Photo: Primož Lavre

performances ‘Zbogom, princ’ (Farewell, Prince), ‘Peskar’ (Sandman) and ‘Svetnik Krespel’ (Councillor Krespel); and poet Maja Vidmar for her collection of poetry ‘Prisotnost’ (Presence).

THE SLOVENIAN MINORITY HAVE A NEW BOOK ENTITLED ‘O KRUHU IN NAŠIH STVAREH’ (‘ON BREAD AND OUR OTHER THINGS’)

The Slovenian Association for Social and Political Issues Anton Gregorčič in Gorizia, Italy, has published a book by Jurij Paljk entitled ‘O kruhu in naših stvareh’ (‘On Bread and Our Other Things). The book is a selection of notes and comments by the editor-in-chief of the Slovenian weekly ‘Novi glas’ (‘New Voice’), published by the Gorizia Mohorjeva Družba Publishing House for Slovenians living in Italy.The selection of stories presents the author’s view of contemporary customs, lifestyles and social phenomena which have changed significantly since his youth. Paljk draws attention to the shortcomings of today’s world, and describes seemingly trivial things that determine and give meaning to the

every-day life of the people sharing the littoral region on both sides of the state border between Slovenia and Italy.

NEW MEMBERS OF THE PROGRAMME COUNCIL OF THE FORUM OF SLAVIC CULTURES

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has appointed new members to the programme council of the international Forum of Slavic Cultures. They are Dr Aleksander Skaza, Dr Tomo Virk and Dr Krištof Jacek Kozak. The initiative for the Forum of Slavic Cultures was introduced at the Bush-Putin Summit in June 2001 at Brdo pri Kranju, and three years later the Slovenian Government established an international institution which aims to promote cultural cooperation between Slavic countries.The members of the Forum are Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Poland, Russia, Serbia-Montenegro, Ukraine and Slovenia. Each country appoints up to three internationally acclaimed experts in the field of culture or three financial contributors to the Forum council.

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S O C I E T Y

THE FABULA INTERNATIONAL STORY FESTIVAL

Between 23 January and 18 February the third Fabula International Story Festival took place in Ljubljana, Maribor, Postojna, Izola and Koper. In three weeks the festival hosted ten world-famous writers, who presented their work at more than twenty literary events. They are Milorad Pavić from Serbia and Montenegro, Miljenko Jergović, Krešimir Mićanović, Krešimir

Bagić and Robert Perišić from Croatia, Claudio Magris and Diego Marani from Italy, Georgi Gospodinov from Bulgaria, Kader Abdolah from the Netherlands, and Toby Litt from the UK.Festival readings were accompanied by screenings of short films based on literary works on TV Slovenia, and a public discussion entitled ‘Dramatizacija romanov’ (Dramatisation of Novels) in the Slovene National Theatre Drama Ljubljana, followed by the play ‘Severni sij’ (Northern Lights) by Drago Jančar,

performed by the Slovene National Theatre Maribor, and directed by Mile Korun. Also accompanying the festival were a panel discussion about Slovenian and Croatian fiction entitled ‘Jeziki mesta’ (Urban Languages), and a conference on film stories.The underlying concept of Fabula, organised by Študentska založba (Student Publishing House) in collaboration with the publishing house Dnevnik, Plc. and Postojnska jama turizem Plc., has been to promote readership and the culture of reading in Slovenia. This year’s festival introduced a few innovations that significantly contributed to its quality, adopting a broader concept and aiming for international acclaim, in comparison to the previous two events. The main focus of the festival is no longer on short stories but story-telling in general.

THE SLOVENIAN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA TOUR OF SWITZERLAND A SUCCESS

At the end of January the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra toured Switzerland, where they performed seven concerts under the baton of Leopold Hager and with the soloist Andreas Haefliger on piano. The tour began in Geneva and concluded in St. Gallen.

Fabula is a festival with a concept. Photo: Arsen Perić

The Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra. Photo: Leon Vidic


The Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra last toured Switzerland in 2003, but this time they were led by the world famous conductor Leopold Hager, the longstanding chief conductor of the Salzburger Mozarteum, who has noted the quality of Slovenian musicians on several occasions. Hager has collaborated with a number of prestigious orchestras from around the world. The Swiss pianist Andreas Haefliger is currently performing mainly in the United States, although he also regularly tours European venues. The tour was entitled ‘Vollendet, unvollendet’ (‘Finished, Unfinished’).

EXHIBITION OF ARTISTS OF THREE NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES IN GORIZIA, ITALY

An exhibition with the unusual title ‘Terpictura’ featuring the work of visual artists from Italy, Austria and Slovenia is on view in the Gorizia State Library. The artists Franz Berger, Walter Bortološi, Martina Braun, BridA, Paolo Cervi Kervischer, Klementina Golija, Andrej Kosič, Carlo Piemonti and Robert Primig, who are from different artistic traditions and generations, each present their individual art. ‘Terpictura is a kind of three-way crossroads of Austrian, Italian and Slovenian artists, who do not wish to present an exhaustive overview, but rather outline one of the possible paths within the heterogeneous culture of Central Europe.The exhibition, an international triangle of painters from Austria, Italy and Slovenia, was organised in collaboration with the Slovenian A+A Gallery of Venice, and is accompanied by a colour catalogue published in three languages and edited by the curator Alessio Curto.

SLOVENIAN BIBLE IN SCHULPFORTE, GERMANY

On 8 February, the cultural and national holiday of the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovenian Embassy in Berlin presented the famous Landesschule Pforta (public boarding school) in the town of Schulpforte near Leipzig a print with a motif of the Dalmatin Bible made by the designers Maja and Miljenko Licul of Ljubljana. With this gesture, Slovenia wanted to commend the educational institution for centuries of safekeeping of the first Slovenian translation of the complete Bible by Jurij Dalmatin from 1584.

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Manca Juvan, rising star of Slovenian photography, received the Award for Photo-reportage for her photographs of the Middle East conflict. Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

The special value of this particular copy lies in the dedication Dalmatin and his colleague Adam Bohorič wrote to the Landesschule. The Slovenian public first learned about this copy in April 2005. The Dalmatin Bible is the most important achievement of the Slovenian Reformation, and an invaluable monument of Slovenia’s cultural and national identity, which constituted Slovenes as a nation and Slovene as a mature literary language. Also magnificent is its appearance: it measures 40 x 27 centimetres, contains 1,520 large format pages printed in black and red, and is adorned with over two hundred images printed from the same printing surfaces that had been used only fifty years earlier for Luther’s first full translation of the Bible into German. The Bible from Schulpforte is also rather curiously linked to contemporary Slovenian history. In December 1991, one of the representatives of the Assembly of the Federal State of Hessen proposed to the then German Chancellor Helmut Kohl that Germany buy the Bible from the said school and present it to Slovenia on the occasion of Germany’s forthcoming recognition of the young Slovenian state. This excellent cultural and political proposal was, however, not carried through, probably because the great historical value of the document does not allow for it to be removed from the country in which it is kept. In acquiring information about the Bible

from the Landesschule in Schulpforte, valuable research was done by Ivan Martelanc of Ljubljana and Professor Peter Zimmermann of the Bundeswehr University in Munich.

PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR – EMZIN, CULTURAL MAGAZINE AWARD

The Photography of the Year competition is an annual Slovenian photography project organised by Emzin, Cultural Magazine. The fact that the 2006 event was the twelfth in a row shows that this award has become a prestigious recognition of Slovenian achievements in photography.Photographers submit their own entries. The call is open to Slovenian photographers of different generations, to amateurs as well as professionals dealing with various subjects, formats and techniques. This year’s international jury again awarded works from different fields of photography. The Award for Photo-reportage went to Manca Juvan for her photographs of the turbulent Middle East conflict characterised by an inner gaze. The first prize was awarded to Tanja Verlak for a series of black-and-white photographs conveying a feeling of confined space. The second prize went to Aleksandra Gruden for photographs with everyday motifs, and the third prize was bestowed on Pavel Gregorič for photographs with black-and-white and colour motifs.

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THISISSLOVENIA

Andraž Kajzer, photo: Robert Zajc, Jože Prešeren

What do we understand from the name ‘the land of suha roba’? And what is ‘suha roba’? Why is it this part of Slovenia in particular that won the right to today’s well-established brand name, since many kinds of wood products are handcrafted or machine-made in other Slovenian regions?

Suha roba is a term which encompasses wood and clay products. Because this cottage industry primarily developed in the villages of the Ribnica Valley, it has a few hundred years’ of tradition which is very closely connected to nature. Timber and high quality clay have always been abundant in this area. It is also well known that our ancestors produced everything possible at home, from cloth, linen, clothes, and various kinds of tools to furniture. Specific trades were established in this way, and in time certain places took on the manufacturing of particular products for a larger area while the tradition was handed down from one generation to another. Even back then, the making of woodenware and pottery developed into businesses that enabled many

WHEN YOU APPROACH THE RIBNICA VALLEY ON THE ROAD FROM LJUBLJANA TO KOČEVJE, YOU ARE GREETED BY A TRADITIONALLY-STYLED WOODEN SIGN WHICH SAYS WELCOME TO THE LAND OF SUHA ROBA. GIANT WOODEN SPOONS, LADLES AND A BIG KIND OF SIEVE THAT SLOVENIANS CALL ‘RETA’ ALL FORM A PART OF THIS SIGN. THE LADLES ARE STILL USED TODAY BY ANYONE WHO HAS EVER UNDERTAKEN THE EVERYDAY CHORE OF COOKING, WHILE A ONCE INDISPENSABLE FARM TOOL, THE ‘RETA’ IS NOW A PART OF HISTORY. THE DECISION TO OPEN A NEW DEPARTMENT OF WOODENWARE AND POTTERY CRAFT AT THE VOCATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN KOČEVJE THIS YEAR PROVES THAT WOOD CRAFTING AND POTTERY MAKING REMAIN IMPORTANT SPHERES OF ACTIVITY, EMPLOYING A FEW HUNDRED PEOPLE IN THE RIBNICA VALLEY AND ELSEWHERE IN SLOVENIA.

small farmers to survive. Historical sources show that the Ribnica woodenware and pottery were first mentioned in a fair’s charter from the 14th century, although it undoubtedly has roots deeper in the past. An important turning point was the year 1492, when Kočevje and neighbouring farmers were issued a grant by the German Emperor Frederick III allowing them to trade freely with their wood crafts throughout the large Austrian Empire. The right to such trade was confirmed in the following centuries and was exempt from taxation. The term ‘Ribnica suha roba’ became in effect a European brand name encompassing wood and clay products from the broad regions of the Ribnica Valley, Kočevska and Lower Carniola. Travelling tradesmen called ‘krošnjarji’ (peddlers) transported the woodenware and pottery to all the Slovenian regions, and well beyond the borders of the Slovenian ethnic territory, including Austria, Germany, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Spain, Greece and many countries in the eastern Mediterranean, east Africa and even India.

The Ribnica Suha Roba CraftsmenSlovenia’s Long Withstanding Tradition of Making

Woodenware and Pottery Lives On


A stall selling traditional Ribnica woodenware and pottery in Ljubljana.

The woodenware and pottery craftsmanship continued to develop in the 20th century, and data testifies that in the 1930s the trade engaged some 600 travelling tradesmen. The Ribnica people were then famous for being competent tradesmen who were warmly welcomed everywhere due to their humour and melodic dialect. The first workshops selling woodenware and pottery were established in larger towns across Slovenia. After the Second World War the woodenware and pottery cottage industry somewhat died out, but it was soon revived because specialized export companies provided new possibilities to sell Ribnica products. Even today, the woodenware and pottery cottage industry forms an important sole or supplementary business activity, due to which increasing unemployment has not affected the towns in this area. The Ribnica people would not be what they have been for centuries if they did not know how to take skilful advantage of political changes. Due to Slovenian membership in the EU, the people of Ribnica have the chance to once again trade freely across Europe. Now they can sell their products without mediators in all the EU member states, although their products can also be found in the USA, Canada and many other countries.

Spoons, Ladles, Rakes, Buckets…Former ‘suha roba’ craftsmen were small farmers who worked and lived in one and the same house. In the 20th century they moved into workshops next to their houses and hand crafting slowly gave way to machines. Therefore, it is nowadays difficult to come across a handmade spoon or a ladle and so the prices of today’s products are much lower than they used to be. In the village of Sajevec near Ribnica we spoke to a ladle manufacturer, Jože Pogorelc, whose company is called ‘Lesna galanterija’ (Fancy Wooden Goods). He told us that he only shows a profit after selling half a million ladles. And while we were talking in front of

his house almost every second his automatic machine ground out a new ladle, which will most likely find its owner somewhere in Germany. Jože Pogorelc has recently been selling most of his products to a wholesaler there, without an intermediary, of course.

Modern-day woodenware craftsman, Jože Pogorelc with one of his ladle-making machines in the village of Sajevec near Ribnica.

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People from Ribnica distinguish nine types of skill: sieve rim making, sieve bottom making, vessel making i.e. working wood to make containers e.g. buckets, tubs, barrels, pails etc., spoon and ladle making, hand joinery i.e. making of kitchen boards, wooden models, graters, coat-hangers etc., tool making i.e. making of farming tools such as rakes, hayforks etc., wood-turning i.e. making wood turned plates, bowls etc., wickerwork, i.e. making willow wood and other baskets etc., toothpick making by hand or machine, and sieve making. An additional branch of business is ‘peddling’ which handles the retail of all of these products. Selling suha roba products directly in people’s homes is still practised in the Slovenian countryside, where the products are usually taken by tradesmen with small lorries. It is interesting that each of these branches of business has been associated with a particular house or town and, of course, a special kind of timber of which there is abundance in the immediate vicinity.

Pottery – from Useful Objects to ToysAlongside woodenware, pottery was for many centuries the most important type of cottage industry in the Ribnica Valley. Since there was enough good quality clay in the immediate vicinity, it was especially well developed in the villages of Dolenja vas, Prigorica and Blate. Pottery was mainly a supplementary business activity of smaller farms. It was reserved for the close family circle, and the knowledge was passed down from generation to generation. Due to a decreased usage of earthenware in housekeeping, this activity has almost died out. Because it has failed to bring its technology and design up to date, this cottage industry cannot compete with other industrial products. Today only four potters remain active in the Ribnica Valley: Jakob and Anton Nosan in Prigorica, and Janez Bojc and Janez Pogorelec from Lončarstvo Pogorelec-Češarek (Pogorelec-Češarek Pottery) in Dolenja vas. Typical pottery products include various cooking pots and pots for storing food, pans for baking štruklji (roll of dough with filling), clay pans for baking potica (a traditional Slovenian holiday cake made of thin layers of dough with walnut filling), jugs and maiolicas (pitchers), bowls with various decorations, flower pots, vases, žličniks (cutlery holders) etc. At a time when earthenware is used less and less, important pottery products are also souvenirs that bring back memories of the cottage industry. So are clay toys such as piggy banks and various clay horse or rooster whistles that have become a trademark of the Ribnica potters.

The Pope’s Apostolic BlessingIn January 2006 in a special ceremony, a local woman, Ana Češarek, who has been making Christmas nativity scenes and other Bible figures from clay for many years, received an Apostolic Blessing from the Pope Benedict XVI in St. Rok church in Dolenja vas near Ribnica. Her Christmas nativity scenes received special attention. During our visit to the Ribnica Valley, we stopped at her home in Dolenja vas to look at some of her products and her studio, and the workshop of her son-in-law, the potter Jože Pogorelc. Ana Češarek makes nativity scenes using red and white clay. She has dedicated more time to this activity over the last six years. She told us that she had been drawn to designing clay products since her childhood. Without any formal sculpting

Ana Češarek, designer of biblical and traditional clay figurines. She has also designed statuettes of the Ribnica peddler, a fairytale character Peter Klepec and many others.

education, she produces real art, and her every package is unique; a larger package consists of 25 figurines. A special feature of her nativity scenes is the carefully modelled faces of individual figurines. Ana Češarek’s nativity scenes have also been exhibited in several places around Ljubljana and in other Slovenian towns. The Vatican owns some, and so do many churches and families all around Slovenia.‘I could not have received greater recognition than the one coming from the Pope,’ says a happy and proud Ana, adding that she had received many other acknowledgements for her work. Apart from Christmas nativity scenes, she also makes statuettes of other religious figures. Her nativity scenes depicting the Biblical tale of resurrection, as well as Whitsuntide scenes portraying the Twelve Apostles are also very interesting. Many of her sculptures adorn churches and small chapels. Besides being useful, the Ribnica clay products are gaining in artistic value, which attracted the attention of the Pope, and other connoisseurs of Slovenian folk art.

Ana Češarek’s nativity scene, for which she received a blessing from the Pope.

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Ingredients:

• Makes 25 pcs:• 250 ml (1 cup) milk• 1 tbsp sugar• 1/2 tsp salt• 25 g (4/5 oz) butter• 250 g (8 2 oz) flour• pinch of baking powder• 1 tbsp apple juice• 3 small eggs beaten• frying fat• mixture of ground cinnamon and icing sugar

Add sugar and salt to milk and heat the mixture slowly. Add butter, let it melt and turn off the stove. Stir in flour, baking powder, apple juice and eggs, and beat until smooth. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.Heat the frying fat to 180°C (360°F). Put the batter in a funnel (which you hold closed with a finger) and then pour it in the hot fat using spiralling motion. Fry until golden-brown and drain on paper towels. When cool sprinkle with icing sugar and cinnamon mixture.

Shrovetide Fritters

Raisin BeignetsIngredients:

• 250 g (8 2/3 oz) flour• 1 egg• 200 ml (4/5 cup) milk• half of grated lemon peel • pinch of salt• 30 g (1 oz) raisins• frying fat• icing sugar

Put flour, egg, milk, lemon peel and salt in a bowl and beat until smooth. Cover the batter and let it rest for 2 hours. Soak the raisins in lukewarm water, drain them, press out excess water and roll them in flour to prevent them from sinking to the bottom.Drop by spoonfuls into hot fat making sure that beignets are floating, and fry them on both sides. Drain on paper towels, sprinkle with icing sugar and serve hot.

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Photo: Kornelija Ajlec

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Crispy PancakesIngredients:

250 g (8 2/3 oz) flourpinch of salt2 eggs beaten75 ml (5 tbsp) sour creamflour to dust the counterfrying faticing sugar

Mix flour, salt, eggs and sour cream and knead until smooth. Cover the dough and let it rest for 2 hours. Form the dough into a log and cut it into 15 even slices. On floured counter roll each slice with a rolling pin into a flat round pancake, pulling it outward with your hands to make it as thin as possible.Heat the fat and fry the pancakes one by one on both sides. Drain on paper towels. When cool sprinkle generously with icing sugar.

Ingredients:

• Makes approx. 20 pcs:• 250 g (8 2/3 oz) flour• 5 g (1 tsp) of dry yeast• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon• pinch of ground nutmeg• 1/2 tsp grated orange peel• 40 g (1 1/2 oz) sugar• 1 egg• 40 g (1 1/2 oz) butter• 750 ml (3 cups) milk• flour to dust the counter• frying fat• cinnamon and icing sugar

Melt the butter in milk and add egg, spices, sugar and orange peel. Pour over the mixture of flour and yeast, knead until smooth and let it rise to double the size. On floured counter roll out the dough with a rolling pin to about 1 cm (2/5”). Using two different biscuit cutters cut out rings 5 cm (2”) in diameter with a 2 cm (4/5”) hole in the middle and let them rise for 30 minutes.Heat the fat, fry the doughnuts on both sides and drain them on paper towels. Roll them in the mixture of icing sugar and cinnamon.

Yeast-raised Doughnuts

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THISISSLOVENIA

When the cold winter seems to be unyielding and the thermometer continues to tell us that we need to stay warm and cosy, it is time to pay a visit to a thermal spa. It is, in fact, a complete misconception that visiting a spa is only for treating different ailments, because you can go to one at any time, in any season of the year, at any stage of your life. It allows you to rest, and recover strength, to recuperate after injury and ailments, or simply to have fun.

Many spas in Slovenia offer a wide and diverse choice of services, including a range of more or less exotic massage treatments. And if we also consider the latest tourist trends that show that traditional holidays during which our leisure time is spent primarily on lying around doing nothing, are no longer in vogue, we can see that we are keeping in touch with the times. With all the stress at work and life in general, increasing numbers of holidaymakers are opting for an active holiday.

Even far back in history, people in Slovenia had been taking advantage of the beneficial effects provided by thermal springs. Most of these springs can be found in the central and north-eastern part of Slovenia, in the regions of Zasavje, Štajerska and Prekmurje, with a few of them located in the south-eastern region of Dolenjska. Evidence of the long tradition of thermal spas in Slovenia can be seen in archaeological finds from the time of the Roman Empire. The first written records documenting thermal springs date back to 1147. Word about the healing powers of Slovenian thermal springs spread across the whole of Europe. Soon, not only the local population, but visitors from far and wide

The Thermal Spas of Slovenia

Julija Vardjan, photo: STO

came to enjoy the beneficial effects of the thermal springs

The numerous health spas that have developed across Slovenia are the core of spa tourism in Slovenia, and at the same time they are actively involved in the Slovenian health-care system. They enjoy special status in this respect, complementing hospital treatment and the health-care industry with the healing properties of natural elements.

Favourable Natural ConditionsThe favourable conditions for the development of thermal spas and spa tourism are mostly due to the geographical position of our small country. The key ingredient is thermal water of varying properties and temperature, depending on the region and the individual spa, and, of course, mineral water. These include the world-famous water from Radenska and Donat Mg magnesium-rich mineral water. Other equally important factors are seawater and saltwater, organic and inorganic peloids (therapeutic muds) and the Adriatic, Pannonian and sub-alpine central mountain microclimates. Thermal spas are usually located around hills and vineyards where you can increase your strength by hiking over miles of countryside, enjoying the rich selection of culinary delights and tasting local wines. This world of thermal springs is also a wine making country. Slovenian health spas offer something for everyone. The wisdom, experience, tradition, the natural environment, and the characteristic kindness and hospitality that can only be found in the countryside, make it possible for everyone to find what they are looking for. Visitors can also consult specialists at most of the spas.

Nature Has Been More Than Kind Rogaška Health Spa

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Original Methods of TreatmentFar removed from the city bustle, Slovenian health spas have developed new methods of health treatment using natural healing agents, as well as various preventive programmes based on modern medicine, and, of course, taking into account the modern way of life and the pace set by our work, career, stress and other factors influencing our everyday lives.

Slovenian health spas are a suitable destination for a family vacation, a romantic weekend or simply to reinvigorate the body and soul. Most health centres also have attractive and well-equipped sports facilities where the guests can take care of their physical fitness by swimming, running, hiking, playing a game of golf or tennis, or any other type of sport, while learning more about a healthy lifestyle. More than fifteen climatic and natural thermal spas have developed an extensive selection of beauty and wellness services to complement traditionally offered spa services. Besides the modern pool and accommodation facilities offered by Slovenian health resorts, a variety of anti-stress and beauty programmes is also available.

The bounty of Slovenia lies in its variety, from its karstic and other natural phenomena to its hills and valleys. There is something of everything to be found here, but this does not reduce the quality. It is therefore not surprising that increasing numbers of foreign guests choose to stay at the health resorts of Slovenia. Perhaps you might be tempted to come, too?

The Radenci Health Spa is one of Slovenia’s most famous spas, a popular destination for many domestic and foreign guests. The characteristic countryside of Pomurje allows for many forms of relaxation and leisure activities, and even an opportunity for wine tasting in the wine producing hills beside the Mura River. The naturally sparkling water contains carbon dioxide. The combination of the favourable climate and the famous thermal spring is particularly suitable for the treatment of cardiovascular conditions, kidney ailments and rheumatism.

Located in the town of Moravci, exactly 200 kilometres outside of Ljubljana, the Terme 3000 health resort practically floats on the waves of the Pannonian Sea. Well, that is not exactly true, as the sea has long gone: Today we can only see its remains stretching somewhere below the edges of the Goričko region, in the middle of the green Pannonian plains, and along the Mura River. The fascinating landscape and the possibility of combining a bike trip with rafting down the Mura River will convince even the least athletic visitor to embrace new adventures.

The Pannonian plain also hosts the unique health resort of Terme Lendava, whose healing water is of fossil origin. The healing spring was discovered by experts in the sixties by pure coincidence when they were looking for oil in the region. Located on the borders of Austria, Slovenia and Hungary, the thermal spa finds itself in a colourful ethnic environment. As the water is rich in paraffin, it is especially soothing to the skin and suitable for treatment of rheumatic conditions.

In the heart of the Štajerska region, the town of Ptuj hosts one of the most recently established spas, Terme Ptuj. On the plains of Dravsko Polje, the healing water, rich in sodium hydro-carbonate, is at 39 degrees Celsius. This water is especially suitable for the treatment of, and recovery from rheumatic ailments and post-operative conditions.

In the small town of Topolščica, sheltered by the Karavanke and Savinjske alpe mountain ranges, we find thermal spas bearing the same name. The healing water was discovered as early as the 16th century, and has been found to help treat problems with joints, minor cardio-vascular problems, and post-operative recovery.

The Zreče Thermal Climatic Spa lies in the heart of the Zreško Pohorje mountain range and is renowned for its mild and healing mountain climate. This health spa helps treat difficulties related to post-operative conditions, rheumatic ailments, and diseases of the peripheral nervous system.

The Rogaška Health Spa is famous all over the world for its Donat Mg mineral water, unique in the world for its rich magnesium content. The health spa has always been famous for its beneficial effects in treating gastroenterological disorders, metabolic diseases, and psychosomatic conditions.Radenci Health Spa

Laško Thermal Spa


The healing properties of the springs at Laško Thermal Spa are well known, as people have been coming to them for relief since ancient times. The beneficial properties of the springs were discovered by the Romans. In the Middle Ages missionaries would stop here and rest, and during the reign of the Austro-Hungarian emperor Franz Joseph a popular resort sprang up here. They have recently introduced a popular relaxation technique using hot stones which was invented as early as 2000 BC. Naturally smooth hot stones infused with essential oils help improve circulation, ease muscle soreness, help the body get rid of harmful substances, and balance the energy.

The thermal spa of Terme Snovik is one of the most recently established health resorts in Slovenia. The resort is quite a success story, owing at least a little to its excellent location in the valley of Tuhinjska dolina, lying at the foot of the alpine mountain range of Kamniško-savinjske Alpe, and a mere thirty kilometres from the capital. Following a period of extensive research which stretched over several decades and after fifteen test drills were carried out, it was established that this water is of an extremely high grade, rich in magnesium and calcium. A more detailed analysis showed that the water is suitable for swimming, hydro-massage, drinking and therapeutic purposes. It has proven to be particularly beneficial in treating rheumatic disorders, osteoporosis, and pain in the joints and spine.

The thermal spa of Terme Dobrna is surrounded by an idyllic landscape of meadows and mighty forests. A two-hundred year-old promenade lined on each side by rows of trees is of particular note. Since the old times, Terme Dobrna has been a refuge for those seeking solace from hectic everyday life and enjoying the peace and tranquillity. The natural springs are particularly suitable for the treatment of gynaecological, rheumatic and orthopaedic disorders, and neurological conditions.

In the heartland of Dolenjska we can find the thermal spa of Dolenjske Toplice, where, according to historical records, a thermal spa existed as early as the 13th century. Here, the blend of traditional knowledge and modern-day discoveries about the beneficial properties of the thermal springs has proven to be a true success story. The thermal water, with

a temperature of 36 degrees Celsius, is particularly rich in calcium and magnesium, and is used for treating rheumatic diseases, post-operative conditions and gynaecological disorders.

Šmarješke Toplice is hidden away nearby in the embrace of the forests of Dolenjska. This is a new health spa with modern medical facilities. The calcium and magnesium-rich water has proven beneficial in treating cardio-vascular diseases, diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, and sports injuries.

Located at the confluence of the Krka and Sava rivers, Čatež Termal Spa is Slovenia’s largest natural health spa. According to the first records mentioning the place, the local population began to dig holes and bathe in the hot water as early as the 19th century. They would then cool off in the cold waters of the Sava River. Since then, the region has witnessed the development of one of the largest tourist resorts in Slovenia. The thermal water is the thermal spa’s greatest treasure, with a temperature ranging from 42 to 63 degrees Celsius at source. In the Winter Thermal Riviera the water temperature is at 31-32 degrees Celsius, and there are other facilities including waterfalls, massage benches, a fast-flowing river, a waterslide and a children’s pool equipped as a playground.

Terme Olimia is located in the small town of Podčetrtek, and was once better known as Atomske toplice. On arrival you are greeted by the natural beauty of the region of Kozjansko, its meadows, forests and vineyards. The idyllic surroundings make it a tranquil paradise, and its thermal water is used to treat rheumatic and skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and for relieving stress.

Near the coast, we find thermal spas with a sea view: Terme Palace in Portorož and Strunjan Health Spa. The spas are located in the very centre of the popular coastal town of Portorož, where you can give yourself up to the beneficial properties of the seawater. At Strunjan they treat pulmonary diseases, osteoporosis and rheumatic conditions.

THISISSLOVENIA

Strunjan Health Spa

Čatež Thermal Spa

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Slovenia. According to the dictionary, ‘’a tiny Alpine country in Central Europe, bordering on Italy, Hungary, Croatia and Austria’’. However, this is also where I’ve been living for the past year. My name is Carlos, 28 years old, programmer/musician born in Argentina, living and working in Ljubljana for the last year. Why? Simple: “Moja zaročenka je Slovenka”, which is to say, my fiancée is Slovene (we met in Ireland, but that’s another story).

As to Slovenia, I’ll be the first to admit that before the summer of 2002, I only knew it as one of the Countries Formerly Known as Yugoslavia (well, at least I didn’t confuse it with Slovakia, which is a MAJOR issue here). I did some research on the days before my arrival, and found the typical descriptions you’ve all seen before: “Europe’s best kept secret”, “Ljubljana: miniature Prague”, “fifty per cent of country covered by forests”, and some pictures of Bled and the Postojna Cave. However, nothing prepared me for the real thing.

• I was half-expecting Ljubljana to host some sort of summer festival – there were FIVE going on simultaneously.

•I wanted to go to a park, and although I did visit the beautiful Tivoli Park, nothing compares to Golovec, one of Ljubljana’s several nearby forests (yes, forests!).

• Not one of the natural attractions (trekking, skiing, rowing on breathtaking lakes, the seaside, the caves, the ruins, you name it) was ever more than 2 hours away, most of them even less than 30 minutes from the capital.

• The landscape won’t just give you a break: it changes VERY fast! For example, my adopted family is from Ajdovščina, located in the Littoral region (Primorska). From the name, you’d expect a coastline, or maybe some Mediterranean architecture, right? Wrong. The town is some 30 km away from the sea, which in Slovenia means you get a completely different landscape: hills and valleys, boar and deer, vineyards and orchards, all regularly refreshed by the most dreadful wind ever imagined, which the hurricane locals affectionately like to call Burja.

So, on this first visit I was very pleased with everything I had seen. However, my love affair with Slovenia would have to go into a hiatus until the cold winter of 2005, when I came back, this time to stay for a longer time.

As expected, this time around held some bad times too, but all of them related to the process of getting the right papers done, which went on for almost 8 full months until they were finally ready. I had to delay my actual entrance into the country almost up to the end of June (!), but in the end everything came out alright. My advice? If you’re planning on living here, get all your papers before you buy your plane ticket.

Anyway, after being here for a year, I can say that I enjoy living in Slovenia for exactly the same reason many Slovenes don’t – the whole country feels like a small village. But trust me, for a person born in a city of 13 million, making the switch to a capital of some 250,000 souls is the perfect medicine against having a stroke before 30.

Of course, it’s true what they say, everything is small, everybody knows everybody, and learning the language takes pains, but that’s only half of the picture. Things here work, people are very friendly, nature is at your fingertips, and the sights are both breathtaking and a stone’s-throw away from, well, anywhere. So, in the end size does matter.

So, all in all, let me say it – I love it here. If you are interested in this little jewel of a country (and I’m guessing you’re holding this magazine precisely for that reason), do come here for a visit. You won’t regret it.

THISISSLOVENIA

Carlos Yoder, Argentina



I currently live in Rome because I have enrolled at a one-year defence studies course here. In the five months of living here, some of the impressions have been positive and some negative. This is not the first time that I have lived away from home for a longer period, but life in this city is completely different from anything I experienced before. This is mainly because I have to take care of myself, which after a long day of sitting in lectures and studying, is not exactly the easiest thing. Never before have I had to do cooking, washing, tidying, cleaning, ironing and other household chores. The first few months were especially stressful because of my studies, as well as because I did not yet know my way around the city. I was especially surprised when I realised that time in Rome is not exactly the most important thing in the world. Going anywhere by car takes at least an hour, but if you want to drive to the city centre, it will take you at least two. When living in Rome, it is almost imperative to own a scooter and be responsible when driving it, since accidents happen daily. Travelling takes up at least one hour and a half of my time every day, although I could walk the same distance in the same time. A quick visit to the shop, a little something to eat for dinner and before you know it, it is 8pm. Living this quickly, it is not surprising that people start hanging out after 9pm and have dinner up until midnight.

I was surprised by the cost of living in this city. The prices of ‘standard’ two bedroom flats are between €700 on the city outskirts and €2,000 in the centre, not including expenses, which are about €300 a month. It is difficult to imagine how one could live here on an average Slovenian salary. You need luck to find an apartment at all. I had arranged

accommodation before I arrived and was spared a lot of trouble. It is also necessary to arrange a residence permit and other formalities. Unfortunately, it seems that the news of Slovenia becoming a member of the EU has not yet reached the Roman bureaucrats so the queues for handing in forms are very long.

After five months of living here I have not yet become a “true Roman” and I cannot say that I know the city, since I am still discovering something unique to Rome every day. I know my ‘hood’ and the centre as well as the main arterial roads, so that I no longer get lost. Driving in Rome is a unique experience, and having a GPS would prevent finding oneself in an unpleasant situation. It is necessary to adjust to and accept that people in Roman traffic are impatient, but once you get used to the fact that drivers do not look in their rear-view mirrors and that gestures and shouting are not lethal, it stops being stressful. It actually becomes very simple, because even minor errors can be corrected quickly. It is also important to know what ZTL (car-restricted zone) stands for, otherwise you could suddenly find yourself driving on a road where the only other vehicles are horse carriages, and that could end up being very expensive. Scooters can be a problem, because there are so many, and you never know which side of the road they will suddenly appear from. Taking all this into consideration, it would probably be best to take public transport, which is yet another story; sometimes a bus arrives at a stop and sometimes it does not, and when it does, travelling by bus in Rome seems more like travelling on a lorry than a comfortable public bus. The underground is the easiest and quickest way of getting around, that is, if you are lucky enough to live close to either of the two lines and have a poor sense of smell.

Despite all of this, living in Rome with its chaotic traffic and constant bustle and noise, offers a unique experience which gets under your skin before you know it. Already after three months of living in Rome, Ljubljana seems to me to be very quiet, even too quiet.

If you have enough time, which is in most cases the biggest problem, Rome offers limitless possibilities for having fun: movies, theatre, sports, parks, museums, monuments, fountains, not to mention shopping when the sales are on. Visiting Roman restaurants and trattorias, especially the ones offering typical Italian food, is a must. It is almost impossible to get a free table at weekends. A reservation is necessary, and you should expect to pay around €30 for an average size dinner. The food, however, is among the best in the world. The people are interesting, and most of them are nice. It is important to understand that the pace of life here is much faster, so the Romans are not always in a good mood.

Slovenes living in Rome usually know each other thanks to both Slovenian embassies in Rome which organise social gatherings and cultural events on a regular basis. I am happy to have the chance to get to know the true meaning of Roman life, which is definitely a once in a lifetime experience.

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Dean Groff, Rome


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LETTERFROMABROADPEOPLE

Thinning spiky hair, which reminds me of leafless autumn trees more than it does of punk, serves its purpose. It is like a selection criteria for all those people who judge superficially and to whom appearances matter more than content. ‘Anything essential is invisible to the eyes’, Franci Rogač, also known as Frakl, knows. He is a young fairy tale writer who, in the last four years, has outgrown his youthful rebelliousness, dedicated his time to studying social work, and has also written seven fairy tales.

He was born in Ljubljana, but has roots in Prekmurje, which is noticeable from his accent: to understand him, one has to listen very carefully. His thoughts run ahead of his words, and many are swallowed or uttered in uncompleted sentences. However, he is more adept at writing. He waits for his thoughts to ripen, and then searches for the way to articulate them clearly, as they are mainly written for children, although indirectly probably also to us, parents. Frakl’s fairy tales carry a message. He offers children self-identification with protagonists in distress and gives appropriate solutions suited to the way children think. In every fairy tale he stresses that we are always left with something, and that is hope. Frakel believes that it is necessary to hope until the very last moment and hope is, next to the values of peace, love and friendship, one of the main messages in all of his fairy tales.

Frakl is convinced that, ‘Today’s children are much smarter than we used to be and that is why they deserve good fairy tales.’ He is so sure of himself that he easily manages to convince sponsors, for his fairy tales are self-published. ‘I am led by the energy that I trust. And sometimes I find myself in front of a door that I need to knock on. And only then, when I am already inside the room, do I realize where I have come to. But I always manage to be in the right place at the right

Text and photo: Urška Krišelj Grubar

Franci Rogač

Slovenian Fairy Tale Writertime if only I listen to my inner self.’ Frakl has a turbulent past. He was the kind of son who did not make his parents very proud. He painted the town red on several occasions, got to know the life of homeless people, drug addicts, punks and many other sub-cultures with which he could identify himself in the years of searching. He let a lot of time slip by, but wishes to make up for it now through a lot of hard work. His greatest wish is, however, to save a young person here and there from moral ruin with the help of his fairy tales.

He has written about The Lost Elephant (Izgubljena slončica), about the Piglet and the Magic Star (Prašiček in čarobna zvezdica), about the Forest Dwarf (Gozdni škratek), The Duckling Named Repka (Račka Repka) about The Hedgehog Named Nosek (Ježek Nosek) and about a girl called Luna (Luna) whose ears are too big.

As a student at the Faculty of Social Work and a thirty-year old with plenty of experience of life, he is coming to realise that the young people of today are angry. The worst thing is for them to suppress their anger only for it to resurface in some strange form. Frakl’s fairy tale heroes enable 3-9 year olds to transfer their anger as well as negative and positive feelings to his protagonists. Children can trust them with their problems, or the fairy tale heroes might help them realise that they are not alone and that everyone has trouble in their everyday lives.

Frakl’s fairy tale creatures experience miracles brought about by joy for life, faith, hope, and love. The author himself believes in these, since his young life which was heading for destruction took a miraculous turn. He became one of the most successful and original Slovenian fairy tale writers, which is definitely an extraordinary achievement.


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On 28 and 29 January, Kranjska gora hosted quite a peculiar bunch of racers: the surrounding countryside was echoing with the barking of some one hundred and thirty dogs. The winter sports and tourist resort is known around the world, especially as the site of the annual alpine skiing World Cup. For the sixth consecutive time and the first time in across-the-border cooperation between Slovenia and Italy, the town has staged an international dogsled racing competition. The organization was a joint effort of the Kranjska gora Local Tourist Board and the school of dogsled racing in Fusine, Italy, in cooperation with the Slovenian Dogsled Racing Association, which was founded recently. The organizers have raised the level of the competition considerably, as for the first time in the history of dogsled racing competitions, the start and finish of the European Cup race were located in the nearby village of Rateče, while the racecourse passed into neighbouring Italy as well. This event took place just a week before the European Championship, where a part of the racecourse led through Slovenian territory.

Thirty-two teams from four different countries participated in the competition, which counts for the European and World Cups. There were teams from Italy, Russia, and perhaps most interestingly, from the remote Siberian Kamchatka peninsula. And let us not forget the twelve Slovenian participants, proving that dogsled racing is becoming a more and more familiar sport in Slovenia.

Besides the different competition categories and varying teams of four, six or even eight dogs, so-called skijoring seemed to be of particular interest to the spectators: it features a single dog hitched to a contestant on cross-country skis.

As usual, the event was a success, and the organizers are confident that such races are exceptionally attractive events for all dog lovers; they also present an excellent opportunity to promote Kranjska gora, as well as the whole of Slovenia.

Dogsled Racing in Kranjska goraKornelija Ajlec, photo:Primož Lavre

Sled dogs originate from areas inhabited by certain Inuit groups who used dogs for hunting and watching over their herds of red deer, but above all, to pull sleds. In the first decades of the 20th century, sled dogs were used mainly in polar expeditions, but as early as 1908, the first dogsled race took place in Alaska; it was called the ‘All Alaska Sweepstake’, and later became an increasingly popular tradition. The years between the two World Wars were not favourable to the popularization of canine sports, and after the Second World War, even the Inuit started using snowmobiles. It seemed that the sled dogs would become a relic of the past. However, the dogsled races organized in the following years have sparked an increase in their popularity and the trend seems to be continuing to this day.

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Years ago, when I watched cross-country skiers in admiration, I could not have imagined that this would become one of my favourite forms of recreation. Cross-country skiing is one of those types of recreational activity that offer genuine contact with the natural environment. With a snow-filled winter such as this one there are miles of prepared trails running across Slovenian hills and valleys.

Cross-country skiing is one of the most delightful and environment-friendly forms of recreation. The sports renaissance taking place everywhere around Europe and in Slovenia has already made this sport an important part of tourist activities. Cross-country skiing is a sport anyone can participate in. And the terrain in Slovenia is excellent. The place most esteemed by cross-country skiers is the Pokljuka plateau near Bled, which every year hosts the Biathlon World Cup competition. Pokljuka also offers the best tourist facilities for cross-country skiing. The trails run through quiet woods and across extensive highland pastures. Because of its many ascents and descents it is suitable for more experienced people. There is also a legendary trail between Kranjska gora and Rateče. The more persistent can set out for the Tamar hut past the Planica giant ski jump. The miles of cross-country skiing trails give Kranjska gora the feel of a real winter sports centre. But otherwise almost all Slovenian winter sports centres and even larger towns offer prepared trails. Even in the capital, cross-country skiing tracks are very popular in and are set up in parks and along footpaths.

As becomes a true sporting country, skiers here – from the more experienced to the recreational – can test their

endurance in various competitions. The most widely known is the Bloke cross-country ski marathon, with a course running across the Bloke plateau. This is where, centuries ago, the local people made the first ever skis in Central Europe and used them as a means of transport.

If you, too, feel that cross-country skiing is a laborious sport, I would have to agree. But you know what they say - it is important to listen to one’s self and one’s body and not push any further. If you test the Slovenian tracks, this sport will definitely grow on you once you have experienced the genuine contact with nature.

Polona Prešeren, photo: Julija Vardjan

Genuine Contact With Nature Cross-Country Skiing

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Despite being one of the smallest European countries, with a population that could fit into a suburb of an average world capital, Slovenia, like much bigger countries, boasts numerous extraordinary men and women and their achievements. Dancers Katarina Venturini and Andrej Škufca are among those people the Slovenes can be proud of. They have just recently been awarded the prestigious title of World Champions in Latin American dance in professional competition which makes their achievement even more precious.Who are Katarina and Andrej, two people who have been present on parquet dance floors for over a decade and a half, and dancing together for a slightly shorter period of time? They met at Fredi Dancing School, where they also started dancing together. Katarina was already a talented dancer as a young girl, while Andrej needed some more time to develop his talents. He quickly made considerable progress and they soon proved to be a very harmonious team. They also found that they were meant for each other in their private lives. Despite all their achievements (they won everything that amateurs could possibly win) and despite all their credit for the promotion of Slovenia, the City of Ljubljana did not think it necessary to provide them with

Dancers Katarina Venturini and Andrej Škufca

World Champions from a Tiny Country

Andreja Comino, photo: Arsen Perić

accommodation. Although they were a couple, they had to live separately with their parents. Their relationship ended a year and a half ago, but they have remained great friends and a dance team, and they have been just as successful as professionals as they were as amateurs.

Like any other real professionals, Katarina and Andrej are completely dedicated to their work. They leave no room for chance as far as training and choice of costume are concerned. The latter can be almost as important as the thoroughly studied dance steps. They are aware that their costumes should symbolise the nature of the dance, be interesting, beautiful, and surprising, but without going too far. In her everyday life Katarina is a quiet, gentle and modest person. However, on the parquet, after putting on a magnificent dance dress and shoes, having done her hair and make-up, she turns into a genuine beauty, a determined, strong, passionate and fascinating woman, a woman no man could resist, let alone a strict dance judge. Andrej feels best on the dance floor in a tight polo-neck sweater, usually black, with a small, discreet motif. When they step close to each other and spin together in a passionate dance rhythm, they are invincible.

Their relationship ended a year and a half ago, but they have remained great friends and a dance team, snatching victories one after another.

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The beginnings of telemark reach back into the 19th century. Named after its place of origin, the skiing technique was born in the Norwegian county of Telemark. The first championship took place in 1868, in Christiania, today’s Oslo, capital of Norway. The father of this ancient skiing technique is the traveller and great sportsman Sondre Norheim. The first competition consisted of running up a hill on skis, and then skiing down the slope over natural obstacles. A soft bend of the knees was characteristic of Sondre Norheim’s jumping and landing technique. He would also make all of his turns in the same manner. An innovation in those times, this new skiing technique soon spread among the fans of the snowy slopes. It allowed skiing cross-country over fresh, unprepared snow as modern-day ski centres with prepared runs did not yet exist.

A full century after the birth of telemark, a second spring began for this skiing technique. In the 1970s, Norwegian immigrants to the United States developed and refined the telemark technique. With the help of technology, state-of-the art equipment and modern ski boots, telemark was bound to flourish. The modern-day telemark equipment at first glance looks completely different from the original skiing equipment. The only authentic elements that remain are the technique, the flexible, liftable heel in the boot hinged at the instep, movable bindings, and the basic bent-knee turn. The modern technique, together with appropriately modified

equipment and carving skis, allows enthusiasts to ski over all terrains and types of snow. The quick turns, the elegant lean of the carving technique, the exciting and crazy acrobatic jumps on untreated slopes are attracting increasing numbers of athletes. The key advantage of telemark is the skiing technique, or the method of movement, which is completely natural, and the stance is not forced in this style. This skiing technique spread into Canada from the United States, and made its way back to Scandinavia from there, winning over large numbers of skiers from the alpine countries of Europe. Slovenes are no exception. Perhaps it did not become so massively popular in Slovenia as in the United States, but our skiers have been very active and doing well at competition events.

Telemark skiing in Slovenia was pioneered by Dejan Ogrinec. Some enthusiasts think of him as a great enthusiast, and he is seen as a patron of extreme telemarking. Among other things, he used the technique to ski down some very steep slopes of the six-thousand-meter high Mt. Parcham in Nepal. In terms of organized activity, however, we can speak of the past two decades. Some ten years ago, the first two instructors became active in Slovenia: Miran Stanovnik, better known as the desert fox of the Paris-Dakar Rally, and Iztok Ivačič, both of whom attended the elite Norwegian national school for telemark. The Telemark Committee operating under the auspices of the Skiing Association of Slovenia

Telemark an ancient skiing techniqueLuka Šefic, photo: Samo Vidic


Selected by Anja Otavnik

NEXT MONTH

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Cultural events:

28 February, Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana: Eva Braun, Hitler’s Mistress by Stefan Kolditz and Andreja Kovač; theatre premiere. 2 March, Slovene National Theatre Maribor, Maribor:

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams, directed by Dušan Jovanovič; theatre premiere. 2 March, Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana: BARTÓK, RTV

Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, conductor: En Shao, soloist: Stefan Milenković, violin. 2 – 12 March, Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana: Dark Horse,

winner of the Kingfisher Award at the 16th Ljubljana International Film Festival, written and directed by Dagur Kári, Denmark/Iceland, 2005; film premiere. 3 March, Slovene National Theatre Maribor, Maribor:

Animal Farm (based on the themes from the novel by George Orwell) by Damir Zlatar Frey; theatre premiere. 4 March, Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana: Annual concert of

the France Marolt Academic Folklore Group. 7 March, Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana: Vienna

Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor: Fabio Luisi, soloist: Lang Lang, piano; in collaboration with the Austrian Embassy. 8 March, Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana: Eric Ericson

Chamber Choir, Choirmaster: Eric Ericson; the choir of the legendary Swedish choirmaster Eric Ericson is considered one of the best in the world. 13 – 19 March, Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana: 8th

International Festival of Documentary Film. 20 March – 21 May, Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana: Festival

of Argentinian Culture. 22 – 25 March, Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana: Radical Chic

Festival. 25 March, Hala Tivoli, Ljubljana: Opera Carmen by

Goran Bregovič.

Sport events:

8 – 12 March, Bled, Pokljuka: Biathlon World Cup. 16 – 19 March, Planica: World Cup Final in Ski

Jumping and Ski Flying.

Other events:

7 – 12 March, Gospodarsko razstavišče, Ljubljana: Dom Fair; the Dom fair is intended to present Slovenian and foreign manufacturers of products for the home and surroundings, construction products, doors and windows. 23 – 26 March, Gospodarsko razstavišče, Ljubljana:

Holidays Fair; the Holidays fair is where providers of tourist facilities offer their services. It is a continuation of the rich tradition of Alpe Adria, the central and biggest event of this kind in this part of Europe. 23 – 26 March, Gospodarsko razstavišče, Ljubljana:

Boat Show; the Boat show is aimed at presenting small and large boats together. The event was held independently for the first time in 2005. Its origins, however, date back to the largest and most important holiday fair in this part of Europe.

began to operate in 2003. Three different, yet mutually similar, disciplines developed: the giant slalom, the sprint and classic telemark. What they all have in common is the demanding low telemark posture. You would probably find it hard to believe that it is the first among all skiing disciplines. Slaloming through the woods served as a basis for the giant slalom; jumping over natural obstacles set the foundations for ski jumping; and travelling long distances over snowy plains led to the development of cross-country skiing and the diagonal stride technique. In order for a skier to compete at telemark, versatility and skill are required. Members of the Slovenian national team have been participating in world cup competitions and world championships for several years. In 2004, David Primožič, who lives in Tržič, won the world championship title in the classic sprint discipline. In the world cup competition, the women did well, too. Melanija Šober and Dora Štuhec collected points with ease. David Primožič has been continuing his success this season; he is again at the very top of the world league. As he puts it, telemark is pure romance on skis.

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CULTURALTRAILSKurents

Ljubljana

Ptuj

Kornelija Ajlec Photo: STO

Pust or Carnival is a time for tomfoolery. It is common to all the nations of Central and Western Europe. The Slovenian carnival heritage has undergone a lot of changes through the centuries, and in one of his books, the Slovenian ethnolo-gist Niko Kuret wrote that when it comes to Slovenian carni-val costumes, Slovenia is the richest among the European countries. A great variety of carnival customs and costumes can be found throughout Slovenia. This is also true of Styria where the most famous carnival figure is kurent, which is not only known in Slovenia, but throughout the world.

Kurent (also known as korant) is the central traditional car-nival figure in this part of the world, and the most popular and widespread traditional carnival figure in the areas of Ptu-jsko and Dravsko polje and Haloze. The Ptuj carnival, called Kurentovanje, which is the largest carnival festival in Slove-nia, with a long tradition, was named after it. The Ptuj event is designed to preserve the cultural heritage and ethnographic tradition of the Ptuj region as well as of Slovenia. Kurentovan-je, which is one of the most important traditional events in Slovenia and Central Europe, stems from a hundred-year-old tradition of celebrating the Carnival in the areas of Dravsko and Ptujsko polje, and always brings magical joy and good humour. The present day kurent stems from folk tradition. In the old days, only unmarried men were allowed to put on the kurent costume, while today anyone, even a woman, a mar-ried man or a child, can wear it.

The main role that kurents have today is the preservation of carnival cultural heritage and tradition. In the lowland as well as the mountainous part of Haloze in the Ptuj area, the kurent’s role has always been to drive away winter by jump-ing from side to side, bell-ringing and rituals, which is why they are thought to have supernatural powers. In the country, the arrival of the kurent has always announced the beginning of the new life which comes with the springtime. Therefore, this creature has always been respected.

There are two types: the one from the town of Markovci is covered in feathers; the other comes from the town of Haloze and wears horns. Each kurent wears a mask or a cap made from sheep skin, although sometimes rabbit fur is also used.

Its ears are made of bird wings, the nose is long and trunk-like, and its moustache is made of maize, while white beans threaded on a string serve as teeth. A long red tongue of red cloth or leather is made to look as frightening as possible. The other type looks the same, except for the cow horns and ears which are made of animal skin. Kurents usually wear a light coloured sheepskin, although they can sometimes be black. They continually whirl and jump around to sound the five cow bells that they wear fastened around their waists by metal chains. They also wear green or red leg warmers and heavy work boots. In their hands they hold a ježevka, a thin wooden bat with real hedgehog spikes at the top end which used to serve as a weapon. Ježevka is decorated with col-ourful handkerchiefs which a kurent has been given by girls. The kurent with the most handkerchiefs is believed to be the most popular among girls. The greatest disgrace a ko-rant could face was to have his mask taken off. At least one devil, who wears a red costume made from cloth, always ac-companies a larger group of kurents. Devils can move more freely than kurents, so they help them in many ways. They also always frighten children.

It is possible to say that a kurent also known as korant is a mascot, a symbol and an ambassador of Ptuj, the Ptuj region and the whole of Slovenia. Kurentovanje in Ptuj is not just another festival, but an experience which one remembers forever.

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CULTURALTRAILSKurents

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Written in Slovenia - gov.si · On this occasion, the Statistical Office of the Republic of ... WRITTEN IN SLOVENIA 26-27 MADE IN SLOVENIA LESS IS MORE - KATJA AND JURE BRICMAN: