Written in Slovenia

ISSN 1854-0805
politicsenvironment
culturebusinesssports
2
February 2006
Written in Slovenia
Interview: Milan Dekleva and Karpo Godina
The Thermal Spas of Slovenia
sinfo february 06
SLOVENIAINFIGURES
Polona Prešeren
DAY OF CULTURE
On 8 February Slovenia celebrates an official Day of Culture.
It is not, however, merely a day off work. At first, this day commemorated 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.
In the season 2003/04 there were 35 theatres, groups and institutes 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 performances. Over 2 million people visited 121 museums and
museum collections to see various permanent or temporary
exhibitions.
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 Central 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.
In 2003, 17 films were produced in Slovenia, ten more than in
2002 and considerably more than in previous years, excluding 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.
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Cinemas
theatres
1045
1809
2050
1516
1534
350
322
469
452
468
461
465
511
512
502
523
533
539
1792
1588
2343
2738
2926
2714
2503
2569
1965
2218
1791
2689
2884
9245
11270
11669
11973
12812
13429
14369
15600
16713
193512)
21884
18598
18701
2459
2136
2440
2906
3194
3441
3647
3722
3976
3917
3598
3735
4340
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.
sinfo february
february 06
06
444
441
454
456
455
458
470
470
471
5483)
5653)
6163)
6193)
Feature films
Production
of feature films
Professional
TV licences
1000
Museums
and
museum
colections
Book production,
number of books
titles published
Attendance (1000)
Books1) borrowed
from public libraries
1000
Cultural Indicators
4
3
1
1
2
3
3
4
3
17
9
7
17
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.si
Editor-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: 3.500
Available also at: http://www.uvi.gov.si/eng/slovenia/publications/sinfo
Sabina Popovič
Extraordinary people
8-13 WHAT MAKES THE NEWS
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.
A PEACE PLAN FOR DARFUR
SLOVENIAN WOMEN IN AMERICA
COPERNICUS` BOOK DISCOVERED IN LJUBLJANA
VICTORY FOR ANŽEJ
14-17 INTERVIEW
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.
MILAN DEKLEVA AND KARPO GODINA
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.
22-25 COVER STORY
WRITTEN IN SLOVENIA
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.
26-27 MADE IN SLOVENIA
LESS IS MORE - KATJA AND JURE BRICMAN: CATBRIYUR
31-38 THIS IS SLOVENIA
RIBNICA
THE THERMAL SPAS OF SLOVENIA
And there are many more interesting things to read.
Enjoy!
42-46 SPORT
DOGSLED RACING IN KRANJSKA GORA
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
DANCERS KATARINA VENTURINI AND ANDREJ ŠKUFCA
TELEMARK - AN ANCIENT SKIING TECHNIQUE
Cover photo: Uroš Hočevar
Government PR and Media Office: www.uvi.gov.si
Government Institutions: www.gov.si
Slovenian Tourist Board: www.slovenia.info
Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry: www.gzs.si
Slovenian Chamber of Craft: www.ozs.si
Public Agency of the RS for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments: www.japti.si
Ljubljana Stock Exchange: www.ljse.si
Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia: www.stat.si
State Portal of the Republic of Slovenia: http://e-uprava.gov.si
sinfo february 06
Monthly Report
Broadband Internet Connection on
the Rise in Slovenia
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).
Ljubljana, 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
Gorenje, Arcont and Medex Top
Rated Firms of 2005
Ljubljana, 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.
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
Top rated firms in Slovenia are Arcont, Medex and Gorenje. Photo: Primož Lavre
sinfo february 06
Monthly Report
EBRD Interested in Privatisation in
Slovenia
Ljubljana, 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.
Minister Drobnič addresing the press. Photo: Arsen Perić
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.
Government Takes Measures to
Boost Phasing of EU Funds
Ljubljana, 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 midsized 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.
Seaway’s Shipman Again Awarded
European Boat of the Year Title
Düsseldorf, 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 Calls on Old EU
Members to Lift Labour Restrictions
Villach, 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
sinfo february 06
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.
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.
Government Takes a First Look at
Privatisation Proposals
Ljubljana, 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,
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
sinfo february 06
Monthly Report
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 will adopt euro in 2007. Photo: Leon Vidic
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.
Slovenia to Achieve Average EU GDP
in 8 Years at Current Pace
Ljubljana, 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
Government Sets EU Agenda and
Priorities for 2006
Ljubljana, 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
sinfo february 06
WHAT MAKES THE NEWS
Slovenian President Janez Drnovšek
Puts Forward a Peace Plan for Darfur
Andreja 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 basis for the completion of a peace agreement, and are willing 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.
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.
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
sinfo february 06
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.
WHAT MAKES THE NEWS
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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
9
sinfo february 06
WHAT MAKES THE NEWS
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!
Slovenian Women
in America
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
Tekst and photo: Mary Lou Voelk
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.
sinfo february 06
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
10
WHAT MAKES THE NEWS
Copernicus’ Book Discovered
in Ljubljana Library
Vesna Žarkovič, photo: National and University Library in Ljubljana
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.
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.
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.
11
sinfo february 06
WHAT MAKES THE NEWS
Urška Drofenik,
Fashion Designer:
A Slovenian
Woman
Is Conquering
the World
Andreja Comino, photo: Vito Tofaj
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 DARKHAIRED 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 is helped by more than 5 dressmakers, who make over 200
evening, wedding, prom and other dresses annually.
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.
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.
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
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!
sinfo february 06
12
WHAT MAKES THE NEWS
Victory for
Anžej
Andreja Comino, photo: Vito Tofaj
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.
Although January is a month when musicians rest after December’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 Slovenia 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 fivemember 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
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.
13
sinfo february 06
INTERVIEW
Vesna Žarkovič
This year’s winners of the Prešeren Award are
Photo: Arsen Perić
MILAN DEKLEVA
Photo: Primož Lavre
and
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.
sinfo february 06
KARPO GODINA
Milan Dekleva:
“For me,
everything
is worthy
of a poem.”
14
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?
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.
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.
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 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?
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
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
Photo: Arsen Perić
15
sinfo february 06
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.
Karpo Godina:
“You have to
prove
yourself all
the time.”
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.
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.
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.
Your cinematic oeuvre is impressive: as a director of
photography and a cameraman you have made twentythree 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?
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.
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.
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
sinfo february 06
16
interview
Photo: Primož Lavre
How much have your versatile professional roles influenced
you as a film director?
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.
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?
In your line of work, creativity is of vital importance.
Where do you get it from?
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.
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?
Do you first write a screenplay, or you choose actors
beforehand?
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.
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
17
sinfo february 06
BUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESS
PETRA SOVDAT,
Business Daily Finance
EU Money to Modernise Slovenia’s
Rail Network
Dr Vida Čadonič Špelič, Chief Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Administration
of Slovenia. Photo: Arsen Perić
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.
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
sinfo february 06
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.
18
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 cofinancing will provide €23.5 million, or
83%. The remaining €4.8 million will
be provided by Slovenia, reported the
Slovenia’s rail system will be modernised.
Photo: Arsen Perić
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.
BUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESS
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
Mobitel is Slovenian largest mobile operator. Photo: Primož Lavre
Constitutional Court: No Restrictions
on Sunday Trading Again
Merger of Mercator, Delta and Agrokor
Begins
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.
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,
19
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
sinfo february 06
BUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESS
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-ofthe-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. Photo: Leon Vidic
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06
06
20
20
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.
COVERSTORY
Written in Slovenia
Photo: Uroš Hočevar
Igor Bratož
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.
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 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
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
21
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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.
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.
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.
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
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
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COVERSTORY
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
Tomaž Šalamun
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
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
Photo: Uroš Hočevar
23
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COVERSTORY
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
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
All photos from bookstore Knjigarna Konzorcij in Ljubljana.
Photo: Uroš Hočevar
sinfo february 06
24
COVERSTORYVIEWPOINT
Photo: Personal Archive
Dr Marko Stabej,
Associate Professor at the Department for Slovenian Studies
Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana.
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
25
25
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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06
KATJA AND JURE BRICMAN: CATBRIYUR
LESS IS MORE
Urška Krišelj Grubar
Photo: Jure Bricman/Catbriyur
They bought a porcelain furnace…
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.
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…?”
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.
With the speed of light on their way to success after
beginners’ bad luck…
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.
sinfo february 06
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
26
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.’’
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.
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
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…
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.
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
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?
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Winners of the Prešeren Awards and the Prešeren Fund Awards in 2006. Photo: Primož Lavre
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
sinfo february 06
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-inchief 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
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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 BushPutin 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.
S
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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
Y
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.
Fabula is a festival with a concept. Photo: Arsen Perić
THE FABULA INTERNATIONAL STORY
FESTIVAL
T
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,
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.
The Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra. Photo: Leon Vidic
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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
30
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 blackand-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 blackand-white and colour motifs.
THISISSLOVENIA
WHEN YOU APPROACH THE RIBNICA VALLEY
ON THE ROAD FROM LJUBLJANA TO KOČEVJE,
YOU ARE GREETED BY A TRADITIONALLYSTYLED 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.
The Ribnica Suha Roba Craftsmen
Slovenia’s Long Withstanding Tradition of Making
Woodenware and Pottery Lives On
Andraž Kajzer, photo: Robert Zajc, Jože Prešeren
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.
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
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THISISSLOVENIA
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.
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.
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
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Modern-day woodenware craftsman, Jože Pogorelc with one of his
ladle-making machines in the village of Sajevec near Ribnica.
32
THISISSLOVENIA
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 Toys
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.
Alongside 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 (PogorelecČešarek 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.
Ana Češarek’s nativity scene, for which she received a blessing from
the Pope.
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.
The Pope’s Apostolic Blessing
In 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
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THISISSLOVENIA
Photo: Kornelija Ajlec
Shrovetide Fritters
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.
Raisin Beignets
Ingredients:
• 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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THISISSLOVENIA
Yeast-raised Doughnuts
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.
Crispy Pancakes
Ingredients:
250 g (8 2/3 oz) flour
pinch of salt
2 eggs beaten
75 ml (5 tbsp) sour cream
flour to dust the counter
frying fat
icing 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.
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THISISSLOVENIA
The Thermal Spas of Slovenia
Nature Has Been More Than Kind
Rogaška Health Spa
Julija Vardjan, photo: STO
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.
came to enjoy the beneficial effects of the thermal springs
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.
Favourable Natural Conditions
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.
The 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.
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
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THISISSLOVENIA
Original Methods of Treatment
Far 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.
Laško Thermal Spa
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 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 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.
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.
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
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THISISSLOVENIA
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 magnesiumrich 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 fastflowing river, a waterslide and a children’s pool equipped as
a playground.
Čatež 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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Strunjan Health Spa
38
THISISSLOVENIA
Carlos Yoder, Argentina
• 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.
Photo: Personal Archive
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).
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.
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.
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.
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sinfo february 06
LETTERFROMABROAD
Dean Groff, Rome
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 rearview 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.
Photo: Personal Archive
I currently live in Rome because I have enrolled at a oneyear 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.
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.
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
sinfo february 06
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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PEOPLE
LETTERFROMABROAD
Franci Rogač
Slovenian Fairy Tale Writer
Text and photo: Urška Krišelj Grubar
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.
time 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 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.
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 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
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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S P O R T
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 crosscountry 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 gora
Kornelija Ajlec, photo:Primož Lavre
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 acrossthe-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.
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.
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.
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S P O R T
Cross-Country Skiing
Genuine Contact With Nature
Polona Prešeren, photo: Julija Vardjan
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.
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.
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
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S P O R T
World Champions from a Tiny Country
Their relationship ended a year and a
half ago, but they have remained great
friends and a dance team, snatching
victories one after another.
Andreja Comino, photo: Arsen Perić
Dancers Katarina Venturini and Andrej Škufca
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
sinfo february 06
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.
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S P O R T
Telemark
an ancient skiing technique
Luka Šefic, photo: Samo Vidic
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.
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
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
45
sinfo february 06
S P O R T
NEXT MONTH
Selected by Anja Otavnik
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.
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.
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.
sinfo february 06
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sinfo january 06
Its ears are made of bird wings, the nose is long and trunklike, 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 colourful 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 korant could face was to have his mask taken off. At least one
devil, who wears a red costume made from cloth, always accompanies a larger group of kurents. Devils can move more
freely than kurents, so they help them in many ways. They
also always frighten children.
CULTURALTRAILS
Kurents
Ptuj
Ljubljana
Kornelija Ajlec
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.
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 ethnologist Niko Kuret wrote that when it comes to Slovenian carnival 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 carnival figure in this part of the world, and the most popular
and widespread traditional carnival figure in the areas of Ptujsko and Dravsko polje and Haloze. The Ptuj carnival, called
Kurentovanje, which is the largest carnival festival in Slovenia, 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. Kurentovanje, 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 married 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 jumping 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.
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sinfo february 06
CULTURALTRAILS
Kurents
sinfo february 06