Stories from Slovenia

IN FOCUS
A Boutique Choice For Travellers

Moscow
2320 km

London
1550 km

Berlin
990 km
Vienna
380 km

Paris
1250 km

LJUBLJANA

Madrid
2060 km

Belgrade
540 km
Ankara
1940 km

Rome
760 km
Palermo

Iraklio

editorial

Photo: Mateja Jordovi Potonik

Slovenian information
www.slovenia.si
www.ukom.gov.si

Published by
Government Communication Office
Editor-in-Chief
Nataa Buljeta, M.Sc.
Executive Editor
Vesna arkovi
Editorial Board
Danila Golob, Brigita Juhart, Irena Kogoj,
Uro Mahkovec, Danila Mai, Polona
Preeren, Livija Kova Kostantinovi
Design
Irena Kogoj
Photo Editor
Bojan Pernek
Photo on the front page
Tourist Board Portoro, Julia Wesely
Translation
Secretariat-General of the Government of
the Republic of Slovenia, Translation and
Interpretation Division, PSD d.o.o.
Language editing
Amidas
Copy writer editing
Marcus Ferrar
Print
Collegium Graphicum d.o.o., Slovenia

The best of Europe in

one small convenient
package
What impresses tourists most about Slovenia? It might sound a bit of a clich, but Slovenia
really does offer the best of Europe in one small convenient package, claim a lot of them.
Within an hours drive from the picturesque but increasingly cosmopolitan capital of
Ljubljana, you have the Mediterranean coast, the Alps, wine regions, countless cultural and
historical sites, ski resorts, thermal spas and lots, lots more. And all brought together in a
country with progressive policies such as state-funded education and healthcare, workers
rights, and a high-quality infrastructure maintained by a sustainable tax scheme.
Our visitors are mostly enchanted by Ljubljana, Bled, Portoro and Piran and the larger
spa resorts. However, a growing number of niche areas, such as wine holidays, adrenaline
sports, eco-friendly activities, casinos and rural tourism will probably become increasingly
important in the future, as Slovenia continues to differentiate itself from neighbouring
countries.
After days spent in the calm Slovenian countryside, its a shock to the system to return to
busy, bustling Venice for our journey home. It may be the jewel of northern Italy, but for
us, Slovenia was the real crowning glory of our trip, said an American tourist after visiting
Slovenia.
It was even written on the Hostelling International blog, which combines over 4,000
hostels in 90 countries around the world, that no other place conjures up a fairy-tale like
Lake Bled in Slovenia with its spectacular church and belfry on the little island situated on
an emerald green glacial lake surrounded by the highest peaks of the Julian Alps. In their
opinion, Bled with its Bledec Youth Hostel has been recognised as the most attractive fairytale destination in the world for almost four months. Bled is followed by destinations in
England, Turkey, Bolivia and South African Republic.
What more can I say?

Number of copies
3000
ISSN
1854-0805

Vesna arkovi, Executive Editor

Sinfo - Slovenian information

content

Why Slovenia?
A Boutique Country in Central Europe

14

LJUBLJANA a beloved city

At the centre of Slovenia - European Green Capital 2016

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Slovenian highlights
Favourite destinations

20

The best of Europe in one small convenient package

Slovenia as seen through foreign eyes

34

spas and health resorts

The choice of royalty

38

Slovenias ten most visited castles

Old legends reveal their day-to-day life

44

Agrotourism
Feel the rhythm of life in the Slovenian countryside

62

musical and cultural festivals

A summer of music

66

Ten Must-have Souvenirs from Slovenia

Forget me not

72

golf courses
Integrated into beautiful nature

84

Slovenian Day at EXPO 2015

Green, active, healthy

88

Alain Brian Bergant

Not the globalisation of Bled, but the bledalisation of the
globe

Government Communication Office

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Sinfo - Slovenian information

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New focus

New look.

Enjoy it.

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A boutiquE Choice For Travellers

Photo: www.slovenia.info, Ubald Trnkoczy

What is there to love about Slovenia? What can the country offer
visitors that they cant find in neighbouring countries with more established tourism industries, such as Italy and Croatia? The answer
is: Slovenia is diverse and all the important sights are close to each
other. We cant compete with Italy or Croatia in terms of volume (and
actually dont want to), but we can compete as a boutique destination where the emphasis is on quality and individuality.

Why Slovenia?

A Boutique Country in Central Europe

VESNA ARKOVI

in focus

Dont let its diminutive size fool you. Slovenias location at one
of Europes true geographical, cultural and historical crossroads
has blessed the country with a wealth of sights and attractions.
Why Slovenia? What is there to love about Slovenia?

The answer is short: Diversity and close proximity to all

the important sights.
Visitors can ski at the Kanin ski resort in the morning and after only an hour and a
halfs drive to the south enjoy sunbathing on the coast. Which other country can offer this much on a such a small scale? The second advantage is that there is no mass
tourism; if someone wants to spend their holiday in peace and quiet, there are plenty
of opportunities for doing so.

There are many reasons to choose Slovenia.

The country is clearly a green and diverse boutique tourist destination of well-being
in Central Europe, located at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, the Alps and the
Pannonian Plain.
All main tourism products of Slovenia are closely connected with nature. It is the
third most forested country in Europe, after Finland and Sweden, with a vibrant and
unspoilt landscape. It is the landscape that makes Slovenia a perfect destination for
hiking, Nordic walking, cycling, golf, all kinds of water activities, winter sports and
farm tourism. Not to mention Slovenian gastronomy, which is a heavenly mixture of
the wide variety of local and regional food. Slovenias main competitive advantage
in tourism is what it can offer visitors in terms of a green, active and healthy vacation. According to findings of numerous studies and responses from foreign tourists,
Slovenia surprises visitors above all with its beautiful, pristine nature, which is distinguished by abundant diversity.
Beautiful, attractive
The first thoughts that come to mind when people hear the word Slovenia are beautiful, attractive, safe, welcoming, health resorts, Ljubljana, vignette, Bled, nature, Croatia, skiing, holidays, sports, basketball, castles, love, weather, Bohinj, the Soa River,
Portoro, Postojna Cave, the Alps. These terms are also the ones most frequently used
by Internet users when writing about Slovenia. The capital of Ljubljana is most often
mentioned in connection with sports events and its castle. Internet users also frequently mention Postojna Cave and the countrys numerous castles. Visitors to Slovenia also frequently associate the country with its beautiful nature and rich history due
to its location at one of the most important historical crossroads in Europe, where the
Romance, Germanic and Balkan worlds meet to form a unique culture.
Ljubljana.
Photo: Dunja Wedam

Sinfo - Slovenian information

in focus

Advice for visitors

Although Slovenia is a small country in

geographic terms, it has a lot to offer.
People are very friendly and always prepared to help. In short, visitors will get much more than they expect. If visitors prefer active
holidays, a combination of adrenaline-inspiring activities is a good
idea: rafting or canyoning on the Soa River, hot-air ballooning with
an outdoor breakfast picnic on a meadow after landing, must-see
sightseeing locations, and a bit of pampering the taste buds at local restaurants. And for foodies, a weekend in Gorika Brda, staying
at a winery, visiting world-class winemakers, sampling their wines
and attending a cooking course at a renowned restaurant, where
they can make their own tasting menu under the supervision of a
master chef.
The Logar Valley is another very good choice for an incredible vacation, since it offers numerous activities for everyone: trekking,
hiking or mountaineering in the Kamnik- Savinja Alps, mountain
biking on the panoramic road, natural beauties such as the Rinka
Waterfall or the ice cave under Mt Raduha, including the warm and
hospitable local people. Not to mention the fantastic local food,
which you just have to love, even if youre not a foodie at all.
Green Slovenia Tour

Green or Eco tourism is gaining in popularity every year.

Sustainable tourism appears more and more frequently on travellers wish lists, especially those of demanding clients who prefer to
travel green. Slovenia does not have enough eco hotels yet, but the
entire strategy of the tourism industry is slowly acknowledging this
important trend. There is quite a lot of interest in special gourmet
tours among tourists who are interested in local traditional food
and wines which are made completely naturally. They want to see
how raw milk cheese is made, as well as how honey is produced

and what natural products are made from it. And of course they
want to taste different kinds of local specialities from every corner
of the country.
How has the tourism sector in Slovenia changed in the past 10 to
20 years?
It has developed from the traditional mass bed & sea offer to more
targeted and niche tourism. We cant compete with Italy or Croatia
on a mass level (and dont want to), but we are a boutique destination, where quality and individuality are emphasised.
Over the next 10 to 20 years, Slovenian tourism will become a highly developed niche market for everyone from budget to high-end
guests, since we can provide services for any of these categories.
People will need to understand that FIT guests are demanding in
terms of what they expect, and this is the charm of custom-made
products. If you create them with passion, then the sky is the limit
as far as creativity and budget are concerned.
Why an American would choose to live in slovenia?
We sought an answer from two foreign editors William Dunn and Yuri
Barron:
When a Slovene meets a foreigner the first question they usually ask
is the standard, Where are you from? - which is understandable. But
if you answer back the States, nine times out of ten the follow-up
question is Why are you living in Slovenia? Ive always found this
strange, not the question itself but the surprise with which people ask
it - especially given the fact that most Slovenes are (rightfully) proud
of their country and more or less live here by choice as well. Therefore
I thought that it might be a good idea to provide some answers, and
hopefully help solve this profound mystery once and for all.
For the sake of brevity as well as entertainment Im going to skip all of
the boring usual suspects (i.e. the people are lovely, the city is beautiful, Turbo-folk is awesome, etc.). Anyway, in no particular order here
are some of the reasons why an American would choose to live in
Slovenia.

In 2014, tourism generated 2.2 billion in foreign currency income in Slovenia, i.e. 12.7
per cent of GDP. Some 31,000 people were engaged indirectly in tourism, while 104,500
Slovenians are directly employed in the tourism industry. Since tourism is one of the biggest
and fastest-growing global service industries, employing as much as eight per cent of the
global workforce, it also has a great impact on the natural, cultural and social environment.

10

Government Communication Office

Photo: www.Slovenia.info , Tomo Jeseninik

in focus

Ljubljana.
Photo: Dunja Wedam
14

Government Communication Office

in focus

Cobblestone: Probably the single biggest reason why I live in Europe. I love the stuff. I love the way it looks on narrow windy roads
that lead up to castles and churches. And I especially love the way it
sounds when expensive German-engineered cars drive over it. In the
States we barely have any of the stuff.
Socialism - or at least social democracy: In America most of your
right-wing Slovene politicians would be considered dirty leftist commie heathens for supporting such treacherous things as universal
healthcare, affordable higher education, and other basic social benefits.
Advertising: That 5-meter large billboard on Kongresni Trg with
nothing but a pair of large soapy breasts on it would sadly never be
allowed in the US, which pretty much tells you everything you need
to know about American advertising, as well as our views on nudity
and sex in general.
Rogs old-school Pony bicycles: These things could never exist
commercially the States due to their comically inefficient design, but
theyre so cute I cant help but smile every time I see one - especially
if its being ridden by a man in a business suit or anyone over the age
of 60.
Electrical plugs: These probably get overlooked as unnoticeable
features of everyday life, but if you grow up in the States you dont
realise how flimsy and cheap looking American-style electrical plugs
are until you experience the European variety. Of course ours are less
than half the voltage (which I assume is somehow more efficient),
but on purely aesthetic grounds European plugs cant be beat. Although while were on the subject I have to say that those British
3-prong monsters are absolutely ridiculous looking.
Accents: Other than the regional accents of some native-speakers
(see anywhere in rural America or northern Britain for evidence) and
speakers of most Asian languages, virtually every accent in English
automatically makes a person more attractive and interesting - good
for at least half a point on the 10-point attractiveness scale. While the
Slovene English accent isnt necessarily at the top of the list, its a definite plus.
Slippers: Since your average tourist or business traveller is about as
likely to see the inside of a locals house as they are to see a real dragon, most visitors unfortunately miss out on one of Slovenias most
charming traditions: slippers, or more specifically, the pile of slippers
that all Slovenes have next to their doors for guests to use. Cosy and

comfortable, they make you feel at home. I still vividly remember my

first slipper experience when I came to visit distant relatives in 2002.
Wedding convoys: For the record, Im personally opposed to weddings and sincerely hope that I never get forced into having to endure my own. But that being said, I always enjoy the incessant honking coming from convoys of flower and ribbon-adorned cars I hear
every Saturday morning (except of course for when Im trying to
sleep off a hangover).
After my first two columns people generally seemed surprised that
Id been able to come up with so many reasons why an American
would want to live in Slovenia, but I assure you that weve barely
scratched the surface. Here are a few more things about Slovenia
that shouldnt be taken for granted:
Trains: Believe it or not, that clickety-clack noise a train makes is
about the most romantic transport-related sound there is. But much
like cobblestone and slippers, in America theres a noticeable dearth
of passenger trains - at least in the West, where Im from. Why? The
distances are huge, petrol and flying are cheap (during Clintons last
year in office petrol cost around 0.16 per litre, and even now its only
0.45), and the independence afforded by cars is pretty much a godgiven right. Add it all up and passenger trains are more or less just
props you see in movies.
Vacation days: OK, so the economy is crap and since everyone goes
to university there are way too many qualified people for the jobs
available, but for those that manage to find gainful employment the
benefits are pretty sweet. Foremost among them is the number of
vacation days you get: a legal minimum of 21, which is over twice
(yes, twice) the standard amount given in the States. Throw in the
(theoretically) infinite number of sick days and excess of public holidays and you have close to two completely work-free months per
year. Good times.
Active people: Most Americans are fat and/or lazy - its a fact, look
it up. For instance, I havent ran more than 100 metres or regularly
ridden a bike since the mid-1990s. But I still like living in a city full
of active people. Every weekend it seems like half the country is out
climbing a mountain, cycling through the countryside or rummaging around in the forest for mushrooms. I even like those people on
their ridiculous-looking rollerblades. Why? I guess mere proximity to
active people makes me feel healthier by some kind of social osmosis, which I suppose is better than nothing.

Sinfo - Slovenian information

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LJUBLJANA a beloved city

At the centre of Slovenia - European

Green Capital 2016
vesna arkovi

in focus

Slovenia is the only country in the world that bears love

in its name ljuba. An old folk tale says love has a special power here: it brings together what is diverse.
Ljubljana is beloved (ljubljena). The words in Slovenian almost sound the same.
And for those who really know Ljubljana, these words are, in fact, synonymous.
The capital of the country with the word love in its name lies at the junction of
Slovenias diversity. It connects the prehistoric times of the pile dwellers with
the times of the Roman Emona, Baroque features with the beauties of Secessionism, the Slavonic soul with the creations of Joe Plenik, the distinguished
architect and urban planning engineer. Museums and galleries, pubs along
the river and city squares, theatres and concert halls, festivals organised in the
streets during the summer - all this and more is lined up near the Pleniks
Triple Bridge. The heart of the city, Pleniks market, is protected by dragons
on a 19th-century bridge, and bridge with modern sculptures characterised
by love-locks.

Nature is easily accessible from the centre of Ljubljana, a city that proudly carries the title of European Green Capital 2016.
The park and the forest extend right into the city - a short trail leads to the
Ljubljana Marshes, which are full of stories about life thousands of years ago.
The oldest wooden wheel with an axle in the world, which is 5200 years old,
was found among the remains of one of Ljubljanas pile dwellings. Who knows:
maybe this wheel made the road to Ljubljana easier? And today, Ljubljana is
full of bike wheels.
Despite celebrating its 2000th birthday in 2014, Ljubljana has only been the
capital of an independent nation since 1991. It is this curious mix of two thousand years of evolution combined with the understandable youthful enthusiasm that has created the city we know and love today.
It might not be the biggest city in the world (in fact, with only 280,000 inhabitants it is one of Europes smallest capitals and slightly smaller than Coventry),
but Ljubljana uses this to its advantage and has a genuine cosmopolitan feel
with all the comfort and friendliness of the smallest village. Take its geographical position that is the very definition of Central Europe, a long and proud
tradition of culture and the arts and a high quality of life, drop it in the middle
of the Alps, and you are on the right path to getting a feel for Ljubljana.
Ljubljanica river.
Photo: Dunja Wedam

Sinfo - Slovenian information

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Slovenian highlights
Favourite destinations
danila golob

Photo: Jake-Jeri

Alpine peaks, steep rock faces, hills, vast plains, green forests,
magnificent underground galleries, emerald lakes, murmuring
streams, rivers, waterfalls and sparkling sea. Slovenia has it all.

in focus

Triglav National Park

Triglav National Park is situated in the north-western corner of Slovenia. It encompasses almost the entire Julian Alps amounting to
four per cent of the entire Slovenian territory. It is the only national
park in the country and one of the oldest parks in Europe. The park
was named after the highest Slovenian mountain, Triglav (2,864
m), which is situated at its heart. Deep, steep valleys covered by
green forests and pastures surround Triglav in all directions, and
high mountain peaks rise above them. Crystal clear mountain
streams and small rivers flow along numerous ravines and beautiful gorges (Vintgar, Mlinarica and Mostnica), which merge into two
larger rivers, the Sava and the Soa. Hidden high in the mountains
nestle Triglav and Kri lakes, while Lake Bohinj, the largest permanent natural lake in Slovenia, lies in Bohinj. The diverse landscape is
enriched by exceptional and diverse flora together with numerous
examples of protected wildlife. Old farms and homesteads typical
of the locale can be found in remote corners of the park. Livestock
still grazes on many Alpine pastures and farmers continue to make
cheese in the traditional manner. Special places of interest in the
park are accessible and conveniently arranged for visitors. Trails
and paths are well-marked and there are many mountain huts
where mountaineers, wishing to visit higher parts of the park, can
stay overnight.

The Alja Tower, a mountain refuge and a cultural monument of

national importance, is located at the peak of Triglav. It was built
in 1895 by Jakob Alja, then priest in Dovje. This year marks the
120th anniversary of the construction of the Alja Tower. To mark
this occasion, the National Museum of Slovenia prepared a travelling exhibition and a film, Alja Tower: This metal has soul! with
which they wish to raise awareness among people to behave respectfully and not to climb on the tower or write their names on it.
The central piece of the exhibition is the replica of the tower made
by the specialist conservation and restoration team of the National
Museum of Slovenia and consists of the same sheet metal plates as
were used by Jakob Alja.
The Alja Tower has been protected as a cultural monument of national importance since 1999. The tower is in good condition due
to the constant care of mountaineers and still serves as a baptistery for all who climb to the top of Slovenia for the first time.
The Soa River Valley

Symbol of Slovenia
Triglav, the highest Slovenian mountain, is the symbol of Slovenian nationhood. The origin of its name (Tri-glav meaning three
heads) is not completely clear. It most likely refers to the shape of
the mountain as seen from Bohinj, or perhaps the mountain was
named after the ancient Slavic deity, Triglav.

It is possible to see all the way to the Adriatic Sea from the top of Mt Triglav, to the
Dolomites in Italy, Hohe Tauern in AusThe Logar Valley is one of the most beautiful
Alpine glacial valleys in Europe.

tria, the Karavanke, the Kamnik-Savinja

Alps and Pohorje hills, practically over the
whole of Slovenia and as far as the peaks
of the Julian Alps.

The Soa River Valley is situated in the Julian Alps in north-western

Slovenia, where three municipalities meet, i.e. Bovec, Kobarid and
Tolmin. The landscape which is distinguished by snow-capped
mountain peaks and blooming valleys was formed by the Soa
River. The 136-kilometre long emerald beauty which springs in the
Trenta Valley quickly descends south and has over the centuries
broken through the rocky barriers in its path and created this diverse landscape. The Soa Trail takes us to the magnificent gorge of
the Soa River, the Tolminka Gorge and the waterfalls of the Kozjak
Stream.
The Soa River Valley with its pristine nature allows visitors to
spend active but also relaxing holidays, while engaging in water
sports on the Soa River, hiking, cycling, fishing, mountaineering,
Alpine skiing and so on. Or, you can enjoy the peace and quiet and
the soft murmuring of the emerald Soa.

Sinfo - Slovenian information

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in focus

The Logar Valley

The Logar Valley is one of the most beautiful Alpine glacial valleys
in Europe. The road winds past meadows and the mighty Logar
lime tree and offers views over the steep rock walls of the KamnikSavinja Alps. The valley is 7 kilometres long and on average 250
metres wide; it is divided into three sections: grassy meadows are
typical of the lower Log and Plest in the central section, while Kot in
the upper part is overgrown with forest. The charming Logar Valley
also has its pice de rsistance the Rinka Waterfall, which is considered one of the most beautiful and frequently visited waterfalls
in Slovenia. The waterfall is a popular site for tourists and hikers in
summer, and ice climbers test their skills on the frozen waterfall in
winter.
Homesteads, which through the centuries contributed to the cultural landscape of the Logar Valley, also left their special mark. The
authentic environment, natural sights and harmony between man
and nature are features for which the Logar Valley was declared a
landscape park in 1987. Due to its position, the valley serves as the
perfect starting point for numerous hiking trips and family outings,
including more active holidays in pristine nature.
kocjan Caves
Among over 8,000 caves in Slovenia, kocjan Caves are also something special. They entered the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986
and became the first underground wetland in the world to be protected under the Ramsar Convention in 1999.

The caves include the largest known underground canyon in the world, and consist of eleven caves with spatial halls.
kocjan Caves have about six kilometres of natural bridges, lakes
and waterfalls. The caves are a true spectacle with numerous colourful and giant stalagmites and stalactites of various shapes, organ-like formations and water-filled hollows. The Reka River flows
through kocjan Caves and has formed this unique natural world,
which is open for visitors all year round.
Birth place of Lipizzaner horses
Lipica is the oldest European stud farm whose tradition dates back
to 1580. Its history is closely linked to the Habsburgs and the times

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when a horse symbolised a key strategic asset. Due to its continued breeding of the Lipizzaner, one of the oldest breeds of horses,
the Lipica Stud Farm carries an exceptional cultural, historical and
natural heritage for the Slovenian and broader European environment. A visitor to the Lipica estate may experience the grace and
elegance of Lipizzaner horses while viewing the performance by
the most talented studs, observing horses during their training,
riding on their backs or enjoying a ride in a carriage through the
picturesque surroundings.
Mediterranean pearl
Piran is the most beautiful town on the Slovenian coast. It is situated at the cape of the Piran peninsula. Narrow medieval streets, hidden gardens, small squares, churches and town walls reflect its rich
history. Two of the most notable sights of this Venetian-style town
are the Cathedral of St George and Tartini Square named after the
famous Italian composer and violinist and a renowned resident of
Piran, Giuseppe Tartini. The square is surrounded by the Municipal
Palace, the Venecian, the oldest preserved house in the town, and
the Church of St Peter. A walk along the Piran promenade adjoining
the sea, where many fish restaurants can be found, is quite an experience. For centuries Piran was dependent upon fishing, maritime
trade and salt production. Today it is an administrative, cultural and
tourist centre attracting many local and foreign visitors.
Town of situlae
Novo Mesto, the capital of the Dolenjska region, was established
in 1365 when this town on the bend of the Krka River was granted
town status and privileges by Austrian Archduke Rudolph IV. This
stunning town embraced by the grey-green Krka River is located in
the centre of the hilly Dolenjska landscape. One of the towns symbols is the Cathedral of St Nicholas which stands out against the
silhouette of the Novo Mesto townscape. Many cultural remnants
and sights may be found in the town and the Museum of Dolenjska
houses its exceptional archaeological heritage. Novo Mesto is the
only town in Europe where such a large number of prehistoric situlae were discovered at burial grounds dating from the early Iron
Age. Due to the absence of any written tradition, the situlae represent a valuable and rare witness of the past times and customs.
Novo Mesto is the place to visit particularly this year on the occasion
of its 650 years of establishment since numerous cultural events
will be organised throughout the year. Through these events the
citizens of Novo Mesto wish to show their visitors how proud they
are of their hometown.

Government Communication Office

in focus

Postojna Cave
Postojna Cave can easily be considered the greatest sight in Slovenia and a majestic creation of nature,
which is known around the world. The largest karst cave in Slovenia with 21 kilometres of underground tunnels has been created and formed by the Pivka River over the course of two million years. The water levels
have changed through time and a several-storey cave was formed full of stalactites, stalagmites, columns,
curtains and other interesting shapes, which slowly emerged through water depositing limestone.

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Photo: Miha Krivic

The mysterious combination of tunnels, galleries and halls and the diversity of karst phenomena are the
primary reasons for the exceptional popularity of Postojna Cave, which has been visited by 36 million visitors in 200 years. A special underground train, running over 140 years, takes tourists into the cave, which
they can then further explore on foot. No Hollywood screenwriter could have had the imagination to create
what nature created in this cave. The shinning white stalagmite, Brilliant, has been the symbol of Postojna
Cave for decades, including the special resident of the cave, proteus.

in focus

The best of Europe in one small convenient package

Slovenia as seen through foreign eyes

vesna arkovi

Having explored Slovenia for some seven years, four foreign journalists have gathered their thoughts
and observations in a new travel guide The Slovenia Book. Yuri Barron from the US, John Bills and
Will Dunn from the UK, and James Cosier from Australia, have all lived in Slovenia for several years.
Over the seven-year period, they visited, photographed and selected their 100 favourite places in
Slovenia. The result is The Slovenia Book Top 100 destinations.

20

Government Communication Office

in focus

Besides these 100 top destinations, the book is enriched by interviews with Slovene celebrities, top 10 lists, descriptions of over
1,000 tourist attractions, photographs and up-to-date practical
information.

The book lists numerous interesting spots

in Slovenia and describes the best ways to
reach them. It also lists the ten greatest
attractions, the ten most typical dishes,
the ten best known castles and ten skiing
destinations.
Love. Work. Family roots. These are but a few of the things connecting the four English-speaking journalists to Slovenia. They wrote
the guide in the hope that their seven-year observations will help
tourists who want to explore Slovenias towns and countryside
with a slightly different guidebook.
Overlooked attractions
I first came into Slovenia while travelling. I fell in love with the country immediately; a year later, when I returned, I fell in love with my
girlfriend and stayed. Its been six years since, explains Will Dunn
in fluent Slovene. Since he chose Slovenia to be his new home, he
has viewed the local life and people differently than when he was
still a tourist.
Yuri Barron, who was also the managing editor of the book, agrees:
Foreigners view of Slovenia is different than that of Slovenes.
When, for example, I visited Krko and talked with the locals, nobody suggested that I should see the nuclear plant. But this was
what I found most interesting, as the plant was my first thought
related to Krko. And tourists can actually visit it. Or the Kranj underground tunnels. A bomb shelter can be very informative for
someone who cannot see World War II-related history at home,
but hardly any locals recommended it, he comments in explanation of what kind of sights and attractions were sought out and
found their place in the book. The souvenir list thus includes the
well-known beehive panels, Idrija lace and Piran salt, as well as slippers made of Solava wool and decorative and practical forged
iron products from Kropa.
And what impressed them most about Slovenia? It may sound a bit
of a clich, but it really is the best of Europe in one small convenient

Soa river.
Photo: iga amernik/Mostphotos

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package! Within an hours drive from the quaint and increasingly

cosmopolitan capital of Ljubljana, you have the Mediterranean
coast, the Alps, wine regions, countless cultural and historical sites,
ski resorts, thermal spas and lots more, says Yuri. Although the
differences between the USA and Slovenia are surprisingly small,
he notes, However, aside from the usual differences between the
USA and Europe such as progressive socialist policies like statefunded education and healthcare, workers rights, and high-quality
infrastructure maintained by a sustainable tax scheme , one of
the more trivial things that still surprises me is the limited business
hours, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. In US cities you can
more or less buy anything you need 24 hours a day, while in Slovenia this is not so much the case.

Delighted by rural tourism

The authors say they really love visiting tourist farms, so-called
open-door farms, ethnological museums and everything else that
makes up rural tourism, or agritourism as it is usually known: I
think most Slovenes dont really associate farms and rural culture
with tourism, and many may even take it for granted since even
those who live in urban areas often have grandparents or other
relatives in the countryside whom they regularly visit. However, for
many foreign visitors, especially those from the US, visiting the Slovene countryside is a truly unique and memorable experience in
no small part due to the friendliness of the people, as well as the
food, drinks and overall atmosphere, Yuri enthuses.

Bohinj Lake.
Photo: Jake-Jeri

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The authors were particularly thrilled by

Ljubljana, Bled, Portoro and Piran and
several of the larger spa resorts.

knowing if its going to be rainy or sunny (or even snowing) from

week to week can make it difficult to plan an itinerary in advance!

However, a growing number of niche areas (such as wine holidays,

adrenaline sports, eco-friendly activities, casinos and the aforementioned rural tourism) will likely become increasingly important in the future, as Slovenia continues to differentiate itself from
neighbouring countries. They were all extremely impressed by the
Solava region, as being a first among many equals, while attention
is also given in the book to many amazing individual sites, such as
the Boidar Jakac Gallery, the Eco-Museum of Hops in alec, ie
Monastery, Lake Bohinj and the entire coast: As for what I like the
least, really one of the only bad things about being a tourist in Slovenia is the unpredictable weather, especially in recent years! Not

Another of the authors, James Cosier, shares his enthusiasm for Slovenia thus: I think Slovenes have long known about and been very
proud of the incredible natural beauty of their country, though
apart from a few major attractions, foreigners werent ever really
aware of just how much Slovenia has to offer. And its not just the
spectacular and diverse natural wonders: there are also interesting
historical and cultural sights almost everywhere you go. Thankfully
the local tourism sector is definitely getting better at selling itself
and showing visitors just how amazing Slovenia is and hopefully the book will do that too. Coming from Australia, Slovenias
size was one of the biggest shocks for me. Everything is a couple of

Incredible natural beauty of the country

Izola.
Photo: Jaka Jeraa

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hours drive away you can ski in the morning

and have dinner beside the Adriatic all in the
same day. Also, I love experiencing Slovenias
seasonal changes, especially all the excellent
seasonal foods.
James was particularly enthralled by the River
Kolpa: Its a prime example of one of the many
amazingly beautiful sights in Slovenia which
foreigners dont even know exist, and there
are countless other incredible attractions right
across the country. Travelling around Slovenia,
I love to see the incredible regional differences
both geographically and culturally, not least in
the delicious regional delicacies from Belokranjska pogaa to Prekmurska gibanica. The most
frustrating thing about travelling in Slovenia
is the poor public transport network, which
means a car is basically a must if you want to
see even a fraction of what the country has to
offer.
The third author of the guide, John Bills from
Wales, described Slovenia as an aesthetically
special country. What surprised him most was
the large number of casinos, although he is not
a visitor of those himself.
As pointed out by executive editor Niko Slavni,
the book would make an interesting present for
foreigners and is a great guide for families looking for ideas for trips. As it is written in English,
it could even be used to help children learning
that language!
Over half of the 3,000 copies of the first edition have already been sold, and the authors
hope the rest will soon be snapped up. And a
new project is already underway: The Ljubljana
Book, a similar guide focusing on the capital, is
expected to be published next year. The content is all already in, but theres so much information that it does still need some sorting out,
Niko notes.

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The Slovenian health resorts offer much more than mere

alleviation of medical problems and preventive treatments;
they also provide a supreme selection of sports and
recreational activities: tennis, golf and mini golf, boules,
jogging along trim trails, cycling and horse riding.
Photo: Terme Olimia archive

Tourism in Slovenia
VESNA ARKOVI

In ten years, the number of beds in Slovenia increased by 52% and the
number of overnight stays by 30%.

The highest share of overnight accommodation (63%) was recorded in

hotels, followed by camps with 13%.

High growth was also noted in tourists from Korea (by 147% more) and
other Asian countries (by 55% more).
Half of all overnight stays were generated by foreign tourists from
five countries: Italy, Austria, Germany, the Russian Federation and the
Netherlands.
The highest share of overnight accommodation (31.9%) in 2014 was
generated by municipalities with spa facilities; although, they recorded a
0.6% drop in overnight stays in comparison to 2013.

37,1 %
Contribution of tourism to export
13 %
Proportion of employees in tourism
Occupancy of hotels
39,8 %
Share of tourism in entire GDP
13 %
Share of foreign tourists
68 %
Number of tourist arrivals
3,438,279
9,343,574
2,7 days

Number of overnight stays

Average length of stay in Slovenia

in focus

Swimming galore in Slovenia

By the sea, lakes and rivers

DANILA golob

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Slovenia is a country rich with water, and in the summer

months swimmers and bathers flock to the shores of its
sea, rivers and lakes. Nature, a pleasant climate and clean
water are the chief attractions of Slovenias natural bathing sites.
Slovenia has 47 registered bathing sites; 21 of these are found on the coast,
which is quite a lot considering that the Slovenian coast measures mere 46.6
kilometres. There are 26 bathing sites on rivers (the Krka, Kolpa, Soa, Idrijca and
Nadia rivers) and lakes (Lake Bohinj, Lake Bled and the obec Pond). The microbiological quality of water at these sites is monitored and assessed according to
the European Bathing Water Directive and national regulations. Results show
that Slovenian waters are very clean.
Sustainable management of bathing sites and marinas

One of the beaches at Lake Bled.

The international committee of the Blue Flag

Programme (internationally recognised environmental trademark for sustainable management
of beaches and marinas which are ecologically
pristine and have pristine water quality) awarded
16 Blue Flags to Slovenia in 2015.
The Blue Flag is intended to increase environmental awareness at bathing
sites, for co-formation of environmental ethics and the promotion of environmentally responsible behaviour.
On the Slovenian coast
You can bathe in the sea at maintained beaches with facilities in Debeli Rti,
Ankaran, Sveta Katarina, Koper, usterna, Izola, Simonov zaliv, Strunjan, Fiesa,
Piran and Portoro.
One of the nicest bathing sites, which is also the recipient of a Blue Flag, is the
natural bathing site in Simonov zaliv in Izola. The San Simon Resort Simonov
zaliv hotel complex is surrounded by lush Mediterranean greenery and offers
a glorious view of Izola with charming cobbled stone streets in the old town
centre. During high tide, the remains of the pier, which are usually hidden
beneath the sea surface, can still be seen today at the bathing site where the
port of Haliaetum was situated at the time of the Roman Empire. Simonov
zaliv is very popular because of its sand and convenient access to the sea. It

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has even more to offer since it boasts a pier, a waterslide, beach volleyball courts, childrens playgrounds and catering facilities.
The central beach in Portoro is also marked with the Blue Flag
which guarantees that you will be able to enjoy a clean and safe
natural bathing site. This is the largest bathing site in Slovenia
stretching over 25,000 square metres of beach surfaces divided
into sandy and grassy sections and 24,000 square metres of water
surface. The central beach in Portoro is one of the most popular
destinations in Slovenian Istria. Entry to the beach is free of charge
and the list of additional offerings is growing every year. The playgrounds and entertainment delight the children, while sports enthusiasts can play tennis and mini golf or engage in one of the water sports on offer. The gastronomic offer on the beach is diverse
since there are many bars and restaurants along the promenade
by the sea.
By the lakes

The lakes in Bohinj and Bled are some of

the largest natural lakes in Slovenia with
certain sections intended for swimming.
A special bathing area worth visiting is the castle bathing site situated at a marvellous location under the high cliff of Bled Castle. The
bathing site has 260 metres of maintained beach, is fenced and has
been awarded the Blue Flag several times. In addition to bathing

in clean water, visitors can also enjoy a waterslide, a diving board,

floating rafts, fenced pools, a swing, childrens playground and a
sandpit, kayaks, massages, table tennis, social games, deckchairs,
sunshades, showers and a diverse culinary offer.
Bohinj is a popular tourist destination and a true paradise for hikers, climbers, cyclists and also swimmers in warmer months. The
most popular bathing area at Lake Bohinj, the deepest and largest
natural lake in Slovenia, is situated next to the bay on the southern
side of the lake along the Ribiev LazUkanc main road. The water
is somewhat warmer here since the lake is flow-through and is otherwise quite cold also in the summer.
On river embankments
The confluence of the Tolminka and Soa rivers lies near Tolmin. With
its cleanliness and beauty, the emerald Soa river attracts many visitors who wish to enjoy nature, cool off in the cold water or attend
any of the many summer festivals and concerts organised in this part
of the country.
Lajt or Idrijska Bela is another popular bathing site located at the
confluence of the Idrijca and Belca rivers, some 7 kilometres from
the turning of the LjubljanaIdrija main road. Bathing in the crystal
clean water, beach volleyball, table tennis, basketball, and picnic areas are only a few of the many things on offer. The park is the perfect
destination for mountain biking, hiking and pleasant strolls where it
is possible to encounter many botanical and geological attractions
testifying to the rich natural heritage of the area.

SLOVENIAN RECEPIENTS OF BLUE FLAGS IN 2015

1. Javno podjetje Okolje Piran, Okolje Portoro central beach (18th Blue Flag)
2. Terme Krka d.o.o., PE Talaso Strunjan, Terme Krka Strunjan natural bathing site (18th Blue Flag)
3. Istrabenz turizem d.d. Hoteli LifeClass, Meduza Portoro natural bathing site (7th Blue Flag)
4. Hoteli Bernardin d.d., Salinera Strunjan natural bathing site (7th Blue Flag)
5. Hoteli Metropol d.o.o., natural bathing site of Metropol hotels (3rd Blue Flag)
6. Hoteli Bernardin d.d., St. Bernardin natural bathing site (3rd Blue Flag)
7. Hoteli Bernardin d.d., natural bathing site of Vila Park Bernardin (3rd Blue Flag)
8. Hoteli Bernardin d.d., natural bathing site of Camp Lucija (2nd Blue Flag)
9. Hoteli Bernardin d.d., Simonov zaliv Izola natural bathing site (15th Blue Flag)
10. Red Cross Slovenia, Debeli Rti Youth Health and Summer Resort (10th Blue Flag)
11. Komunala Koper d.o.o., Mokra Maka natural bathing site (5th Blue Flag)
12. OBEC - turistino in trgovsko podjetje, d.o.o., Lesce, obec Pond natural bathing site (15th Blue Flag)
13. Infrastruktura Bled d.o.o., Bled castle bathing site (14th Blue Flag)
The winners of Blue Flags for marinas for 2015/2016 are:
14. Marina Portoro d.d. (21st Blue Flag)
15. Porting d.o.o., Marina in Izola (16th Blue Flag), and
16. Marina Bernardin, Hoteli Bernardin d.d. (3rd Blue Flag).

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Lajt or Idrijska Bela is popular bathing site at

the confluence of the Idrijca and Belca rivers.
Photo: Dunja Wedam

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in focus

Iztok Altbauer,
the Director of the Slovenian Spas Association

Water, mud, brine, peat

and a healthy climate
vesna arkovi, Photo: personal archives

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Government Communication Office

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Why do foreign tourists come to our health resorts? What attracts

them the most? We talked to Iztok Altbauer, the Director of the Slovenian Spas Association.
Why Slovenian health resorts?
Primarily because of their exceptional natural features and medicinal effects. In addition to thermal and mineral water, there is also
the exquisite salt-pan mud, brine (the so-called aquamadre), peat,
peloids and the climate. All of the above serve as the basis for health
resort treatment programmes. Preventive medicinal programmes
and medical wellness programmes are also popular at the moment.
These are carried out by experienced therapists. Theres an increase
in the demand for detox and weight loss programmes. New programmes for achieving body balance are also popular. Many guests
come for the delights of the water and other entertainment. They
are particularly excited about outdoor thermal swimming pools and
the so-called aqua-fun programmes. The guests also appreciate the
safety, professionalism and friendliness of the staff, the well-maintained and preserved natural surroundings as well as the diverse local cuisine.
There are some 20 spas and natural resorts in Slovenia. How do
they differ?
They differ according to their certified natural healing properties.
We classify them according to nine types of standard diseases. There
are special spas for patients with cardio-vascular and gynaecological
diseases, gastroenterological disorders, problems with locomotive
system and spas for other conditions.

We can also pride ourselves in our unique

conditions in Central Europe for thalassotherapy which utilises seawater, brine and
salt-pan mud.
Which programmes are the most popular and in the greatest
demand?
It is difficult to name the most frequently used programmes due
to significant differences across the range of offers and services of
Slovenian health resorts. At some places, health resort treatments
are first and foremost, and here the share of guests coming for rehabilitation is almost half. In other resorts, the pampering, wellness
of body and soul balance programmes are the most popular and

elsewhere water experience programmes are number one. There is

also a difference in terms of nationality of guests; domestic visitors
still prevail and generate 54 per cent of all overnight stays. The demand as per programmes also greatly varies for example between
Austrian and Italian guests or guests from Russia. The latter mainly
come for medical programmes and they thus also stay longer, on average more than 10 days. Guests from the Netherlands mainly stay
at health resorts which have camps and mobile homes or live in their
own camper vans and most frequently select water experience programmes.
How will the health resorts develop in the future?

Slovenian health resorts will further emphasise their fundamental, core offerings:
health programmes, and also intensify
their diverse preventive programmes.
If investments focused on new accommodation and wellness services in recent years, we are now focusing on intensive selling of
capacities and fine tuning of programmes for our ever more demanding guests. We are already successfully adjusting to new trends
in last-minute or even ultra last-minute reservations and on-line
reservation systems, where part of reservations is being transferred.
An increased interest from new markets has also been noted, particularly from the Gulf States, where the first charter connections are
underway.
Why should foreign guests visit Slovenian health resorts?
Mainly because of our good organisation and unique offerings,
certified thermal springs and other natural healing features, accommodation facilities, and staff all of the above are encompassed
in a comprehensive offer of a health resort. Swimming facilities in
Germany, Austria and Hungary function differently. Thermal health
resorts are mainly owned by municipalities and accommodation facilities have private owners. In comparison with continental Central
European countries, we have natural resorts also on the coast, which
enables us to practise thalassotherapy. Foreign guests in particular
appreciate the value balance between quality and price. We like to
stress that we are not the cheapest, but we dedicate that much more
attention to quality and try to provide guests with that unique experience which will make them return to us time and again.

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Slovenias spas and health resorts

The choice of royalty

Photo: Mostphotos

VESNA ARKOVI

Slovenia offers a diverse array of natural health resorts. based on thermal springs already enjoyed by the ancient Romans and the royal courts of Europe. The healing properties of thermal
and mineral waters have been scientifically proven, and Slovenias 15 natural health resorts
offer comprehensive treatments for healing and safeguarding health. In addition to medical
services, they are innovators in preventive and alternative programmes for health and beauty.

in focus

The success of medical tourism is also confirmed by the numbers

since this tourism sector attracts the highest number of guests to
Slovenia. The majority of Slovenian natural health resorts are situated in the eastern part of the country and two can be found on
the coast.
The great three of Prekmurje
Three supreme natural health resorts, Radenci, Moravske Toplice
and Lendava, are located in the far north-east corner of Slovenia
in the flat region along the Mura River. Radenci Health Resort is
known for its mineral water, Radenska, and the health resort is
famous for its programmes of effective treatment of cardiac and
vascular diseases. Terme 3000 has a unique black thermal mineral
water with specific healing properties and include a hotel of the
highest category. The greatest peculiarity of Terme Lendava is the
special paraffin thermal and mineral water, which serves as the basis for balneotherapy.
The tajerska seven
Seven natural health resorts can be found in the surrounding area
of the Pohorje hills, the Kozjansko Regional Park, the oldest Slovenian town of Ptuj, and Lako, a town known for the largest brewery
in Slovenia. The oldest Slovenian natural health resort, Terme Dobrna, is situated on the edge of the green Pohorje hills and is famous
for its marble bathtubs in the Spa Centre. Terme Topolica is the
ideal place for relaxation in nature and the treatment of respiratory
organs, while Terme Zree is renowned for its warm acratothermal
water and unique natural remedy, the Pohorje peat. Rogaka Medical Centre is home of the famous Donat Mg healing natural mineral
water. A section of the Thermana Lako health resort complex was
constructed right above the Savinja River. Terme Olimia offer bathing in silicon-rich water. The thermal and mineral water of Terme
Ptuj is beneficial for rheumatic diseases.
The great three of Dolenjska
You can be pampered in three health resorts along the Krka River,
the most beautiful river in the south-east region of Slovenia known
as Dolenjska. The Thermal Riviera of Terme ate provides entertainment for all generations. Dolenjske Toplice Spa offers a modern wellness centre in the picturesque surroundings. In marjeke
Toplice Spa, you can swim in a wooden pool constructed right
above a thermal water spring.

The coastal pair

On Slovenias coast, a guest can experience the healing effects of
salt-pan mud and brine in Talaso Strunjan, which is a renowned
thalassotherapy centre, and in LifeClass Hotels & Spa in Portoro
where the ancient Far East knowledge is combined with the latest
medical achievements.
Several hundred year old tradition of exploiting
thermal springs
All Slovenian natural health resorts have several hundred years
of tradition of thermal activities and experience in the fields of
balneology, climatology and thalassotherapy. Each health resort
has specialised in the treatment of four to nine types of diseases.
Two Slovenian mineral drinking waters with healing properties
have been known almost everywhere in the world for many years.
Radenska, discovered in a spring in Radenci, has been bottled
and sold for more than 140 years. Some hundred years ago, water
rich in magnesium was discovered in Rogaka Slatina. Donat Mg
helps alleviate many health problems. These waters are plentiful at
both health resorts, which also feature thermal and mineral water
springs, aerosols for inhalation, healing mud, mineral peloids and
peat.

The Slovenian health resorts offer much

more than mere alleviation of medical
problems and preventive treatments; they
also provide a supreme selection of sports
and recreational activities: tennis, golf and
mini golf, boules, jogging along trim trails,
cycling and horse riding.
The health resorts may also serve as the starting point for hiking, hunting, fishing and exploration of wine roads. The guests at
health resorts and spas also have the opportunity to learn about
other Slovenian peculiarities. Each Slovenian spa destination has
its specific qualities. It is possible to enjoy the delights of different
culinary regions of Slovenia and savour the tasting of noble Slovenian wines, visit Slovenian castles, churches, museums, and experience traditional village life and the liveliness of urban centres, and
take to the sky in sports planes and hot-air balloons. Once kings
and nobility frequented these health resorts, but today they are a
popular destination of many tourists.

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in focus

Slovenias ten most visited castles

Old legends reveal their day-to-day life

Brigita Juhart

Mokrice Castle.

36

in focus

Castles have always been regarded as awe-inspiring places, and

have stirred peoples imagination because of their unusual pasts.
All manner of stories evolved about the castles and the people
who dwelled in them, stories which were later embellished, transformed and shared with descendants. Thanks to these tales and
legends preserved in the folk tradition, we can to this day relive
the events which took place in their grand chambers and halls.
Bled Castle

According to written sources, Bled Castle is the oldest Slovenian castle and was first mentioned as early as in 1011.
The castle is situated on a steep cliff rising 130 metres above Lake Bled. Associated
with the castle is the legend of Poliksena who was married to Hartman Kreigh, lord of
Bled Castle. Kreigh was not a kind master and farmers resisted and complained about
him to the bishop and the emperor. And one day, he mysteriously disappeared. The
mourning widow collected all her gold and silver and ordered that a bell be cast from the
gold in memory of her husband for the chapel on Bled Island. When the bell was being
transported to the island, a storm broke out and the boat sank together with the boatmen and its precious cargo. The bell sank into the muddy depths but its peals can still be
heard on stormy nights ringing from deep within the lake. Poliksena left the castle and
went to a convent in Rome. When the Pope heard about her sad story, he had a new bell
cast and had it sent to the island.
Today the castle is associated with much nicer tales and events since it is one of the most
popular wedding locations in Slovenia. Remnants of the castles distant past are evident
only in the castles printing works where the reconstruction of Gutenbergs wooden printing press is on display. The printer demonstrates printing on hand-made paper with historical blocks and lead metal letterpresses.
Celje Castle
Celje Castle is the largest medieval castle in Slovenia and was once home to the renowned Counts of Celje.

The Counts of Celje were the most important noble family that ruled over, lived and owned their own land on the
territory of what is present-day Slovenia.

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in focus

Its last residents left the castle in 1400 and moved to the Princes
Mansion (Kneji dvorec) in the town of Celje.
The most famous story connected with Celje Castle concerns the
forbidden love between Frederick II of Celje and Veronika of Desenice, a lady of minor nobility. Fredericks father, Herman II of Celje
was particularly opposed to their love affair and had his son Frederick locked in a narrow, 23-metre high tower where he was incarcerated for more than four years. Since then the tower has been
known as Fredericks Tower. Veronika was accused of witchcraft
on the grounds that she had seduced and enticed Frederick to the
point of obsession. This was the first known witch trial in the territory of the present-day Slovenia. The court pardoned Veronika but
her life nevertheless was not spared. Herman II ignored the ruling
of the court, and incarcerated her in Ojstrica Castle where she was
drowned in a bathtub in 1425.
Idrija Castle Gewerkenegg
Idrija is known for its mercury mine, the second largest of its kind in
the world. Due to its rich mining heritage that has been preserved,
the town was entered on the UNESCOs World Heritage List in 2012.
Part of this heritage is also Gewerkenegg Castle whose construction began some 30 years after the discovery of mercury at the end
of the 15th century.

This is the only castle in Slovenia which

was not intended for feudal nobility but
it served as the residence and work place
of the director of the mine and its entire
administration.
It also had a defensive function and was used for storing large
quantities of mercury. The castles towers were used as dungeons.
A large smuggling operation was discovered at the beginning of
the 18th century. Along with other smugglers, the cunning Melhiorca, also found herself in the castles dungeon. During the trial,
she taunted and confused the officials, managed to escape from
her confinement but later returned to the castle of her own accord.

38

Today the castle houses the Idrija Municipal Museum which was
pronounced the best European museum of industrial and technical heritage in 1997. The museum presents the 500-year-old history of Idrijas mercury mine and the town of Idrija itself.
On display in the castle is an exhibition of Idrija lace featuring the
history of 300 years of lace-making in Idrija and Slovenia. The Treasure Chest of Lace exhibition includes the largest, the smallest and
the oldest examples of lace, including contemporary and currently
fashionable pieces.
Ljubljana Castle
Ljubljana Castle is the most identifiable feature of Ljubljana. The
fastest way to reach it is by a short ride on the funicular, and by
expending a little effort the castle can also be reached along four
footpaths. The Viewing Tower offers a 360-degree panorama of the
city. Within the grounds of the castle can be found numerous presentations and exhibitions, including the Permanent Exhibition of
Slovenian History, the Prison, Virtual Castle and iLjubljana.

The Time Machine provides the broadest insight into life and events at the
castle, taking visitors through six crucial
periods which defined the history of Ljubljana Castle and the development of the
city.
At each of the time stations, visitors meet a character who presents his or her period. The journey starts in the Roman Emona and
continues to the period when St George becomes involved in the
fights between pagans and Christians and defeats the terrifying
dragon. In the Middle Ages Ljubljana Castle sees the arrival of Emperor Frederick III of Habsburg accompanied by ladies-in-waiting.
The representative of Napoleons Illyrian Provinces is of course a
soldier. The 19th century was a dark period for Ljubljana Castle,
with its jail and prisoners, while the 20th century is marked by some
of the great names among whom the former Ljubljana mayor, Ivan
Hribar, stands out in particular. In costume, representatives of each
of the aforementioned periods create a special atmosphere, which

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is both instructive and entertaining.

Mokrice Castle
Mokrice Castle was first mentioned in 1444. It obtained its basic
Renaissance features in the 16th century. The history of the castle
is denoted by the findings from the period of the Roman Empire
when the road towards Byzantium led past the castle and from
the period of the Turkish invasions. Later owners of the castle, who
were usually noble families, rearranged the castle, introducing
parks and gardens.

The Von Gagern brothers even painted

and wrote novels here.
Several mysterious legends evolved around Mokrice Castle which
is situated almost on the border between Slovenia and Croatia. The
most famous of these tells of the unfortunate Countess Barbara
who was unlucky in love. She became a widow at an early age and
then fell in love again with a nobleman who travelled far and wide
only one day to never return again. The countess waited for him for
many a year, then one spring morning she gave in to her despair
and heart-broken climbed to top of the tower and threw herself
to the ground below. Although she died, her heart remained alive
and can still be found at Mokrice. The story goes than on every 4
December, the feast day of St Barbara, an old cannonball, pushed
by the spirit of the unfortunate countess, would roll three times
around the castle courtyard.
Today Mokrice Castle is a high-category hotel and the site of protocol events, conferences, meetings and other official receptions.
Ptuj Castle
Ptuj, the oldest Slovenian town, also prides itself on its castle
whose origins date back to the 12th century. It had an important
role back in the Middle Ages since it was the hub of feudal property
of the Archbishops of Salzburg in the Podravje region and enjoyed
an exceptional strategic position. The Archbishops lent the castle
to the Lords of Ptuj who during their 300-years residence in Ptuj
founded the Dominican and Minorite monasteries and constructLjubljana Castle.
Photo: Arne Hodali

40

ed the pilgrims church on Ptujska Gora mountain. Between 1656

and 1802, the Leslie Counts resided in Ptuj Castle. Its last owners,
the Counts of Herberstein, lived in the castle from 1873 to 1945,
when the castle was nationalised and became, together with its
rich furnishings, part of Ptuj Museum.
The latter houses exhibitions on the collection of arms, feudal
dwellings, the castle gallery, the largest collection of musical instruments in Slovenia, which includes a very rare Roman tibia flute,
and a collection of traditional carnival masks among which the
kurenti stand out. Europes largest series of paintings with Turkish
motifs, the Turqueries, from the 17th century documenting the
early interest of European intellectuals in foreign cultures is also
exhibited at Ptuj Castle.
Predjama Castle
Predjama Castle is the largest cave castle in the world and is listed
in the Guinness Book of World Records on account of this unique
feature.

Just 9 kilometres away from the famous

Postojna Cave, the castle sits like an eagles nest amid the 123-metre sheer rock
face and enthuses its visitors through its
impressive location, even before they set
foot into what was once an impenetrable
fortress.
Walking around the castle offers in insight into what it was like to
live in the medieval period. It presents the life of a family associated with the castle who sought refuge in the cave and thus had to
sacrifice comfort beyond measure.

Predjama Castle.
Photo: Mostphotos

40

The legend about the robber baron, Erazem of Predjama, says

that he was able to defy the emperors army for more than a year.
The soldiers besieged his fortress, but he had a secret tunnel in a
cave through which he was able to receive supplies. To display his
power and ingenuity, he sent his servant with food to the military
camp. When he sent ripe cherries into the camp at a time when

in focus

these were still green in the neighbouring trees, soldiers thought

that dark demonic forces were on his side. Erazem later succumbed
only due to a trick by his adversaries and his corruptible servant.

233 steps lead up to the 700-year-old castle, which is a typical military and residential fortress whose ground plan was adjusted to
the terrain on which it was constructed.

Snenik Castle

Today the castle houses Velenje Museum with eleven permanent

museum and gallery exhibitions.

Snenik Castle is one of the few Slovenian castles which can pride itself on the
original interior and furnishings of its last
owners.
The charm of visiting the castle is in the experience of reliving the
presence of the former noble family and of the simple people of
those parts who lived on the property.
While walking through castle rooms, you are taken back to the
time and stories when princes and princesses from Saxony visited
the castle. The interior includes authentically decorated drawing
rooms, the bedrooms of family members, guest bedrooms, two
dining rooms, a theatre room, an evening salon, a library, servants
quarters, the castle cellar and an Egyptian room which is considered particularly special because of its ambience. In addition to
original furniture, paintings, books, ornamental stoves, chandeliers, carpets, numerous useful and decorative items, the castle also
houses a wonderful collection of hunting trophies from the period
of the last owners.
It is thanks to Count Jurij, who was a military officer, that the castle
remains arranged as it was at the time of its last owners; his strict
military upbringing was reflected in the accuracy of his records
which were learned and unambiguous, so much that he also introduced them into his family life. The inventory brought to the castle
after 1900 was thus labelled with room numbers and on this basis
a reconstruction of the arrangement of internal fittings in individual rooms was conducted. This is also a unique example of such
labelling in Slovenia.
Velenje Castle
Velenje Castle is situated on a steep rock hill some 60 metres above
the town and offers its visitors a view of Velenje in its entirety. Some

The legend about the beautiful castle

chambermaid Kunigunda, who lived at
the castle and was able to heal people,
predict the weather and so forth with the
help of a magic ball, contributes to the
mystery of the castle.
The lord of the castle accused her of witchcraft and threw her into
the well in the atrium of Velenje Castle. Since then she is said to
haunt the castle chambers from time to time.
The castle witch from Velenje Castle is brought to life every last
week of August in the form of a summer festival of youth cultures
which takes place on the streets of Velenje with concerts, theatre
and street performances and sports events.
Grad Castle at Grad
Grad Castle, the largest Baroque castle in Slovenia with 365 rooms,
is located in the village bearing the same name (grad means castle
in Slovenian) and is situated on a steep hill in the Goriko Landscape Park in the Prekmurje region. The castle reached its present
size in the 16th and 17th centuries, and it was further extended
and renovated in the 18th and 19th centuries. It has been under
renovation since 1995. The idea of combining border regions into
an area of protected nature and into a park encompassing three
countries resulted in seeking state and European funds for the
renovation of the castle. The vision in terms of the development of
the castle is for it to become a place of relaxation and appreciation
of the highest existential values as well as a place to enjoy its magnificent past. The castle is surrounded by a large English-style park.
Large tulip trees, plane trees, honey locusts, copper beeches, hornbeams and oaks give a sense of grandeur and enduring longevity.

Sinfo - Slovenian information

41

Original new tourist experiencess in Slovenia

Photo: Celica Art Hostel archives

Escape from an igloo, play golf with

your feet and take the best photos
Vesna arkovi

in focus

Slovenia will offer three exciting new tourist products by the

end of the year: footgolf in Bovec, a web application for photographers called SNAPP Guides, and the Escape from an Igloo
experience. These are the three winners of the Snovalec 2015
Award presented by the Tourism Division of the SPIRIT Slovenia
Public Agency.
The first winner brought to Slovenia a game which attractively
combines two sports, football and golf, and is known in English as
footgolf. This is a novelty which is already very popular abroad, and
it is being thoughtfully launched in Slovenia as a new tourist product by the company EN HEC. Players hit the football according to
the golf rules with as few kicks as possible into specially arranged
holes on the golf course. This new game has been added to the
tourist offer of Bovec already in June and is to spread all over the
country in the near future.
The second novelty is the application, SNAPP Guides, which is intended for professional and amateur photographers, who on their
travels seek different information than regular travellers, since they
are mainly looking for stunning locations to take their shots. The
SNAPP Company is developing a useful and cost-efficient solution
for this broad target group: multi-layered photo guides adjusted
for smart phones. The goal of the company, which will offer guides
for certain selected Slovenian destinations on the occasion of its
launch on the market, is to become a Lonely Planet for photographers.

The international game for which you

have one hour to escape from a locked
room with the help of clues and riddles is
already a hit in Slovenia.
The Sejalec recipients include also the Celica Art
Hostel in Ljubljana.

The company Enigmarium has taken the game to another level and
upgraded it innovatively to take place in an igloo in winter tourist destinations. The Escape from an Igloo attraction was already
included in the offer of Kranjska Gora ski resorts this past winter.
With the support of the Snovalec Award, the game will be further
improved for next winter and will also be suitable to break into foreign markets.
In 2014, the Snovalec Award was conferred to the Taste Kamnik
project, the organic complex, Garden Village Bled, and Forest Selfness, which successfully evolved from conceptual designs into innovative Slovenian tourist products and were already presented in
Sinfo magazine.

The Tourism Division of the SPIRIT Slovenia Public Agency

has been promoting innovations in Slovenian tourism for
more than ten years. While it confers the Sejalec Award to
already realised innovative products, it also selects ideas
with the greatest potential which it then supports financially and promotionally based on the Snovalec tender.
Innovations which contribute to greater recognisability of
the Slovenian tourist offer are awarded the Sejalec Award.
The Sejalec recipients include the Celica Art Hostel in Ljubljana, the Thermal Riviera of Terme ate, the Cycling to
Pannonian Spas package, the Kekec Homestead, Sloveniabike.com portal, Koper passenger terminal, Eskimo Village
on Krvavec, Taste Slovenia Culinary Centre, Bohinj Park EKO
Hotel, Gastronomic treasures of Istria, GoOpti, VitaGen and
Raduha Pension.

Sinfo - Slovenian information

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Agrotourism

Feel the rhythm of life in the

Slovenian countryside
Vesna arkovi
Photo: The Association of Tourist Farms of Slovenia Archives

in focus

After days spent in the calm Slovenian

countryside, its a shock to the system
to return to busy, bustling Venice for our
journey home. It may be the jewel of
northern Italy, but for us, Slovenia was the
real crowning glory of our trip, said an
American tourist after visiting Slovenia.

She spent a few days at one of the many tourist farms in Slovenia, and
loved it. Years ago, certain Slovenian farmers decided to supplement their
farming with tourism. They achieved their dreams ambitions which at
the time perhaps seemed almost too daring. Many other farmers followed
their lead after witnessing how tourism could be successfully incorporated
into the Slovenian countryside. More than 800 tourist farms can be found
in Slovenia today, and although they differ from each other, they all have
the same goal: to offer an environment in which people and nature coexist
harmoniously.
In close contact with nature, and surrounded by rural people, their culture,
wisdom, rituals and customs, guests can find themselves again. At least
that is what they answer when asked why they are going to the countryside.

Unlike farms elsewhere, which usually offer

only accommodation, guests to Slovenian
farms are treated to a wide range of food and
time spent with their hosts. The guests should
feel they have come among people who welcome and care for them, emphasise the hosts.
Seeking a warm, friendly experience
The intention is that the guests experience and feel the everyday life of local people, which is particularly interesting for city dwellers, who represent
the majority of visitors spending their holidays on tourist farms in Slovenia.
They do not only come for natural beauty but also and particularly for the
personal touch, and the warm, friendly experience. Here they experience
a completely different world to the one they are used to at home, says
proudly Veneslav Tuar, the President of the Association of Tourist Farms
of Slovenia. Their number grows every year and the tourists are especially
excited and pleasantly surprised at the natural and cultural heritage sights
which are so diverse in Slovenia. Heritage, friendliness of the hosts and
good food are qualities for which visitors return time and again. The peace
and quiet of the countryside, the singing of the birds and greenery as far
as the eye can see always draw them back. The most surprising fact is that
it is possible to visit mountains and the sea in one day, which is a real rarity
in the world.
The guests seldom rest. They are constantly on the go throughout the day
visiting different places in the country. In the evening, they sit down and
share their experience with the locals, says Tuar. Sometimes they plan together and come up with even better solutions for spending their vacation
on farms.

45

in focus

But not all farms are the same. In addition to other things, the major factor is the presence of young people on farms who participate
in the work and offer or are preparing to get involved in the work.
The young are more educated today. They have more knowledge
than older people, which is good for the future and development
of farms. The fact is that farms which are managed by older people
have fewer guests because they have limited experience with the
Internet and foreign languages. It is encouraging news that young
people are becoming increasingly more interested in tourism
on farms, and have plenty of motivation to renovate dilapidated
farms. A good example is the Smrekar Homestead in Prestranek,
which was renovated on the basis of a significant loan and is now
focusing on tourism. The young highlight that a farm offers more
freedom than an ordinary job, but one must be constantly creative.
Culinary tourism
An important part of spending holidays on tourist farms is the food
or culinary experience. Learning about local food and beverages is
the primary goal of travelling for some people. Home-made delicacies are a must. On Slovenian farms, the guests are offered food
which the farmers eat and prepare themselves in accordance with
natural conditions and seasons of the year. Dishes based on flour
and meat, roasts, sea and freshwater fish, vegetables and legumes,
excellent stews and soups.
You can find prosciutto in the Karst which is something special
among European prosciuttos. The most famous desert in Slovenia
is potica which can have different fillings (tarragon, poppy seed,
honey, raisins, walnuts). Excellent sweet and savoury pastries and
flat cakes can be found in the north-east part of Slovenia. The abundance of flavours and enticing smells accompany supreme wines
from three wine-producing regions: white wines in the north-east,
light and refreshing Dolenjska Cviek in the south-east and Karst
Teran, Istrian Refosco or Primorska Rebula in the south-west. The
farmers also like to serve home-made spirits or sweet mead.

There is much more to this than just enjoying the food and drinks. It is about an
in-depth knowledge of the landscape,
its characteristics, culture, the manner of
production, tradition and customs connected with the consumption of food and
drinks.
In culinary tourism, flavours, aromas and smells present the main
theme which intertwines the experience of natural and cultural

46

heritage, the encounters with the local people, stories and gastronomic pleasures. These sensual experiences can be added to and
explained: where does the unique flavour of the zgornjesavinjski
elodec (type of salami) come from; why are roasted turkey hens
typical of Zagorje; what is the symbolic meaning behind Slovenian
potica; what dishes used to be prepared at smoke kitchens, i.e.
open fireplaces; what is the story behind the native variety of vine
which only grows in a few Zagorje vineyards?
It is magical to wake up to the sound of cowbells, the song of birds
and the smell of freshly-baked bread, emphasise the guests. And to
engage in a range of activities through the day in the countryside
riding horses, cycling and walking along forest paths, and playing
board games in the evening. Some start their day actively at first
dawn by mowing grass, milking cows and doing other chores in
the stable, or they help the locals work in the field. They thus experience the authenticity of rural life first hand. They can also indulge
in the festivities taking place in the countryside on special occasions. The guests socialise with the friendly locals while picking
grapes, slaughtering pigs and making sausages. They learn about
old folk dances and the geographic diversity of the country.
Vast olive groves and vineyards stretch beside the coast and in the
Karst, while some of the most beautiful treasures of our planet,
karst caves, lie hidden beneath the surface. Among the mountains
of the Gorenjska region are hidden deep river gorges with crystal
clean water. The characteristics of this landscape dictate the preservation of mountaineering and Alpine dairy farming. The Dolenjska
region is the land of Cviek wine, thermal springs and extensive
forests. Its countryside remains involved in the traditional craft of
woodenware. The tajerska region is famous for its treasure of supreme wines and numerous recreational possibilities. The Koroka
region is the birthplace of Slovenian nationhood and also provides
plenty of options for mountaineering and hiking. The central area
of the Prekmurje region presents the Mura River and its tradition of
milling and rafting.

800 tourist farms

36% of Slovenia include protected NATURA 2000 sites
2,067 farms are involved in organic farming
140,000 bee colonies
80 90 million litres of wine is produced
8,936 hectares of orchards
400 tonnes of olive oil is produced on 1,600 hectares of
olive groves
170 distinct and characteristic dishes
7,000 kilometres of maintained mountain trails

Government Communication Office

in focus

It is encouraging news that young

people are becoming increasingly
more interested in tourism on farms,
and have plenty of motivation to
renovate dilapidated farms.

Sinfo - Slovenian information

47

in focus

Goriki raj
a first traditional cheese dairy in the

Goriko region

Photo:Duan Arzenek

Protecting mountain meadows and

ensuring food self-sufficiency
vesna arkovi

48

Government Communication Office

in focus

Farmers, bee keepers, stock farmers, wine makers and many others producers of food and beverages all help ensure that Slovenia has a good supply
of local and naturally-grown food. Among them is the Goriki raj cheese
dairy from Ratkovci in the Goriko region.
The dairy started operating on the premises of the fire station in
July 2010. The purpose of the dairy was to promote and encourage livestock farms to maintain the tradition of feeding hay to their
animals and pasturing in the Goriko Landscape Park. Farms participating in the Landscape in Harmony project maintain meadows
as a habitat for butterflies and other pollinators which are important for the production of food without the application of chemical
substances and mineral fertilisers. Sheeps, goats and cows milk is
processed into cheese with the equipment owned by the Goriko
Landscape Park public institution.

Cheese is a welcome addition to the culinary offerings of Goriko and the broader
region.
By purchasing cheese, consumers support the conservation of the
landscape and the development of non-traditional products in
Goriko.
The dairy is managed by Valentina eruga Lazarovski, a veterinary
practitioner by profession, and her husband, Vane Lazarovski. They
have about 40 goats and sheep, and purchase cows milk from village stock farmers who graze their cows on pastures alone and do
not feed them silage and supplements. Not far from the dairy in
Ratkovci, my husband and I rented 23 hectares of overgrown land.
We moved the goats and sheep there and substantially increased
the flock, says eruga Lazarovski. Because it was possible to obtain
funds for the purchase of a modern tractor or lawn mowing equipment, but not for a live lawn mower a goat or a sheep, they came
up with an innovative project, Adopt a goat.

Anybody who wants to can contribute

funds for the purchase of a goat or sheep

or for the upkeep of the animals, and in return, they will receive goat or sheep dairy
products for three years.
They have no shortage of plans for the future as well including the
expansion of the cheese dairy. In a few years when the animals have
cleared the overgrowth on the 23 hectares, the couple will find new
overgrown land and move their flock there, while the owners will be
able to use the cleared areas for farming.
Natural dairy products with natural additions
The eruga Lazarovski family sell cheese, yoghurt, cottage cheese,
sour cream and whey in their shop at the cheese dairy and at the
marketplace in Murska Sobota. They sell yoghurt and cheese from
cows milk also to the Slovenian supermarket chain Tu and are part
of the Tu trademark Slovenske dobrote (Slovenian delicacies). We
supply more than one thousand thick yoghurts for Tu a week and
between 500 and 600 drinkable yoghurts, and the scope of orders
is growing, explains eruga Lazarovski. She and her husband make
yoghurts also from goats and sheeps milk. They also offer soft and
semi-soft cheeses from all three types of milk, sour cream, albumin
and regular cottage cheese and whey.
We make natural dairy products to which we add natural additions, which are not produced industrially, she emphasises.

Instead of industrial bases, she and her

husband add in their yoghurts jam which
they make themselves.
We add elderflower, apples and other additions from local products
in drinkable yoghurts; the only exception is ginger, which is import-

Sinfo - Slovenian information

49

Anybody who wants to can contribute funds for the

purchase of a goat or sheep or for the upkeep of
the animals, and in return, they will receive goat or
sheep dairy products for three years.
Photo: Mostphotos

in focus

ed. Their sustainable production of agricultural products with high

biological value is complemented by the sustainable rearing of animals which graze on pastures and their traditional processing methods. They produce goats and sheeps milk themselves and purchase
300 to 350 litres of cows milk per week from neighbouring farmers.
Some 200 litres of milk a week is processed into cottage cheese and
sour cream. The daily processing capacity is 700 litres of milk.
Their yoghurts topped with cream are in greatest demand, followed
by cheeses and other dairy products. The couple invented the recipes themselves and with the help of relatives. My husband is from
Macedonia and he learnt how to make soft cheese in brine and yoghurts already at home. Ive learnt the craft of cheese-making at my
relatives in France. I upgrade my knowledge at courses and I constantly experiment, says eruga Lazarovski.
Their dairy products bear the CE marking which guarantees to consumers that they comply with the strictest standards in veterinary
regulations in Slovenia and quality standards of the European Union.
Sustainable rearing
Goats and sheep are kept outdoors on pastures also during winter
where the family takes care of them. It means a lot that our animals
are grazing freely and enjoy natural conditions. We try to maintain
sustainable rearing and traditional processing methods which
serve as the basis for our sustainable production by which we
ensure the high biological value of our end products. They maintain that demand for their dairy products, particularly cheeses, is
already greater than they are able to produce from the available
milk. Employees of the Goriko Landscape Park are thus striving to
establish a network of five to ten farmers in Goriko who would
feed animals with grass fodder in an extensive grazing and mowing system and thus contribute to the preservation of meadows.
Transportable 100-litre cooling containers for milk collection and
two milk tanks for transportation of milk to the cheese dairy will
be available to future owners of dairy breeds of goats and sheep.
Although the rearing of sheep and goats has no tradition in the
Prekmurje region, it may, given relatively little investment and the
utilisation of overgrown land, provide a basic income for a farmer
or a goat and sheep breeder. According to calculations, a flock of 30
animals of a dairy breed is enough for one person to survive with
the profits from the processing of milk into various cheeses. Farmers are thus encouraged to start rearing goats and sheep and take
advantage of the opportunity offered by the first traditional cheese
dairy in the Goriko region.

51

Top 10 delicious Slovenian dishes

Slovenia invites you to a meal

danila golob

Bela Krajina pogaa.

Photo: Tomo Jeseninik

In focus

When hosting our guests, we put the best typical dishes of our town or
region on the table. Taste them, and you will feel Slovenia.
Slovenia has 24 gastronomic or culinary regions represented by
170 distinct and typical dishes, which means that when travelling
in Slovenia you can encounter a completely different dish every few
kilometres. The diverse range of traditional and modern dishes combines the flavours of the Mediterranean, the Alps and the Pannonian
Plain, including a touch of the Balkans.

Among 170 dishes, it is difficult to select

the ones you should taste during your stay
in Slovenia. We propose the following ten
delicious dishes; however, you can choose
according to your inspiration or trust your
hosts. Enjoy!
Bela Krajina pogaa served as a welcome dish
This is a round originally unleavened flat bread (3-4 cm thick)
brushed with a beaten egg and sprinkled with caraway seeds and
salt. Before baking, a square net pattern is cut onto the surface of
the pogaa with a knife. Bela Krajina pogaa is served warm and
is not cut but individual squares are broken away by hand. Since
2001, it has been classified as a protected foodstuff of traditional
reputation and it has been protected at EU level since 2010.
Hot stews
For those who want a hearty hot stew, we recommend riet. This
cooked barley porridge or pot barley is one of the most widely
known stews and also the oldest dish. In some regions, beans are
added to it and it is even more delicious if a sausage, smoked ribs or
a piece of smoked pork is added to the stew while cooking.
You can also try jota, a dish typical of western Slovenia. Istrian jota is
a thick stew made of sour cabbage and beans; the Karst and Vipava
versions also contain potato. After the First World War, the dish also

spread to some other regions and Ljubljana, where carrots, celery,

peas, pot barley and other ingredients were added to it.
When in Prekmurje, you will be served Prekmurje bogra. This
thick stew was named after the dish or the large pot in which it
is cooked. Bogra is a type of goulash with three different meats,
spices, pepper, tomato, potato and also fresh mushrooms if these
are in season.
Kranjska sausage the one and only
We can certainly say that the Kranjska sausage is the most distinctive culinary product of Slovenia. The sausage classified as Kranjska
was first mentioned in 1896. Since 2008, it has been a protected
product in Slovenia and this year the European Commission approved its entry into the register of protected geographical indications and thus added it to the list of over 1,200 protected agricultural products in the EU.

It is the only sausage which the astronauts

ate in space.
The Kranjska sausage is based on the rich heritage of processing
pork into meat products. The certified recipe for the sausage prescribes supreme pork, bacon fat, garlic, pepper, salt and pigs intestine.
Fish delicacy
The emerald Soa River is the home of the native Soa trout which
is a protected endangered species. The smallest specimen still permitted to be taken from the river must measure at least 40 cm. The
Soa trout is an exceptional gastronomic delicacy. It can be prepared in a traditional way by rolling it in buckwheat or corn flour
and then fried. It is also very delicious in a combination with prosciutto.

Sinfo - Slovenian information

53

in focus

Idrija likrofi
These are small pasta pockets or dumplings cooked in water and
stuffed with potato, onion, minced lard or smoked bacon, herbs
and spices, which originated in the old mining town of Idrija at
the end of the 18th or the beginning of the 19th century. likrofi
are accompanied with the typical meat sauce, bakalca, made from
mutton or rabbit meat. They are also served as an independent
dish with pork cracklings or butter, or as side dish with meat, meat
sauces, roasts, sour turnip or sprinkled with crumbled Gorgonzola
cheese. Idrija likrofi are protected as a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed. They were protected under the auspices of the EU in the
beginning of 2010 and under Slovenian regulations in 2002.
truklji
truklji (dumplings) are one of the most typical and usually dishes
for festive occasions known in all Slovenian gastronomic regions.
They are made from different types of dough (filo pastry, leavened
dough, puff pastry, noodle, buckwheat and potato dough) with
different fillings, baked or cooked, sweet or savoury. truklji with
tarragon filling are the most known Slovenian dumplings, which
are a typical spring and summer dish. Cottage cheese or cheese,
walnut, apple, poppy seed and other fillings are also quite popular.
Time for a dessert
Similarly to truklji, potica is also one of the most typical Slovenian
desserts. Some 80 different fillings are known for potica, which is a
typical festive dessert made from different types of dough. Potica
with tarragon takes the first place due to its special flavour provided by this noble herb in a sweet combination. Probably one of the
oldest known potica varieties has a honey filling an old sweetener used in a country with a long bee-keeping tradition. Other typical fillings include walnuts, poppy seeds, pork cracklings, chives,
lovage, cheese and others.
If you have already eaten potica, you can now try the delicious
Prekmurje gibanica (layer cake), a popular Slovenian traditional
dessert, which has been a festive and ritual dish in Prekmurje for
centuries. This is a sweet cake made of shortcrust pastry (bottom
layer) and several layers of filo pastry laid between apple, walnut,
cottage cheese (today also raisins) and poppy seed fillings. Prekmurje gibanica is a protected foodstuff with the label, Traditional
Speciality Guaranteed.
likrofi.
Photo: Jani Peternelj

50

truklji (dumplings) are one of the most typical

and usually dishes for festive occasions known
in all Slovenian gastronomic regions.
Photo: Tomo Jeseninik

in focus

Darrel Joseph, wine expert

Slovenia is a niche wine country

polona preeren, Photo: PERSONAL ARCHIVES

56

in focus

It was the Celts who planted the first vines on Slovenian land, thereby
laying the foundations for wine production. Today, wine culture has an
important role in Slovenian identity. We talked about Slovenian wine
with Darrel Joseph, a wine journalist, judge and presenter specialising
in the regions of Central and Eastern Europe.
Slovenians feel proud of the wines they produce and winemaking has a long tradition here. You know Slovenian wines very
well, what inspires you most about them?
The most inspiring thing is how Slovenian wine established its modern-day identity within a relatively short period of time since the
country became independent in 1991. The freshness and quality of
the dry white wines in regions such as Gorika Brda and Vipava Valley
as well as tajerska are most impressive. And of course there are the
natural and orange wine movements, for which Slovenia has been
highly active and has gained international recognition.
What is your viewpoint on Slovenian wines from a global perspective? Which world markets have the most potential for
wines from Slovenia?

Slovenian wines in general are surely good

enough to compete on the international
market in terms of quality. No doubt about
it.
And they are already in numerous countries abroad, such as the UK,
Germany, the USA and of course, Slovenias neighbouring countries.
But the real issue is quantity. As Slovenia is a relatively small wine
producing country, just around 22, 000 hectares of vineyards, there is
only so much wine that can be produced. On top of that, most of the
wine is drunk domestically. That means export volumes are limited.
But that is OK.

Darrel Joseph is a wine journalist, judge and presenter

specialising in the regions of Central and Eastern
Europe. Based in Vienna, Darrel contributes to
publications including Decanter and Harpers Wine
& Spirit in Great Britain, Meiningers Wine Business
International in Germany. He has also contributed
to Wine Spectator and Hugh Johnsons Pocket Wine
Guide. He judges for the Decanter World Wine Awards
in London, conducts wine tastings and seminars
internationally, and translates a wide range of wine
texts from German to English.

Slovenia is a niche wine country, and that

means the wines can be viewed as niche as
well; special, individual, not commercial.
In terms of future markets to look out for, developing ones, like China
for example, have positive potential.
Is it important to know the story behind the wine? How do you
see Slovenian story?
This is a rather vague question, as I am not sure what the Slovenian
story means. But in terms of its history, the wine culture in this area
has existed since Celtic and Illyrian times - hundreds of years BC. The
fact that it has survived all of these centuries is incredible - especially
during the 20th century with the wars and the period when Slovenia was a part of Yugoslavia and wine was produced en masse and
not for quality. Even better, it has entered a remarkable new era of
identity via the talent, innovation and ambition of todays Slovenian
winemakers, who have combined local tradition and know-how
with learning from their more established (in terms of modern production) wine neighbours, Italy and Austria. The wines, especially
the white wines, are lovely to drink on their own or also with food.
What do you think about Cviek, Metlika rnina and Belokranjec (the protected wines)?
These two easy-drinking blend wines - the red Metlika rnina, and
the Cviek (white and red blend!) are very traditional local wines
that have been gaining in popularity. I am still getting to know them
a bit but I would say that, while they are not complex, they have a
nice easy character for pleasurable drinking. I want to explore these
wines more, and see what winemakers will be doing with them in
the future.
What is your choice of top 5 picks from Slovenia?
It is hard for me to give my top five picks because that would leave
out too many interesting and delicious wines. But I can say that some
of my favourite producers include Bati, Kabaj, Edi Simi, Marjan
Simi, Movia, urek, Dveri-Pax, Ptujska Klet and Marof. It is also
good to look out for not only the international grape varieties like
Sauvignon Blanc from the tajerska region, but also the indigenous
grapes, like Pinela and Zelen in the Vipava Valley. And there is also
Rebula, which is found in Brda and over the border, in Italys Friuli.

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Slovenian wine-producing regions

Slovenia a land of wine combining

long tradition with modern techniques
polona preeren

in focus

Every wine kept carefully in a stylish bottle or stored in an oak

barrel has its own story, which combines the idea of the winemaker, the vine, soil, wood and other natural conditions which
dictate its texture. And when we pour it in a glass, we have to
enjoy it with all our senses.
Slovenia is a wine country with rich experience in wine production that keeps in step
with the world wine production, modern technology and marketing trends. Wine
production has a long tradition in Slovenia. In the country whose national anthem is
The Toast (to all good people), a glass of exquisite wine has special significance. In
addition to excellent professional wine-makers and wine cooperatives, there are also
many amateur wine-makers. Many vineyard cottages can be found in wine-producing regions, where the family hobby is stored in a barrel or two. These vineyard cottages contribute to the diverse tourist offer of the Dolenjska and Bela Krajina regions.
The proof that wine was being produced in Slovenia many years ago is the Vae situla
dating from the 6th century BC, which depicts revelry with wine. The Celts who lived
here then produced their own wine. The Romans, known for la dolce vita, also enjoyed the intoxicating drink, and it is not surprising that wine production positively
blossomed in the Roman period. The wine culture was somewhat halted with the arrival of the Slavic people from beyond the Carpathian Mountains since they brought
different values and customs, but it blossomed again with the spread of Christianity
and the arrival of monks. Since we are proud of our wine tradition, we are of course
certain that Slovenian wines are among the best in the world.

According to wine criteria, Slovenia belongs to the Old

World wine regions with certain French, Italian and German influences in terms of vineyards and production.
Its geographic position is perfect for growing vine with
the impact from the Adriatic Sea, the Alps and the Pannonian plain. The production of wine is focused on the
production of exquisite high-quality wine.
Vineyards are usually situated on very steep slopes, enabling the optimum exposure
to sunlight; however, this makes work in the vineyards much more demanding and
requires more manual labour.
Three wine-producing regions

Jeruzalem.
Photo: www.slovenia.info, Marco Coppo

The Podravje, Posavje and Primorje regions each boast their own particularities and
microclimates. Due to their many years of tradition, each of them can offer original
native wines with specific local qualities. The Slovenian selection of wines comprises
an assortment of red wines in the style of Bordeaux, aromatic wines typical of the
Rhine Valley, dry Italian wines, sweet Hungarian wines and also sparkling wines. The

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development of a diverse range of local wines, including modern

and trendy orange and natural wines which have caused quite a
stir among the expert wine public has been swift.
Podravje stretches over the north-east part of Slovenia. The region
is characterised by typical sediments created by active geological
movements, the remains of the Pannonian Sea and thermal and
mineral springs. It is thus the soil which particularly characterises
the wines of this region. The climate is typically continental, with
plenty of sunny days, which sometimes cause drought, while winters are quite cold. The region is known for its prestigious wines
and late grape harvest. A temperate climate and special soil are
ideal for the production of strong and aromatic white wines, such
as White Riesling, Italian Riesling, Sauvignon, Furmint, Pinot Gris,
Pinot Blanc, Traminer, Yellow Muscat and Radgona sparkling wine.
These are certainly worth tasting.

Photo: Mostphotos

Posavje is a region situated in the heart of Slovenia, and is known

for its mixed wines but most of all for its great little wine Cviek.
With its eight and a half per cent of ethanol, Cviek is hardly a wine
according to European criteria, but it nevertheless, or because of
it, prides itself on the EU mark of Protected Geographical Indication. Cviek, first documented in books two hundred year ago, is
a blend of three grape varieties, which provide it with lightness,
its characteristic gentle colour and flavour, including acidity and
freshness. Cviek is truly a very drinkable wine that can be found
in almost every vineyard cottage in the region. Vineyard cottages
are small private wineries, and wine producers who have stubbornly defied natural and social conditions in their small vineyards
over the years are typical of this region. In the past, this region was
mostly affected by the atrocities of the Second World War and the
economic crisis which followed. In addition to Cviek, the region is
also known for its quite sweet predicate wines.
Primorska carries such a name (pri-morje means by the sea) although only a small section of the region is actually next to the
coast and the majority of vineyards are located in the hinterland
but nevertheless enjoy a strong Mediterranean influence. Summers are quite hot here and winters temperate. The entire wine
variety of Europe can also be found in this region. Red wines prevail due to the warmth and the sun. Wines of this region have their
own particular traits; they are mostly dry, rich in minerals and also
contain more pigment than wines in other regions. The Primorska
region consist of the Gorika Brda district with the famous Rebula
and Pinot Blanc, the Vipava district with excellent white and red
wines, and particularly superb Cabernet Sauvignon, the Karst district with Teran, Refosco and Terra Rossa, which is a blend of Teran,
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and the Koper district with Refosco and Malvazija.

Did you know?

A venerable old lady, the over 400-years-old

vine, is growing in Maribors Lent, which is the oldest

known vine in the world and the pride of the city of Maribor
and the whole of Slovenia. The vine serves as the starting point or
the destination of many wine routes which are intertwined in the Maribor wineproducing district.
Slovenia is also a land of excellent sparkling wines. Their production according to the classic mthode champenoise started
in Radgonske Gorice cellar after 1850. There are more than sixty producers of sparkling wines in Slovenia who follow the classic
mthode champenoise and are interesting due to their diverse types of sparkling wines and their quality.
The Slovenian company, InoVine, developed an innovative solution, MagYeast, for quick magnet separation of lees from the
bottle, which shortens the procedure of disgorging from the current several weeks to a mere 30 minutes. The final research and
tests will be completed this year, and the innovation will be particularly useful for small wineries.

Slovenia is home to genuine native vine varieties, since their cultivation areas are in some sections divided by a state border,
certain varieties belong to both sides. Such examples are Rebula and Teran, which are native to both Slovenia and Italy. And also
Furmint, which has its roots in Slovenia, Austria, Croatia and Hungary. The native vine variety in the Vipava Valley is Zelen, with
good potentials for further development.
Wine routes are the easiest way to discover the wine-producing regions of Slovenia. The routes are intertwined in wine regions
and clearly marked on most tourist maps. These routes also include local roads allowing easy access to wine producers.

Slovenias musical and cultural festivals

A summer of music

Photo: Ljubljana Festival Archives

vesna arkovi

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Government Communication Office

in focus

If you are spending your summer holiday in Slovenia, you have an immense
choice of music festivals. Take your pick -- classical, ethno, jazz or pop you
can find whatever you like throughout the summer all over Slovenia. Lets
start in the capital
Every year, the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, is host to a long, hot summer of varied culture. Ljubljana Festival, the oldest and one of the
most important festivals in the wider region, will run for the 63rd
time this year and will also be the longest in its entire history. Established Slovenian and foreign performers in the fields of music, opera,
dance, musical, theatre and fine arts will be featured over a period of
more than three months.
The Festival officially opened on 28 June at Congress Square with a
music and visual performance by the Oscar- and Grammy-winning
composer and conductor Tan Dun. Everyone can find an event suited for them in the diverse cultural offer of the Festival. Visitors can
witness creations of the best Slovenian and foreign artists on a daily
basis. The abundance of artistic entertainment and festival activities
are certainly the merits of Ljubljana Festival which enriches the capital in terms of culture and art and places it on the world map.
Today one could not possibly imagine the beauty of the Slovenian
capital in summer evenings without its lively cultural activity and
high-quality cultural and artistic repertoire, since the Festival has a
long tradition and is renowned at home and abroad.

With its colourful and cosmopolitan atmosphere, the Festival contributes to the
vigour of the Slovenian capital which is
considered one of the liveliest cities in Europe.
Since its establishment, the objective of Ljubljana Festival has been
to prepare a carefully selected programme with exceptional artists
and artistic productions from around the world. Its guiding principles are excellence, creativity and the desire to provide the best
artistic experience to its audience. Over time Ljubljana Festival also
became an important reference for the performers; some are happy
to return time and again.
Ljubljana Festival also received the Order of Freedom of the Republic
of Slovenia, the highest recognition by the President of the Republic

of Slovenia, for its services in presenting national and international

artistic activities. In its more than 60-year history, many internationally acclaimed names have performed at the Ljubljana Summer Festival.
For example: orchestras opera houses: the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the
Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra from St. Petersburg, the Munich
Philharmonic Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the La
Scala Philharmonic Orchestra from Milan, the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from London, the Orchestra of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, the Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra from China,
and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Ballet ensembles:
Bjart Ballet from Lausanne, the St Petersburg State Academic Ballet Theatre of Boris Eifman, Teatro alla Scala Ballet
Company, the Bolshoi Ballet Company, and the Vienna State
Ballet. Conductors: Valery Gergiev, Sir Simon Rattle, Lorin
Maazel, Daniel Harding, Zubin Mehta, Ennio Morricone, Riccardo Muti, Mstislav Rostropovich, En Shao, Krzysztof Penderecki, Fuat Mansurov, Michael Nyman, Vladimir Ashkenazy,
Ivan Repui, and Riccardo Chailly. Soloists (musicians): Yuri
Bashmet, Denis Matsuev, Yehudi Menuhin, Julian Rachlin,
Vadim Repin, Alexander Rudin, Ramin Bahrami, Ning Feng,
Mischa Maisky, Gautier Capuon, Stefan Milenkovi, Vinko
Globokar, Dubravka Tomi, Mojca Zlobko, Milo Karadagli,
and 2Cellos.
Soloists (singers): Paata Burchuladze, Jos Cura, Jos Carreras, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Inva Mula, Leo Nucci, Ramn Vargas, Joseph Calleja, Jos Alberto, Bernarda Fink, and Marjana
Lipovek.
What are or will be the biggest highlights of this
years Festival?
One of the most important ones is the concert conducted by the
81-year old Krzysztof Penderecki, composer, conductor, academician, the recipient of numerous awards, and a three-time Grammy
winner. He is a pioneer of modern music and a researcher of new

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in focus

instrumental expression and the human voice. The Guardian newspaper named him the greatest living Polish composer. In Ljubljana,
he presented his Polish Requiem, one of his most important works.
This years Ljubljana Festival is the only festival in the world hosting three world-renowned composers in one summer. In addition
to the opening ceremony with conductor Tan Dun and then Penderecki, the Young German Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by
Jonathan Nott and accompanied by supreme violist Antoine Tamestit will perform at the closing of the Festival on 28 September.
Another two significant events should also be mentioned, namely
Romeo and Juliet, the finest ballet performance of the Mariinsky
Theatre from St. Petersburg and two evenings of opera arias.
Summer in the Old Town of Ljubljana
In cooperation with the Imago Sloveniae Institution, the Society
for the Revitalisation of the Cultural Image of the Old City Centre
has prepared the 23rd International Summer in the Old Town of
Ljubljana Festival which attracts visitors to enjoy music amid the
ambience of the old town centre. Some 27 concerts featuring 315
musicians from ten countries will be held until the end of August.
The Festival takes place at some of the most beautiful locations of
architectural and cultural heritage and plays an important role in
reviving the old centre of Ljubljana. The Festival particularly focuses on classical music from different periods, and in recent years a
section of the programme has also been dedicated to jazz.
Lent Festival in Maribor
The Lent Festival is the largest outdoor festival in Slovenia and one
of the largest in Europe, which in the beginning of summer transforms Maribor, the second largest city of Slovenia, into a city of
youth, relaxation, playfulness, creativity and sociability. This years
23rd Lent Festival saw many concerts and offered many musical
delights at some 40 venues. During the Festival, Maribor again
pulsated in the spirit of music and enjoyed dancing, street theatre,
comedy and creative gatherings. What could be more pleasurable
than a concert under the starry summer sky, classical music in the
medieval synagogue or the luscious rhythms of jazz? The Lent
Festival has been visited by one in four citizens of Slovenia at least
once. The festival activities, which include everything from music,
theatre and dance, provided many diverse events on the stages
along the embankments of the Drava River.
National costumes
In the green embrace of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, the town of Kam-

64

nik combines tradition with ethnography, culture and entertainment every second weekend in September. A traditional parade of
national costumes in the colours of the rich clothing heritage takes
place on the streets of the old town. More than two thousand enthusiasts and experts in the strict etiquette of classifying folk costumes participate at the central event. The Costumes, as the locals
like to refer to the event, is the most frequented event in this part
of Slovenia and has been the pride of the town for more than four
decades. With its diverse programme, it attracts over 30,000 visitors
and many local and foreign media. Every year numerous visiting
folklore groups from abroad supplement the rich programme of
local groups, since the Festival, as a recognised international folklore festival, is also included in the network of the CIOFF folklore
festivals.
Idrija Lace Festival
This is the largest internationally acclaimed event in Idrija dedicated to the traditional craft of lace-making. With several breaks, the
Festival has been held in Idrija since 1952. This year saw the 34th
running of the Festival, which was held between 19 and 21 June.
Due to its popularity and recognisability, the Festival is the main
promoter of Idrija lace. The event preserves the tradition of lacemaking in Idrija and prompts innovation in lace-making and its
use. In recent years, the objective of the Festival has been to follow
the tradition embodied in Idrija lace and its contemporary features
built on accuracy, skill, resourcefulness, ingenuity and creativity.
Two festivals of early music
The Seviqc Breice Festival is synonymous with early music in Slovenia. The most renowned artists performing supreme programmes
of the highest quality are invited to attend the Festival annually.
European and world music heritage is presented through different
complex programme sets, whereby special attention is dedicated
to the presentation of music originating in Slovenia.
This years Radovljica Festival is taking place between 8 and 25
August and features ten international concerts with music ranging from the Middle Ages to contemporary music, including two
workshops for singers and a recorder master class. The famous Argentine soprano, Mara Cristina Kiehr, will be one of the guests and
will also hold a workshop for singers. Both festivals of early music
offer original concerts of historical performance practices. The programme of Radovljica Festival consists of ten concerts which will
be held in Radovljica and Velesovo.

Government Communication Office

in focus

This years Bled Festival with an extended programme

The Bled Culture Institute has again for this years Festival planned a
diverse range of festival activities. The Bled International Music Festival and Okarina Ethno Festival were particularly interesting this
year on the occasion of their 20th and 25th anniversaries respectively. The Bled International Music Festival took place between 1
and 18 July and focused on classical music, jazz and crossover. Immediately after the closing of the Music Festival, the 25th Okarina
Ethno Festival opened on 17 July, which according to Leo Liof, the
Programme Director of the Festival, is taking a step further from its
set direction of ethno music and is adding new musical elements.
The guiding principle when selecting performers was their quality.
Female vocalists particularly dominated in the second half of the
Festival.
Velenje Festival
A diverse cultural programme featuring some 50 events took place
in Velenje at its 29th Festival. In addition to regular weekly events,
Summer in the Meadow, for children and summer cinema, Stars
under the Stars, the Festival offered a diverse music programme
which featured orchestra and choir, American Music Abroad, from
the East Coast of the United States of America, Leicestershire
Schools Symphony Orchestra from England, which performs classi-

cal music, and many other Slovenian and foreign ethno ensembles,
including the internationally acclaimed Jewish klezmer ensemble,
The Klezmatics (Grammy winner), and the new ABBA repertoire
performed by Perpetuum Jazzile.
The Stars Under the Stars Summer Theatre Festival
in Ptuj
The Stars Under the Stars Summer Theatre Festival was added to
the already varied summer music programme in Ptuj. The Festival,
featuring 14 performances and taking place at different locations,
was organised by Ptuj City Theatre between 19 June and 5 July. The
Festival opened with the premire of a romantic comedy, iLutka, at
Turnie Castle.
The confluence in Tolmin again invites you to its
summer festivals
The confluence in Tolmin has been attracting a diverse crowd of
visitors from around the world for over a decade. The atmosphere
was lively this year as well when the Soa Outdoor Festival opened
the festival season at the end of June. This year marks the 12th running of the MetalDays event and the 16th running of Sajeta Creative Camp. In mid-August, the festival season in Tolmin will end
with the Overjam International Reggae Festival.

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in focus

Ten Must-have Souvenirs from Slovenia

Forget me not

Photo: www.slovenia.info, Tomo Jeseninik

nataa buljeta

in focus

It is always a nice gesture to bring something back from your trip for someone special or just to remember the good time one had. The offer is always
substantial, and varies so much it can be hard to recognise whats local in a
foreign place. So we take this hard choice off your shoulders and pick ten
best Slovenian souvenirs.

Slovenia takes great care to maintain the highest possible quality

of souvenirs. There are two brand labels that help visitors to recognise truly creative souvenirs.
Top-quality handicrafts carry the distinctive mark RokodelstvoArt&Craft-Slovenija. This means that the products are still made
by many handcrafters working to keep the various old local and
regional traditions alive.

2. Slovenian honey
Slovenia is home to a number of excellent beekeepers, whose honey, mead and other apiary products are a significant part of Slovenias all-natural delicacies. From the middle of September 2009
it is possible to buy Slovenian honey as a product of protected
geographical indication, ensuring the highest quality of our honey.
Slovenian beekeepers fill honey in the traditional jar that has the
original form and volume of 720 ml.

The other group are souvenir-themed products of the national

brand I feel Slovenia. These souvenirs are detached from the cultural heritage and represent modern tokens of economic, social
and spiritual aspirations of modern-day Slovenia.
Tuck these items in your suitcase and feel SLOVEnia
at home
1. Painted panels from bee hives

The most original Slovenian tourist souvenir is a wooden panel of bee hive with traditional folklore images.
The smooth wooden panels on the front of bee houses posed a
challenge for numerous folk artists, and this gave rise to fascinating images that turned simple bee houses into veritable open-air
art galleries. It is fascinating and reflects the priorities, beliefs and
prejudices of the community in which the panels were painted, as
well as some historical events. Slovenias museums have preserved
a good number of original paintings from which countless replicas
have been made.

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in focus

5.

Idrija lace

Located some 50 km west of Ljubljana, the town of Idrija is largely

known for two things: mercury and lace. Although both undoubtedly make fine gifts for friends and family back home, the lace industry has apparently done a much better job promoting itself and
is widely recognised as producing some of the highest quality lace
in the world. There is a surprising variety of lace goods - from simple
cloths and handkerchiefs to gloves, necklaces and even earrings.
6.

Seovlje salt flower

When discussing which souvenirs are most

typical of Slovenia, one of mentioned item
is salt.
More specifically, salt from the centuries old Seovlje salt pans on
the coast south of Portoro. While its technically the same stuff you
find on every dinner table in the world, the location and traditional
production methods give it a recognisably unique flavour. Its wellknown among gourmands worldwide, and as far away as Japan
some high-end sushi restaurants use it exclusively.
3. Preeren Figs
The life of the greatest Slovenia poet Dr. France Preeren (1800
1849) inspired the top-quality confectionery product Preeren
Figs. It is said that the poet would often carry dried figs in his coat
pocket and children, knowing this, would call after him Doctor,
figs, figs! Today you can relive the story with dried figs dipped in
dark and white chocolate. They are very tasteful souvenir which is
difficult to bring home intact.
4. Rogaka crystal

Designing and making crystal ware has almost 350 years of tradition in Slovenia.
In the area of Trebua, Pohorje and Kozjansko you can still find the
so-called forest glass huts. So crystal, of a high quality, made into
goblets, plates, beads and household dcor can be perfect souvenirs for reasonable prices. And trust me, the Rogaska Crystal glass
makes all wine taste better.

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9.

Felt slippers

Felt is the material that comes from the indigenous JezerskoSolava sheep breed. Among functional and decorative felt products slippers are among the most Slovenian. Everyone who enters
a Slovenian home must change his shoes for slippers not to bring
in dirt from outside.
10. I feel Slovenia exclusive items

The line of I feel Slovenia products is representing the modern offer of quality souvenirs.
Visitors can choose among a variety of collectable items like souvenir spoon, cup, wooden magnet or small glass or decide for all time
favourite T-shirt.

7.

Wishing bell from Bled

Touristic town Bled in Gorenjska region was among the first to further the development of tourism. The very first graphic depiction
of Lake Bled with the church on the island and the castle perched
above the lake was made as early as 1851 and those counts as one
of the earliest souvenirs. The modern souvenir of Bled is the wishing bell. It is a miniature copy of the bell hanging in the church
tower on the island of Lake Bled, which visitors ring so that their
wishes come true.
8.

Plenik candleholder

In Kropa, the old centre of nail making and blacksmithing, skilled

hands forge lovely handheld candleholders to the design of the
world-famous Slovenian architect Joe Plenik (1872 1957).

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in focus

Boris Kouta, the President of the Professional

Golfers Association of Slovenia

Slovenia has great potential with its

golf courses and in teaching golf
danila mai, Photo: personal archives

In mere seven days, visitors

can see the most beautiful
corners of Slovenia and play
golf at a different location
every day. And upon their
return, they can write on
Facebook that they know
Slovenia very well, says
jokingly Boris Kouta, the
President of the Professional
Golfers Association of Slovenia, during the interview.

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What kind of organisation is PGA Slovenia?

The PGAS is an association of professional teachers and players of
golf. It is organised in sections which are responsible for education,
junior golf, competitions, clubs and courses, fitness and health,
womens golf, senior golf and equipment. All members of the governing board, the supervisory board, disciplinary board and sections
work for the PGAS on a voluntary basis.
How does the Golf Association of Slovenia function?
The Golf Association of Slovenia is an umbrella golf organisation
and is a member of the European Golf Association. The GAS brings
together clubs, while the PGAS brings together referees and golf
course greenkeepers. It is a branch association which, with our help,
conducts and manages the realisation of the strategy of development of golf in Slovenia.
Your role model is the PGA of Sweden. How do you cooperate
with them?
Thats true, the Professional Golfers Association of Sweden is one of
the best organised professional golf associations in the world. Our
mentor is Mikael Sorling, the Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of
Sweden, who visits us once a year. He greatly contributes to the
development of our association with his experience. Sweden has
700,000 active golfers, who like to play golf outside Sweden since
their golf season is short. They mostly play in traditional golf destinations, such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and Turkey. In future, we would
like to attract a larger number of Swedish golfers to Slovenia, since in
addition to playing golf at excellent courses, they can also visit attractive tourist destinations, such as Portoro, Gorika Brda, Terme ate
and Bled. The air carrier, Adria Airways, is also working in our favour
by opening a regular service between Ljubljana and Stockholm.
Slovenia is otherwise very successful in golf; is there a future Tiger Woods to look out for?
The PGAS is very proud of our member, Tim Gornik, who became
a permanent participant at prestigious European competitions this
year. However, the PGAS is primarily an organisation for golf teachers. If you wish to become a teacher and a PGA member, you have to
undergo training and sit for exams. But you dont need to do this if
you just want be a golfer. Talent is required and above all a lot of practice. Tiger Woods can just play golf according to the PGA rules. But
he could teach it only if he underwent suitable training. So, a licence
is required for teaching golf, but for playing in tournaments, good
results are required. The competitions are ranked and good results in
a certain rank enable progression to a higher rank.
Golf is said to be a gentlemans game. Why do you need a disciplinary board for?

This is stipulated in the Societies Act. The PGA is here to educate new
golfers about the techniques of playing together with the rules and
etiquette on the course. A training package, which includes eight
hours of training with a golf teacher, four hours with a referee and
playing nine holes, was prepared by the Golf Association of Slovenia. Playing with a professional teacher after the completed training
course is much more pleasurable because you are guided and can
progress faster.
What attracts foreigners to Slovenian golf courses the most?
In addition to our beautiful courses, its the fact that several different
things can be combined with golf. I think Slovenia is perfect since
it has many additional options for spending free time. Everything is
within reach, which makes it a real paradise for golfers. Ive just returned from South Africa where distances are great. When you arrive
at your destination, youre already tired from travelling. Its similar in
Iceland. Short distances are a great advantage in our case.
In your opinion, what grabs the attention of a foreign golfer in
Slovenia?
Slovenia has wonderful golf courses and natural sights. Upon arrival,
a guest can spend the night at Bled and play golf there. The next day,
he can visit Ljubljana and the famous Joe Pleniks Central Market.
He can play golf on two nearby courses in Arboretum Volji Potok or
Smlednik. The next destination is the Primorska region with Postojna
Cave and Lipica which has a golf course next to the stud farm. The
guest then goes to Portoro and plays golf at the Adriatic golf course.
The experience is topped with the delicious Primorska culinary offer and supreme wines. The Padrie golf course is near Trieste and
Gorika Brda with exceptional tourist offerings are also in the vicinity.
Then there is also Otoec, Ptuj and Moravske Toplice. All golf courses
are surrounded by beautiful nature and many other tourist attractions.
Is there any well-known professional athlete who plays golf?
The most known professional sportsman who also plays golf and
is our honorary member is the ice hockey player Ane Kopitar, who
organises a charity golf tournament every year. Other known Slovenian top sportspeople who also play golf are Jure Koir, Primo Ulaga
and Tone Vogrinec. The greatest promoter of golf in Sweden was
Sven Tumba Johansson, the legend of Swedish ice hockey, who completely committed himself to golf after retiring from professional ice
hockey. He wasnt active only in Sweden, but also in Estonia and
other Baltic countries and Russia. He organised charity tournaments
for children from socially deprived families and also some competitions which are still part of the European Tour. A good man, good
organiser, good golfer and a popular Swede known round the world
thus attracted to golf almost one million of his fellow countrymen.

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Slovenian golf courses

Integrated into beautiful nature

danila mai

in focus

There are two ways of creating a golf course in

nature; the first one involves investing several
million Euros, moving around many cubic metres
of soil and creating a miracle. The second way is
to incorporate the course into the natural terrain.
Such a course has its distinctive character and is
not imposed upon the landscape by force. You
barely notice that its a golf course. Slovenian golf
courses are like that. We can call them supreme
creations of nature. They are not the works of famous landscape designers, but parts of the natural environment.

All Slovenian golf courses sit in a natural environment. The course

with the oldest golfing tradition in Slovenia is in Bled, where the
concept was first developed in 1936 according to the design of
Hungarian Desider Lauber. Two years later, the course was completed and brought joy to its visitors until the start of the Second
World War when golf came to a halt. Bled opened again in 1973,
with a total of 27 holes. You need a lot of energy and enthusiasm
to go around it.
Like the course in Ptuj, the golf course at Mokrice Castle also has
18 holes. The golf courses in Lipica, Arboretum Volji Potok, Zlati
gri near Slovenske Konjice and Olimlje have nine holes and are
less demanding; however, the extra time at your disposal can be
used for engaging in other activities on offer in these places. Golf
also connects players, since there is plenty of time to easily form
business connections while golfing in the fresh air.

All Slovenian golf courses sit in a natural

environment, the same as this one in Ptuj.
Photo: Barbara Jake-Jeri

Slovenia is the destination of more and

more foreigners who, in addition to playing golf, also explore the country. Foreign
visitors, who are golfers, visit Slovenia
primarily on the basis of recommendations of their friends.

73

Photo: www.slovenia.info, Ale Fever

in focus

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Government Communication Office

in focus

New Undiscovered Golf Destination of 2015

At the 2014 International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) at Lake Como in Italy, Slovenia received the award for
the Undiscovered Golf Destination of 2015 conferred by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). The award can be compared to the Oscars in the film industry. This was big
news in Slovenia and it received even more attention abroad which was also the
set objective of the MM Turist travel agency in cooperation with Slovenian golf
courses. The next goal is to bring the IGTM to Slovenia. The submission of the
candidacy poses an opportunity to host the IGTM in Slovenia in 2017 and
thus welcome the global golf travel industry. After several strenuous years,
the MM Turist travel agency in cooperation with Slovenian golf courses
managed to obtain this award, whereby the I feel Slovenia national
brand is being proudly included in all presentations. In 2006, the MM Turist travel agency specialised in golf, and since then it has been organising
trips abroad for Slovenians under the PAR3 brand and welcoming guests
from abroad to Slovenia under the GolfSlovenia brand. Their website, golfslovenia.net, is the best ranked Slovenian website for golf on the Google
browser.
Since 2006, the travel agency has also been a member of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), within which it represents Slovenia. The
golf tour operators who are members of the IAGTO sell over 85 per cent of global golf
tourism packages. All major world destinations which are renowned in the world of golf are
featured at the annual International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) within the IAGTO. Some 1,400 major players
in golf tourism participate annually at the International Golf Travel Market.

iga Osterc, Director of the Golf Department at MM Turist travel agency:

For some years, the MM Turist travel agency has been following golfers who come to Slovenia by their own private means of transport and also those who arrive by plane. Italians and Austrians arrive by vehicle, while golfers from Finland mostly arrive by plane,
and to a minor extent also guests from the UK, Sweden and Denmark. Weve had golfers from Singapore and Korea. Im happy to
say that they get excited about everything in Slovenia. Particularly because guests receive more than they expect. Slovenian golf
courses are not the works of famous landscape designers, but parts of the natural environment. Golf can be played at tourist destinations abroad where the courses are frequently artificially sited in the environment, whereas our high-quality golf courses are
above all natural and in keeping with nature since here in Slovenia nature offers everything you need for a golf course.
Slobodan Sibini, President of the PGA Supervisory Board and Honorary Consul General at the Consulate General of Sweden:
Danolf, the owner of a Belgium media house, and our partner at City Magazine, visited me a few times. I took them to Lipica and
Postojna Cave. They were stunned by the fact that so many things could be seen in such a small area. After visiting Gorika Brda,
I was asked to organise a meeting in Slovenia for their key clients to whom they wanted to introduce new products. They picked
Slovenia because they would be able to really enjoy themselves during a short stay. Furthermore, almost every town in Slovenia
can be reached within one hours drive. We have a mix of everything: good golf courses, beautiful natural sights and a good range
of gastronomic offerings which is continuously improving.

Sinfo - Slovenian information

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in focus

Rocks, rapids and ravines more than an active holiday

Kick start your adrenalin in Europes

outdoor adventure playground
polona preeren
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Government Communication Office

in focus

Can you imagine a summer holiday where instead

of lying idly on the beach, you boldly take on a
series of adrenalin-filled adventures? In Slovenia,
more and more people are choosing action holidays and there is an enormous choice.. Contact
with nature: good. Level of adventure: high!
Slovenians are known for going beyond the boundaries. With numerous extreme adventures, we have moved the boundaries of
what is possible. We climb places where no one has ever climbed
before. We ski from where no one has ever skied before. We swim
distances which have not been swum before. We cycle distances
which others do not. We do not overcome basic natural laws and
limitations of nature but we discover them. It is in our nature to explore extreme limits and we achieve top results at important competitions. Of course we are referring here to supreme sportspeople,
but recreational enthusiasts can also experience many adrenalinpacked adventures.
In spring, the Lonely Planet Guide referred to Slovenia as the Europes outdoor adventure playground. The Central European
country of Slovenia packs an adventure-sports punch much greater than its diminutive size would suggest, writes Steve Fallon, the
author of the piece. He also describes the Alpine rivers and their
rapids which are ideal for rafting and canyoning, and also mentions the excellent conditions for mountain bikers. If you love the
outdoors, its time you got acquainted with Europes adventure
playground, adds Fallon.
What gets your heart pumping?
An extreme sport is a general term for activities involving great
speed, height, danger or any other acrobatics or adventure experience. Since a large quantity of the adrenalin hormone is generated while engaging in these sports, we also call them adrenalin
bombs. Enthusiasts who engage in these activities can even become adrenalin junkies.
Kayaking on the Soa.
Photo: www.slovenia.info, Ale Fever

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in focus

Adrenalin sports are a significant part of

Slovenias tourist offer an offer which is
attracting adventurers from around the
world. The natural features of the Slovenian landscape namely enable various
adrenalin adventures.
The best choice is to find a specialised agency or an outdoor centre
which will provide for the safety aspect. Suitable equipment and
expert guidance must be observed for ensuring the safety of activities. Many outdoor centres are located in the Gorenjska and Primorska regions, and elsewhere as well. The most diverse offering
can be found in the area of Bovec, near Bled and Bohinj, in Kranjska
Gora, the Koroka, tajerska and Dolenjska regions, and in the area
of Celje. Climbing areas are located on the edge of the Karst and in
the Logar Valley.
So, are you up for the adventure? Lets see what adrenalin adventures can be experienced in Slovenia.
Water Adventures
Rafting, kayaking and river-boarding on the rapids of the Soa,
Savinja and Krka rivers are very popular. Guided tours provide unforgettable adrenalin adventures with a great level of safety since
the guides in the majority of sports centres have a lot of experience and use the best equipment.
Canyoning is somewhat more adventurous and involves discovering different stretches of a river, including underground sections
which can be as deep as 40 metres. The tributaries of the Soa and
Sava rivers, i.e. in the regions of Bovec and Bohinj respectively are
perfect for canyoning.
With or without a parachute

Rock climbing provides a particular adrenalin rush, and many have

become so hooked on the sport after their first climb that this is all
they want to do in terms of sports. Since there is large number of
climbing enthusiasts in Slovenia, its easiest to make arrangements
with one of the climbing organisations or agencies.
In winter time, it is possible to go ice climbing on frozen waterfalls
and iced sections of ravines, where climbers make use of only a few
ice climbing accessories or tools, and crampons attached to their
boots. The difficulty of individual climbs depends on the incline of
the icy surface, its shape and other conditions affecting the frozen
waterfall.
Adrenalin and adventure parks
Adrenalin parks are becoming increasingly popular in Slovenia.
You can find them in all regions. The most popular ones are in
Kranjska Gora, near Tri and Ljubljana, at the confluence of the
Tolminka River, in Vae etc. From a purely technical point of view,
an adrenalin park is a polygon course raised between eight to fourteen metres above the ground, consisting of various challenges
for either individuals or groups (in North America, adrenalin parks
are referred to as challenge courses). They proved to be extremely
valuable in terms of experience and active learning, where each individual and their team(s) solve tasks in a way that suits them best.
Mountain biking
Another very popular activity is mountain biking. The ultimate
experience is of course the downhill. It requires a lot of physical
strength and courage. Downhill bike parks, which in addition to
good fitness require the use of protective equipment and where a
great deal of experience is a must, can be found at the famous ski
resorts in Kranjska Gora, Krvavec, Maribor and Kope.
Zipline

Parachuting is no longer a sport for the special few and does not
require any special skills as several companies offer tandem jumps
with an experienced parachutist. The key to adrenalin pleasures is
to overcome ones fear, since the adrenalin rush is proportionate
to the amount of fear. One of the sports with the highest adrenalin
rate is base jumping, which is relatively popular in Slovenia. The
most dangerous and, consequently, the most appealing jump exit
in Slovenia is believed to be the Triglav Sphinx rock wall. Due to
safety considerations think twice before doing this.

78

Climbing

Ziplining is all about a steel cable. This is in essence a thrilling outdoor activity during which a person glides along a cable from one
embankment to another. The longest zipline and probably the
most picturesque one is in Bovec, which stretches over the unspoilt Uja Canyon. Eight steel cables between 250 and 400 metres
long are suspended over a vertical incline of 150 metres above the
Uja River.

Government Communication Office

in focus

Sinfo - Slovenian information

Photo:

Rock climbing provides a particular adrenalin rush, and

many have become so hooked on the sport after their first
climb that this is all they want to do in terms of sports.
Photo: Tomo Jeseninik

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Cycling routes through the Prekmurje region

New trails over picturesque plains

vesna arkovi

Slovenia is evolving into one of the most

cyclist-friendly countries in Europe.
Photo: www.slovenia.info, Bobo

in focus

A large number of new cycling routes extending over 530 kilometres

have transformed Prekmurje in the east of Slovenia into a popular
tourist cycling destination. Cycling along these trails is the best way of
discovering this flat yet mysterious part of Slovenia. The construction
of the routes in Prekmurje was the result of the European project for
constructing cycling paths and routes, whose aim was to improve safety
and respect of cyclists.

On the new routes, cycling enthusiasts travel separate from other

traffic where this is possible, and above all can cover distances between different towns faster. This increases the attractiveness of
the region for cyclists, and enhances sports and recreation facilities in this area which borders on Austria, Hungary and Croatia. It
improves town and suburban connections and reduces the negative impact on the environment. Recreational cyclists agree that
Slovenia is evolving into one of the most cyclist-friendly countries
in Europe.
Pannonian Village
It is cyclists who are becoming the most frequent guests in the Pannonian Village, a new settlement of houses and apartments in the
village of Teanovci in the vicinity of Moravske Toplice. The village is
situated on the edge of the Prekmurje plains, only a few steps away
from the Livada golf course (Terme 3000). The settlement is composed of seven straw-roofed Prekmurje-style houses made of brick
and plastered with clay. The interior features handmade solid furniture; the warmth of the brushed wood and a special decorative
touch effectively complement the spirit of the authentic Prekmurje
tradition. The sense of originality and peculiarity of the Pannonian
Village are supplemented by the views over the vast Prekmurje
fields.
Guests visiting the village are usually content with their stay, the
proof of which are the following statements:
It is always nice to stay in traditional houses made of wood and
natural materials. Houses are clean, big enough, in very good loca-

Storks in Pomurje.
Photo: www.slovenia.info, Ale Fever

tion: 1.5 km from pools and all around are natural beauty spots and
particularly good restaurants. I really recommend this warm and
homely place.
Newly built traditional Pannonian-style houses. Excellent finish
and interior design. Located in a nice and flat agricultural area close
to the biggest spa complex in the eastern part of Slovenia. A 5-minute walk to Oaza, a very nice restaurant, serving a variety of local
and international dishes.

Sinfo - Slovenian information

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culture

Slovenian Works of Art from Yugoslav diplomatic missions

Ambassadors of Art
Urka Kramberger Mendek,
Photo: National Gallery Archives

France Miheli: Musicians. Oil, canvas, from

the residence of the former SFRY in Paris.

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Government Communication Office

culture

An exhibition The Return of Ambassadors of Art Works of Art

from the Yugoslav Succession has opened in the National Gallery of
Slovenia in Ljubljana. It is the exhibition of important Slovenian works
of art once displayed in diplomatic missions of the former Yugoslavia.
Some 200 works of art have been gradually brought back to Slovenia
since 2003.
Long and difficult journey

Ambassadors of Art on display

The journey to obtain these works of art was long and strenuous.
Only ten years after the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the Agreement
on Succession Issues was signed, which among others determined
the distribution of diplomatic and consular property of the former
country abroad, including over 2,000 works of art housed in them.

The exceptional place and significance of fine arts arise from the
simple fact that such pieces are permanently on display at the
premises visited not only by citizens, but also by important personalities of the host country and other representatives of the diplomatic community.

The first 13 works of art from Washington

and Paris were returned to Slovenia in
2003.

Slovenia has been striving for a while to organise an exhibition

which would display the results of several years efforts for the return of this Slovenian part of cultural heritage.

To this date, some 200 works by Slovenian artists have been returned, most of them came from neighbouring countries where
works by Slovenian artists most frequently embellished the diplomatic premises.
The former Yugoslav consulate general in Trieste housed particularly the works of Slovenian artists living in the Trieste region, such
as Lojze Spacal, Avgust ernigoj, Bogdan Grom, Joe Cesar and
Avrelij Lukei. At this point, the priceless works by the Impressionists, which were housed at the residence of the diplomatic
mission in Paris, must be highlighted. The paintings by Matija
Jama, Spring Birches, and Matej Sternen, Interior, are two of the
most important pieces of Slovenian art at the diplomatic missions
of the former state.

The exhibition which will be open until 6

September features 68 works of art by 34
Slovenian artists.
The broader public can now view these beautiful masterpieces
which once decorated the walls of buildings at prestigious locations around the world. The exhibition includes the selected works
once displayed at diplomatic missions and consular posts of the
former country in Berlin, Bern, Budapest, Vienna, Graz, The Hague,
London, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Prague, Rome, Thessaloniki, Stockholm, Trieste, Warsaw and Zurich.
All the works of art returned to Slovenia so far will be later exhibited at diplomatic missions of Slovenia abroad. Ambassadors of art
will be part of our cultural heritage, a part of the face we show the
world again.

Sinfo - Slovenian information

83

nature

Slovenian Day at EXPO 2015

Green, active, healthy

Livija Kova Kostantinovi, Photo: STA

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Government Communication Office

events

On the 19th June, Slovenia celebrated Slovenian

National Day at EXPO 2015 in Milan.

The main topic of the world exhibition is food and the search by
the world for solutions to global challenges and an answer to how
to provide enough food of the right quality while maintaining sustainable usage of sources of production, of water and agricultural
land, while still maintaining the environment.
Among 144 countries participating at Milan Expo 2015 from 1 May
until 31 October 2015, Slovenia is presenting itself with an independent pavilion and the motto I feel Slovenia: Green.Active.Healthy..
The exhibition site of 800 m2 large Slovenian Pavilion designed by
SoNo Architects and constructed by Lumar IG is well located and
positioned in the centre of the Expo events. Approximately 4,000
visitors visit the Slovenian Pavilion on a daily basis, and as expected
by the organizers, as many as 20 million people will visit the world
exhibition.

Slovenia presents its natural features and

riches at this exhibition, particularly because awareness and a sustainable environment are urgently needed for the
maintenance of Slovenias greatest competitive advantage: Slovenias green credentials.
Slovenia is presenting itself in its permanent exhibition via five
themes: Salt production, bees, thermal waters and mineral waters, trekking and cycling, and carbon footprint measurement. The
events in the pavilion are made more dynamic with an intensive six
month programme organised by ten Slovenian regions.
The National Day
It was an opportunity to outstand among the 144 participants. The
programme included the visit of Slovenias high political representatives, business delegations and our best sportswoman Tina Maze

85

events

who is also the Slovenian ambassador on EXPO. For the EXPO visitors a diverse cultural and artistic programme was organised and
the highlight was the evening concert by Perpetuum Jazzile.

the worlds exhibition until today, as many as 619 companies have

been involved in various ways in the presentation of Slovenia at
Expo 2015.

Business centre of the world

Important global challenges

Expo 2015 in Milan offers many opportunities to the Slovenian

economy for presentation and international participation. Aiming
at providing an efficient coordination and assistance to Slovenian
companies, the Business Centre has been established in the Slovenian Pavilion by the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology and SPIRIT Slovenia. The operation of the Slovenia Business Centre has exceeded expectations and from the opening of

The Prime Minister and other politicians have been pleased with
attendance at the exhibition. Great attention has been paid by
the media, both at home and abroad, to the participation of Tina
Maze, the famous Alpine skier, who together with footballer Samir
Handanovi has been given the role of Slovenian ambassador at
Expo Milano 2015.

The programme in front of the Slovenian pavilion

culminated in a concert by the world-renowned
Slovenian a cappella choir Perpetuum Jazzile.
Photo: STA

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Government Communication Office

events

Dr Miro Celar, Prime Minister:

We are faced with numerous challenges, such as the growth of the world population, unhealthy diets,
climate change, the lack of food and raw materials or their scarcity, and the decline in biodiversity to
name just a few. All of these issues have a serious impact on the ability of the environment to renew itself
and providing to mankind, health, food, and its very existence. The destruction of the environment and
improper use of land have a negative impact on mankind and to the life of current and future generations
and, of course, to the competitiveness of the economy. These are important global issues which individual
countries should not address individually but our collective and coordinated action is needed, both at
the regional and global level. And we must not forget that everybody, each of us, at any moment and in
every location, may provide a contribution to the better world. Let EXPO Milano 2015 which presents the
greatest world achievements in the fields of economy, science, culture, agriculture and sports provide an
inspiration for various activities which may contribute to the respect for environmental sustainability and
to the achievement of the sustainable development of the world - for our world of today and for future
generations.
Zdravko Poivalek, Minister of Economic Development and Technology:
By attending the exhibition we wish to strengthen the recognition of our national brand I feel SLOVEnia and
increase the reputation of Slovenia. Our presence here increases the presence of Slovenian products and services
on the Italian market and in the world and promotes Slovenia as a tourist destination. We are committed to
sustainable development which is not an obstacle of greater competitieness but its main pillar. Organised and
healthy environment, modern logistics, business infrastructure, safety, excellent geographical and strategic position, excellent conditions for living and work and last but not least social services rendered at the highest level are
the competitive advantages of our Slovenia. The Minister has also expressed a wish for Slovenian companies to
take the advantage of the potentials provided by the Slovenian Pavilion and the EXPO Milan 2015 world exhibition as a whole in the direction of greater economic cooperation in the international arena.
Jerneja Lampret, the General Commissionar of the Slovenias presence at EXPO Milan 2015:
The EXPO world exhibition is a special format where the most recognised world leaders meat, the greatest celebrities, the most renowned scientists, daily visitors - EXPO is a world in one piece and Slovenia is very well seen
in this world. For all of us who work in the pavilion on a daily basis it is a great honour to present our Slovenia
with such an interesting facility. We are pleased to accept a very frequent comment given by co-participating
countries at EXPO which are glad to say that the Slovenian Pavilion is the loudest pavilion. The live events are
co-designed together with Slovenian regions and the voice of Slovenia is constantly heard along the main street
of EXPO 2015. It is an extraordinary experience.
Gorazd Skrt, Slovenian Pavilions Director:
The Slovenias presentation at the EXPO has proved to be an excellent decision given the vicinity of the location and the signiciance of the Italian market for the SLovenian tourism and economy, in particular. The world
exhibition provides us with a unique opportunity to present Slovenia as green, active and healthy destination
not only to Italians but also to the visitors of the world and to invite them to visit us by driving only few hours.
Approximately 80,000 visitors visit the EXPO on a daily basis, and Slovenia is presented to around four thousand
daily visitors. Many of them have already visited Slovenia but there are also many that have heard of Slovenia for
the first time.

Sinfo - Slovenian information

87

culture

Alain Brian Bergant,

Secretary General of the Bled Strategic Forum

Not the globalisation of Bled, but

the bledalisation of the globe
uro mahkovec, Photo: sta

events

This years Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) is marking its 10th anniversary. Over the years, the
event has become one of the most visible international forums and has gained its reputation in the region and the world. The Forum has developed into a platform for in-depth
strategic discussion among decision-makers in the public and private sectors about the
major challenges facing Europe and the world in the 21st century.

After ten years of activities, we can probably already speak

about a certain tradition of the BSF. How can we define it?
The BSF reflects the foreign policy priorities and the position of Slovenia in the world, since in terms of its topics it includes key fields
in which Slovenia is most active. Due to topicality of contents, possibilities of bilateral meetings, discussions at the highest level and
pleasant surroundings, more and more world leaders, businesspeople, representatives of the academic sphere, think tanks, media and
young people attend the Forum, which is a joint project of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. This is a perfect opportunity for
forming and enhancing not only political and business connections,
but also the reinforcement of Slovenias role in the international community. The BSF is a high-profile media event enabling all-round promotion of Slovenia and the I feel Slovenia brand.

When describing the BSF contents and

Bled two years ago, one of our presenters
even said that we shouldnt speak about
the globalisation of Bled but about the
bledalisation of the globe.
The Forum is an opportunity for making contacts between Slovenian and foreign businesspeople and it is also the place of searching
successful solutions for a restart of the economy, formation of new
jobs and the stabilisation of the financial system. We strive to further
enhance our circle of cooperation with our existing partners and to
expand this with new, domestic and foreign partners.
What are the key highlights of this years programme?

The topic of this years Forum is the Visions of New Partnerships.

The 10th BSF will take place in a year in which the international community marks many important anniversaries, including 70 years
since signing the Charter of the United Nations, 40 years since signing the Helsinki Final Act on Security and Co-operation in Europe
and 20 years since the atrocities in Srebrenica. In light of these anniversaries, the BSF will focus on the importance and role of partnerships as a means of efficient attainment of common objectives. It will
discuss the topical issues of peace and security, business and economic cooperation, development and human rights. In addition to
the central Forum, the Business Bled Strategic Forum and the Young
Bled Strategic Forum will also take place.
Discussion on the new global order will be at the centre of the
Leaders Panel held under the patronage of the President of the
Republic of Slovenia.
This will be an opportunity to critically assess the current political
and security plus economic and financial conditions in the world. We
will further discuss the effectiveness of international organisations in
the changing security environment and the question of whether the
current international security structure is still adequate.
The main panel will be followed by the panel, Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict, which will be based on the findings of the panel,
the International Criminal Justice: Justice as a Precondition for a Propitious Future from 2013, and particularly the Global Summit to End
Sexual Violence in Conflict which took place in London in 2014, and
stressed the need for the implementation of international law and
the challenges of discussion at the national level.
We will also focus on the Mediterranean, which is again at the centre
of attention and on the international political agenda since it is experiencing one of the most perilous and challenging periods of the
last two decades. In this context, the intercultural dialogue based on
joint values and mutual respect of citizens of Mediterranean coun-

Sinfo - Slovenian information

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events

tries remains an important tool for diminishing the gap between the
countries on both sides of the Mediterranean. The discussion, Bridges of the Mediterranean: The Power of Intercultural Dialogue, will
thus include current topics in the region, such as migrations, foreign
fighters, and similar. The panel, Development Is a Global Partnership,
will discuss key topics of the European Year for Development and
events relating to the development agenda after 2015.
The demographic changes are undoubtedly some of the greatest challenges of recent years.
During the discussion, Strengthening the Fight against Impunity
through Partnerships and Cooperation, the participants will focus on
the rule of law, fight against impunity for executed atrocities and the
promotion of the international criminal justice. In addition to political and security issues, social and business topics are also discussed
within the Forum.

Demographic changes are definitely

among the greatest challenges in this
field in recent years.
The discussion, The Ageing Society and Development: Is Progress
without Change Possible, will be a continuation of the last years
discussion in light of the European Year for Development and the
preparation of the new development agenda directed towards the
problem of ageing in reference to the development. The already traditional discussion on the topic of Western Balkans will provide new
views since it will be discussed from the perspective of the geostrategic interest of global players.
As part of the accompanying events, a Night-Owl Session and a
Morning Session will also be organised. The first one will be organised in cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and will discuss strategic forecasts,
while in a similar manner to last year the other will focus on Arts and
Sports: Building Partnerships beyond International Relations.
Will this years attendance be comparable to previous years?
The number of participants is growing every year also because of
the fact that the main political forum was supplemented by a forum

90

for the youth four years ago and a business forum three years ago.
Some 500 guests from 65 countries came last year, and an increasing interest in the Forum has also been detected among the domestic and foreign press. The number of the latter depends particularly
on the attendance of interesting and esteemed high-profile guests
from abroad. Since this years tenth BSF marks a small anniversary,
we expect even more high guests the proof of which is the number
of confirmations weve received so far.

We expect state presidents and prime

ministers, ministers of foreign affairs and
others, general secretaries and high representatives of international organisations,
esteemed businesspeople, representatives of non-governmental organisations
and from the academic sphere and young
future leaders.
The tenth edition of the Forum will also be an opportunity to
think about a new vision.
Our vision is that the BSF would further add to its quality, attendance
of high-ranking guests from the political and business spheres and
to attract more young leaders. When preparing new contents, we
want to be bold and include in the agenda provocative topics as well
to make the Forum even more interactive, attractive and recognisable in the long term. We also want to draw the BSF closer to the
Slovenian public and connect with other respected forums. After all,
this is also compliant with this years topic of the Forum. In addition
to the Forum, we will also conclude a memorandum on cooperation with the OECD Forum in Paris and the Globsec Global Security
Forum in Bratislava. We already successfully cooperate as partners
with numerous similar conferences, such as the Vienna Economic
Forum, IBDE from London and the Marmara Group Foundation from
Istanbul. We also cooperate with the IEDC-Bled School of Management and international organisations, including the EU, NATO, OECD,
OSCE and the UN. When forming the contents of the Business Forum, we will further strive to enhance our partnership cooperation
with Slovenian and foreign companies.

Government Communication Office

Visions of New Partnerships

31 August - 1 September 2015
Business BSF

nA

The Power
Dialogue

9:30 10:30

er Hall

Hidden Dimensions
Arts and Sports: Building
Partnerships beyond
International Relations

Hotel Golf, Libertas Hall

Coffee Break

9:30 11:00

Panel Discussion I
Economic Convergence in
the Post-Global Financial
Crisis Period: The Role of
Reforms and Partnerships

Hotel Golf, Concordia Hall

Lake Bled.
Photo: Matev Lenari