Slovenia Newsletter October – November 2010
CONTENTS
Politics - Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán in Ljubljana - President Danilo Türk's visit in Hungary - Minister Žbogar speaking at the United Nations Day ceremony in Slovenj Gradec - Slovenia participates in the OSCE Ljubljana-Skylines Photo:STO Review Conference in Vienna Economy - Slovenia breaks out of recession - Strategic investor sought for Elan - Rail operator exceeds Q3 plans Bilateral Ties - Slovenian wines come to Hungary - Business Forum in Pécs - Three Millenia of Slovenian Ironworks exhibited in Hungary - Foreign Affairs Committee in Hungary Culture - Ljubljana hosts New York Philharmonics - Association of Slovenians in Hungary to Slovenian wineyards Photo: STO receive State Award in Ljubljana - First black mayor elected in Slovenia - Ljubljana International Film festival begins - Golden medal at the Shanghai Expo goes to Slovenia Special Supplement - Association of Slovenians in Hungary to celebrate 20th anniversary POLITICS
Hungarian PM Viktor Orban President Türk’s visit to Hungary visits Ljubljana President Danilo Türk visited Hungary on Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited Slovenia November 10 upon the official invitation of on October 20 - his first trip to Slovenia since President Pal Schmitt to discuss the situation becoming the Prime Minister for the second of Slovenian and Hungarian minorities, and time in May. He met with Prime Minister Slovenia's experience during its EU Borut Pahor to discuss Hungary's presidency. During his visit President Türk preparation for its EU presidency during the met with Speaker of the House of Parliament first half of 2011. The two PMs agreed that László Kövér and Prime Minister Viktor the Hungarian term should focus on the Orbán to discuss Slovenian and Hungarian Western Balkan region and facilitate foreign policy. President Danilo Türk visited the Croatia's EU accession. Borut Pahor also University of Szeged on November 11 to receive offered to share insight into EU presidency the title of honorary doctorate. At the end of his visit of Szeged President Türk held a lecture at issues, based on the Slovenian term in 2008. the University's Department of Law. Viktor Orban said he will strive to follow interests of the member states during the presidency. 1 Slovenia Newsletter October – November 2010
Minister Žbogar attended
Slovenia at the OSCE United Nations Day in Review Conference in Slovenj Gradec Vienna Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Žbogar attended the central Slovenian The second part of the OSCE Review commemoration of United Nations Day as Conference took place on October 26, prior the keynote speaker in Slovenj Gradec, a to the Astana Summit. The focus of Peace Messenger City since 1989. Minister discussion was a review of the realisation of Žbogar emphasized that Slovenia strived to commitments in the political-military sector be an active and constructive UN member and the economic-environmental sector. for 18 years, contributing to ensuring Slovenia took active part in the discussion. international peace and security, and the During the political-military talks participants prosperity of mankind. Slovenian UN discussed global challenges in the field of membership opened the way for continued security including terrorism, trafficking in consolidation of activities within the UN human beings and drug trafficking, the system, the country has achieved a reform of the OSCE early warning recognisable role in certain segments that mechanisms, conflict prevention, crisis reflect Slovenian foreign policy priorities- management, and arms control. The Minister Žbogar said. He added, Slovenia is economic-environmental talks focused on ready to offer fresh ideas, views and new OSCE’s role in ensuring energy security, topics to the UN Security Council, that reflect fighting corruption and organised crime, a changed concept of security. UKOM environmental threats to security, and the issue of sustainable development. UKOM ECONOMY
Slovenia breaks out of recession in Q2
Gross domestic product grew by 2.2 percent in Slovenia, spurred primarily by the export demand, a renewed growth in gross investment, and stocks in industry and retail. If these encouraging tendencies continue, Slovenia will join those European Union countries that made their way out of the crisis in the first quarter of this year, or even the fourth quarter of 2009. Yet while both industrial output and exports rose in the first half of the year, and the operations of most industrial companies improved considerably, the construction sector stagnates which tendency is predicted to last through the coming year. This causes major difficulties for a range of construction companies heavily in debt. Due to the loss of income and a poor payment discipline, which is now most widespread in the construction sector, numerous subcontractors and suppliers are threatened with bankruptcy. Due to the decline in living standards, the sales of housing units, especially of so-called luxury houses, have fallen considerably. On the other hand, with construction of Slovenia’s motorway network, which nears completion, building companies look forward to international projects. Sinfo
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Strategic Investor Sought for Rail Operator Exceeds Q3 Elan Plans, Still Posts Loss The state-owned PDP asset Slovenske Zeleznice, the state-owned rail management company will soon launch operator, posted operating revenues of procedures to find a strategic investor for EUR 256m January through September, sports gear manufacturer Elan, willing to 3.4% above plans, and ended the third provide a capital increase that would quarter with an operating loss of EUR reduce the state's stake in the company, 3.8m and net loss of EUR 8.7m. STA PDP boss Matej Golob Matzele reported to STA. BILATERAL TIES Slovenian-Hungarian Slovenian Committee on Business Forum in Pécs Foreign Affairs visited Hungary On October 20th, the Slovenian Hungarian Business Forum met in Pécs, Between October 24 26th, the to facilitate collaboration between Slovenian Committee on Foreign Slovenian and Hungarian enterprises. Affairs visited Hungary, for The program included a review of discussions with the Hungarian Slovenian and Hungarian tourism and Parliament’s Committee on Foreign economy, the legal environment for Affairs. The MPs were received by businesses in Slovenia, the introduction vice president of the house of of the Slovenian and Hungarian Parliament István Jakab. The Business Association, the introduction discussions focused on foreign policy of Slovenian enterprises, and roundtable talks between Slovenian in the EU, the status of Slovenian and Hungarian partners on potential and Hungarian minorities, and the projects. Participants included the forthcoming Hungarian EU President and Secretary of Pécs presidency. Baranya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr. Iván Kéri and Dr. Tamás Síkfıi, Economic Counselor of the Embassy of Slovenia Goran Križ, President of Slovenian and Hungarian Business Association Marko Gabrijelčič, dr. Gombis Róbert president of Lovro, and the Ftičar Advocates Office from Lljubljana.
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Slovenia’s Historical Slovenian wines come to Ironworks in Hungary Hungary The traveling exhibition entitled Three Millenia of Slovenian More than 30 Slovenian wine makers Ironworks opened at the Hungarian hosted a tasting event in the Buda Museum of Ironworks in October. Castle in late October. The reception The show featured ancient and featured three wine regions: Podravje, modern Slovenian industiral Rosavje and Primoska. In Podravje, monuments provided insight into where the country’s oldest grape culture is found, more than 80 100 million liters prehistoric iron culture in the of wine are produced, out of which 6.5 geographic region of Slovenia. million liters are exported.One of the most well known cellars is Vipava 1894, located in the Vipava valley. With more than a century of wine making traditions, Vipava produces more than 16 types of grapes on 3000 hectares.
Opening at the Museum of Ironworks Photo: Courtesy of the Museum
Stara Trta grapes (STO)
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CULTURE: Ljubljana hosts New First black mayor York Philharmonics elected in Slovenia
The Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New A Ghana-born doctor has been elected the York, the oldest American symphony first black mayor in Slovenia – probably the orchestra, will stage a concert on Tuesday first in old Yugoslavia and Central and evening at the Cankarjev dom arts centre in Eastern Europe as well. Bossman, a Ljubljana. Conducted by Alan Gilbert, the candidate of the centre-left Social Democrats orchestra will perform works by Richard (SD), narrowly won a municipal election in the Strauss, Richard Wagner and Johannes Slovenian coastal town of Piran. Bossman Brahms. STA said that his election showed a high level of democracy in Slovenia. STA Ljubljana International Gold medal for Slovenian Film Festival begins Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo
Photo: LIFFE The 21st Ljubljana International Film Festival (LIFFE) will once again lure film goers into the capital's dark cinema halls between 10 to 20 November. The 45,000 Slovenian Pavilion, Shanghai 50,000 visitors annually and 27,000 tickets Photo: www.expo2010.si already sold this year bear witness to the festival's increasing popularity. Over one Slovenia's pavilion at the Shanghai Expo won hundred films at the LIFFE festival will once a gold medal for creativity as the world show again offer a treat for the non commercial came to an end on Monday. The World Expo film fans while the festival venues will also show attracted 73 million visitors in the past six give out the already traditional apples and months. The Open Book, as the Slovenian serve as places to socialise and pavilion is called, in itself attracted more than contemplate. Aside from the film screenings three million visitors. the visitors will be able to visit conferences, The 1,000 square-metre pavilion whose concept round tables and exhibitions. As a part of was prompted by Ljubljana's stint as World Book that, the Cankarjev Dom arts centre will Capital City, won the award in the category of host an exhibition of film posters of the pavilions of up to 2,000 square metres. German UFA film studio, featuring films Designed by the acclaimed Slovenian architect such as "Metropolis", "Dr. Faust", "Mabuse" Boris Podrecca and conceptual artist Matej and "Die Nibelungen". In the final act of Andraz Vogrincic, the pavilion was divided into the festival the three member jury eight "books" on various aspects of Slovenian consisting of American film critic Charlie culture, tradition, economy, science and Cockey, Norwegian film distributer Frank L. landscape. Stavik and Slovenian writer and director The display also showcased a contemporary Goran Vojnovic will confer the Kingfisher environment-friendly house, facts on space visionary Herman Potocnik Noordung (1892- Award on the best film of the Perspectives 1929), and an essay by the world-famous section. UKOM Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek. UKOM 5 Slovenia Newsletter October – November 2010
Twentieth Anniversary of the Foundation of the Slovenian Association in Hungary Special Supplement History and profile
In 1990. October 27, a group of young
intellectuals from the Universities of
Ljubljana and Szombathely founded the
Association of Slovenians in Hungary .
The Association, with its headquarters in Szentgotthárd/ Monošter, is an independent and democratic organization that coordinates and finances the work of cultural groups operaing in Raba region/Porabje, supports the Slovenian Associations operating in Budapest and
Szombathely, the work of sports and Members of the Association at the state award firefighter associations, and the work of ceremony in Ljubljana with president Türk and Slovenian community in Mosonmagyaróvár. ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret The Association collaborates with local minority governments and the National
Government of Slovenians. Since its
foundation, the Association built serious relations with Slovenian political and cultural institutions, as well as with Slovenian cultural organizations operating in Slovenia, Austria, Italy, and Croatia. On November 8th, the Association received a state award in Ljubljana from President Danilo Türk, for the outstanding work in
preservation of the cultural traditions and
language use of the Slovenian community living in Hungary. President Danilo Türk extends the award to the Education, language use, church president of the Slovenian Association József Hirnök life, cultural traditions The relatively hermetic isolation of the Raba Since its foundation, the Association strived region/Porabje from the mother country to restore church service held in Slovenian leads to assimilation processes in terms of language . During the past years, language use and culture, as well as important role was dedicated to the economy processes, that can be reversed preservation of traditional folk artisanry only gradually. In the area of education, and traditional gastronomy . This is great development was carried through by practised with the help of elder masters the introduction of bilingual education to who lead studio practices for young the elementary schools of Felsıszölnök and participants and students. Apátistvánfalva. 6 Slovenia Newsletter October – November 2010
Cultural and economic development Slovenian Agricultural The Association's rich cultural programs Development Agency can be attributed to the diligent work of the mentors and members of 17 associated Slovenia's entrance to the EU in 2004 opened groups. The music choir is centered in new opportunities for the economic Szombathely , exhibitions are organized in development of Raba/Porabje region. The the Slovenian Cultural Center, and since Slovenian Association founded the 2002 the International Art Colony opens Slovenian Agricultural Development Agency annually. The traditional annualy cultural that coordinates and manages business and events are important stations in the lives of economy projects for the Raba/Porabje Raba region/Porabje Slovenian community: region. the Day of Slovenian Culture, Raba region/Porabje Day, Meeting of Slovenians in Hungary, as well as cultural festivals, The Slovenian Association of Christmans concerts and theater group Budapest celebrates its performances. Important participants of the Association's cultural life are the Slovenian twentieth anniversary Associations and Clubs operating in Szentgotthárd/Monošter and Budapest. The Slovenian Association of Budapest Slovenians in Mosonmagyaróvár organize published an album on the occasion of the cultural events within the framework of the twentieth anniversary of its foundation. The Slovenian local government. publication offers an insight into the most Slovenian Cultural- and important events and developments during Information Center, publications the Slovenian Association's operation. We extend our congratulations for the new In 1998 November in Szentgotthárd/ publication and our best wishes for the Monošter the Association opened the future! Slovenian Cultural and Information Center.
The investment of 300 million HUF was financed primarily by the Slovenian state, the municipal government of Szentgotthárd/Monošter and to a smaller extent, the Hungarian state. The Center offers catering and housing services in Lipa restaurant and hotel, conference halls are provided for lectures, exhibitions and conferences. The Association's offices are also located in the Center along with the Szentgotthárd/ Monošter Slovenian radio and editorial office of the periodical Porabje . In 2000 July the Radio Monošter Slovenian language radio was launched, the Association annually publishes the Slovenski koledar . Books and other publications are published with the support of the Office of Slovenians Abroad, and the Foundation for Ethnic Minorities in Hungary.
VELEPOSLANIŠTVO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA The Slovenia Newsletter is published by the Embassy of Slovenia in Budapest. To unsubscribe, email [email protected] 7