ISSN 1854-0805 (business culture environment politics sports) 03 March 09 Financial measures

NATO at 60 – work ahead contents

Veronika Stabej

Dear readers, The economic crisis shaking our planet has destroyed financial markets, increased unemployment and shaken trust in the bank system. The Slovenian Minister of Finance, who we talked to for this issue, assures that the supplementary budget has important measures to mitigate the consequences of financial crisis. “The supplementary budget is strong and comparable to other supplementary crisis budgets now being adopted in Europe.”

However, recession has not had the same effect everywhere. We are pleased to report on the high technology company Instrumentation Technologies, which is not feeling the consequences of the financial 11 In focus 43-44 Cultural trails crisis. Their strictly specialised market niche - offering Gorenje - the producers of domestic appliances, along with car A new Trademark: Heart of Slovenia, Bogenšperk Castle solutions for instrumentation and diagnostics for makers, are the most exposed industry basic particle accelerators - leaves them practically without competition. They also expect a lot from the 40-42 People 36-37 Sports 45-47 Natural trails measures taken by the new American president Barack Miha Mazzini, Slovenian writer The snow queen Planica Iron Age bronze vessel - a Situla Obama, who has increased resources for research and development by a fifth. A group from the company from Solkan is soon to visit Stanford and Berkeley Universities and the Brookhaven Laboratory.

At Easter, we enjoy the departure of winter, greyness, dark and heavy clothing, and are pleased to welcome spring, awakening nature and the period of newly springing life. The Easter Holidays are also symbolised by painting the eggs. Slovenian Easter eggs, ‘pirhi’, ‘pisanice’, ‘pisanke’, ‘remenke’ or ‘remenice’, as they are called in various parts of Slovenia, are among the most beautifully decorated examples in Europe. Today, only a few people make authentic Easter eggs in Bela krajina, but in the past, girls especially made them, frequently adding a verse to the decoration, and gave the most beautiful egg to a boy as a love token.

Sinfo – Slovenian information Editorial: Government Commnunication Office, Director: Veronika Stabej, Gregorčičeva 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Government Communication Office:www.slovenia.si tel. +386 (0) 1 478 2630, fax + 386 (0) 1 251 2312, www.ukom.gov.si Government Communication Office:www.ukom.gov.si Editor-in-Chief: Vesna Žarkovič, [email protected] Government Institutions: www.gov.si Editorial Board: Albert Kos, Mateja Malnar Štembal, Valerija Mencej, Jože Osterman, Polona Prešeren, Slovenian Tourist Board: www.slovenia.info Andreja Šonc Simčič, Branko Vidrih Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry: www.gzs.si Photo Editor: Maja Slavec Slovenian Chamber of Craft: www.ozs.si Production: Nuit d.o.o., Translation: PSD d.o.o., Printed by: Mond Grafika Public Agency of the RS for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments: www.japti.si Number of copies: 4600 Ljubljana Stock Exchange: www.ljse.si Available also at: www.ukom.gov.si/eng/slovenia/publication/sinfo Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia:www.stat.si Cover photo: Darinka Mladenovič, Dobrovo Castle, Goriška Brda State Portal of the Republic of Slovenia: http://e-uprava.gov.si m o n t h l y r e v i e w

Andrej Savelli The erased and interpellation One hundred days of photo: Bobo photo: The Ministry of the Interior has begun issuing retroactive prime minister Pahor’s Road to mediation decisions to the erased and the next step, according to the government Interior Minister Katarina Kresal, will be a law regulating The Prime Ministers of Slovenia and Croatia, Borut Pahor and conditions to settle the status for all the erased who do March 1st marked the first hundred days since the Ivo Sanader, met on the 24th of February at Mokrice Castle, but not live in Slovenia, or those who live in Slovenia, but inauguration of the ninth Slovenian government since came no closer to an agreement on how to solve the border issue. do not have a settled status. This led Democratic Party the country’s independence. Pahor’s government was Mr Pahor announced his support for the solving the issue by (SDS) MPs to file a motion to oust Kresal. They accuse appointed on the 21st of November last year, exactly mediation, while Mr Sanader stood by the suggestion to present the Minister of abusing the ministry for political purposes two months to the day after parliamentary elections. the matter to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. and ignoring results of the referendum. Kresal stated that The main focus of the new government in its first The European Commission greeted the meeting as “a very positive she is not afraid of the interpellation, because she knows hundred days has been drawing up measures to relieve sign”, but refused to comment any further. A few days later, PM Pahor visited Germany on the 17th of March and, after meeting what is right and is doing just that. “As a Minister, I swore the affects of the global financial and economic crisis the Slovenian government released their consent in principle to the Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, he expressed hopes that the in front of Parliament to respect the Slovenian legal order, in Slovenia. Relations with neighbouring Croatia have the European Commission’s suggestion to solve the Slovenian- Slovenian-Croatian border dispute would be resolved by mediation. and that is what I’m doing,” she said. “If this interpellation also coloured the government’s present term, as did Croatian boarder dispute by mediation, while the Croatian goes through, I will surely be the first and only Minister finding a way to cooperate with the opposition and government took some time to respond. In the meantime, the Slovenia strengthens ties in Europe to be ousted for following the decisions of a trying to establish new standards in personnel policies. Slovenian government discussed the report of the Slovenian part The Montenegrin President Filip Vujanović visited Constitutional Court.” Prime Minister Pahor expressed Before the first “hundred days of peace” were over of the Slovenian-Croatian commission of legal experts tasked Slovenia on the 4th and 5th of March at the invitation of his support for Kresal’s actions, stating that the legal way the government was faced with a first interpellation with defining a framework for resolving the disputed border his Slovenian counterpart, Danilo Türk. The Slovenian is the only right way to solving the problem of the erased. for solving the problem of the erased. Prime Minister between the two countries, and decided to end the term of the President expressed firm support for Montenegro’s efforts Responding to the motion, Kresal stated that the story of Pahor estimates his first hundred days in office as commission. A few days later, Croatia also decided to support EU to join the EU and NATO. The presidents also paid erasing a few ten thousand citizens of the former Yugoslav successful. In his opinion, the government’s reactions mediation, but under the condition that this leads to an agreement particular attention to economic cooperation between the republics from the register of permanent residence is a 17- to problems connected with the economic and on transferring the issue to the International Court of Justice in two countries. Slovenian PM Borut Pahor also met the year-long story of manipulation, speculation and collective financial crisis are much better than they may seem to The Hague. Slovenia greeted the move as a step forward, although Montenegrin President, and the two agreed that economic denial. Not to mention that the unconstitutionality of the the public, where “the attention may have turned too possibly too small a step to start the mediation. European cooperation between the countries could be strengthened. erasure was twice determined directly, and seven times much to individual controversial decisions.” Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn met the foreign ministers PM Pahor expressed once again Slovenia’s support for indirectly, by the Constitutional Court of the Republic of The coalition MP groups also view the work of the of both countries, Samuel Žbogar and Gordan Jandroković, on Montenegro’s EU bid. Slovenia. Solving the problem of erasure (which happened new government as successful, especially considering the 10th of March, but the interpretation of the meeting was PM Borut Pahor made a first official visit to Serbia on the in 1992) is, according to Kresal, a necessary step that a that they took the lead in strained economic different on the two sides. Minister Žbogar said that the European 6th of March, dedicated to economic cooperation between mature country has to take to settle an injustice and (at and financial circumstance. On the contrary, the Commission saw mediation as the final road to a settlement of the the two countries. With his Serbian counterpart, Mirko least to some extent) restore human dignity, the provision opposition is more critical, emphasising as flaws the border dispute, while Minister Jandroković claimed that Slovenia Cvetković, he agreed that the visit was “a symbolic gesture, of which is the foundation of legitimacy and existence of personnel changes and anti-crisis actions, which they is not prepared to accept the Croatian proposal of mediation. A which opens a new, positive chapter in bilateral relations, the rule of law, which must be upheld in Slovenia. say were taken too slowly. week after the first meeting, Commissioner Rehn presented a new on the political, economic and other areas”. According to compromise proposal to Žbogar and Jandroković, which is said to Mr Pahor, this first official visit to the region shows that The government celebrated its first hundred days envisage a signing of a joint Slovenian-Croatian statement that no Slovenia sees Serbia as a crucial factor in the stabilisation The Ministry of the Interior has begun issuing in office with a new web page, available at the document or action after the 25th of June 1991 will prejudge the retroactive decisions to the erased and the next step, of the region, and as a friend in this field. Intensifying according to the Interior Minister Katarina Kresal, will following address: outcome or in any way oblige one or the other country to resolve economic cooperation between the two countries topped the border issue in any certain way. Mr Žbogar emphasized that a be a law regulating conditions to settle the status for www.vlada.si/en/ the agenda. Pahor also met the Serbian President, Boris all the erased who do not live in Slovenia, or those statement alone will not be reason enough for Slovenia to release Tadić. They emphasized that a new era has begun in the who live in Slovenia, but do not have a settled status. Croatia’s accession negotiations. relations between the two countries. The Prime Ministers of Slovenia and Croatia, Borut Pahor and Mr Pahor visited Germany on the 17th of March and, Ivo Sanader, met at Mokrice Castle, but came no closer to an after meeting the Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, STA photo: agreement on how to solve the border issue. he expressed hopes that the Slovenian-Croatian border dispute would be resolved by mediation. Chancellor Merkel greeted the Commission’s role in trying to solve photo: STA photo: the dispute. The focus of the talks was on strengthening economic cooperation. Merkel and Pahor also exchanged views on reducing the negative effects of the economic and financial crisis, and agreed on the necessity for concerted action by EU Member States. They also agreed on further cooperation between Slovenia and Germany at the expert and ministerial level on the preparation of measures to relieve the economic and financial crisis. They also expressed willingness to renew talks with Deutche Bahn on possible cooperation on modernising the Slovenian railway.

  Dr Mojmir Mrak, Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana With the first set of measures adopted by the government photo: STA photo: already in October 2008, and by Parliament in the following month, the authorities have Financial and aimed to address promptly and adequately the potential vulnerabilities of the country’s financial sector and, more economic crisis specifically, of its banks. Slovenian banks have been faced with similar challenges as banks in other in Slovenia: countries in the region. On the one hand, they have been under increased causes, trends, responses and challenges liquidity pressure caused by extremely tight conditions in international financial markets. In contrast to the liquidity risk - which has been of an immediate nature Like most other Central and Eastern and has been reflected quickly in reduced European countries, Slovenia was credit growth - the banking industry may relatively unaffected by the first wave of expect challenges on the solvency side. Slovenian banks have been faced with the financial crisis. In the second half of similar challenges as banks in other It is realistic to expect that, due to the 2007 and until September 2008, economic countries in the region. photo: M. Slavec likely increase in non-performing loans performance slowed in comparison to the caused by the economic slow down and Wall Street’s problems started to by generally worse conditions for the real previous years, but this cooling down was spill over into ‘Main Street’. far from being a serious economic crisis. sector, at least some of the banks will have to be recapitalized. There are several reasons The situation drastically changed in External demand, as the key ingredient This ‘financial sector package’ of policy why Slovenia weathered the September 2008. The Lehman Brothers in the country’s GDP growth, has measures consists of the following early effects of the crisis investment bank collapse was the point declined sharply due to severe recession measures: an unlimited guarantee for all relatively well. Firstly, when the crisis turned from a rather in Slovenia’s main trading partners, deposits held by individuals and small Slovenian banks and the narrowly defined financial crisis into a full- and similarly negative trends have been enterprises for the period until the end financial sector in general fledged economic crisis. This was really the observed in investment demand faced of 2010. With this measure, Slovenia has were only marginally exposed point when the crisis entered a new stage by tightened liquidity conditions. Due successfully safeguarded the deposit base and when Wall Street’s problems started to these developments, accompanied by in its banking sector as the backbone of its to the toxic assets associated to spill over into ‘Main Street’. Due to weakening domestic consumption caused credit activity. It is precisely the relationship with the US sub-prime crisis. the almost complete dry-up of funds on by increasing unemployment and by between domestic deposits and the total Secondly, households and inter-bank markets, especially of funds general decline in confidence, it is realistic volume of credits that is now being the corporate sector were with longer maturities, credit growth was to expect that Slovenia’s GDP in 2009 will considered as the key indicator of banking relatively less indebted than drastically reduced, and spreads on debt contract for the first time in the country’s sector vulnerability in Central and Eastern they were in most other financing significantly increased. All these almost two decades of independence Europe. Secondly, the provision of up to developments, accompanied by a sizeable 12 billion EUR in guarantees for newly countries of the region. And decline in equity prices, have resulted in a Being a part of the EU, and of the euro issued debt by financial institutions until thirdly, and at the same time dramatic slowdown in economic activity zone as its inner economic circle, Slovenia the end of 2010. The main objective of most importantly, economic in all the major economies. has responded in line with the actions this measure is to provide sufficient room growth in major trading of other European countries. This, in for the refinancing needs of the Slovenian and economic partners of The rapidly deteriorating international fact, means that Slovenia has articulated banking industry. Within this framework Slovenia was at that time financial and economic environment and put into operation two sets of policy the publicly owned Slovene Export and is being increasingly felt in Slovenia. measures. Development Bank Inc., Ljubljana (short: still relatively stable, so the SID Bank Inc., Ljubljana) is expected to country’s exports were largely take a much more active role than hitherto. unaffected. According to the March 2009 projections of the International Thirdly, an authorization was given to the government to strengthen financial Monetary Fund, the world as a whole will have a negative institutions by providing guarantees, by GDP growth rate this year, the first time for 60 years, with a recapitalizing these institutions and/or contraction of over 3 per cent of GDP expected for the euro zone. purchasing banks assets.

  At the EU level, the response to the severe economic downturn, with profound repercussions in labour markets and STA photo: public finances over the next medium- term period, was articulated in the European Economic Recovery Programme endorsed by the European Council in December 2008. The Programme called for immediate and coordinated action to boost demand, suggesting a fiscal policy response equivalent to 1.5 per cent of GDP. This figure includes measures at both EU and national levels. In the longer run, the Programme supports a number of policy measures articulated in the Lisbon Strategy. All these measures are designed to adapt the EU economies to long-term challenges, such as ageing population and the nexus of energy supply and climate of abuse. Secondly, there are measures euro zone countries, such as Greece, institutions, such as Nova Ljubljanska changes. The Programme clearly states that aimed at enhancing financial liquidity in Portugal and Spain, and also for Ireland. the implementation of structural reforms banka and SID Bank Inc., Ljubljana. companies and safeguarding existing jobs. must continue in order to raise the EU’s They mainly include various guarantee potential growth. Although the rating for If the magnitude of the Slovenian fiscal schemes discussed above. And then there Slovenia has followed the guidelines of the Slovenia has remained deficit for 2009 may be considered as an is increased expenditure on research Programme. appropriate response by the authorities to and education aimed at improving the unchanged throughout the the severe economic crisis, the relatively growth potential of the economy and its recent financial and economic In contrast to some larger resilience. crisis, the country’s access high spread on its recently issued bonds EU member states that have to international financial has sent a clear message that the country based their fiscal measures As a consequence of the fiscal stimulus markets has become much has to keep the borrowing level well under control and that there is not much room on stimulating domestic package (equivalent to around 2 per cent more difficult than before, and demand, the overwhelming of GDP) and the working of automatic for further fiscal loosening. stabilizers (equivalent to over 1 per cent of much more costly.

photo: STA photo: philosophy of the Slovenian GDP), Slovenia’s public finance deficit will In order to bring down the package has been to support increase from around 0.3 per cent of GDP The benchmark 1 billion EUR bond funds to be provided from the budget. In the period between October its export-driven enterprise in 2008 to 3.4 per cent of GDP in 2009. issued by the Republic of Slovenia in deficit over the medium-term And last, but not least, a guarantee scheme 2008 and March 2009, several The deficit would be even larger if some January 2009 had a maturity of not more period, Slovenia will have to for enterprises which will amount to up sector. The total fiscal stimulus measures have been taken to delay in implementation of the mid-2008 than 3 years, and the spread was as much embark on a serious fiscal 1 billion EUR is being established. The is estimated at around 2 per as 165 base points above the benchmark. ease the liquidity squeeze. public wage reform had not been reached scheme is to be coordinated by SID Bank cent of GDP for 2009, with The achieved issuance conditions are not adjustment as soon as the For example, SID Bank Inc., with the trade unions, if excise duties were Inc., Ljubljana and is to be implemented measures heavily concentrated not raised, and if government did not to be applauded. They clearly confirm peak of the crisis is over. Ljubljana has issued bonds in cooperation with the banks. Each bank on the expenditure side of introduce some other rationalizations in that, apart from the rating, there are on the domestic market and will be able to set up a portfolio of loans public finances. various categories of budget expenditures. other systemic factors, especially the Due to the ageing of its population, the made them available for that comply with the prescribed terms and liquidity of the paper, which have a strong country will have to substantially adjust refinancing purposes.L ater, a to obtain a guarantee for this portfolio. In More specifically, the policy measures In the circumstances of drastically influence on the spread. Last, but not its pension and health systems to make the case of non-repayment of a loan, up to could be categorised into three groups. tightened liquidity conditions on least, the high spread of the Slovenian them fiscally sustainable over a longer portion of the 1 billion euros 80 per cent of the bank’s claim would be Firstly, there are measures aimed at international financial markets on the bond over the benchmark was caused period. Later, in a euro zone environment in eurobonds issued on the covered by the guarantee. partly by a contradictory statement about slowing down the impact of the crisis on one hand, and the enormously increased in which the Slovenian authorities cannot international capital market the country’s creditworthiness by one the enterprise sector. The flagship measure volume of sovereign bonds issues on the use national currency depreciation as a in early 2009 was temporarily The second set of policy within this group, worth 230 mio EUR, other, the yield spreads on government of its senior officials published in the policy measure to improve the country’s deposited in domestic banks. measures, called a “fiscal involves fiscal subsidies to shorten working bonds relative to benchmarks have international financial press. With an international competitiveness, much hours. Views differ on the value of this widened substantially since August 2007. objective of public deficit financing the stimulus package”, consists stronger pressure will be put on the As far as bank recapitalization is concerned, of measures aimed at measure. The main criticism, which has After a series of downgrades by the rating Republic of Slovenia is expected to enter Parliament passed a law in March 2009 at least partly been confirmed in this, the agencies in early 2009, spreads for all the market with one or two more bond efficiency of fiscal policy, as well asthe whereby the capital of SID Bank Inc., supporting economic early stages of the policy’s implementation, sovereign borrowers increased further issues in the coming months. Later, bonds flexibility of the labour market and Ljubljana would be increased from 160 activity and increasing is that it is not sufficiently targeted, is in January 2009. The increase has been with a sovereign guarantee are expected improvements to the financial market. mio EUR to 300 mio EUR, with the confidence. difficult to monitor, and involves risk particularly marked for some southern to be issued by some other financial

  And how do

some Slovenian archives company photo: archives company photo: companies deal with the financial crisis?

Jože Colarič /President of the governments of those countries. Management Board and Chief As our competition does, we too are facing the payment difficulties of our buyers, exchange rate Executive of the Krka Company, differences which force us to adjust our prices, Novo Mesto/: as well as the erosion of medicinal product Today, the Krka company is one of the leading prices and the rationalization of health funds. markets and new business opportunities created pharmaceutical companies in the European Franjo Bobinac /President of the At the same time, we at Krka see this crisis as by ecology and energetics. We are striving to market producing generic medicinal products. Management of Gorenje, Velenje/: an opportunity, because countries are trying to preserve as many productive jobs as possible, We have been proving ourselves successful for The global financial and economic crisis which reduce their costs also by buying more generic and reducing the number of employees by decades in foreign markets, and we are used washed into Europe from the United States is in medicinal products, which are more easily natural wastage, through retirement, voluntary to various, even critical market circumstances. full spate. As producers of domestic appliances, affordable than the original products, but are redundancies, etc. This year is marked by a For instance, during the Russian financial along with car makers, we are the most exposed at the same time of the same quality, efficiency struggle for positive cash flow, which in Gorenje crisis in 1998, Krka persisted in that market industry, because domestic appliances are and safety. despite severe economic oscillations and, in the consumer durables which, due to strained we are realising by optimising our stock and We believe that the right answer to the global end, we even expanded our market presence. economic conditions, fear of job losses and more receivables, obtaining new long-term credits economic crisis lies in increasing sales and, at We, at Krka, are always trying to adapt to difficult access to consumer credit, consumers and preserving current liquidity. new circumstances as quickly as possible, and the same time, being prudent regarding out have postponed purchasing to better times. The Because of numerous unknown factors, the whenever a certain market descends into a crisis, costs. We are determined to carefully monitor white goods industry is facing the biggest fall crisis has created a lot of uncertainty in our we look for ways to emerge from the situation all aspects of our costs, monitoring them daily, in demand in recent history, because the crisis business operations. So we prepared several even more powerful than before. and adjusting funds dedicated to costs on a has taken hold in all countries, and especially in different scenarios for the current business year We detected the turbulent atmosphere leading monthly basis. When it comes to financing, Eastern European markets, which are crucial for which enable prompt responses to the changing to the crisis in February of last year, but we have already been careful about borrowing. Gorenje’s business. conditions and implementation of adequate nevertheless, Krka’s business results for 2008 This enabled us to start the year 2009 liquid and In the first two months, we had 20-25 per cent measures. The current situation is extremely show that the global economic crisis spreading solvent. We intend to maintain this policy in fewer orders, and despite a slightly more positive difficult and unpredictable, but – in this already through the world has not yet touched us the future. situation in March, we do not yet see the light saturated industry – according to current significantly. We are aware of the fact that we Of course, we will continue to invest in research at the end of the tunnel. We are combating the indicators, Gorenje is resisting them better than are not living in a safe oasis, and that is why and development, to employ in fields which reduced demand by taking numerous, intensive the competition. We are determined that we we are carefully examining circumstances and generate additional sales, and enable the market anti-crisis measures in all spheres of business, will come out of this crisis even stronger and activities in all the markets where we sell our share growth, as well as invest in the knowledge from marketing to reducing the costs of more flexible, and we are putting all our efforts products, including the measures taken by the of our workers. material, services and labour, searching for new into that goal.

10 11 photo: company archives company photo:

Mr. Minister, at the moment, you must be the most burdened min- ister in the Government. How do you live with this fact? As a challenge, working task and mis- sion. INTERVIEW Did the fear of recession not ob- sess you? No. I remain an optimist. I believe this will be the first crisis to be mitigated in a coordinated manner, at the broad global level, and it will give us a new quality of Technologies is the solution provider for Rok Uršič /Director of Vesna Žarkovič, global economy ... Instrumentation Technologies, instruments and diagnostics for basic particle photo: Mateja Jordovič Potočnik accelerators and has almost no competition …. which will most probably re- Solkan/: in this highly specialised market niche. Our sult in a new economic order? The high-tech company Instrumentation success is closely related to the development That is right. New relations, new criteria Technologies created over four million euros of new products, which is why we will be of revenues and a good million euros in profits, The supplementary and new moral elements will be estab- spending several million euros on research in the lished. which is similar as in 2007. The company is not following years. We haven’t changed anything. feeling the impact of the economic crisis. Last We just strengthened the development cycle. budget includes You presented the new supple- year’s business operations were realised according We haven’t detected any changes in demand. to the plans, even though the final data are not mentary state budget, which also Our clients are state-of-the-art science institutes includes important measures to yet available. Among other things, the company around the world. There are stricter conditions has just finished installing 224 Solkan Liberas, important measures eliminate consequences of finan- when seeking financial sources at the banks, cial and economic crisis. What was instruments for beam position measuring, in but for the time being, we’re not having any your purpose? the biggest European synchrotron ESRF in difficulties. There are several purposes. The first is Grenoble, which should place the institution to eliminate The decision to increase research and adaptation to the duties of ministers, among the largest such facilities, according to development funds by one-fifth adopted by the which have changed a lot within the the French in their message. American president Barack Obama is also very last year. Within the last year and a half, As far as concrete numbers are concerned, the consequences promising for Instrumentation Technologies. since the budget for this year has been we cannot yet talk about this year’s plans, A group from the Solkan-based company is adopted, and last year it should have pointed out the first man of Instrumentation visiting Stanford and Berkeley universities and of the crisis been rechecked. This never happened Technologies. Namely, last year the company the Brookhaven laboratory in March. because of the election campaign and began to develop new products that they intend We have to be aware that our current good pre-election work, and probably because to gradually introduce into the market from Franc Križanič (Minister of is to be expected. If this position, which enables development and of the tasks the previous Government May onwards. Many buyers from Japan to the provides employment also during the crisis, Finance): The supplementary influence proves insufficient, had by presiding over the EU; therefore, USA have already expressed great interest in is closely related to our participation in the budget is strong and like reductions in taxes in in three months, we prepared major them. It is a completely new product, which international arena of major reference projects, comparable to other the transition from the last changes in the budget with respect to enables extremely precise beam acceleration which are financed by countries or group of supplementary crisis budgets year to this year were, then the new structures, changed circum- in accelerators. It is suitable for the latest countries that, despite the crisis, will terminate stances, modified tasks and relations generations of free-electron lasers. their financing only at the last moment, because now being adopted in Europe. additional, even stronger Even stronger ones were measures will have to be with the Ministries. These measures fol- Our company, which currently employs 45 they are of key importance for the future of low the joint programme of the Euro- people and plans to hire 15 new ones, is not humanity – from new energy sources, research adopted in the USA and taken at the global level in pean Union. feeling the impact of the economic crisis due to of materials, to new revolutionary methods of Japan, and in a few months, order to turn around the The second reason lies in the fact that our specialised field. Because, Instrumentation cancer treatment. the influence of increased crisis and bring back economic the coalition took over the task of per- expenditure on the market optimism. forming development turnabout, which

12 13 INTERVIEW ceeded in reaching the position of a stable hope that such radical measures will not be tor employees, who postponed some salary But there are rumours of belts be- Central European country, a euro member, necessary. In this case, we would be affect- increases for a year - thereby saving up 0.3 ing tightened. How do you intend to it is desired in the capital market, and it is ed, because our growth is strongly depen- of GDP – on the assumption that we will maintain social order? a credible partner as a Central European dent on export markets, and if these mar- pass through the crisis, and the following During the crisis, Slovenians are able to country - as a Eurozone Member. Let me kets started to close, we would be forced to year will be more normal and discrepan- stand together. Various fiscal measures will emphasise that the euro has proved very manage the costs of survival. cies could be resolved. By doing this, they lead to a turnaround, and growth will be- useful to us - the introduction of the euro helped to keep a deficit of three per cent gin, associated with a restructuring of in- was a great measure, incomparably better In these circumstances of demand of GDP during this year’s expected GDP ternational relations. I expect an increase than having our own currency. reduction, in both the EU and Slo- stagnation. in value of the Chinese currency, of the venia, public expenditure should importance of China in the global market, Therefore, the supplementary bud- be increased, thereby providing the Recently, you met the German not only as an exporter of simple products, means that the implementation of incen- get serves against the crisis and for first stimulus for an economic turn- Chancellor Merkel. Germany is our but also of more developed technologies. I tives for technological competitive restora- development. around. biggest partner, therefore the future also expect something similar of India. This tion and reinforcement of science began. Yes, the supplementary budget is strong Indeed, this is being carried out by the of our economy largely depends on change will lead to a number of new jobs in The coalition’s mission was included in the and comparable to other supplementary supplementary budget and, at the same the state of its economy. It is our the EU and USA. I also expect some nec- consideration the unfavourable develop- package of measures to mitigate the crisis, budgets against crisis now being adopted time, we are conducting developmental biggest buyer and at the same time, essary changes in technologies, notably in ment measures of previous governments, which we are obliged to carry out. These in Europe. Even stronger ones were ad- restructuring in order to improve GDP, the biggest supply market. What are energy. Without changing energy for trans- we directed this deficit particularly into measures follow the joint EU programme opted in the USA and Japan, and in a few competitiveness, price stability and living the main agreements that came from portation, a new wave of economic growth the most intense technological policy and adopted by the EU Council in December months, the influence of increased expen- standards. the recent meeting? is not feasible. Another fuel will be neces- stimulating the growth of small companies. last year aimed at the restoration of eco- diture on the market is to be expected. If The Prime Minister had the meeting, not sary for the car, not liquid fuels. That is to say, we collected the venture cap- nomic growth. This requires a 1.2% budget this influence proves to be insufficient, like The National Assembly adopted the me, and they discussed a plan for restora- ital; we will stimulate technologies in our deficit as an additional fiscal stimulant, -de reductions in taxes in the transition from Warranty Scheme Act, which will be tion and growth. We informed our part- The supplementary budget is sup- used to mitigate the credit crunch, wider economy in various ways, and we pendent on what a certain country consid- the last year to this year were, then addi- ners of the fiscal stimulus now provided by posed to increase government improving terms and the struc- will enable the growth of small businesses ers a priority. We leant notably on stimulat- tional, even stronger measures will have to the supplementary budget, and we were ac- debt. The opposition say that the ture of loans in a major part of the supplementary state budget does and help them. So that is a big change. I ing economic development. be taken at a global level in order to turn quainted with their supplementary budget, around the crisis and bring back economic economy. which they are adopting at the same time. not reflect the situation, and that it believe even a historic one, in this case. Due We took over a number of legal tasks from optimism. I should say that here we are fol- We also plan measures in the labour mar- increases debt. All investments en- to the crisis, we also increased resources for the previous Government, such as free lowing the actions of developed countries, ket to alleviate the problems of financing In mitigating the crisis, Slovenia is visaged in the budget are supposed the Ministry of Labour, which will deliver food for pupils, free kindergarten for sec- both on the side of government expendi- the basic living standard of employees in therefore largely dependent on other to increase the debt. So is Slovenia them a bit faster within the third package ond and subsequent children, supplements ture and on releasing credit. We are acting companies with serious liquidity problems. countries. no longer able to make investments of measures to employees of companies for higher education, public sector salary again - we are increasing resources available Let me add that I am grateful to public sec- Absolutely. We are very dependent on our without making debt? that have not gone bankrupt. reform. These costs amount to a good 400 to the Slovenian banks; today we succeeded traditional partners. If they do poorly, then The supplementary budget is a reflection million euros that had to be included in the in selling long-term, five-year debentures. we will have a hard time. We expect to of the situation; it is a fact that the debt is When do you expect a turning point supplementary budget. In addition, the Warranty Scheme Act is enter the Chinese and Indian market, but growing, but for after the crisis, we are al- for the better? included in this session of the National this will take time, and the question is how ready preparing a plan to provide a surplus The fiscal measures currently being carried Where are we in comparison with the Assembly; this will enable long-term loans these two markets will respond to demand during the period of conjuncture to reduce out in Europe, if the fear of spending is most developed? to companies and, consequently, an easier reduction in Western markets. Actually, the debt, certainly as a proportion of GDP not too great, should already have had an We endeavour to achieve the level of the transition for these companies through the the situation in 1929 would thus be repeat- and, most probably, nominally. impact in the summer. There are already most developed. In the last four years, Slo- crisis and into a new development cycle. ed. This should never happen again, given signs in the US market of growth in expen- venia started to become a structurally de- the experience the world got at the time. How did the second wave of the cri- diture. pendent country with an external deficit Some critics have said that there was A tariff war enabled a global expansion of sis affect the Slovenian economy? that reached six per cent of gross domestic no need for a supplementary budget. the crisis. The stock exchange breakdown The circumstances are critical, since we are What will capitalism be like after the product (GDP). This is a very large deficit That is certainly wrong; it was urgently was not so fatal; border closures played a a small economy dependent on export or- crisis? and a big structural problem, which should needed for normal government operations! more decisive role, and the development of ders. The surprising thing is that the fear The market economy will get a lecture, a be tackled with appropriate measures in the National Socialism was associated with the moved here very quickly - personal expen- strong central bank will be established at field of technological and investment pol- What if, in this crisis, countries be- breakdown of the liberal economy. diture fell or stagnated, in particular on the global level, the International Monetary icy, competitiveness policy, restructuring gan to become protectionist? consumer durables, and the fear strongly Fund should become a normal creditor at companies and improving their business If EU countries begin to be protectionist, The Prime Minister has announced affected consumption. the final level enabling the functioning of operations. Some money is also earmarked which in my view is less probable, then a radical new measures to mitigate the So Slovenia is part of the developed eco- a global economy at the global level. These for investments in EU programmes, for radical supplementary budget will be re- crisis; can you tell us more about nomic world. We acquired the crisis from measures should lead to exchange rate sta- large infrastructural energy projects, in quired, including reductions in public ex- them? this developed economic world. We are bility. All tax havens will be abolished; busi- which we participate with 40 million eu- penditure. This will be a supplementary Crisis headquarters will meet and verify all solving it in the same way as comparably ness operations transparency will be signifi- ros, and projects of rural modernisation budget for survival over several years, and the possibilities for potential savings in the developed economies, in compliance with cantly better; various funds will be brought and improvement of internet connections. then some rights will have to be interfered supplementary budget, which will possibly the plan of restoring economic growth and under control; the market will be more Thereby, we have acquired 50 million euros with, the rights of a non-social nature, be necessary if the crisis continues. This fiscal stimulation of the European Com- regulated, and business operations will be from the European resources intended for which were adopted as election gifts at the is only possible if countries begin to close mission. According to this plan, we some- easier without being exposed to great risks. stimulating economic help. Slovenia suc- beginning of the last year. But I certainly their borders to imports. how targeted a 3% deficit and taking into

14 15 { BU$IN¤SS ...... } Vesna Bertoncelj Popit, DELO, photo: STA The World Economic Forum has published a new Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report. Slovenia ranks 33rd among 133 countries, one place Although companies have been better than last year. The most attractive careful in their forecasts, some environments for developing the travel have declared loud and clear and tourism industry are Switzerland, that they are not feeling the Austria and Germany. Croatia ranked one effects of the crisis and that spot higher that Slovenia. they have enough orders on One of the various tourist activities on offer is hunting. There are approximately 500 the books. bears in Slovenia, according to the genetic method; 700 if you count in the young. In recent years, some economists have In Slovenia in 2008, bears attacked 634 emphasized that managers are largely times, killing approximately 400 sheep, to blame for the difficulties of some and caused around 183 thousand euros companies, due to their poor vision or worth of damage to animals and crops. lack of vision, and slow or inappropriate Around 90 per cent of the bears live in the development. Dr Jože Mencinger, area of 13 municipalities, where 75,000 an economist and a former rector of people live in an area approximately one the University of Ljubljana, believes tenth of Slovenia. This means there is one The Revoz company from Novo Mesto, a subsidiary of Renault, those managers who pulled Slovenian bear per 500 hectares, which is said to be has remained the biggest Slovenian exporter since 1992 Dr Dušan Mramor, the former Slovenian finance companies out of the crisis that followed a bigger number per hectare than in other independence, could guide them better minister and current Dean of the Faculty of Economics According to a survey by Delo newspaper Nevertheless, many companies achieved at the University of Ljubljana, has estimated that the European countries with bears. today than their successors, who are facing of major exporters in the last few years, record exports last year. The biggest crisis is reaching Slovenia with a lag At the same time, wolves live all over their first economic crisis and thus have the two largest Slovenian exporters in exporters to the EU were Revoz, Gorenje, Slovenia. They have killed more than less experience. Slovenia, went from a financially fairly is also said to be participating in the 2008 were Revoz and the Gorenje Group, SIJ, Krka and Impol; and to the countries 500 head of small cattle and 60 hoofed stable country into a debt that seemed construction of Albania’s highways. of the former Yougoslavia: Petrol, Gorenje, mammals, causing almost 270,000 euros followed by the pharmaceutical company almost unbelievable before, and which The less encouraging news is that Slovenian Merkur, Helios, Krka and Droga Kolinska. Members of the Slovenian worth of damage. Krka, Novo Mesto, the SIJ Slovenian could cause difficulties if the crisis lasts GDP decreased by 0.8 per cent in the last At the same time, the biggest exporters to Christian Intellectuals Steel Group, the Impol group, the Petrol very long or even deepens. One should quarter of last year. If this happens again the countries of the former Soviet Union Association and members Private Slovenian investors were oil company, the Cimos company of not forget that 70 per cent of Slovenia’s in the first quarter of this year, which it were Krka, Gorenje, Helios, Iskratel and mostly buying gold bars last year Koper, the Helios group, the HSE group, of the Christian Business GDP depends on exports, of which 70 per will, Slovenia too will declare a recession. Kovintrade, and to other markets, Splošna and Talum of, Kidričevo. Many export Association, who met at cent go to the EU. Inflation in Slovenia has been falling in plovba company, Hit, SIJ and Danfoss companies, especially in the automobile a conference on crisis It sounded reassuring when the President the last three months; but this February, it Compressors. industry, electrical appliances, and in of Slovenia and an economic delegation rose again by half a per cent. According to The Revoz company from Novo Mesto, management in companies in construction, already noticed a decline visited Albania and heard that Albania has some economists, this should be the last a subsidiary of Renault, has remained the February this year, were of a in orders in the last months of 2008. not been affected by the crisis and that the breath of inflation before a period of more biggest Slovenian exporter since 1992, or similar opinion – that current After a number of years when Slovenian financing of investments is proceeding calm development. Some even predict since Slovenia has been doing business exports rose steeply, the statistics based on Slovenian managers lack crisis normally. deflation in the next few months, while a as an independent country. Moreover, a preliminary estimate show they rose by experience. repeated conjuncture has inflation rising its predecessor, IMV, was also the only 1.9 per cent last year. again. biggest exporter during the years before Among other contracts, Dr Dušan Mramor, the former Slovenian During times of crisis, people try to cope independence. Gorenje, Krka, and the Poteza and Interenergo, two finance minister and current Dean of the in various ways. Many invest in precious Unfortunately, Slovenian Lek company from Ljubljana were always Slovenian companies, have Faculty of Economics at the University of metals. According to the World Gold among the biggest, although the latter industries are among those Ljubljana, has estimated that the crisis is signed a concession deal Council, the non-profit association for have not been publishing their export data encountering major problems reaching Slovenia with a lag, and that in to build six hydroelectric monitoring the market, private Slovenian in the last few years because they say that all over the world. It used to these circumstances, the role of the state plants on the Shala River. The investors were mostly buying gold bars these are so intertwined with the data of will have to be strengthened – something last year. The demand for kilogram and be considered reputable if a the parent company that they can not be projects are worth a combined that companies would prefer to avoid in half-kilogram gold bars is said to have company in the automobile extracted and presented separately. total of 150 million euros, and more favourable circumstances. Mramor risen in the second half of 2008. On the industry was working for the But this year, many exporters have faced are supposed to contribute also states that in 2004, Slovenia was still a other hand, according to Umicore, the a significantly different situation than most prestigious car brands, net creditor, and had 3.3 per cent of GDP 500 kilowatt hours per year to Belgian mint, Slovenian citizens bought what they were used to in times of high even more so if it worked on more in foreign claims than liabilities. the Albanian national grid. so much gold in the last 18 months that conjuncture, leading them to announce At the end of 2008, Slovenia was a net they surpassed the gold reserves of the the first installation. Today, smaller, some even significantly smaller this could be considered a borrower up to as much as 23 per cent of The SCT company is already building a Bank of Slovenia, which is supposed to exports. GDP. As Mramor emphasises, in four years part of the port in the city of Drač, and weakness, at least temporarily. hold something over three tons.

16 17 Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Dr Ljubica Jelušič, Secretary General of NATO Minister of Defence Nato young

Nato Inat April this year, NATO is60 approaching its participated, with its military and police forces, 60th anniversary, which calls for celebration, as well as with civilian experts, in numerous but also presents an opportunity to reflect international operations and missions. at 60 – upon past achievements and setbacks, as well Our participation in these various operations as to anticipate the future. shows that Slovenia is fully aware of the A few days ago, Slovenia also celebrated importance of its participation in the UN, photo: Bobo photo: photo: NATO Photo NATO photo: work an important event - the 5th anniversary NATO and EU-led operations. We also of its membership in the North-Atlantic guarantee that each involvement of Slovenian Alliance. Slovenia was invited to start capabilities is based on UN Security Council ahead accession negotiations with NATO at the resolution mandates. Slovenia has always Prague Summit in November 2002. Slovenia endeavoured for a comprehensive participation When twenty-six heads of state and Russian cooperation is vital for European, and was among very few countries that held a strategy within these operations. Therefore, government meet on 3-4 April in Strasbourg, indeed global, security. Afghanistan is one key referendum on NATO membership. It was we have tried to provide the best help for local France and Kehl, Germany, for NATO’s 60th area of common interest, but there are many carried out on 23 March 2003, just after populations in crisis areas by concentrating anniversary Summit, they will certainly have others, such as the fight against terrorism Operation Iraqi Freedom had started. A sound our military, police, economic, donor and FROM AMBASSADOR LETTER much to celebrate. An alliance that was initially and countering the proliferation of weapons majority of 66 percent of voters supported expert capabilities in one place. little more than a piece of paper has evolved of mass destruction. Our Summit offers an Slovenia’s membership, and on 29 March I would like to take this opportunity to thank into the world’s premier security organisation, excellent opportunity for NATO to reaffirm 2004, the country became a full member of all our military personnel, civilian experts, and contributed to an unprecedented period its commitment to a genuine partnership the North-Atlantic Alliance. police forces and diplomats, as well as the men of peace, freedom and prosperity for all its with Russia -- a partnership that not only Current complex security risks and threats are and women who are serving in these operations citizens. And by welcoming Albania and encourages cooperation, but also discussion not strictly military in nature, and cannot be and missions. With their outstanding Croatia as new NATO members, we will of the more difficult issues. solved by military means alone. We cannot look commitment and work, professionalism and contribute to greater stability in the Balkans, Third, new risks and threats. Cyber attacks only to security within our borders or inside efficiency, they are not only contributing to and bring the region closer to the European and energy disputes can devastate a country the Euro Atlantic area. We also have to deal international peace and security; they are mainstream, which is clearly where the region without a single shot being fired. Piracy has with instability beyond our borders. Slovenia also defending our homeland, and serving belongs. already become a serious security challenge, is fully aware that NATO membership is as the main source of experience needed for But the Summit must be more than a and there are clear security implications from important both for the provision of peace and the transformation and modernisation of the celebration. It must also deliver new policies climate change. NATO may not be the security in the world, as well as for Slovenian Slovenian defence and security forces. I am to meet a series of challenges that are more complete answer to these questions, but I am security. extremely proud of that. difficult than anything NATO has ever faced sure it can be part of the answer. And so we Without the standards of equipment and skill Due to its contribution to international before. Three challenges stand out. need to identify NATO’s added value. set by the Alliance, the majority of the fighting security, NATO is an organization within First, Afghanistan. A stable Afghanistan is Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, forces would be outdated, and the national which several other countries would also like central to our own security. We must enhance and 5 years after Slovenia joined NATO, defence doctrine still devoted to the concept to realize their security-political interests. our own stabilising presence and our support we must demonstrate the political will and of total national defence. We may say that the Slovenia hopes that the NATO door will to the Afghan National Army. Together with solidarity to face a radically different security membership in NATO decisively influenced remain open to all democratic countries in the rest of the international community, environment. The time is ripe. A new US a breakthrough in the professionalization and Europe. we must also help the Afghans to build Administration is keen to engage its allies; modernisation of the Slovenian armed Forces Through the transformation of the national functioning institutions, fight corruption, France is taking its full place in NATO’s and the whole defence sector. security systems of NATO countries, and the and tackle the narcotics problem. Military military structures; and Croatia and Albania The experience gained from conflicts in new security concept that is being developed and civilian institutions must coordinate their are about to join NATO. Our Summit will the international arena contribute to better by the Alliance, as well as with the freshness activities better. And we need to reach out be an excellent opportunity to start work readiness of the military for transformation, and abilities of all its future members, the

LETTER FROM AMBASSADOR to Afghanistan’s neighbours, who all have a on a new strategic concept and demonstrate as well as to the adjustment to the joint efforts NATO Alliance will remain young, despite its strong interest in stability in the region, too. NATO’s continuing relevance and vitality. of multinational units in which Slovenia is 60 years. Second, NATO-Russia relations. NATO- involved. In the past twelve years, Slovenia has

18 19 ΔЯτ & ©ultu®ε In a varied range of cultural examples Polona Prešeren, Jana Bogataj, Miša Čermak, Ivan Martelanc, Andrej Savelli, Jože Osterman from the time, the exhibition depicts the significant role of art and culture in those days of action. After squatting the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris, the rebellious students opened its doors to anyone devoted to revolutionary change. By doing so, many young artists joined this Atelier Populaire (Popular Workshop) and political rebellion. In the allocation May ‘68, the beginning of a long battle. By permission of ‘Centre de la Gravure et de of responsibilities, the workers organized l’Image imprimée’, La Louvière, Belgium. the material, while the students and artists created large quantities of posters expressing their demands and criticism May ‘68 of educational and working conditions. It is clear that these posters, designed anonymously for pasting onto the walls of Paris, augmented the mass revolt of May in Slovenia ‘68, and give good insight into the spirit of the time. May ‘68 in Paris and the student movement in Ljubljana, 1968-1972, exhibits about eighty original posters by Atelier Populaire, loaned by the Centre de la Gravure et de l’Image imprimée in La Louvière in Belgium. The Paris flame was later on felt in Ljubljana faculties, where students were concerned about the state of education and fought for solidarity within Slovenia and around the globe. Albeit to a lesser extent, the movement in Ljubljana was of the utmost importance for the Slovenian population, according to writer Ali Žerdin. Many different groups were formed between 1968-71, bringing together all those players who experienced social change in Slovenia and its society twenty years later. Without the student movement, Slovenia would not have gained some crucial experience - within this period, a political movement and its logistical Student demonstrations in front of the Faculty The symbolism of the year 1968 has of Arts in Ljubljana, 14th of April 1971. background were successfully organized. never disappeared, as its achievements Photo archive of the museum and galleries of the Various institutions were founded in the city of Ljubljana. Photo: Žare Veselič. centre, as an expression of the up-coming are still present today. The movement liberal thinking, which with a minimum of ‘68 stands out, on the one hand, time lag brought Slovenian society closer for the replacement of conservative to progressive European social movements. The fact that the Slovenian spirit was fairly morality with liberal values; and on the similar to the French student movement other hand, for innovative change in is unique, considering that socialism the cultural scene. The exhibition May reigned in Slovenia in 1968. Despite all the achievements of the Yugoslav student ‘68 in Paris and the student movement movement being later overturned, the smell in Ljubljana, 1968-1972, running at the of liberty and essential liberalisation never International Centre of Graphic Arts in disappeared and were part of the social transformation Yugoslavia and Slovenia Ljubljana, is dedicated to the latter. underwent in the following twenty years.

20 21 photo: Andrej Križ Andrej photo: photo: Peter Uhan Peter photo:

TESTIMONIES OF HISTORY IN STONE

AND CONCRETE STA photo: Aleksander Jankovič Potočnik provided us with an authentic meeting with history of a particular kind, unknown to many people. An architect by occupation and an internationally distinguished expert on fortification studies, he is the author of a book written in Slovenian and English, ‘Slovenian Fortifications’. There are around thirty such fortifications in Slovenia and near foreign countries. In chronological order, the author presents them with photos and excellent sketches and drawings of those objects for which Tomaž Šalamun Nero, the first Slovenian wins the Golden photo: Andrej Križ Andrej photo: no documents are available. First, we get to know the oldest, pop-rock opera Wreath of Struga fourth century network of Roman Tomaž Šalamun, Slovenia’s most fortifications and defensive walls, “No text has ever tormented me as much and modern life. The infantile Nero - the famous and exciting poet of the last called limes, with the centre in Ad as this one!” So says the author, Andrej actor Jurij Zrnec does a great job in lending three decades of the 20th century, Pirum Fortress. The counter-Turkish Rozman Roza, of a work that took four years him his face and talents - who grew up in received the Golden Wreath, the main fortifications constructed between the to complete, and of which the conceptual the embrace of a possessive mother (played award at the well-known International 15th and 17th century then follow. The and musical father is musician Davor Božič. by the better than excellent and convincing Poetry Festival in Struga (Macedonia). next category of fortifications belongs Only Božič knows how much enthusiasm Polona Vetrih), feels a passionate desire for By being honoured at Struga Festival, Slovenian stand to the period between 1850 and 1910. was needed for the inspiration, which he destruction and for rebuilding everything which is not only one of Europe’s at the ITB These were constructed by the Austro- got when reading The Twelve Caesars by anew - and in particular, to show himself oldest and renowned poetry festivals, Hungarian Monarchy in expectation Suetonius, and in particular Nero’s biography, off as an artist and to live only for his music. but is also often regarded as the most of an Italian attack. The author then to bring it to life on stage. “I felt the story However, Nero does not master the art of prestigious happening in Europe, Presentation of Slovenia takes us to the thirties of the previous had funny potential for a musical about an political tragedy, and therefore the drama is Šalamun has found his place among century, to the Rapallo Border area, emperor who, instead of leading the state, also the story about the decay of his family the most noted contemporary poets in Berlin which in 1920 became the dividing line plays his lyre and sings, despite having a weak and, finally, himself. in the world. As is the tradition, this year Slovenia was they believe at the Slovenian Tourist Board. between Italy and the newly created and rough voice. He allegedly even burned A bit of luck when casting the actors (Seneca, Šalamun was touched and affected by presented at the International Tourism The central event accompanying the Tourism State of Yugoslavia. There, in the Rome for inspiration: the story just called for Nero’s tutor and philosopher is played the news that he had won the Golden Exchange in Berlin, which is certainly the Exchange in Berlin was the Slovenian Alpine world, was a group of Italian a satirical comedy!” by Janez Hočevar Rifle; Saša Tabakovič is Wreath. “I cannot describe how biggest business tourism event in the world. evening in the Adlon Kempinski Hotel fortifications. Unlike these, adapted to And where there is a will, there is a way: on Tigellinus, the prefect of the Praetorian happy I am, that this year it was me to This year, the attention of the (tourism) organised by the Slovenian Tourist Board, the configuration of mountain terrain, the second Saturday of March, on the main Guard; and the dancing chorus are also whom they gave the most prestigious public was focused on the effects of the crisis the Government Communication Office the Yugoslav fortifications built between stage of Slovene National Theatre Drama excellent!), and having costume designer poetry prize which exists in Europe,” on tourism. and the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia 1935 and 1941 followed the example of Ljubljana, the first performance of the Bjanka Adžič, choreographer Tanja Zgonc he said. In addition, he promised that At the Exchange, Slovenia was presented in Berlin. The purpose of the evening was French and Czech models. Slovenian pop-rock opera Nero happened. and set designer Alen Ožbolt, was not he would write the statement that is with a new exhibition stand, for which it meeting of Slovenian and German tour The last chapter presents the time of the It was directed by Matjaž Zupančič, who a coincidence: it seems that a true muse published by all laureates each year was awarded at the London Tourism Fair operators, guests engaged in tourism in both Italian occupation of Ljubljana, when has excellently led Nero’s story, interweaving was watching over what is in every way an with special care and dedicate it to in November last year. The prospects for countries, people from business, political the city was surrounded by barbed wire it with the present time, which in addition extremely demanding performance - the Macedonia and its writers. Slovenian tourism are good, despite the life, media and diplomatic representatives. and concrete bunkers. Today, recreation to politicians, glorifies different stars and muse that turns a performance into a piece In 2000, Šalamun, who is living in crisis. At the traditional reception, the Cooks from Terme Ptuj provided the areas for citizens are arranged on this turns even politicians into pop stars. Even of art. Therefore, it is no wonder that the the USA, where he is also translating, Slovenian exhibition stand was teeming culinary experience and the Ptuj Cellar route, called the Green Ring. more, Nero’s life story seems to have been more than two-hour long parade of singing, received Slovenia’s most renowned with visitors enjoying Slovenian cuisine and provided the wines. The culmination of the Eleven itineraries add further value written for the present time: themes such dancing, laughing and acting more than prize for art, the Prešeren Award. the music of the legendary Zoran Predin. evening was the musical guest Zoran Predin, to the book. They are designed to as politics, art, sex, power, megalomania, deserved to be awarded with the immediate He has already published 34 poetry Generally, interest in Slovenia as a tourist a legend of the Slovenian music scene, with lead visitors to the historically most parties and executions, were not part of excellent responses of the spectators and books, some of which have been destination was rather great and the outlook his Gipsy Swing Band. important fortifications presented in the everyday life in Nero’s time alone; they can repeated curtain calls of the enraptured translated into several European for this year’s season are not so pessimistic, first part of the book. also be recognised in contemporary media audience at the first performance. languages.

22 23 There is an interesting exhibition until the 27th of September at the National Museum of

photo: CD archives photo: Slovenia on the rich cultural heritage of the Ljubljanica River. Barbara Jakše photo: More than 1000 finds, graphical depictions of the river, short films Past of the underwater world and archaeological research, as well as scenes from life by the river in various historical periods are photo: City Theatre archives Theatre Cityphoto:

its presented. Due to the very rich finds, which shed light on the life along the riverbanks from the prehistoric times to the modern age, the Ljubljanica River is a VIVA MEXICO IN very important archaeological CANKARJEV DOM site and was declared a site of

This spring again, Cankarjev dom is preparing and cultural importance in 2003. a festival of faraway cultures; in this seventh More than 6,000 artefacts have edition, Mexico is the theme. Between 10 been found and stored at the March and 26 June, there will be several National Museum of Slovenia cultural and artistic events – exhibitions, since divers first decided to concerts, literary events, films lectures and investigate the riverbed in 1884. theatre – in Cankarjev dom. Mexican culture The oldest finds come from the from prehistoric times to the present will be Middle Stone Age, but more presented to the Slovenian audience. They often the finds are from the

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE Riv er have had only positive experiences of similar Copper and Bronze Ages, when DANCE-THEATRE PERFORMANCE themes in Cankarjev dom. As the Director pile-dwelling sites stood on the ‘G MONUMENT’ of Cankarjev dom, Mitja Rotovnik said, they Ljubljana Marches. During the have all been extremely well attended. This Copper and Bronze Ages, the On the 27th of February this year performance, which remains an echo year, by putting Mexico in the forefront, they Ljubljanica was the site of votive a special theatre event took place on of the original one. He again offered a wish to avoid Eurocentric thinking in this offerings. Early Roman military the stage of Ljubljana City Theatre. role to Jožica Avbelj, who is now one house of culture. And, should you think that equipment and objects of

In a co-production with the Maska of the greatest Slovenian actresses and Mexico and Slovenia are completely unknown A - a practical use testify to the arrival Organisation a reconstruction of the a drama teacher at the Academy of to each other, you would be greatly mistaken. of the Romans, while objects legendary dance-theatre performance Theatre, Radio, Film and Television in So far, there has been quite a lot of cultural from the Middle Ages and ‘G Monument’ was staged, based on Ljubljana. The live music is performed co-operation between the two countries, later prove that the Ljubljanica the satirical happening of the late by Matjaž Jarc, who was also one of mainly in the area of theatre. The exhibition was an important traffic route theatre director, journalist and essayist the original cast members. Dancer will be among the strongest elements of the until the modern period, when Bojan Štih. Originally staged in 1972 Teja Reba and musician Boštjan Narat festival and will embrace three presentations. the first industrial plants were at the Experimental Theatre Glej, by also participate in the staging. The central one will be the exhibition Mexico built on its banks. In recent the former enfant terrible of Slovenian The performance is a reference to before Columbus – the Eternal Life by the c jani centuries the River became an theatre (and today’s esteemed director) a similar Janša project in 2006, National Institute of Anthropology and environment dedicated more to

Dušan Jovanović, with Jožica Avbelj when he reconstructed the theatrical History in Mexico City, installed outside entertainment and nature, while Slovenian National Museum photo: in the leading role (then a 20-year-old happening ‘Pupilija, papa Pupilo pa Mexico for the first time. In Cankarjev dom, with Plečnik’s architectural student of the theatre Academy), the pupilčki’ (‘Pupilija, papa Pupilo and besides many other events, the Mexico City design of the embankment and performance to this day is regarded as the Pupilceks’) at the old city power Philharmonic Orchestra will make a foreign the Three Bridges, it also became a turning point in Slovenian theatrical plant. The original version of this concert appearance, some contemporary an attraction of the city of and historical memory. performance was also staged by Dušan Mexican films will be shown; there will be Ljubljana.

This year’s reconstruction is a work of a Jovanović in 1969, and it became the lectures, and also workshops for children, Lj u b l The project ‘Ljubljanica – the theatre director and theoretician of the iconic event of Slovenia’s theatrical where the youngest visitors will become Cultural Heritage of the River’ younger generation, Janez Janša, who neo-avant-garde. Janša’s staging gives familiar with the richness of Mexican culture. was designed and prepared by has put it into context and adapted it it a new meaning and reflection Also worth mentioning is a literary evening Timotej Knific, with Andrej for today’s day and age. He faced the in the modern social, political and presenting the Slovenian translation of the Gaspari, Janka Istenič, Tomaž project in a scientific and analytical cultural context, similar to this year’s book The Pleasure Principle, where the guest Nabergoj, Neva Trampuž Orel

way, and prepared a completely new ‘Monument G’. will be Jose Emilio Pacheco. The and Matija Žargi as co-authors.

24 25 The award for the best photo story went to Jaka Gasar from the Indirekt daily for the photo story “Financial Crisis on Wall Street” Slovensko Mladinsko gledališče – theatre as ambassador Slovensko Mladinsko gledališče (SMG) established, at the European and even at is something special. It was established a global level, a particular style of poetics. almost 55 years ago as the first professional One that recognized, within the world theatre for the children and the youth of of theatre, a context of advancing into Slovenia. In the 80’s, it was re-structured the world of simulacra, phantasms and into a theatre that started connecting scientific and technological possibilities,” borderline theatrical experiments with says theatre manager Uršula Cetinski. addressing political subversion in an SMG is recognized in the international interdisciplinary fashion. Today, the arena where, since 1975, it started to SMG is recognized by a broad spectrum establish its expression intensely. So far it of innovative poetics of various young has had guest appearances in 34 countries directors and by an actor’s laboratory, throughout the world, visiting some 140 where individual roles are united into a cities, performing more than 700 shows at powerful ensemble of actors. Mladinsko is 116 international theatre festivals. a theatre that does not accept traditional “A particularity of SMG is its special values. It is also well recognized globally, as place at prestigious festivals in North it has the most guest appearances abroad and South America, where the ensemble, of all the Slovenian theatres. performances and directors receive not “This theatre is the place of the rise of only the highest critical marks, but top many significant people from the world awards too,” Cetinski adds. In 2008 the of theatre, who, within the path of European Commission awarded SMG the innovation, daring and extreme poetics, title European Ambassador of Culture. FIRST SLOVENIA PRESS photo: MGL archives MGL photo: PHOTO COMPETITION “SPP – Zavod za promocijo fotografije” the winners on the 16th of March at the People category, to Šimen Zupančič (The Institute for the Promotion the National Gallery of Slovenia. An (photo) and Borut Krajnc (story), in of Photography) has organized the exhibition of photos of all the awarded Sports, to Simon Plestenjak (photo and first competition for Slovenia’s press participants will be on display until the story), in Entertainment & Culture, to photography of the year – the Slovenia 29th of March. The award for the best Edi Einspieler (photo) and Andrej Korenč Press Photo 2009 award. Slovenian photo went to Luka Cjuha from the (story) and the Nature & Environment photographers and photojournalists, Dnevnik daily for the photo of the Guard award went to Edi Einspieler (photo). who daily report on events and deliver of honour and the Book of condolences Accompanying the competition is an interesting stories, were given a chance to for the former President and Prime exhibition entitled ‘Big Moments: Best win an award for the best achievements Minister of Slovenia, Janez Drnovšek. Photojournalism Photography from the in the past year. Any photographer who The award for the best photo story went American News Agency The Associated publishes in the Slovenian media and has to Jaka Gasar from the Indirekt daily Press’, which, among others, features a permanent residence in Slovenia can join for the photo story “Financial Crisis on photographs that have marked the visual the competition, which from now shall be Wall Street”. The awards in the various culture of the 20th century and became carried out annually. categories were presented as follows: in part of our collective consciousness. The international jury of esteemed the News category, the award went to Jure photographers and editors announced Eržen (photo) and Maja Hitij (story), in

26 27

Our excellence

The future? Waveflex Marketing and promotional strategies are The company at the also very different today than in the past. Which is why Elan, whose designers have Due to their innovative arrangement, Chamber of Commerce and Industry moment is going Elan today invests less in race skiers, although succeeded in developing a great collection the ski maintains its torsion stiffness of Slovenia. At the same time, these skis through a crisis, not they do support some good racers, like the of race skis every year, began to consider and enables its extreme flexibility and received several other awards at various just because of external Swede Brolenius, the Slovenians Vajdič and how to develop skis that would enable good adaptability to the slope. The Waveflex international fairs and ski tests. At the circumstances, but also Valenčič and two talented Czech skiers. But skiing in combining torsional stiffness, innovation thus enables the recreational biggest ski fair, ISPO 2006, the Speedwave because of their own the difference in the brand value is quite which prevents transverse bending of the skier to perform clean, equal turns of ski received the European Ski Award for mistakes. different if you invest 800 thousand euros ski with great flexibility, evenly distributed various radiuses without having to change the best ski of 2006. They also received or a few million euros, like some premium brands. Despite all of the above, Avguštin along the ski, which would enable a better the skis for short and long turns. It two other awards for the best design: Elan’s nautical programme was obviously a still considers that Elan is somewhere edge grip for a skier of average strength. seems almost simple. Egg of Columbus? the Red Dot Award 2007 for innovative bit overrated, and is now showing its true between fifth or seventh place among the “Perhaps,” smiles Avguštin, “but for us design, and in 2008, the Designpreis value. It is different with the skis. This part world ski brands. They are well-known in mechanical engineers, a ski is just a carrier award and the Snowstyle of the Year award of the company has a marvellous product, They have combined North America and Europe, and they are we have to design and construct to satisfy at the world ski test. well accepted in the market and well sold. two of their great also achieving globally competitive prices. the demands as much as possible.” He adds Avguštin points to a surprising fact: “The innovations. One is In terms of production, Elan even ranks that they also tried to perfect their design They had achieved their goal number of skiers has declined a great deal the binding system, with the cooperation of experts from the among the first three world producers. – to design the best skis for during the last ten years. If there were University of Ljubljana, but they were about 5 million of them at the turn of the called FreeFlex, where With some bitterness he adds that the crises not very enthusiastic about investing in recreational skiers. millennium, there only remain about four the binding becomes a of recent years have left a mark on the research and development if the financial million today.” part of the ski, making benefits became available only after the But Avguštin remains composed when company. The former feeling of loyalty to it equally flexible all new product had proved successful. So reading the good reviews of ski tests in the company and the pride of its workers magazines. “Well, ski tests are not exactly He adds that the younger has greatly declined, although they still along its length. The they found a construction team of young generation is more eager other innovation is doctoral students at the University of a relevant reference point. Sometimes the hold together. But the sadness in his voice to surf on the internet when he spoke about his first steps in this the implementation of Maribor, who worked hard and received reviews for the same type of skis were very a reward only after their innovation had bad. There are times when the results of that to ski on snow, great company shows that he is dedicated stiffening elements in produced results. And what results they such tests are more influenced by the gifts which of course has to it with all his heart. And that is most the ski further from its were! In 2007, they received an award you give to those testing them then the an effect on sales. convincing. Because of people like him, central line. for the innovation of the year from the skis themselves.” Elan will surely survive!

30 31 slovenian delights

Sabina Popovič, Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik Metliška črnina is dry red in Metlika, and grilled in restaurants and wine with designation of farm tourism establishments. During these months, lamb constitutes the main origin from Bela krajina. restaurant ingredient, and it is worth a Easter blessing The wine is blended from all drive to Bela krajina just for a delicious the red varieties grown in lunch, where you will be served crunchy At Easter, we enjoy the departure of winter, this region (Blaufränkisch, roast lamb. Cooks devote special care and gloomy moods, dark and thick garments and Blauer Kölner, Blauer effort to grilled lamb and pork. Well-salted sometimes boring food. At the same time, we fo lambs are grilled for good two hours, then are full of expectations of spring, awakening o Portugieser, St. Laurent and d cut at the thickest parts and grilled until nature and a period of newly springing life. d Gamay). Metliška črnina o golden-yellow on all sides. The meat is is classified as a medium usually served with onion, tomatoes and, For Easter, they have the famous ‘spring o heavy Slovenian red, and is of course, pogača, the flatbread typical of blessing’, which should be colourful and distinguished by its lower Bela krajina. It is similar with sucking pig with lots of good dishes. This really is a feast G alcoholic content and pleasant - and nowhere in Slovenia is it roasted - an offering to God and to the people who produced this good food. Various cured meat dryness expressed in pleasant to be as savoury and crunchy as in Bela krajina. products, such as sausages, salamis, ham in bitterness. The wine contains pastry, and potica, pogača, horseradish root

a good deal of tartaric acid, Out of the multitude of good dishes, some and, of course, an Easter egg for each family

which gives the wine its came to the region from the other side of member, are found in the basket. None of this

heaviness and stability. For the Kolpa River, others from the other side should be missing from the richly laden Easter

its specific dryness, it suits of the Gorjanci Mountains, and many are table, and since the people of Bela krajina are

very good and generous hosts, they welcome

roast or grilled meat, venison original, old-fashioned authentic local

recipes. The everyday food was always every guest, who will certainly not leave

dishes and cured meats, and hungry.

more modest, and also without meat.

mushroom dishes and spicy Such everyday dishes are barley with pig’s

cheeses exceptionally well. trotters, potato dumplings, čeženj, mixed According to tradition, the people of Bela

bread with heated milk, sauerkraut and krajina start to prepare for Easter holidays

beans, kropec or camomile thickening, during winter, when, in addition to weaving,

buckwheat porridge... they also paint eggs. f

r However, the dishes found on Bela The egg is an ancient Indo-European symbol

krajina tables on special occasions are of spring and a natural image of fertility and

o quite different. At weddings, you will be rebirth in spring. Christianity symbolically

m served chicken soup with noodles, boiled associated it with Christ’s resurrection;

hen and pork roast, unleavened potica therefore it was established as an Easter dish

a

B and žlinkrofi, sumptuous wedding potica in Christian countries. Slovenian Easter eggs,

n i e j and cake, compulsory flancati - and soup pirhi, pisanice, pisanke, remenke or remenice, l a a r

k made with yellow turnip and beans will as they are called in various parts of Slovenia, also not be absent. are among the most beautifully decorated examples in Europe. In many parts of Slovenia, At major rural undertakings, such as grape ornaments were painted on the eggs with harvesting, boiled mutton and chestnut melted wax, but this tradition was preserved will be found on the table; at St. Martin’s notably in Bela krajina. Easter eggs are called feast, roast goose and buckwheat potica; at pisanice here, which means they are painted Bela krajina lies in the most south-eastern Bela krajina is a developed countryside haymaking, fried minced meat, ham and or colourfully ornamented. Geometric and part of Slovenia, in the most southern intertwined with vineyards; therefore, wine flat cake; and at harvest time, sour soup, stylised figures are characteristic of Easter eggs point of the country in Kot, near Vinica. and viticulture are particularly significant. rolled dumplings and fried bread. in Bela krajina, therefore straight zigzag and It is a unique border landscape, a country So particularly significant that the noted wavy lines, crosses, spirals, triangles, hearts, of white birches and ferns, and white ‘Wine Spring’ in Metlika, a traditional Hand in hand with good wines, of course, The festive dishes are also rich, such as circles and points are found on them, filling up national costumes, which are still the event in May, is dedicated to it; it attracts goes good food, which is abundant in Bela at Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when empty areas. To produce the eggs, the makers pride of the residents of this warm country many people from the region and from krajina. there is roast goose or duck stuffed with need bee’s wax, a special pen, a candle, red dye, between the Gorjanci Mountains and the different parts of Slovenia. Which lover buckwheat groats or turkey stuffed with black dye and, of course, plenty of skill. Wax Kolpa River, a country of vine hills and of vintage wines does not know Metliška Lamb and sucking pig have a special place flat cakes. Poprtnik, the local Christmas ornaments are first painted on an egg with the rich folk tradition. Linen and embroidery črnina, the red wine of Metlika? in the local cuisine. The people roast the bread in the shape of a big loaf, is also pen, which has a special tip in which they melt are still woven and handicraft products are majority of them during spring, when baked at the time. The good food prepared the wax over a candle flame. First, they paint still manufactured here as well. hundreds are cooked at the ‘Wine Spring’ at Easter is another story. the ornament in the natural colour of eggshell

32 33 slovenian delights

Slovenian Easter eggs, pirhi, Bela Krajina and then each colour coating follows. pisanice, pisanke, remenke or buckwheat potica With each coat, which follows from the remenice, as they are called in lightest to the darkest, they cover with various parts of Slovenia, are Dough ingredients: wax those parts of the surface on which among the most beautifully decorated examples in Europe 500g buckwheat flour they want to paint certain ornaments. 80g butter Another type of Easter egg is made, the salt drsanka, which originates in Metlika and boiling water is decorated in a slightly different way - 1 egg for coating the eggs are first dyed, and then patterns are scratched out. Filling ingredients: 1.5l Bela Krajina cream (made with Today, only a few people make these preheated milk) authentic Bela krajina Easter eggs, but in 500g cottage cheese the past, girls in particular made them, and 50g butter frequently added a verse to the decoration, and then gave the most beautiful egg to a Scald buckwheat with a small amount of boy as a love token. boiling water, and leave to cool. Then add Source: Cuisine of Dolenjska and Bela krajina other ingredients and knead. Form a loaf, and leave to rest for 30 minutes. Roll out the dough in a rectangular shape about 1cm thick. Mix the ingredients for the filling and spread evenly across the dough. Roll the dough and place it onto a greased baking tray. Coat with whisked egg and bake at 200ºC for 1 hour. Bela Krajina pogača (flatbread with caraway) Bela Krajina cvrtje (fried minced meat) Ingredients: 1kg soft white flour Ingredients: 6dl warm water 600g minced meat (various meats) 2 tablespoons of salt 1 baked roll or an equal amount of bread 1 tablespoon of sugar 2 tablespoons of oil 2 bags of dry yeast 2 tablespoons of chopped onions 1 whole egg 1 egg salt Mix the flour, salt, sugar, yeast and water, pepper and knead for a few minutes until dough fresh parsley becomes smooth, not too hard and does Bela Krajina povitica Filling ingredients: not stick to the hands. Leave to rise in a 1kg homemade cheese or cottage cheese Ingredients for the warm place, covered with a cloth, until its (rolled cake) with ‘škrlupci’ (warm cream) breadcrumb coating: volume doubles. Grease a baking tray with 2 eggs flour oil or fat, then punch down and spread the Dough ingredients: 2 teaspoons of salt egg dough flat to a size of about 30cm. Stretch 500g white flour breadcrumbs the dough on a baking tray to about 1 or 1 egg Make the dough and roll it out on the frying oil 2cm thick. Cut in lines approximately 4cm 3 to 4dl warm water table, pour a spoonful of oil on it and apart all the way through to the bottom. 2 tablespoons of oil spread it thinly. Mash cottage cheese, Soak the bread roll in milk. Season the Coat with whisked egg and some caraway, 1 teaspoon of vinegar add eggs and cream and stir well. Spread meat with fried onions, add the rest of the maybe even sprinkle it with coarse salt. a pinch of salt filling on one half of the dough and ingredients and mix by hand. Form smaller Bake in a preheated oven at 220ºC for 20 50g of butter to pour over the dough melted butter on the other half. If the burgers, roll them in flour, then egg, then to 25 minutes until the bread is golden filling is too thin, add some breadcrumbs. breadcrumbs and fry in preheated oil. and crispy. Roll the dough and bake at 200ºC. Serve with a creamy potato salad.

34 35

people Tadej Golob, photo: Maja Slavec Presumably, 70 per cent of all a performance, an interview every hour. and I do not know what other things in translations in the world are made I started at four in the afternoon and order not to be obliged to write some among the bigger languages - 20 finished at one in the morning. Since the rubbish, rubbish for commercial sale. I per cent from these languages schedule was so full, I only had time for a have nothing against commercial sales, - and ten per cent remains portion of macaroni. I hope I will return but in Slovenia this means that now, for all others. For a Slovenian triumphantly, to get a ‘pleskavica’. when I do what I want, I sell about 600 author pursuing international copies of a novel, and if I flattered the recognition, this is not really a Do the texts of your novels behave public with disgusting writing, I would Miha pleasant start? differently in a language closer to sell 800 or 1000 copies and would It all depends on the perspective. In ours, such as Serbian, or in the receive an additional hundred euros. principle, it is correct. In the USA, global language, English? for example, not even many German This is a matter of cultural context, Last year, Slovenia presided over authors have been translated, but which is not so problematic in some of the European Community. Do you Mazzini my novels. For example, in ‘Guarding not think that it could have made Germans were and still are owners of the biggest publishing houses. This means Hanna’ it is not. It is more problematic better use of the presidency by that business policy is separate from in ‘The King of the Rattling Spirits’, promoting its writers? Among Carrots and radishes which is a story about socialism, written the gifts received by foreign editorial, which is as it should be. So, this information is really not encouraging, out of socialism. Here, the context is journalists, diplomats - towels, but my first American tour began with significantly more problematic. pens, pots... – there were no as he likes them an introductory lecture at a major book Slovenian books. fair in Seattle. When my publisher When writing, do you keep in I was following our cultural offer myself. told me about the lecture, of course I mind that the foreign market They made an exhibition of beehive Miha Mazzini, the 47 year-old asked him: “Wait a moment, how can should understand? Is this the fronts, that is to say, 500-year-old things, Slovenian writer, comes from a Slovenian writer have an introductory reason you set ‘Guarding Hanna’ and a choir performed. Totally bizarre. Jesenice, a town in the north- lecture here?” “Sure he can,” he said, outside Slovenia? A country with no economic power, and west of Slovenia whose principal “with the organisers, we registered a No. Well, I will put it this way. With it does not know what to offer. When industry was steel production. lecture on how an American publisher a regular job and hundreds of other Slovenia was entering the EU, I was Thousands of workers from the and a Slovenian writer can meet.” Since things to do, I have little time left for invited by the Frankfurt Cinematheque, former Yugoslavia work there, no one knew where Slovenia was, they writing, which means it is a hobby. which made a retrospective of films so it is no wonder that his first were extremely interested in what kind Imagine someone with a small garden for which I had written the scripts. At literary work also spoke of of ‘Martian’ would appear, and so we and one hour per day for it. They would the time, a round table entitled ‘What them - of ‘bizarre figures’, such held the introductory lecture. Which not say, “Oh, at the request of public, can Slovenia offer to the European as Selim the Bosnian, who fell in means that this situation can also be I should plant lettuce and so many love at a distance with Nastassia turned to advantage. carrots and radishes ...” No, he or she Kinski, and the Slovenian, would say, “I do not care about the Egon, who is separated from Your book has been listed as public...” and would plant exactly what the greyness of Jesenice only by fourth among the translated he or she wanted. Such is my attitude to Cartier perfume. And when this literature in Serbia. What does literature. For all the years I have been runs out... this mean for it? making a living out of computer science ‘Crumbs’ - the novel’s title I do not know. I hope it means I will - sold in 54,000 copies, which have my ‘špikana pleskavica’(stuffed must be close to the Slovenian ground meat steak). I have to say that record for a literary work. (The promotion in Serbia was very well Cartier Project film was also organised. The Slovenian government based on this novel). Domestic not only pays for the translations, but reviewers generally overlooked also for the tours. It’s like this: Slovenian it, and Mazzini’s subsequent writers cram into a van or a plane, work, so he made an effort to they get drunk as lords, then they read present them abroad. Today, something and get drunk as lords again, he is one of the rare Slovenian and the following day they read again writers whose books can be etc. Touring America is something found in foreign bookshops. completely different. Each hour is busy. If they bring you to a place, they want to use you and you have a performance every hour. It was similar when I went to Serbia to promote this book. I had

40 41 CULTURAL people Albert Kos, photo: Darinka Mladenovič TRAILS

kiosk, like for Coca-Cola or cigarettes, only that it provides books. I mean, there are no books - there is only a hard disc and book covers. You throw a coin into the machine, push a button and the machine prints a book - a real book that cannot be distinguished from the ordinary ones. What else happened? Amazon, which is the biggest bookshop in the world, bought a company dealing with such sales. Therefore, books can be found on Amazon which do not exist, which have never been printed. After 320 years you have paid, they print it in a single Community?’ was prepared and some something only completely obscure copy and send it to you. In principle, important Slovenians were invited, such people were buying, at some rare fairs, this is a kind of new self-publishing as the economist Jože Mencinger and where all people were dressed alike, in form. The author pays nothing, the the former Slovenian president, Milan jeans jackets. They are bald on top and publisher pays nothing; there is no stock of Valvasor’s Kučan. A former German minister they wear a long mop behind. If you and no warehouse. When the customer also attended the discussion, who was wanted to go there, you almost had to chooses a book, he or she throws a coin ‘Glory of the Duchy obviously well informed about Slovenia. wear this kind of mask. Buy jeans, rent a in the slot and a real book comes out. So, our politicians start, “Slovenia will mop...Everyone said: vinyl will die with An object again. of Carniola’ offer this and that ...” And the German this generation. But no, its revival began, politician says, “Well, you do not and a growing number of youngsters are Do you see an opportunity here really have any economic power.” “We buying them again. As an object. Smaller for authors writing in small In the 17th century, Slovenian culture, apart from religious Among his numerous graphic works the master international relations,” adds record companies issue an LP to be sold, languages? sacral art, was more or less in a state of torpor, after the Kučan, “different cultures...We are so in and on its back the web address is given I absolutely do - namely, in finally Counter-Reformation movement had suppressed the most comprehensive and important is command of …” And the German says so you can download the songs using a setting up a cultural policy of global development of Protestant literature during the second half of his life’s work, ‘The Glory of the Duchy again, “Yugoslavia fell apart. Apparently password. Which means you get music expansion; to translate all meaningful the 16th century, and thus prevented the further development of Carniola’, written in German and you are not that good at this.” Both for your iPod and an object at the same Slovenian books and send them around of Slovenian written language and literature, which had published in 1689 in Nuremberg. Kučan and Mencinger went numb, time. People are still used to objects. All the world virtually. Then, it depends on only just begun. That is why the image and work of Janez and then Kučan remembers: “Culture this virtuality... Damn. One wants to the author - how much effort he or she Vajkard Valvasor (1641-1693), a versatile scholar, historian The costs of this undertaking broke him, forcing him to sell - we will offer culture.” “Culture?” It touch something. So I doubt that the would put into it, and submit links in and publisher, who spent the majority of his life studying and off his estates, castles and his house in Ljubljana, as well as was interesting to observe both our book will go extinct, except manuals. I order for people to throw coins in the researching his homeland, the Duchy of Carniola, stood out his rich library and print collection. Since this was bought by representatives articulating this word, do not see a good reason why manuals slot. It is so simple. For example, if I even further in that backward milieu of Slovenian provinces. the archbishop of Zagreb after the Carniola States refused the since it was obvious it was coming a little should not be in electronic form. They were an American blogger with a million purchase, Valvasor’s precious heritage remains in Croatia to this stiffly from their mouths. The German are not meant to be read sequentially, visits per day - and there are several such Valvasor’s biography is interesting in its own right: a day. Valvasor took what was left of his property and bought a knew nothing about that one. In short, which is perfect for electronic form. people - and I decided to publish a book, descendant of a noble family from northern Italy who moved house in the small town of Krško, where he died in poverty a Slovenian culture is the winning card, why would I need a publishing house? to Carniola, he was born in Ljubljana, where he attended the few years later. which Slovenian politicians can always During his visit of to the Slovenian You submit a virtual book to Amazon Jesuit Gymnasium. He then spent 14 years travelling through Book Fair last year in Ljubljana, use, because no one knows anything with a link to your blog and if three Germany, England, Denmark, France, Spain, Italy and North Jason Epstein, the legend of ‘The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola’ is about it. per cent of a million people push the Africa, acquiring knowledge in natural science and even American publishing, presented button, you have earned well. But the an extraordinarily extensive work of serving in the army. Returning home in 1671, he married the You mentioned your basic the idea of an automatic machine problem with us Slovenians is that we 3,532 printed pages, 24 supplements following year, bought three castle estates not far from Ljubljana occupation, computer science, so for bookmaking, some kind of always think of a little, a little, a little. and settled down at Bogenšperk Castle. He spent the next and 528 graphic illustrations, I would like to ask you whether book-o-mat, named Espresso, Once, I watched a television broadcast two decades there, his most creative ones, devoting himself mostly taken from his early graphic the book as we know it, the paper which would enable the printing with the central topic of how to spread completely to studies, research, collecting and the management publications. book, will survive in the 21st of single copy of a book for an Slovenian culture in the world. They of his library and museum collection. He also began publishing century? individual reader. What do you started with this, but after an hour, they religious and educationally scientific graphic works, establishing Divided into 15 volumes, it is a versatile account of the history The short answer is ‘yes’. I believe it say about that? were only talking of municipal libraries at Bogenšperk in 1678 the first graphic company on Slovenian of Carniola, the central part of today’s Republic of Slovenia. will. Five years ago, vinyl records were I have seen such automaton in London and local mayors...No one discussed the territory and employing a number of local and foreign Valvasor systematically described the history of the land from considered something totally foolish, and, I guess, in America, too. A kind of expansion of anything. draughtsmen and copperplate engravers, masters of their time. the earliest times, its topography, geography, natural sights,

42 43 CULTURAL NATURAL TRAILS TRAILS

Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts presented the first numbered edition of the publication to the managers of the Valvasor’s Museum at Bogenšperk Castle, where Valvasor’s heritage, given its origins, rightly belongs customs and the language of its inhabitants, their former and contemporary beliefs, as well as their inclination towards superstition, adding numerous Jože Prešeren Photo: Darinka Mladenovič data and several original maps. Even today, his and Joco Žnidaršič encyclopaedic work is an inexhaustible source for the historical, cultural and ethnological research of Slovenia’s history. A New Trademark: Velika Planina As well as being a patriot, Valvasor remained a cosmopolitan, keeping in contact with various scientific circles abroad. He made contact with the Heart of Royal Society in 1685, and in 1687 they published in English his report on the invention of a special method of casting metal statues with thin walls, as well as his discourse on the karst phenomenon of the intermittent Lake Cerknica, which won him membership in Slovenia the Royal Society of London. A few years later, both discourses were published in Latin in the Acta VIVID DISCOVERIES Eroditorum scientific review in Leipzig. Celebrating OF HERITAGE the 320 years since the publication of ‘The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola’ an exhibition is open until the end of April at Rajhenburg Castle, near the town of Krško, where Valvasor died. The exhibition, prepared by the Technical Museum of Slovenia in cooperation with the Royal Society, presents his correspondence with the Royal Society. A ceremonial delivery of a digital version of this correspondence to the Republic of Slovenia was made possible by the Slovenian Embassy in London.

Last year, the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts sponsored a facsimile of Valvasor’s graphic work, of which the originals are kept in Zagreb. This February, the Academy presented the first numbered edition of the publication to the managers of the Valvasor’s Museum at Bogenšperk Castle, where Valvasor’s heritage, given its origins, rightly belongs.

44 45 NATURAL TRAILS

into history as the winner of a battle against Vega, and who came from nearby Zagorica. ‘Slovene by Birth, European in Spirit: J.V. the Turks at Sisak, used to live. There is the On our way to Moravče, we stop at Tuštanj Events Throughout the Valvasor from Bogenšperk’ was seen in April Karstic Železna jama cave near the castle, a Castle. Year and May 2008 on the premises of the Royal unique cave in this area, which is arranged The ninth trip is dedicated to the centre The Heart of Slovenia beats evenly Society in London. The Technical Museum for tourist visits. It is also possible to visit the of the Heart of Slovenia. The theme is throughout the entire year, since numerous of Slovenia also took part in the preparation Jamarski dom Museum and its collection of geological, since we encounter the mysterious events happen in all seasons, and in numerous of the exhibition. The British visitors could, fossils and archaeological finds, the Museum underground, and the heritage of navigation, places in the area. From the event calendar, among other things, view Valvasor’s work also shows the development of straw-hat mining, and numerous legends. We set out we can see that the organizers have included ‘The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola’, which making – this craft was very widespread in on our journey from Dob pri Domžalah, events from cultural heritage and folklore, was published in 1689; this year they will these parts decades ago. towards Gorjuše with the Železna jama cave. traditional fairs, gastronomic events, country also celebrate the 320th anniversary of the Another trip takes us from Groblje pri We continue towards Krtina, through the festivals, theatre, literary, musical, artistic, publication. Domžalah to visit one of the pearls of Rače valley, and then turn our steps towards dance events, cultural festivals, exhibitions, At Bogenšerk Castle, it is especially lively in Slovenian baroque architecture, the church Vače. The marks lead us to Spodnja Slivna, sports and recreational events. Some of these the spring, summer and autumn, when the of St. Hermagor and St. Fortunat, and the geometrical centre of Slovenia. From are organised by local societies, and some by castle is visited by numerous school groups Kamnik further to the Volčji Potok Arboretum, here, we descend towards Vače, deemed professional public institutions. Some are of from all over of Slovenia who, among other which is located four kilometres away, and is to be one of the richest prehistoric sites in local, and some are of national importance. things, also view the museum collections. The one of the most beautiful botanical gardens Slovenia. At nearby Klenik, there is a scaled- The unofficial centre of the area is Valvasor cultural days are prepared especially Heart of Slovenia is, above all, a tourism in Slovenia. The third trip leads from the up copy of an Iron Age bronze vessel - a undoubtedly Bogenšperk Castle, which is for school kids. Of course, Bogenšerk Castle project, the task of which is to take care of famous village of Komenda, which is one of situla. The museum in Litija is also worth managed by the public organisation bearing is also a popular place to get married, with a the promotion, and also the organization of the oldest Slovenian parishes, and where the seeing. Above Litija lies one of the oldest the same name. We should also mention special wedding ceremony, accompanied by diverse tourist and cultural events designed famous Glavar Benefice House is situated, mines in Slovenia – Sitarjevec, with unique that they have prepared an important the ‘lords of the Castle’. to attract as many domestic and foreign then further on to Suhadole, Moste, Križ, limonite stalactites. exhibition celebrating the 320th anniversary guests as possible to these places. Gmajnica towards Tunjice where, besides The tenth trip includes Šmartno pri Litiji of the Janez Vajkard Valvasor’s membership the famous church, we would also visit a and Bogenšperk Castle, where a famous of the Royal Society. The exhibition entitled Integrating the Traditional healing grove known for its energy springs polymath, Janez Vajkard Valvasor, worked Volčji potok and the Contemporary and sites. between 1672 and 1692. One can reach Moravče One of the most precious things about The fourth trip is dedicated to the old city the castle from Šmartno and from Ivančna Slovenia is its intact countryside, where centre of Kamnik, which abounds with Gorica through the Temenica valley. A numerous interesting traces of the past can sights. Later on, we climb up on Mali grad shorter trip can lead us also to Gradišče na be found, from carefully renovated age- (‘Little Castle’), and from here continue to Primskovem, where we can view the ruins of old castles and churches to archaeological Šutna. Afterwards, we visit the 350-year-old a once-mighty fort. Should we return to the Zagorje findings, museums, remarkable old houses Budnar House Museum in Zgornje Palovče, Sava valley, passing Izlake and Medija Spa, Šmartno pri Litiji Bogenšperk Castle and kozolci (translator’s note: a type of and finish our trip next to the spring of we can set out for Medija Castle, where the Slovenian hay-rack) as an exceptional Kamniška Bistrica River, where there are remains of Valvasor’s family are preserved. At the Slovenian tourism fair in January Slovenian particularity, and also to carefully numerous natural sites of special interest. A The eleventh trip takes us from Litija to at Gospodarsko razstavišče in Ljubljana, run hotels and homely inns, spas and special trip is dedicated to visiting herdsmen Jablanica valley to discover the rich cultural the new trademark Heart of Slovenia was tourist farms. The rhythm of the Slovenian on Velika planina plateau, when we head heritage, taste exceptional home cooking, presented to the public for the first time. countryside is still something exceptional, from Kamniška Bistrica. On the plateau, and make acquaintances with the kind local The designers of the trademark write in the original and underused. Here, there are we must definitely visit the Chapel of St. people. The next, and twelfth, trip takes us Dol pri Ljubljani promotional material that they are presenting always enough opportunities for hiking, Mary of the Snows, Preskar Museum, Tiha among the domestic charcoal-burning men an area in the central part of Slovenia, cycling and horse-back riding in a peaceful dolina with Dovja Griča cave, and enjoy the in Dole pri Litiji. We set out for the Sopota shaped like a heart, which originated around environment, possibilities to research and mountain air. valley, with rests in the homes of charcoal- the very geographical centre of the country. get familiar with individual places and the Among the newer Slovenian places worth burners. The thirteenth trip is dedicated The area includes the municipalities of Dol objects found along the diverse hiking paths, seeing, there is also Terme Snovik in the solely to the Sava River. That is why it starts pri Ljubljani, Domžale, Kamnik, Komenda, and at the same time, to discover diverse Tuhinj valley, falling within the sixth trip. next to the confluence of three rivers – the Litija, Lukovica, Moravče, Šmartno pri Litiji culinary specialities. From here, we head to Motnik, where a Sava, the Ljubljanica and the Kamniška and Trzin. At the moment, the holder of The carefully organised brochure ‘Tips for variety of natural sites of special interest are Bistrica. In the vicinity of Litija, we must the project entitled ‘Knocking on Heritage Experiencing Wanderings in the Heart of located. The seventh trip takes us to the Črni also visit Pogonik Castle, which was once Doors’ is Dol pri Ljubljani. Among the Slovenia’ briefly suggests fifteen attractive Graben valley. The starting point is Lukovica, of exceptional strategic importance. We partner municipalities, Litija and Šmartno trips where you should actually feel Slovenia, with visits to Brdo Castle and the fascinating should also mention that Litija used to be pri Litiji are the most active. This area is not and become familiar with its numerous Beekeeping Centre. We can also stop at an important river port. The fourteenth trip limited only to the aforementioned places, faces. numerous nicely decorated inns, where they is also dedicated to the Sava valley where, but can also include neighbouring Zagorje, The first trip takes us from Trzin through still tell legends about bandits (the stories go among other destinations, we also stop at Trbovlje and Hrastnik, located in the valley Jablje and Domžale to Krumperk and back to the time of Napoleon’s occupation). the Zasavska Sveta gora mountain. On the of Sava River, or on the Dolenjska side, Krtina. Here, let us especially mention the The eighth trip, from Dol pri Ljubljani, is fifteenth trip, among other things, we climb Ivančna Gorica, which prides itself on a special features of Krumperk Castle, where also dedicated to a famous mathematician Mt Kum, which is also called the Zasavje variety of known tourist attractions. the famous Adam Ravbar, who was written who gained an international reputation, Jurij Triglav.

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