03 ISSN 1854-0805 May 2012

The latest from

Slovenia’s public spending is too high

• interview: Janez Šušteršič • art & culture: Compliments to Metka Krašovec • OUR EXCELLENCE: Riko • sports: Following the path of the hockey superpowers • People: The Španzel family • slovenian delights: Manor of Culinary Creativity contents editorial

5 In focus Government meets with trade unions and employers for the first time 8 Slovenia’s membership of the United Nations 10 Interview Janez Šušteršič: Slovenia’s public spending is too high

14 Vesna Žarkovič, Editor Business 16 Balanced Budget Regional development In focus Interview The driving force behind development in Posočje Unfortunately, the Government’s austerity measures have also affected our maga- 20 zine, which from now on will be issued every second month. With various austerity A letter and adjustment measures, the Government plans to save up to 818 million euro, and al- H. E. Mrs Rossella Franchini Sherifis, Iztok Mirošič most 949 million in 2013. ‘Slovenia is not in danger of bankruptcy yet; however, should we fail to show decisiveness and the ability to implement these measures, EU penalties 22 might quickly pose a threat to us. By implementing austerity measures, we would like Art & culture to avoid that,’ cautions Janez Šuštaršič, the of Finance, in this month’s inter- Compliments to Metka Krašovec v i ew. 27 As we mark the 20th anniversary of Slovenia’s membership of the United Nations Our excellence this month, we look back on two decades of Slovenia’s success, in which the country Riko to build a EUR 100 million complex in has been a model to nations aspiring to build peaceful, democratic and prosperous so- Belarus cieties. In the present harsh times, we are delighted that Riko, a successful Slovenian com- 30 Green corner pany, is planning to build a multi-purpose complex in the centre of Minsk, the capital Green corner of Belarus: the five-star Kempinski Hotel and 81 apartments and offices. The construc- Let’s clean Slovenia to make a nicer world tion of the hotel is valued at EUR 57 million, while the cost of the entire complex is 32 estimated at over EUR 100 million. People World Cleanup 2012 was the largest volunteer environmental campaign in history. contents The Španzel family The global initiative started on 24 March in Slovenia and Portugal. More than 270,000 36 volunteers joined the largest all-Slovenian clean-up campaign, Let’s Clean Slovenia, Sports and collected about 5,000 tonnes of waste from 8,000 illegal waste dumps. This was the proof that we can be active citizens and a responsible society. People Following the path of the hockey superpowers Slovenian sportsmen also provided some inspiring moments in the last two months, 38 which saw numerous medals and victories. This year, our jumpers passed five -im Slovenian delights portant milestones: at the World Championship in Vikersund, became Manor of Culinary Creativity the first Slovenian World Champion in ski-flying, and the Slovenian team won the 42 bronze medal in ski-flying. The ski jumpers also made history at the World Society Cup in the team competition in , where Prevc, Kranjec, Tepeš and Šinkovec Third generation homes collected a record total of points at the end of season in the Nations Cup, and also won 44 the first Slovenian team victory in at the ski jump constructed by the broth- ers Vlado and Janez Gorišek. Planica is Slovenia’s candidate for the organisation of the Heritage Nordic World Ski Championship in 2017. At the World Championship in Ruhpolding, Vodnik’s cookbook Art & culture , Slovenian biathlete Jakov Fak won the gold medal in the 20-kilometre race. The sporting news between 15 and 21 April was dominated by the Slovenian hockey Sinfo – Slovenian information aces, that beat all comers at the World Championship Division I Group A, and their ap- Editorial: Government Communication Office, pearance among the elite in 2013 was well-deserved. Director: Anže Logar, Gregorčičeva 25, 1000 Ljubljana, tel. +386 (0) 1 478 2630, fax + 386 (0) 1 251 2312, www.ukom.gov.si The first quarter of ’s year as the European Capital of Culture has already Editor-in-Chief: Valerija Obu passed. Everything that is happening in Maribor and its partner cities of Ptuj, Slovenj Editor: Vesna Žarkovič, [email protected] Our excellence Editorial Board: Mateja Malnar Štembal, Jože Osterman, Polona Prešeren, Gradec, Novo Mesto and Murska Sobota is considerably more than we could have Hana Souček Morača, Nataša Marvin, Manja Kostevc hoped for after all the difficult preparations and given the financial drought caused Photo Editor: Janez Vidrih Production: Nuit d.o.o., Translation: Amidas, DZTPS, by the current crisis. However, claims that what is most important to culture is not Government Translation and Interpretation Division whether events happen in gleaming new halls or known venues that the organisers Printed by: Collegium Graphicum d.o.o., Slovenia, Number of copies: 4600 used to adapt to the circumstances, are constantly being confirmed. Considering the Available also at: www.ukom.gov.si/eng/slovenia/publication/sinfo Cover photo: Dušan Arzenšek actual possibilities, the project is alive and well and attracting large audiences. We are also proud of the restaurant ‘Pri Lojzetu’ at Zemono and Tomaž Kavčič, a Government Communication Office:www.slovenia.si Government Communication Office:www.ukom.gov.si chef with several awards to his credit. He has recently received the award from Dining Government of the Republic of Slovenia: www.vlada.si Guide, the leading Hungarian gourmet guide, for the best restaurant in central Eastern Slovenian Tourist Board: www.slovenia.info Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry: www.gzs.si Europe. There are exceptional people, who have exceptional ideas, but if only left with Slovenian Chamber of Craft: www.ozs.si the latter, they perhaps would not even have been noticed; what is most important is Public Agency for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments: www.japti.si : www.ljse.si exceptional realisation. Ideas alone are not enough, only the entire concept and its re- Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia:www.stat.si alisation count, and that is what distinguishes such people from the rest. State Portal of the Republic of Slovenia: http://e-uprava.gov.si Society Slovenian delights Heritage Sinfo – Slovenian information 3 : in focus : monthly commentary Vesna Žarkovič, photo:STA

Government meets with trade unions and employers for the first time

At the extended meeting of the Economic and Social Council at Brdo pri Kranju, the social partners have begun negotiations for the conclusion of the Social Contract 2012– 2017. The contract is Anže Logar, Director of the Government Communication Office to define the key steps that need to be taken by Slovenia to exit the crisis and implement the structural changes necessary to meet the objectives set – particularly the well-being of the people.

New government – back to the future

At this moment, Slovenia can take no pride in its economic indicators. The Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia has stated that the country has lapsed into recession, while the Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development has forecast development potential to be at one per cent of annual growth of GDP, with a record 6.4 per cent budget deficit in 2011.

Being aware of the seriousness of the situation, the new public finance, the new Government will assign 150 million euros Government led by Janez Janša presented the strategic priorities for tax relief to improve development potential in 2012, mainly of its actions in the first month of its leadership. They attempted by abolishing superfluous administrative burdens, reducing some to resolve the crisis gradually; first, by preparing an integrated taxes, and by relief for investment in research and development. package of actions to balance public finance. They prepared a draft These are key commitments from the coalition agreement which supplementary budget, which sets the upper limit for the budget are intended to give a boost to the economy. deficit to 3 per cent of GDP and anticipates the rationalisation of the Numerous reforms await the Government in the next phase. public administration, and also an amendment to the Constitution From labour reform ensuring flexicurity and health reform to of the Republic of Slovenia with the addition of the fiscal rule from keep the health budget sustainable, to pension scheme reform, Article 3 of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the purpose of which is to fairly distribute the burden of the aging the Economic and Monetary Union. Parliament ratified the Treaty population. on 18 April, making Slovenia the second EU Member State to include When the Government took office, they promised to focus on it in national legislation. the goals in the coalition agreement. With 12 instead of 18 ministers, At the same time, the Government engaged in social dialogue. The the current government is substantially more agile, responsive discussions began with a verification of the starting points for a new and unified. Together with the Prime Minister, who distinguished social contract for 2012-2016 under the auspices of the Economic himself with a successful presidency of the EU Council in the first and Social Council, which has been preparing the contents and the half of 2008, the government team has the firm intention of bringing text of the basic social contract with employers and trade unions. Slovenia back to the path of a growing, development-oriented and Despite rigorous measures and iron discipline in the field of real world-oriented economy that is open to foreign investments.

4 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 5 : in focus : : :

Employers show moderate President of the Confederation satisfaction, trade unions of Trade Unions of Slovenia less convinced (PERGAM) also favoured the inclusion of the judicial branch Milan Lukič – President of of power in the contract, and the Association of Employers of Slo- advocated that representatives venia: “The proposed contents of agronomy, which is an im- presented today are mostly in portant part of the Slovenian line with those prepared by economy, should be invited to employers. We cannot but agree participate in the contract. with the assessment of the situ- ation prepared by the Govern- At the end of the meet- ment. We would like, however, ing, Prime Minister Janez to highlight the extreme struc- Janša replied to the concerns tural discrepancy between the expressed. With regard to the loss of employment in the real public sector, he pointed out sector and the increased num- that some European countries ber of public servants, retired which had experienced a simi- people and the unemployed. lar, or even smaller, reduction Our association will certainly in GDP than Slovenia reduced endorse the postulates and will their public sectors by 10%, endeavour to start negotiations 15% or even more. He added with social partners as soon as that the same reduction was possible. There will certainly be also applied to public servant’s substantial differences in the salaries in some countries. In approach to the preparation of this respect he quoted the case specific structural measures. On 27 February 2012 the Slovenia badly, shows no sings justice, work, responsibil- Dušan Semolič – President payment discipline. He pro- consider this to be an impor- of Germany, which concluded Government briefed the so- of abating – quite the opposite, ity and solidarity,” assured The real sector of the economy of the Association of Free Trade poses the introduction of a fi- tant guarantee that there will has already paid the highest 2011 with growth of more than cial partners on the country’s in fact, as the EU faces reces- the Prime Minister, proposing Unions of Slovenia: “The road to nancial transaction tax and an be no unilateral intervention 3%, but nevertheless decided that a firm fiscal framework price. If we want to resolve the getting the contract signed will extension of the progressive macroeconomic and fiscal sion. In the future we will be in the status of the employed, to reduce salaries in the pub- status. “In the revised national confronted with the unenvi- be defined and an agreement current situation, this will not be be rough. It is essential to un- tax. He believes that restart- the retired and other demo- lic sector by 2.5%. In Slovenia, budget, public spending will able task of not only saving reached on an effective and possible without touching the derstand who caused the cri- ing the economy is the key graphics. Further, let me point the number of civil servants have to be reduced by approx- our own country, but other efficient public administra- public sector, but we propose to sis; if not, we will not be able solution. “The question is not out that the number of people grew by 4.4% between 2008 imately EUR 800 million,” ex- countries too, as we are part of tion and sustainable eco- do this not just by cutting jobs to prevent it from returning. whether we support the lay- employed in the public sector and 2010. He considers it un- plained Prime Minister Janez the European area.” nomic development. Other or salaries, but by looking for Structural reforms should be off of workers or lower wages. is growing in all developed Eu- usual that at the same time Janša, who also said that he The Minister of Finance, areas covered by the contract professionals who are capable implemented in the financial The real question is what to do ropean countries, while layoffs the economy lost 50,000 jobs, is open to proposals from so- Janez Šušteršič, presented the will be the labour market and of effectively managing their institutions that created the to create quality new jobs and in this sector were seen mostly the public sector increased by cial and other political part- bases for the revised budget employment, pay policy and sectors, much in the same way crisis, but the entire burden stimulate economic growth.” in East European countries.” 8,000 jobs, while the Govern- ners on issues related to fiscal underlining the fact that, in knowledge as the basis for de- as in companies. It is vital that is instead shouldered by the ment “did not undertake any consolidation and structural terms of the country’s eco- velopment and a social policy the public sector evolves into an social state and the workers. Branimir Štrukelj – Con- Igor Antauer, Secretary-Gen- commitments justifying such changes. The first step will be nomic capacity, this year’s tailored to people’s needs. efficient service.” I sincerely hope that negotia- federation of Public Sector Trade eral of the Association of Employ- to define the contents of the budget revenue must not ex- The Prime Minister also tions will result in the contract Unions of Slovenia: “The question increase”. The Prime Minister ers in Craft and Small Business of social contract for the period ceed EUR 8 billion, while the proposed an agreement on Tatjana Čerin – Chamber of being signed. I think that 20 as to what will happen to the considers the reduction of the Slovenia said that the proposed up to 2015, which the Gov- upper ceiling of budget expen- the way in which the social Commerce and Industry of Slovenia: June is a realistic time limit for welfare state in Slovenia has public sector to be necessary, ernment would like to adopt diture will be below EUR 9 bil- contract is formulated. “We “The proposed contents of the the adoption of the contract; not been adequately answered. contents of the social contract, as without this step no serious before 20 June 2012. The docu- lion (EUR 9.4 billion last year). want the contents to be agreed social contract are correct, and hopefully the revised budget, We would like to know wheth- in his opinion, did not suffi- structural adaptation to the sit- ment will contain the points The revised budget is expected upon as soon as possible,” he the macroeconomic and social which is scheduled for April, er this means a tacit consent ciently emphasise the role to uation is feasible, but adds that on which all the social actors to be adopted by the National stressed, suggesting that the picture is realistic. For the past will not be decided upon with- for a permanent reduction of be played by the rule of law the Government will try to do it agree concerning the key de- Assembly in April, and the relationship should be found- three years we have been ask- out dialogue”. the welfare state; if so, it is nec- and legal security. Janez Posedi, as gently as possible. velopment challenges and an- Minister of Finance will then ed on equality from the very ing the Government to act and to Semolič argues that wages essary to define in the social ti-crisis measures that need to present the first package of tax start. He further proposed a implement structural reforms, are not the enemy of the econ- contract the how, the who and be taken; going forward, it will measures. The Government period of fourteen days during to no avail; it is now high time omy, and that without wage the when of the participation also include a decision on the intends to exercise fiscal pru- which all social partners will that things change. In the same increases and strengthening in the positive effects, when possible course of structural dence, and Mr Šušteršič be- be able to prepare and submit period the budget revisions labour rights there can be no we are finally out of the abyss. changes. Prime Minister Janša lieves that savings can be made comments and proposals to were mostly intended to calm exit from the crisis, but only “a Our confederation will partici- reiterated his invitation to in material costs and public the contract. social tensions; however, I dis- downward spiral that will de- pate in the talks without preju- the opposition parties to par- procurement. Ministers have The working party pre- agree that the crisis only affected stroy everything”. dice and a priori opinions. But ticipate. “The greater the level already begun reviewing their pared a draft document con- workers; let me remind you of “In the process of coordi- we expect the Government to of consent and the degree of budgets in order to establish taining alternative solutions how many companies were de- nating the budget there are no keep its promises. We therefore understanding in society, the whether all the programmes within seven days. The coor- clared bankrupt and wound up. rapid solutions,” he said, high- propose that the proposed con- more successful we will be currently being implemented dination procedures should be The fact is that it is necessary to lighting the need to focus on tents of the social contract in- in resolving the problems we are actually necessary and completed by no later than 20 ease the burden on Slovenia’s the revenue side of the budget, clude the statement signed last face,” said the Prime Minis- yielding appropriate results. June, as the Intervention Act entrepreneurs, create new jobs, uncollected taxes, and issues December by the political par- ter, adding that “the current “The goals of the contract applies only until the end of generate higher added value and regarding public procurement, ties concerning the agreement economic crisis, which has hit reflect the values of freedom, that month. raise productivity.” the grey economy and poor on the Intervention Act. We

6 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 7 : in focus : : :

Yury Fedotov, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna

As we mark the 20th anniversary of Slovenia’s membership of the United Nations this month, we look back on two decades of a country’s success, in which Slovenia has been a model to nations Slovenia’s membership of the United Nations: aspiring to build peaceful, democratic and prosperous societies. Indeed, it has been a particularly esteemed and respected member Marking two decades of success and looking ahead of the global community, and a strong and dedicated contributor to advancing the work of the United Nations. This commitment to the United Nations is embodied at the highest level of Government by Slovenia’s President Danilo Türk, who was the country’s very first Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

More than ever before, the 120,000 peacekeepers de- achieving international peace the young generation. There members of the United Na- ployed to help conflict-torn and security. are more young people in the tions are faced with challeng- societies around the world There are also less well- world today than ever before. es that underline the essential today. known aspects to the work of Our job is to listen to them and relevance of this Organization As Director-General of the the United Nations in Vienna to meet their expectations. and the multilateralism it em- United Nations Office at -Vi that provide a critical contri- It is therefore particularly bodies. enna, I am heading one of four bution to our global agenda encouraging that, to mark the The dimensions within our United Nations headquarters and indeed to our daily lives. twentieth anniversary of the world are changing. Technol- worldwide–and the one clos- These include setting stan- country’s UN membership, the ogy has diminished physi- est to Slovenia—but also a hub dards that facilitate inter- Government of Slovenia has cal distance, moving us more of very key parts of the Unit- national trade, or the work chosen to publish an infor- closely together. But the di- ed Nations family that play of the United Nations Office mation resource for teachers visions of inequity too have a central role in the United for Outer Space Affairs that and pupils on the work of the become greater. The UN Con- Nations agenda to secure the makes the benefits of space United Nations, in cooperation ference on Sustainable Devel- global goods of development, technology available to devel- with the United Nations Infor- opment, to be held in Rio de peace and security and human oping nations, for uses includ- mation Service Vienna, with a Janeiro from 20 to 22 June this rights. ing sustainable development, corresponding web portal in year, will be a clear testament Transnational organized natural resource management, for teachers of the need to work together crime and the illicit drug trade disaster mitigation and com- and young people. and an historic opportunity undermine security and can munications. Twenty years from now, to bring about real change by evolve into major threats to The late UN Secretary- both Slovenia and the world setting a new development stability, human rights and General Dag Hammarsk- will have undergone changes agenda and galvanizing prog- development. No government jold said: “The UN is not just that today are impossible to ress towards a sustainable fu- can face these multinational a product of do-gooders. It predict. The past twenty years ture. criminal networks without in- is harshly real. The day will have confirmed, however, The spectrum of the Or- ternational cooperation. come when men will see the what the country’s Govern- ganization’s roles in promot- Energy is central to elimi- UN and what it means clearly… ment foresaw when it under- ing international peace and nating poverty and a pivotal When people, just people, stop took to become a member of security is expanding. Human role is played by the Vienna- thinking of the United Nations the United Nations: that the Rights today is an integral pri- based members of the UN as a weird Picasso abstraction, United Nations is the right ve- ority of the United Nations, family in this field. and see it as a drawing they hicle to navigate challenges, so Peacekeeping, initially not Nuclear non-proliferation made themselves”. that, over the upcoming two mentioned in the United Na- and disarmament, also key A central component of decades, we can leave today’s tions Charter, is today a flag- components of the United promoting public owner- children and young people a ship activity of the Organiza- Nations work in Vienna, are ship and responsibility for the world worth living in. tion, with an unprecedented not lofty ideals, but central to United Nations is to engage

8 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 9 interview

Vesna Žarkovič Photo: STA

“Slovenia has not been threatened terity measures. The level of -pub with bankruptcy yet, but it is true lic spending in Slovenia is too high. that – unless we ourselves show de- Public spending should immediately termination and ability to take the be adjusted to real abilities and now Janez Šušteršič: necessary measures – we may very is the opportunity to do so through soon be facing restrictive measures the measures proposed,” stressed imposed by the EU. We would like the new Government’s Minister of Slovenia’s public spending is too high to avoid this by introducing aus- Finance.

There’s a difficult term of approximately EUR 800 million cost-saving measures will also party reproaching the Govern- office ahead of you. How do you less than the figure for 2011. Of apply to payments for kinder- ment for not doing enough to feel in the role of the finance this, a quarter of savings are to garten, school meals, subsidies increase budget revenues. They minister in a period of reces- be yielded through a linear re- to students for monthly trans- suggest increasing the highest sion? duction of public sector wages portation pass, etc. These are, of rate of VAT by two percentage It is demanding indeed, but by 10% as of 1 July, while simul- course, only the starting points, points. What stance do you ex- the term must be run until its taneously making the third step, the budget revision is still open pect the trade unions to take? end. which is the elimination of wage to negotiations with the trade We expect them to under- disparities. unions. stand the seriousness of the sit- The most important objec- uation we face and provide their tive in your term of office is... What do measures in this The latest development is proposals for better solutions, ... a balanced budget. field include? the incorporation of the golden but I certainly do not expect our The abolishment or merg- fiscal rule into the Constitution. proposals to be rejected out of For this reason, public ex- ing of public institutions and What does it provide for? hand. penditure is to be reduced by agencies, the reduction of rates The constitutional rule will ten percent – this is EUR 800 of daily allowance and mileage, regulate the balancing of the You would like to reduce million. What will the revised the reduction of price standards budget in such a way that all de- the burden on the economy by budget bring about? How do for medical technical devices, tails concerning the steps to be up to EUR 200 million and for you plan to make it feasible? the reduction of transfers to taken during the recession will budget revenues to decrease to The Ministry of Finance pre- municipalities, the streamlining be laid down in a special law the same extent. Will economic sented a range of measures for of public service activities, the to be adopted by a two-thirds growth be stronger as a result? balancing the public finances postponement of payment to the majority vote. The new ar- It is a relief in the amount and an explanation to the trade and the re- ticle in the Constitution should of EUR 150 million per year and unions that these were the start- duction of allowance payable to then be swiftly adopted, which a set of amendments which ing points of the Government. deputies and changes to norms should then be followed by should boost the economy: first- This year, the deficit should be in kindergartens. The public the adoption of the law with a ly, a 40% increase in tax relief on reduced by 3% of GDP. In the sector savings are expected to clear framework as to how fis- investments and the lower level past years, the deficit was high amount to EUR 402 million this cal policy is to be conducted. to be increased to EUR 60,000; and it became increasingly dif- year, EUR 408 million next year; Our goal will be to reduce the and, secondly, an increase in tax ficult to finance it; the results of this, the reduction of public budget deficit to a level of 3% of reliefs on research and devel- were not satisfactory – nei- sector wages should yield EUR GDP. If the economic conditions opment investments for com- ther in the sphere of economic 317 million this year, and EUR are favourable, the deficit can mercial companies and sole growth nor in the field of em- 262 million next year. As regards be eliminated by the end of this proprietors. The third measure is ployment. Consequently, the investments, subsidies and pro- term of office. Failing this, the designed to reduce the corporate Government is sending to the grammes, the Government ex- rule allows for a certain deficit tax rate to 18% and then by one National Assembly a proposal pects to save approximately EUR during a recession, but not as percentage point each year up to for the revised budget which 150 million per year, mainly on high as is currently the case. 15%, while the objective of the would reduce the spending by account of reducing subsidies to final measure is to shift the low- more than one billion euros, the economic sector. Further- The trade unions stress er limit of personal income tax thus allowing the reduction of more, the reduction of an annu- that the measures will rigor- bracket 41 to 1.5 times the aver- the budget deficit to three per- al grant to pensioners has been ously shrink the welfare state age wage. All measures should cent of gross domestic product envisaged, where the savings and have already organised a start to apply during the year. (GDP). Expenditure may not are expected to amount to over general strike. The measures They will have an immediate exceed EUR 9 billion, which is EUR 60 million per year; the are opposed by the opposition effect on the economy, invest-

10 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 11 ments and employment or the there are no measures that will interest rates. Until the situa- the pension reform; the ques- it is also necessary to distin- higher than the average; since ulation of economic growth Are layoffs also planned for household consumption. With- bring results overnight. The em- tion stabilises, the credit rating tion was how to distribute the guish between two matters: the the recession, it has been lower and the creation of new jobs. the public sector? out doubt, these are stimulating phasis therefore is on tax sim- will continue to be downgraded; burden fairly. We need to talk achievement of certain public than the average. This is bad and How are these objectives to be This is the easiest way, which measures for the economy. We plifications, a more favourable however, the recent years have openly. The Government has as- goals through property where points to our structural prob- achieved? does not affect all equally. We do not have estimates of how tax environment and better shown that, with respect to rat- sumed its role, we are in a hurry this is justifiable and where this lems. The fact that a 6% defi- Internal measures will con- need to look for the reserves this will influence the economy, control. We intend to carry out ings and interest rates, the in- to adopt the revised budget with is a matter of professional man- cit did not help also shows that tribute to some extent: tax in- and consider if all jobs are indis- but it is undoubtedly a positive some of the ideas put forward by vestors distinguish among the a view to balancing the budget agement of shares, and the re- problems lie elsewhere and that centives, the simplification of pensable and if we can finance set of measures. the previous Government, such countries. We expect that Slove- for this year; and while dealing structuring of companies, which they are structural in nature. We the business environment, pro- them with EUR 9 billion. The cut as reassigning customs officers nia will successfully implement with it we cannot open the mat- can be carried out by experts. In are about to address this issue. cedures for obtaining building down on expenses also results Have you set any limit to who will now be less engaged in the policy that we have an- ters that need more time to be Slovenia, there are a number of permits, the functioning of the in the reduction of programmes, which public spending can be the field of shadow economy. I nounced and that we will suc- peacefully discussed. At Brdo, institutions with different terms The main objective and rule of law, payment discipline, which means that all jobs are no reduced? do not expect sweeping changes ceed in reducing the deficit, stop the trade unions indicated they of office – here, the system measures envisaged by the attracting investment to Slove- longer necessary. This is a mat- To the level of revenues if we to happen overnight. It is a pro- the growth in borrowing, suc- would be prepared to accept the needs to be simplified, which is Government to implement the nia ... the interest is there, but ter of decision left to be made by are to conclude this term of of- cess in which the mentality of cessfully carry out the recapital- proposal that was rejected at the a task about to be undertaken. coalition programme are to en- so far, we could not make suffi- the ministers individually, there fice without a deficit. people has to change. Therefore, isation of banks and, as a result, referendum as a starting point to sure that, from 2013 onwards, cient efforts, i.e. we have not yet is no common objective. The I do not count on any additional stop the decline in ratings. discuss acceptable adjustments Is the economic situation in Slovenia will develop at a rate demonstrated sufficient cred- estimates show that soft layoffs Where will you look for in- revenues or some new resourc- for both parties. If this is feasi- Slovenia worse than elsewhere exceeding the EU average and ibility. A part of our tax changes may yield about 1% saving per vestors in NLB? You have point- es. When this is received, every- Slovenia does not avail itself ble, then matters can be resolved in the EU? increase employment, thereby will ease the burden on jobs; in year. ed out that the recapitalisation thing will be much easier. If we sufficiently of the funding op- very quickly; otherwise, we will It is worse than in many oth- improving the standard of liv- this way, the resulting economic of banks through private capital succeed, in two year’s time the portunities provided by the EIB. have to start planning the reform er countries; until the recession, ing and welfare. In this regard, growth will be conducive to is one of the key measures re- level of public spending will be Despite fiscal limitations, the all over again, which will take our economic growth was ap- the three key objectives are increasing the rate of employ- quired to overcome the current reduced to a lesser extent. Government wants to launch a considerably more time. A swift proximately 2 percentage points fiscal consolidation, the stim- ment. crisis. new investment cycle. To what response would undoubtedly On the basis of the sectoral How do you intend to con- extent can the EIB help? What send a positive signal abroad. In strategy adopted, the Govern- vince the international com- financial potential are we talk- my opinion, too much attention ment took decisions in two im- munity that Slovenia is a ing about? is paid to the reform; the reform portant areas. The first decision credible partner for foreign in- We have several options; the is irrelevant in the short-term; refers to the state’s stake in NLB, vestors? EIB potential depends on the its relevance, however, is essen- which is to be reduced to 25% I know that people living quality of the projects prepared. tial in the long-term and taken and one share, which means abroad who are interested in We have already established as a signal that we are able to that room is given to new in- Slovenia are well aware of what contacts; a meeting is sched- agree on a range of unpalatable vestors to recapitalise the bank; is happening; they see chang- uled to be held shortly; we have measures that are to follow and the second decision authorises es when they take place. NLB invited the European Commis- that it is not the only touchstone our ministry to form a negotiat- will be an important test as to sionaire responsible for regional in discussions with partners. ing team. Thus far, the team has whether we are ready to follow development so that we can re- met twice and prepared starting the guidelines announced, and view the drawing on European You have also announced points, which are to be present- whether we are able to deliver. funds. We are determined to get tax changes. ed to potential investors. Some We will also have to demon- the wheels in motion. It is about We still have to regulate the have already expressed initial strate our resolve in other areas, more favourable loans. flat-rate taxation of micro en- interest. The investor who enters and that we will not change our terprises and sole proprietors; as the owner will want to have mind. Of course, every country The Government, however, there has been no objection to certain rights, but the state will, has areas it wants to keep for postponed structural reforms this, but we need to further de- of course, look to protect its 25% itself. In our case, this is infra- until next year, but there are fine the solutions. It is neces- stake. Some matters also still structure and partial ownership warnings issued on a regular sary to consider what the most need to be settled with regard to of the financial sector. basis from the international in- appropriate solution would be the bank management system. stitutions, recently again from with regard to our situation. Slovenia’s credit rating has the European Commission, You have also announced been downgraded by Moody’s that Slovenia is not ambitious You also intended to change a better control of the shadow three times this year and the EC enough with regard to pension the attitude towards the eco- economy. How can this con- identified us as one of 12 coun- reform. In light of this, do you nomic sector and the state’s tribute towards increasing tax tries that need to undergo a think that we should try with role in it. revenues? thorough analysis of its macro- the reform as soon as this year? We need to clearly define Improved control of the economic situation. What mea- We are, of course, aware of responsibilities. As regards leg- shadow economy could bring sures will you take? the great importance of pen- islation, the simplification of the savings of between 10–25% of The credit rating downgrade sion reform; nevertheless, our administration will obviously GDP. According to certain cal- always hits a larger group of coalition agreement has left the lessen the impact of the state culations, the savings could countries; the entire euro area, solutions relatively pending be- on the economy; as regards the amount to EUR 200 million, with the exception of some cause we need to discuss them ownership influence, we need maybe even twice that figure. countries, is dealing with a with social partners, there is no to agree on the system where We will establish a working credibility issue: firstly, because other way. We would like the the management will be left to group which, together with the of a low economic growth, and negotiations to be constructive. professionals. We need to define representatives of the econo- secondly, because some coun- The previous term of office has what is in the public interest my, will examine the economic tries in the euro area are heav- revealed that the trade unions and responsibility for this must measures proposed; however, ily indebted and paying high did not deny the urgency of be assumed by the Government;

12 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 13 ECONOMIC COOPERATION Marko Šiška, photo: STA BusinessBusiness Annual press conference of the Slovenian- German Chamber of Commerce and Industry The Slovenian-German Cham- companies believe that the situ- ber of Commerce and Industry ation is bad, with 55% predict- has been following the develop- ing that things will get worse in GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT ment of the Slovenian invest- the future. The presentation put ment environment and the sat- forward some possible solutions Slovenia’s economy slips back isfaction of German investors to increase exports and acceler- into recession with the location factor since ate economic growth: a focus on 2006. A great deal of attention shortage occupations, reducing In the last quarter of 2011, the and the first half of 2011. Do- has been paid to the promo- the tax burden on enterprises, gross domestic product (GDP) mestic consumption has also tion of the Slovenian invest- the acceleration of administra- business awards showed a real term decline of sharply fallen, and was 4.4 ment environment in Germany. tive procedures, transparency in 2.8 % on the same period last % less than in the same pe- This year’s poll is not encourag- public procurement, labour law year. In comparison to the riod of the preceding year. GZS Awards for Outstanding Economic ing. As many as 73% of German flexibility, and legal certainty. third quarter, economic activ- This decline is due to smaller ity decreased by 0.7 %, con- household final consump- and Business Achievements sidering seasonal and working tion expenditure (1.8 % less), At its 44th award ceremony, the Bartec Varnost (development day adjustment. The GDP has smaller final consumption Slovenian Chamber of Com- and production of explosion- been decreasing for several expenditure incurred by the merce and Industry (GZS) pre- protected electric devices); consecutive quarters, suggest- state (2.8 % less) and smaller sented awards for outstanding Marko Kobal from Europlakat ing that Slovenia’s economy is investment expenditure (12.3 achievements in economy and (advertising); Marko Lotrič slipping back into recession % less). In most sectors, the entrepreneurship. The awards from the Lotrič Laboratory of (defined as a decline in eco- added value also decreased in were presented to nine busi- Metrology; Marjan Mačkošek nomic activity for two or more real terms in the last quarter ness people who, according to from the Štore Steel plant; consecutive quarters). of 2011. In the manufacturing the Chamber’s President Samo Miroslav Pikovnik from the In the last quarter of 2011, sector, it decreased by 2.6 % Hribar Milič, come from com- Unija accountancy bureau, and growth was positively influ- in relation to a year earlier; in panies that have succeeded to Gregor Pipan from Xlab (IT de- FOREIGN INVESTMENT enced by foreign demand, the construction industry by maintain growth and develop velopment). which is weakening, unfor- 15.5 % less; in trade, transport further, and to be innovative GZS promotes the development Investment in the South Stream gas pipeline a tunately. A comparison of the and catering by 1.5 %; and in and provide new jobs under the and innovation-supported ori- major opportunity for Slovenia’s economy last quarters of 2001 and 2010 technical, scientific and simi- current aggravated economic entation of Slovenian compa- shows a 3 % increase in ex- lar sectors by 0.5 %. The over- conditions. nies. In selecting the 2011 award The companies Plinovodi and the Management Committee THE ECONOMY ports of goods and services, all added value dropped by 2.0 The winners of ‘economic Os- winners, the award committee Gazprom signed a Supple- of Gazprom met with Slo- which is considerably less % in comparison with the last cars’ for 2011 are: Janez Bijol therefore updated the assess- mentary Agreement to the venian Prime Minister Janez than in the last half of 2010 quarter of 2010. from Bijol (assembly, devel- ment criteria and placed greater Prime Minister Janez Janša meets South Stream Slovenia LLC Janša to discuss the South opment and sale of mobile emphasis on development co- business representatives Shareholders Agreement, the Stream project. The South cranes); Franc Frelih from Plas- operation, particularly in R&D, final phase before the es- Stream gas pipeline will enter ta (production of polyethylene the protection of intellectual The Prime Minister of the Re- of tax burdens (labour costs, a public of Slovenia, Janez Janša, contribution cap, excise duties, tablishment of a joint proj- Slovenia at Lendava, connect OECD films and bags); Boštjan Gorjup property, exports to demanding ect company. The document, to the existing gas network from BSH Hišni Aparati (affili- markets, cooperation in Euro- held a working meeting at the fees, the price of monopolised which defines the key phases at Kidričevo, and will prob- beginning of April with mem- resources such as gas, etc), the Creating jobs is crucial ate of the German producer of pean programmes, and on inte- and the scope of the part of the ably cross the Italian border household appliances Bosch gration into Slovenian and Eu- bers of the Slovenian Chamber elimination of administrative gas pipeline in Slovenia, was at Rateče. The pipeline in Slo- The Organisation for Econom- fiscal consolidation. In coun- Siemens); Simona Klukej from ropean development initiatives. of Commerce and Industry, and burdens, access to finance (the signed by Marjan Eberlinc and venia will have a capacity of ic Cooperation and Develop- tries that experience renewed the management board of the banking sector, foreign invest- Alexey Miller, the President of at least 25 billion cubic meters ment (OECD) has published economic slack, it will be im- Manager’s Association of Slo- ment), the implementation of the Board of Plinovodi and the of natural gas per year, ex- its report, ‘Economic Policy portant that economic policy sav i n g venia. During the discussions, structural reforms (labour law, Chairman of the Management ceeding domestic consump- Reforms: Going for Growth reforms draw on the lessons the business representatives health, pension) and the new Committee of Gazprom, re- tion almost twentyfold. Prime 2012’, in which it assesses learned during the economic in attendance expressed their development strategy. After spectively. At the same time, Minister Janša highlighted the progress made on structural crisis. ‘Smart Saving’ Project strong support for the Slove- the meeting, the Prime Minis- work on the project, which important role to be played reforms in the OECD and BRI- Slovenia is one of the coun- While drafting the revised tive proposals by people who nian Government’s efforts in ter said it is important for the is being carried out by Plino- by the Ministry of Infrastruc- ICS countries. tries assessed in the report. budget, the Ministry of Finance are concerned that the govern- preparing measures to achieve Government that the measures vodi and Gazprom in compli- ture and Spatial Planning in One of the conclusions of the The OECD recommends that has been receiving numerous ment’s or their own institu- fiscal balance, and, especially, proposed have the economic ance with the Agreement be- the implementation of the report is that the pace of re- Slovenia reduce state own- proposals on how the govern- tion’s spending is not prudent in preparing measures to give sector’s support; he also un- tween the Government of the project, particularly with re- forms, measured in relation ership in network industries ment should save money. The enough, but who to date had no new impetus to the economy. derlined that the incorporation Republic of Slovenia and the gard to its location. Mr Janša to the previous issue of ‘Going (telecommunication, energy) ministry has decided to collect means of making this known They highlighted the expecta- of the golden fiscal rule into Government of the Russian and Mr Miller agreed that the for Growth’, was greater over- and boost competition by fa- citizens’ opinions and propos- to the institutions responsible. tions of the Slovenian econo- the Constitution was of para- Federation on Cooperation in one-billion euro investment all than before the crisis. Ac- cilitating the entry of new als, within the larger debate on Proposals may be sent to the my regarding the functioning mount importance, and will Construction and Operation is a great opportunity for the cording to the OECD and given firms in network industries. It saving, in which economists, email address: mf.varcujmo- of the rule of law (fighting the also have a positive impact on of the Gas Pipeline on the Ter- Slovenian economy, and an what has been done in the re- further recommends changes businessmen and trade union [email protected]. More in- shadow economy, the trans- the economy. He went on to ritory of the Republic of Slo- important step forward in the cent years, priority should be to be introduced in the area of representatives are already formation is available on the parency of public procure- say that the meeting was per- venia, is rapidly progressing. efforts for higher economic given to policies that can boost labour and retirement legisla- participating. The ministry will web site of the Ministry of Fi- ment, the efficiency of judicial meated with a rather high dose Alexey Miller, Chairman of and employment growth. jobs in the context of on-going tion. carefully examine all construc- nance. administration), the reduction of optimism.

14 Government Communication Office 15 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

accomplishment of operative Programmes and tasks regarding the preparation projects encouraging the and implementation of public development of the local tenders in the aforementioned area Tatjana Šalej Faletič , photo: Posočje Regional centre archives programme enables the appli- Bovec cants concerned, (i.e. business- The key programme in- es) to draw on as much funds as tended for the Upper Posočje possible within the envisaged area, as already mentioned, is financial scheme limits. the Soča Development Pro- Kobarid gramme (first drawn up for The driving force behind The driving force behind the period 2002–2006, but Tolmin development in the Upper then extended to 2007–2013). Posočje area This programme’s funds are development in Posočje mostly used to encourage en- Cerkno Over the years, the activities trepreneurial investment, the carried out by the PRC gradually education and training of the ITA Kanal increased. At present the PRC employed, the creation of new and its 24 employees constitute jobs, and youth scholarships. Dobrovo The story of Posočje Regional Centre (PRC) began in 1999 following the Easter earthquake, which had a lasting the driving force behind devel- In addition, the local area opment in the Upper Posočje development includes infor- effect on the Posočje region. At that time, in order to accelerate the development of the region, three Posočje Nova Gorica Idrija area by running various proj- mal education programmes municipalities – Bovec, Kobarid and Tolmin – founded the PRC. Šempeter ects, programmes and activities aimed at various local popula- Ajdovšcina for the needs of the local pop- tion target groups. In the Up- Miren- ulation, businesses and local per Posočje area, the PRC in Kostanjevica communities. In essence this fact “substituted” the “people’s Vipava means that it tries to attract as universities” operating in ma- many EU-financed projects to jor centres via the introduction this part of the country as pos- of practically all informal adult sible, including the added value education programmes, which these have for the local popula- are generally financed from EU tion. These are projects of local, funds and made available to At first the PRC offered -as 2006. The earthquake in 2004 regional, cross-border and in- the participants free of charge. sistance to entrepreneurs and resulted in the programme im- ternational importance. In this way, it has made a vital the unemployed, but in 2002 plementation being extended In this way the PRC attempts contribution to increasing the assumed the role of coordina- until 2013. ‘’Until then, work- to encourage the development number of people involved in tor in the implementation of the ing on this programme will of the area situated along Slove- life-long learning. Each year Programme to Foster Develop- be a priority for our institute,” nia’s western border, which in relevant programmes incor- ment in Posočje 2002–2006, stressed its director, Almira terms of traffic still seems dis- porate different target groups, the short form of which is the Pirih, who is well aware of the tant from larger centres at the including the rural population, Soča Development Programme fact that the timely and quality national and regional level. the unemployed, the elderly, school dropouts, migrants, etc. These programmes are carried out in all three Posočje munici- palities with the aim of bring- ing the PRC closer to the local population. The printed periodical EPI- center, which has been pub- lished by the institute for the past 12 years, is aimed at the local population with a view to raising awareness of its ac- tivities, which includes en- couraging the development of Posočje. It can also be viewed at www.prc.si.

PRC operation within the region

Soon after its establish- ment, the PRC joined up with three other development agen- cies (the ICRA from Idrija, the RRA from Vrtojba, Northern

16 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 17 Primorska and the ROD from The PRC is the institu- Ajdovščina) to form the North- tion responsible for the Re- ern Primorska Network Re- gional Scholarship Scheme; gional Development Agency, this includes employers from which covers an area of 13 mu- throughout the region who nicipalities in Northern Primor- mainly require technical job ska (Goriška statistical region); profiles for their further devel- through joint efforts, these opment. Scholarships within ensure the implementation of the said scheme, which in- various regional programmes cludes participation by some 40 and projects, thereby provid- small- and large-sized employ- ing for the further development ers and the majority of munici- of the region through a range palities, are paid both from EU of activities (entrepreneurship, and municipal funds. Some 50 human resources development, to 70 new scholarship recipi- the environment and spatial ents are added to the scheme Alma Pirih, Director of Posočje Regional Centre planning, rural development each year, mostly for the needs and tourism). Naturally, the of Kolektor and Hidria – two wholly practical projects. One a result, enhance their visibility relevant regional development large-sized companies from the such project is aimed at estab- and competitiveness within the programmes are prepared by Idrija-Cerkljansko area. lishing a circular cycling route to entire EU context. the aforementioned regional link Posočje and the entire Slo- In this context, one can- development agencies. Cross-border and venian border area with the cor- not overlook the Bovec airport In addition to its activi- international cooperation responding Italian border area, construction project, which is ties in the development agency and at providing visitors with all implemented by the Municipal- network, the PRC is involved The location and the natural the information available on this ity of Bovec as a lead partner in in carrying out certain regional and cultural features of the Up- interesting tourist route. the IPA Adriatic programme. tasks. For example, it manages per Posočje area in themselves The PRC and other eligible Finally, through the quality the local action group LAG for facilitate and encourage cross- applicants from Upper Posočje and professional implementa- development, which provides border cooperation through are increasingly preparing to par- tion of its various activities, the for rural development in the various projects. These bring ticipate in international projects PRC attempts to get closer to the hilly part of Northern Primor- together the PRC, local commu- within the framework of vari- needs of the local population. To ska (an area which comprises nities, businesses, associations ous territorial cooperation pro- this end, certain activities (vari- seven municipalities). Relevant and institutions. grammes, such as Alpine space, ous education programmes, activities within this context are The beginnings of cross-bor- Central Europe and IPA Adriatic. workshops, and similar) are car- financed with European money der cooperation between Slove- In these projects, PRC has always ried out in all three Posočje mu- (LEADER funds). Case referenc- nia and Italy within the PHARE pursued the aim of considering nicipalities, while other projects, es abound, since LAG for devel- CBC programme go back to 1994. and providing proper solutions including those which are cross- opment has been successful in In the first three years, the funds to problems relating to the local border and international in na- carrying out over 40 new proj- were partially intended for the communities or businesses origi- ture, are to be tackled in cooper- ects. To mention but a few ex- implementation of small-scale nating from Upper Posočje. ation with local environmental amples of good practice, we are projects, which was also ben- One such project seeks to institutions; on one hand, this proud to say that the applicants eficial for the PRC. We have re- encourage the use of local re- approach contributes to resolv- concerned provided for the fol- cently participated in several sources such as wood biomass ing problems at a local level and, lowing in cooperation with the large-scale cross-border proj- to heat public buildings; in the on the other hand, helps the project partners: the rural-style ects relating to the promotion second project, we attempt to aforementioned area become arrangement of Bovec town of informal learning, links be- encourage integration between part of cross-border and inter- centre and the Lace School in tween entrepreneurs, and other companies in the and, as national integration structures. Idrija, the organisation of over 100 education and training ses- sions and workshops attended by some 2,000 participants from the entire area covered by LAG for development. Their activities also included the re- furbishment and equipment of two buildings: Zelena hiša (the Green House) in Kobarid and a multi-purpose facility at Levpa; support to almost 50 ethno- logical events; the publication of a map of “milk producing” mountains in Upper Posočje and a booklet of recipes based on dishes from sheep and goat meat, cottage cheese, whey, etc.

18 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 19 Photo: personal archive Photo: personal archive

H. E. Mrs Rossella Franchini Sherifis, Ambassador of Italy in Ljubljana Iztok Mirošič, Slovenia’s Ambassador to Italy

Vi aspettiamo a Maribor e a Lubiana! Let us present Slovenia to Italy

The month of April in Maribor, European The exhibition is also meant to be a Capital of Culture 2012, featured a rich thread for the following program which cultural program coordinated by the Italian offers a new perspective on the upper arch Embassy with its cultural and commercial of the , together with hints for branches, the Italian Institute of Culture a non-trivial look on well-known places, and the Italian Trade Commission, in such as Ravenna, Aquileia, , the Is- partnership with the Unione italiana, trian coast. The Copies of mosaics of the the umbrella organization of the Italian early Christian basilicas of Ravenna take us Minority in Slovenia. Our endeavor is to back to the Byzantine era: they represent dynamic interpretations, which we hope convey an updated and diversified image a wonderful synthesis between figurative will be particularly appreciated also by the of Italy, a Country where ancient traditions and artisan culture, a model for the pro- younger audience. At the beginning of the This year Slovenia and Italy celebrate of partnership and understanding. Slo- design products, companies, designers and have spawned creativity, innovation tection of original works and a symbolic month we will offer a concert featuring the 20th anniversary since establishing venia is currently expecting the first state producers, natural beauties, agricultural and a unique entrepreneurial spirit bridge between the shores of the Adriatic, some of the most renowned musicians mutual inter-governmental and neigh- visit from the President of Italy. products, and gastronomic and wine indul- throughout the centuries. The program in the name of a common artistic and lin- of the Italian National Community in bourhood recognition and cooperation. The history of relations between the gences. They were surprised by the quality of the Italian Embassy, under the High guistic matrix. The photographic exhibi- Slovenia, with the participation of young Over this time, they have developed excel- Slovenian and Italian nations has not on display, with which they were not well Patronage of the President of the Italian tion Imago Trieste has been organized by talents. We shall then present a pianist lent bilateral relations in politics, the econ- been kind. At times it has been difficult. acquainted despite Slovenia bordering the Republic, H.E. Giorgio Napolitano, reflects Università Popolare di Trieste: it displays from Friuli Venezia Giulia, now Moscow- omy and culture. Italy is Slovenia’s second Prejudices and stereotypes take time to country. On the main promenade in front a comprehensive and articulate approach prints from the Collection “Stelio e Tity based, Ms Martina Frezzotti, who will biggest trading partner and its biggest part- disappear. Slovenia’s culture and the pre- of the magnificent cathedral in the centre to culture: we are presenting, alongside Davia”, offering a multifaceted image of perform a Romantic repertoire with a ner in tourism. Cooperation between the sentation of its development powers and of Milan, over 2.5 million visitors attended the canonical visual and performing arts, a the Julian city and its surroundings, as well very personal touch. At the conclusion of two countries has been further enhanced potential are the proper antidote to deep- the photography exhibition on Slovenia wide range of events, such as the exhibition as a striking reconstruction of the histori- the program, the major event will be on within the EU and NATO through joint in- seated historical assumptions. A presen- and its natural beauties – a major success. of high-end manufactured products which cal railway linking Trieste and Vienna. An stage, FolkHistria, a real musical “festa”, terests in providing support to the imple- tation of culture provides the best under- This success in Milan is also a recipe certainly represent a distinctive form of exhibition on Aquileia, crossroads of the bringing to life the traditional music mentation of the European perspective for standing of diversity and is also vital for that can be followed for the further sys- Italian culture. Empire organized by the Association “Pro of Italy and Slovenia in a multicultural the Western Balkans and their cooperation expansion of political, economic and other tematic enhancement of cultural ex- Our participation in the international Aquileia” and the gallery “Spomenisk- framework, thanks to the commitment in peacekeeping operations around the forms of cooperation. Despite its historical change, and the Slovenian cultural pres- program of Maribor 2012 is the starting ovarstvenega varstva” will be displayed in of Unione italiana who has assembled an world. The two Mediterranean countries presence, Slovenia, Slovenian culture and ence and visibility in its large neighbouring point of a wider project of integrated Ljubljana at the same time. Istria, very dear outstanding cast of Slovenian stars. endeavour to use the Mediterranean Sea its creativity are not sufficiently visible country, all of which have been neglected cultural and commercial promotion on to us all, will be portrayed in Istria through In parallel, Ljubljana saw additional as a way to ensure close cooperation and and present in Italy. Slovenia and Italy are for twenty years. This enhancement should which we are working in close cooperation time, a multimedia project resulting from Italian events, besides the aforementioned not separation. Together they make up the neighbouring countries yet Italians know also be expanded to other parts of Italy, with Slovene cultural institutions to present the collaboration between Unione italiana exhibition on Aquileia. From 22 March to Adriatic and Ionian Sea Macro-region. The little about Slovenia and the outstanding particularly Rome – the Italian cultural, to the Slovenian public new insights into and Università Popolare di Trieste, with 6 May, Italian masks from the Museum two minorities – the Slovenian minority potential and creativity of its designers. administrative and political centre. In contemporary Italy. Our ambition is to the support of RTV Koper-Capodistria and of San Michele all’Adige (Trentino) were in Italy and the Italian minority in Slove- The extremely successful, important Italy, especially Rome, Slovenia’s culture engage our Slovene friends with innovative the Historical Research Centre of Rovigno: on display at the Ethnographic museum, nia – should become promotional centres and high-profile cultural, economic and and creativity do not feature prominently forms of cultural cooperation to match it will present an objective reconstruction in the context of the exhibition Carnival, for inter-governmental and cross-border tourist presentation of Slovenia under the enough. In this regard, Slovenia should the continuous upgrading of our bilateral of the key events that shaped the history of King of Europe II. At the Cankarjev friendship and cooperation. slogan “I Feel Slovenia – Feel the Green” consider setting up a model of a Slovenia relations in the political field. The so-called the Istrian peninsula. Dom, from 26 March to 30 June, the Slovenia and Italy are striving to in Milan – the European heart of economy, House, which should be established with Spirit of Trieste, fostered by President Going back to visual arts, we have Slovenian Minority of Italy is organizing strengthen their future European coopera- culture and design – surprised the de- input from the state, the economy, culture, Napolitano and President Tuerk - together chosen to coordinate a second exhibition the exhibition of Slovenian painters from tion and friendship, which should also help manding Italian experts in attendance and science and technology. Representatives with President Josipović of Croatia - has with the first one, presenting a more Trieste (1945-60), featuring artists who to clarify the past. In July 2010 a historic was a welcome step in the right direction. of Slovenia’s state, economy, tourism, sci- set a paradigm of deeper understanding, ‘personal’ experience through the digital were active in the Littoral and in the meeting was held in Trieste between the The exhibition of modern Slovenian design ence, technology and culture should join reconciliation and reciprocal trust nurtured experimentation of Fabio Fonda, an artist area bordering Italy. The Italian Cultural presidents of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, entitled “Silent Revolutions” was held in in the Slovenia House in Rome, Italy. In by shared values and a common vision on specialized in unique “digital textile Institute presented on 20 March the accompanied by a symbolic concert enti- the renowned La Triennale and featured particular, the representation of culture, the future of Europe. printing” and ‘quilt’ technique. Fonda project for the requalification of the Drava tled “Route of Friendship” under the baton Slovenia’s most exceptional, modern de- which should systematically promote the In Maribor, the first highlight of the Ital- will also showcase “Digi Art Nouveau”, Riverbank of Maribor, by the Italian studio of Riccardo Muti. Boris Pahor’s “Nekro- sign powers and innovative enterprises; culture and visibility of Slovenia in Rome, ian cultural program was the exhibition an emblematic example of how digital Deli & Sabatini, winner of an international pola” was staged in Slovenian at the Verdi it was extremely well-attended in its first is vital. The premises could also be used by Missoni, Genius of Color which explores the photography can be used to recover Art competition, and a conference on The Theatre in Trieste. A supreme and symbolic few days, as were the exhibition of Zoran the Slovenian national community in Italy deep cultural roots of a world-class Italian Nouveau buildings. construction of the space, organized in acknowledgement of the improvement in Mušič in Legnano, the concert performed for the promotion of culture and, through trademark, heralding excellence in fash- Concerning poetry, Unione italiana, in cooperation with the Ljubljana House of relations between Slovenia and Italy was by the Slovenian Chamber Choir, and the this, the enhancement of its presence in ion. The exhibition, which is divided into collaboration with EDIT Fiume, will present Architecture. Last but not least, tourism: made by the President of the Republic of opening of the “Slovenia in Us” exhibition the capital where decisions, important for three parts - the Sportsman, the Artist and the anthology Versi diversi/Drugačni on 18 April the Italian Cultural Institute Slovenia’s first, historic state visit to Rome of photographs of Lipizzaner horses in the its existence, are made. the Designer - presents the richness of the verzi, a cross-section of the contemporary hosted a presentation on the “Antica in January 2011. For the first time in history, highly regarded L’Auditorium di Milano. At Culture is what makes new friends in a Italian soul and the fascinating life journey poetic production of the Italian Minority in Contea”, featuring historical, cultural and the Slovenian national anthem “” the Slovenian evening event, the crème- town, society and country. Slovenia needs of an emblematic entrepreneur with deep Slovenia and of the Slovenian Minority in gastronomical itineraries connecting the was played at Venice Square in Rome and de-la-crème of Italian tourism journal- friends in Italy and Rome. Let us now fi- ties in the Eastern shore of the Adriatic, re- I t a ly. towns of Gorizia, Cormons and Gradisca. the Slovenian flag flew at the presidential ists received awards. The residents of Mi- nally present Slovenia to Italy! flected in unique iconographic patterns and The performing arts program combines Vi aspettiamo a Maribor e a Lubiana! Quirinal Palace. These relations reflect the lan were given the opportunity to become color kaleidoscopes. deeply rooted folk traditions with more Arrivederci! changes made towards enhancing a spirit acquainted with Slovenia’s best industrial

20 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 21 art&culture

Jože Osterman, photo: STA

Jože Osterman, photo: STA Pandur’s homecoming

“A great theatre spectacle” are words befitting Tomaž Pandur’s very existence and reveals their true personalities. The nearly four- dramatisation of Tolstoy’s novel War and Peace. In the context of hour play was enacted by the entire ensemble of the Croatian Na- A good harvest in the first three months the European Capital of Culture 2012, the premiere in Maribor at the tional Theatre from Zagreb with the eye-catching roles of the female end of January attracted a lot of media attention. Although the play protagonist Natasha Rostova portrayed by Zrinka Cvitešić, the ser- The first quarter of Maribor’s year as the European Capital of in the summer. Vegetable gardening, the arrangement of urban was first staged by its biggest co-producer, the Croatian National vant played by Livio Badurina – Tomaž Pandur’s colleague of many Culture has already passed. Everything that is happening in Mari- spaces in residential and other areas, new social activities and the Theatre, in Zagreb last November and many theatre critics were not years and a member of the Croatian National Theatre – and Count- bor and its partner cities of Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Novo Mesto and discovery of new elements in places where people live might be exactly thrilled, director Tomaž Pandur from Maribor cuts a figure ess Rostova, depicted by the first lady of the Slovenian theatre, Mile- Murska Sobota is considerably more than we could have hoped considered the most innovative parts of this huge project. that never goes unnoticed. Compared with the performance in Za- na Zupančič. This is her first ever collaboration with Tomaž Pandur, for after all the difficult preparations and given the financial Mitja Čander was, of course, most excited about the outstand- greb, the play in Maribor unfolded smoothly down to the smallest and interestingly enough, in a theatre in a neighbouring country. drought caused by the current crisis. However, claims that what ing artistic achievements, which were probably more numerous detail, it was even more elegant and the acting more harmonious, Tomaž Pandur’s homecoming is an interesting story on the is most important is not whether events happen in gleaming new in the first three months than Maribor has seen in the previous thus earning itself more enthusiastic applause. It signals the return one hand and on the other a far cry from blissful perfection. It all halls or known venues that the organisers used to adapt to the twenty years. The Director particularly emphasised the splendid of a great man, whose unique promotion has left an indelible mark started three years ago when Tomaž Pandur was in charge of the circumstances are constantly being confirmed. Considering the concert by the pianist Ivo Pogorelić with the Zagreb Philharmonic on Maribor theatre and the city of Maribor. programme for the European Capital of Culture 2012 and paved actual possibilities, the project is alive and well and attracting a Orchestra, the sold-out concert by 2 Cellos, the excellent atten- Pandur is often criticised for his poetic expression. For some the way for Maribor to go down in history as a completely differ- large audience. dance and high media coverage of New Burlesque Cabaret, and he is a theatre genius admired first and foremost in Latin America, ent capital. His plans for Maks, a centre for the performing arts, will the great opera and theatre productions by Tomaž Pandur and which craves wonderful illusions of beauty corresponding best to its never see the light of day along with some of his other ideas for a The Director-General of the Maribor 2012 Public Institute, Dr Uroš Lajovic, which are described elsewhere in this magazine. The natural and mental decor, whilst in Europe, which cherishes a more materialised symbolism of culture (e.g. a viewing tower, the banks Suzana Žilič Fišer, and the Programme Director, Mitja Čander, LifeTouch programme, which re-establishes the role of the In- stringent theatrical form and message, his “beautiful, yet empty im- of the Drava). They survived only as a torso and speak of Maribor’s modestly assessed the events of the first three months. The Direc- ternet, not only as a mediator of events, but as a co-creator, has ages” are often sneered at along with him as a person who “creates potential yet to be exploited through Pandur’s proposals. Glamorous tor-General was pleased to report that in this period, the cultural also closely involved a wide audience through mobile telephone empty, yet beautiful shows for bored city folk”. Tomaž Pandur visiting performances by world renowned theatres are nothing but project had attracted more than 250 foreign journalists, who had networks. Smartphones already use the Maribor 2012 application, is nevertheless a creator, always reminding us of Manichaeism and fantasy. It is true, however, that the organisers are doing their best to published several excellent reports and photo articles, so Maribor which takes the user virtually to the heart of the cultural events. adhering to the principle of stark contrasts – hot and cold – never find substitutes for the glamour of which Maribor was deprived by had received more than the routine advertising expected. At the Although somewhat unexpectedly, Project Twelve, which compromising, never mainstream. This is also reflected in his life the financial crisis, and judging from the innovative content coupled information points in Ljubljana and Maribor, turnout and pub- brings a leading global intellectual to Maribor each month, has re- story: a young talented secondary school student who at first, by with their own creations, they are successful. lic interest has been good and is still on the rise, as the monthly ceived most attention from the wider Slovenian public. We have threading aesthetic images, became addicted to fine art but later In the days following the premiere of War and Peace, Maribor turnout of the initial 2,000 visitors in February has now doubled. seen three so far: the first was the art theorist Boris Groys, followed evolved into a theatre creator who sees the visual aspect of his per- hosted some very interesting, albeit not spectacular projects. Fritz There were successful promotions in Zagreb, Graz and Trieste, and, by the French-Bulgarian philosopher Tzvetan Todorov and Hans formances as the very foundation of his work. He delivers a fasci- Lang’s cult film classic Metropolis was definitely an event that sus- further afield, in Vienna, Berlin, Paris and London. The project is Magnus Enzensberger. All great people! Slovenia could listen to nating product: a theatre spectacle of inconceivable images and al- tained the cultural suspense in this year’s European Capital. It was attracting the attention of both Slovenian and foreign audiences, their lectures, and their reflections were even more fully presented lusions presented to the audience in a string of colourful and spatial screened with Gottfried Huppertz’s original score played live by the and with warmer weather, events will move outdoors, which will in the most important Slovenian newspapers and even on national fascinations otherwise experienced only in your wildest dreams. Symphony Orchestra of the Slovenian National Theatre in Maribor significantly increase accessibility and give the city a whole new television, which after a long time have shown that they are able War and Peace remains faithful to this principle. The stage is with Robert Israel, one of the best conductors for silent films. Two experience that practically every resident will be able to enjoy. The to devote attention to people and events that really matter. In this transformed into a battlefield, the living room into a time bridge be- days later, the Spanish Embassy, as part of the cultural embassies events of the Town Keys programme, which revives the cultural time of a certain social lethargy, which is most strongly marked tween the past and future, a bridge crossed by staggering generals project, presented a contemporary dance production La Muntanya tradition of the place, have really started to come to life, and the by the economic crisis, with prevailing attempts to save neoliberal and soldiers, lovers and friends, winners and losers. They mingle in al teu voltant (The Mountain Around You) in the Grand Hall of Mari- Urban Furrows programme - a social cohesion programme aimed capitalism on the old, wasted foundations, the insightful reflection the images of a mad world where we cannot discern which is the bor theatre. The work of the famous Gelabert Azzopardi group and at integrating through their everyday work people who are other- of Maribor’s guests might be the best thing that has happened to greater evil – a cold raison of peace that can inflict more harm to a its choreographer Cesc Gelabert captivated the audience. wise not included in any other cultural events - will be intensified Slovenians recently. And there are still nine more guests to go. human soul than war itself, or war that reduces individuals to their

22 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 23 art&culture

Dušan Čater Mojca Kumerdej

Jože Osterman, photo: STA Jože Osterman, photo: STA Compliments to Metka Krašovec Fascinating Fabula The fact that Metka Krašovec is the first female painter to have that is beyond me,” she told Mladina magazine. This speaks of an been afforded the opportunity by the Museum of Modern Art to artist who firmly and, above all, stands with curiosity in a space, The Fabula World Literature Festival is one of the most recog- Kingdom to a Pakistani father and English mother, is according to hold a retrospective exhibition of her work to honour her 70th drawing on every moment to inspire new creative challenges. Her nisable cultural events held in Ljubljana, and has attracted even The Times one of “the 50 greatest British writers since 1945”. Ku- birthday points to the deep furrow she has made in ploughing new constant search for something new is a result of the surprising fact more attention since 2010, which is when Ljubljana launched the reishi writes of immigration, racism, nationalism, all forms of dis- ground in Slovenian fine art. Metka Krašovec is one of the most that she has managed to paint continuously for four decades, her World Book Capital project. This year is no exception: 30 events will crimination, but also deals with sexuality, which is one of the areas prominent artists from the generation of artists born immediately creativity facing no longer time gaps during which she would have be proposed during the two-week festival which runs between 27 where discrimination and hatred play a major role. As these are top- after the breakthrough that was made in Slovenia by the Ljubljana to struggle to find new challenges. February and 10 March 2012. ics that are crucial for understanding the current competitive world, Graphic Arts School, following the release of social realism’s firm Also otherwise, in the interviews Metka Krašovec gave on this The main event of the festival, which is the focus of media at- the audience was captivated. grip and the opening of the door to creative freedom of expres- occasion, she turned out to be extremely interesting and open to tention every year, is the award conferred by Dnevnik, the daily Leena Krohn, a well known Finnish author, numbered among sion. She graduated in 1964 under the renowned Prof. Gabrijel the world. Her curiosity – bored, on the one hand, by the natural newspaper, for the best collection of short stories. This event, which the festival’s guests; her novel Valeikkuna (False Window, 2009) Stupica, under whom she also completed her post-graduate stud- American icon, Yosemite National Park (“Oh dear, I was terribly has routinely featured in newspapers’ cultural pages, has since be- has already been translated into Slovenian. She has been awarded ies in painting. She obtained a master’s degree in graphic art un- bored there, since it looks exactly like Slovenia, only that it is big- come one of the three most important methods for the promotion several prestigious Finnish literary prizes, including the Finlandia der Prof. Riko Debenjak and continued her education in the US ger...”) and, on the other hand, enthusiastic about the desert-like of the Slovenian literature, together with the Rožanc and the Kresn- Prize for literature in 1992 for her collection of essays Matemaatti- and the United Kingdom and in 1977 became one of the youngest Death Valley, which opened up to her new spatial and colour per- ik awards, and serves as a good barometer for the recent increase sia olioita tai jaettuja unia (Mathematical Beings or Shared Dreams). professors at the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts. As a one-of-a spectives – her close friendship with her colleague Alenka Gerlovič in the public’s appetite for literature. This year’s laureate is Dušan Valeikkuna is a story about a philosopher who, while coming into kind artist, whose paintings are immediately recognisable, Metka and, last but not least, her life-time partnership with the legend- Čater for his collection of short stories entitled Dženehem. This is a contact with various people, contemplates the principles that gov- Krašovec has created a number of entirely new poetics in fine arts ary Slovenian bard, Tomaž Šalamun, point to particular features of collection of six short stories where the author refers to part of the ern the world. The author argues that people who suffer from vari- with the red colour first prevailing in her early creative years and, this fascinating lady. This reveals her cosmopolitanism which – at previous story’s scenario in the one that follows, so that the first and ous mental disorders, such as depression, may profit greatly from subsequently, with her striking figures predominantly featuring a time when it was not easy to break through the narrow confines last story link to make a perfect circle. According to the author, the talking with a philosopher about the nature of the world we live in, strange heads, a kind of premonition of beings hailing from other of her home country – caused her to perceive Slovenia’s place in title Dženehem was not chosen deliberately – it is just the name of as a philosopher knows how to find the universal answers to our galaxies, and then with new explosions of colour, which is char- the world in a completely different light. the café in Sarajevo where the author spent much of his time writ- questions. acteristic of her third creative cycle. The search for beauty as an The retrospective includes 65 large-format paintings and 120 ing the book. The stories are about the life of foreigners, people who Other prominent guest authors at Fabula were Amitav Ghosh, a absolute ideal we can come close to, but cannot quite reach, is, ac- drawings on paper. The show also includes her red paintings from came to Slovenia in search of work, but who were often been pushed well-known Indian writer and anthropologist, who presented his cording to the organisers of her retrospective, the essential thread the period between 1970 and 1979; the drawings and paintings on to a social and existential margin by life’s circumstances. It should work The Hungry Tide, and the Russian author, Mikhail Shishkin, that runs through her fairly heterogeneous poetry of painting. paper from the New Image period in the 1980s; the “Neo-classicist be noted that Čater was selected from a prominent group of literary who explores the fate of Russian emigrants in his novel Venerin ve- The artist explained the diversity of her paintings to the Slove- images” of faces since the late 1980s. The exhibition also features peers, including Miha Mazzini, Mojca Kumerdej, Andrej E. Skubic, los (Maiden’s Hair). The authors’ literary performances were held in nian media as follows: “Of course people change over time; even if her final period, in which her Neo-classicist manner developed Goran Vojnović and Suzana Tratnik, all of whom are considered to the cosy environment of the Klub Cankarjevega doma. Their books the direction and the idea remain the same, there are various ways in painting and drawing into an iconography of angelic figures in be the most avant-garde writers of the younger generation. Together have been published by Študentska založba under the auspices of of attaining the realisation. I am not afraid to take a new path; per- landscapes, labyrinths with cypresses, and Mediterranean groves. they have launched a brilliant and socially committed project – a the Knjiga za vsakogar project (Books-for-everybody), which was haps the fear that you follow the same path, even after it has run its The works were selected and the exhibition designed by the collection of short stories entitled Dan zmage (The Day of Victory). established during the Ljubljana World Book Capital event. We can course, is even greater.” The self-critical concern of finding herself artist and the exhibition curator Martina Vovk; the exhibition will In line with the festival’s tradition, literary readings by promi- only agree with Uroš Grilc, the man responsible for culture in the stuck in a rut is thus one of her basic creative premises. “When the run until the end of April. The exhibits have been loaned from a nent authors from Slovenia and the rest of the world are key events Municipality of Ljubljana, that “nothing is how it used to be on the path I walk comes to an end or has run its course, I hit a dead end variety of Slovenian public and private collections. On this oc- at the festival. The most interesting reading was that delivered by Ljubljana book scene” since it hosted the World Book Capital event. and get a feeling of being walled in... Then it’s time to take a ham- casion a catalogue was published which includes essays by Petja the British writer, Hanif Kureishi, known to the Slovenian public for Books are getting the attention they deserve, their authors are wel- mer and knock down the walls that have surrounded me, so I can Grafenauer, Miklavž Komelj, Andrej Medved, Tonko Maroević, and The Buddha of Suburbia and The Black Album; translations of both come guests, the public is all ears and the book remains the focus of escape from captivity and take a step forward towards something the artist’s biography. bestsellers were published in 1999. Kureishi, born in the United the city’s attention.

24 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 25 art&culture

Hana Souček Morača European cultural ambassador

The Mladinsko Theatre is planning to per- form at many prestigious festivals this year. The theatre performance “Damned be the Traitor of his Homeland!” will be the main performance. According to theatre critics, the play presents the personal histories of characters related to Slovenia, the former Yugoslavia and the wider environment, as well as the attitude towards “foreigners” and points of view regarding Serbs Lynsey Addario and Croats, “the aggressors” and “the victims”. The Mladinsko Theatre was established in Ljubljana in 1955 as the first professional theatre for children and youth in Slovenia. Until the 1980s, the Mladinsko Theatre developed into a centre of theatre research and, to this day, has striven to add thematic substance to the univer- sal paradoxes of civilisation in its performances. The first international festival to host the Mladinsko Theatre this year was the Kunsten- Festival des Arts in Brussels, beginning on 4 May 2012, with the performance “Damned be Ron Haviv Jure Eržen the Traitor of his Homeland!” directed by Oliver Jože Osterman, photo: STA Frljić. The festival is highly renown as an event, presenting new theatre works by firmly es- Hana Souček Morača tablished authors, and is intended for a theatre The summit of European audience that is willing to consider its own at- Slovenia press photo 2012 titudes towards the world. Flemish and French institutions jointly organise the festival, which Slovenian photographers and photo- valli, Dolce & Gabbana, and Dior. In addition is also a communication bridge between the choral singing in Maribor journalists monitor and record a variety of to Morris’s photography, the exhibition also two communities living in Brussels. interesting and gripping stories every day. features his fashion video recordings. We have praised Slovenian choral singing in Sinfo several times College Glee Club), Sweden (Sofia Vocalensemble) and Ukraine At the end of May, the play will be per- The Slovenia Press Photo 2012 contest is an The festival in Ljubljana displayed pho- before, and expressed the pride we take in the fact that Slovenian (Oreya). Their competition was particularly demanding: each formed at the Festival TransAmériques in Mon- opportunity to take a look at the best photo- tographs by world-renowned photographers choirs are undoubtedly among the best in the world. Vokalna Ak- choir must prepare four different programmes or more than one treal. Provocative and current theatre perfor- journalist achievements of the past year and and agencies. ademija Ljubljana last year, and APZ Tone Tomšič on two earlier hour of music. We were able to hear the powerful unison of voices mances are presented at this festival, which is is for all professional and skilled amateur The festival ran from 21 February to 31 occasions, were named Laureates of the European Choral Grand of a variety of musical cultures, because the choirs came to Mari- considered to be the central cultural event in photographers who are permanent residents March 2012 and included a press photogra- Prix, which is actually a competition of the best choirs in the world bor from very different places. Montreal, and is important to Canada and on in Slovenia. phy contest for the best press photos. due to long European choral singing tradition. Unlike the majority of previous finals, the repertoires were al- an international level. In June, the theatre group The opening of the photography exhi- A jury of distinguished experts from Slovenia, more precisely Maribor, hosted the finals of this most exotic, playful and happy. Most choirs want to test themselves will be travelling from Montreal to Braunsch- bition featuring images of Congolese and around the world in the field of photojour- competition for the first time this year. The project was part of the with the liturgical texts of medieval and early Renaissance music weig, Germany, to an important international Afghan women and hunger in the Horn of nalism and photography, which consisted of European Capital of Culture, although it had been in the making classics, but this time, their artistic directors took a different ap- theatre festival entitled, Festival Theaterformen, Africa, which is organised by the non-profit Yuri Kozyrev (Noor), Moises Saman (Mag- for several years. The foundations were undoubtedly laid by the proach. Union Hall Maribor was full, and the audience was able to to be opened with a performance by the Rimini organisation Art Works Projects, has this year num Photos), Paula Bronstein (Getty Imag- excellent Slovenian choirs, who have not only earned respect in enjoy modern pieces and rhythms that were especially enticing to Protokoll group. The topic of this year’s festival, launched the fourth festival of documentary es), and Walter Astrada (Reportage by Getty international circles, but also won the trust of Slovenian organ- an audience that is unaccustomed to the most demanding choral where fifteen theatres from abroad will also be and press photography, held in Cankarjev Images), selected the best photos at the close isers of choir gatherings. For many years now, Maribor has been concerts. In spite of the somewhat relaxed atmosphere, the strict presented, is the attitude of the individual to- Dom’s grand reception hall. of the contest. At the ceremony, the awards the centre of the largest such gatherings in Slovenia - Naša Pesem jury, composed of the best Slovenian choir conductors, Martina wards society. The second exhibition of this year’s fes- were announced for best photo of 2011, best (Our Song) - which was held for the twenty-second time this year. Batič, Karmina Šilec and Andraž Hauptman, joined by Enrique The play is also planned to be staged at the tival entitled “The Arab Spring – On Revo- 2011 news report, the winning photograph of Twenty-two of the best Slovenian adult choirs, some 850 singers, Azurza from Spain and Wilma ten Wolde from the Netherlands, important New Plays from Europe festival tak- lution Road” displays the work of the inter- this year’s contest and the winning news re- participated in the competition this year. At first, an irrelevant re- was not even for a moment taken in by the flirtation with the ing place in Wiesbaden and Mainz from 14 to nationally renowned Russian photographer, port in five categories – sports, news, nature gional event, the competition quickly grew, after Slovenian inde- audience which sometimes wins additional points, but it judged 24 June. This is the largest international theatre Yuri Kozyrev, who is also a member of Noor, and the environment, entertainment and pendence, into a prestigious national competition where it is pos- objectively and reasonably. The winner of the Naša Pesem festi- festival dedicated to new plays performed in the the photo agency. The exhibition brought culture, and people. The award for best photo sible to perform only after undergoing a rigorous selection process val was the Megaron choir from Ljubljana led by conductor Dam- original language. him the prestigious Visa d’Or News award. of 2011 was won by Jure Eržen for a photo of via regional competitions; many candidates fail to qualify. Foreign jan Močnik, while the winner of the European Choral Grand Prix In 2012, the Slovenian Mladinsko Theatre The festival organisers also invited American some people gathered at the general meeting choirs can also participate, since Naša Pesem is one of the festivals was the Sofia Vocalensemble from Stockholm led by Bengt Ollén, continues on its path of “European cultural am- photographer Christopher Morris, who is a held within the “Boj-za” (Fight-for) in Lju- which enable choirs to qualify for the final European competition. who founded the choir in 1995. Its singers inspired the audience bassador”, the title received from the European founding member of the VII Photo Agency bljana, while the award for best news report One can imagine the strict selection for international choir fes- with their warm lyrical sound, which is traditionally mastered by Commission in 2008. Njegova gostovanja pa so and has run a number of campaigns for vari- was presented to Matic Zorman for his story tivals, whose winners then qualify for the final selection. Other Swedish choirs. pomemben mednarodni dosežek slovenskega ous fashion brands including Roberto Ca- on refugee camps in Gaza. gledališča v letu 2012.The Theatre’s visiting per- important filters are festivals in Bulgaria (Varna), France (Tours), The finale was sponsored by Androulla Vassiliou, the European formances will be an important international Italy (Arezzo) and Spain (Tolosa). Maribor has thus hosted choirs Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism, Youth and achievement for the Slovenian theatre in 2012. from (Vox Gaudiosa), the Philippines (Ateneo de Manila Sport.

26 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 27 Our excellence

Vesna Žarkovič, photo: Riko archives The construction of the complex in Janez Škrabec, Riko’s owner director. As he says himself, he is in gen- Minsk, entrusted to Riko, will contribute and director eral very satisfied with Slovenia and its to the further development of the high- macro environment. ‘I am not saying that est standard hotel facilities and provide While independent Slovenia was there are no improvements to be made, new impetus to tourism activities associ- bidding farewell to communism twenty but viewed from a general perspective, ated with this business hotel, the high- years ago, Janez Škrabec was establishing Slovenia is well off and if any, we should Riko to build a EUR 100 est rated to date in Minsk and Belarus. a new Riko with a view to doing business follow the path of Scandinavian coun- The Kempinski Hotel will have approxi- in Russia. This decision was supported by tries. They have regulated social rights mately 22,000 m² of floor space, while the reputation that Riko, and Slovenian in a model way and I would wish for the residential units and offices will goods in general, enjoyed on the markets such a country. I recently came across million complex in Belarus stretch over 14,000 m² and 15,000 m² re- of the former Soviet Union; Riko’s trans- some data on social equality, according spectively. The complex will also include formation into a modern international to which Slovenia is ranked immediately parking and support facilities covering engineering company started. Riko is the after Denmark. There are no very rich 23,000 m². largest civil engineering company in Slo- people in our country, no fat cats, be- Riko, which has been present on the venia. Most of the credit for this goes to its cause our privatisation went fairly easy Belarusian market for a decade now, gained investors’ confidence with its competitive bid, flexible business struc- The Slovenian company Riko will build a multi-purpose complex featuring a five-star Kempinski Hotel and 81 ture and its numerous references, par- apartments and offices in the centre of the Belarus capital, Minsk. The construction of the Kempinski hotel is ticularly the construction of the hotel Peter I in the centre of Moscow and that valued at EUR 57 million, while the cost of the entire complex is estimated at over EUR 100 million. of the transformer stations in Minsk. The company will involve Slovenian partners to participate in the construction phase and in the supply of equipment. Con- tracts will be offered to façade compa- nies, to craft, installation works and air conditioning system contractors, and to sub-contractors and suppliers of build- ing fittings and interior furnishings. Riko has signed a turn-key contract for the Kempinski Hotel, while the contract for other projects includes construction up to the third phase. The investor in the project is the com- pany Elite Estate JLCC, with the archi- tectural solution being provided by Mos- cow’s architecture bureau SPEECH LLC. The deadline for the construction of the hotel is the end of 2013, while the con- struction of the residential and commer- cial complex is to be completed before the end of 2014. The investor will secure more than half of the money from its own resourc- es, while the rest will be funded by a loan taken with a consortium of international banks with credit risk insurance from SID Bank as the agent of the Slovenian state. Slovenian banks will also partici- pate in this business venture: a consor- tium of Slovenian and foreign banks headed by the Slovenian bank NLB will extend a EUR 48 million loan to Sber- bank in Belarus. Slovenian companies will be awarded 40% of the business regarding the con- struction of the hotel, 15% will go to Be- larus companies and the rest to compa- nies from other countries.

28 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 29 and in a rather just and equitable way. It Riko Houses en houses, marking the beginning of its is, however, interesting that the percep- promising growth and the story of its tion Slovenians have of this social equal- Riko Houses is a company that man- success. To date, Riko Houses has devel- ity is far from a reflection of the truth. ufactures and markets ecological and oped into an internationally recognised We largely believe that we are ranked energy-saving wooden buildings. The in- and successful company, while the many towards the bottom. We have to become novative living space solutions designed Slovene and foreign certificates it has aware that social innovations are a true in Riko Houses are prefabricated in the earned, as well as design and architec- driving force of society. I believe that it is production facilities in Ribnica using the ture awards are a testament to the quality innovative leadership that has made Riko company’s own patent. The company of Riko wooden constructions. a successful company. The management takes care of the entire project, from the In the course of its activity, Riko style is very democratic, while the struc- birth of the idea to the construction of Houses has become a setter of standards ture is lean and allows a lot of autonomy. the building and the design of the façade. for ecological high-quality prefabricat- Anyway, all I think about is how to make Ever since 1997, when Riko Houses ed wooden buildings, joining excellent life easier for my staff so that they can be started manufacturing massive wooden business results with social responsibil- as industrious as possible. I see to it that elements for a foreign partner, the com- ity. By using wood as a renewable source they have company cars at their disposal, pany has continued the valuable heritage in construction, the company highlights travel and participate in education and of building with wood. Two years later, to the value of ecological materials, training, learn foreign languages, and so the company took over the system pat- healthy accommodation and economical on.’ ent for the production of massive wood- and environment-friendly construction. Škrabec considers the company’s orientation to sustainability very im- portant and believes company culture to be equally vital in the long run. ‘I like to think that Riko is managed in a very in- novative way. I can say that my formula Roots for success is: a moment of inspiration and then continue without pause. Suc- The roots of Riko reach back to the 19th century, cess is not necessarily created by great when a sports and medical equipment factory was es- innovations. Ordinary things must be tablished under the name of JOR in the town of Ribni- done in a somewhat better way.’ He adds ca, the cradle of Slovenian entrepreneurship. The com- that only those companies that are con- pany Riko, a Slovene acronym standing for ‘Ribnica stantly alarmed have a chance to suc- metal processing factory’, was built on its very foun- ceed. He says that he experienced the dations. From that time onwards and until 1990, its feeling of being in crisis even in boom production programs gradually developed to include times and acted accordingly. agricultural mechanisations, tractor trailers, aircraft, He often says that he relies on nobody municipal equipment and waste management equip- and does not hold out hope that anyone ment, as well as highly sophisticated flexible systems. will do anything for him. ‘We must know In the 1990s, Riko shifted its focus from pure man- that Slovenia cannot compete with Chi- ufacturing to engineering, and began producing pre- na. We cannot compete with low wages; fabricated Riko wooden buildings. what we have to do is change the quality The Riko company and Riko Houses owe their de- of our lives, democracy, liberalism, our velopment and growth to the long entrepreneurial tra- still-existing social homogeneity, fairly dition of the Ribnica valley. Craft and small business low polarisation and diversification to began to flourish in 1492, when the Austro-Hungarian our benefit. All these represent the foun- emperor granted an imperial patent to the people of dation for the knowledge- and creativi- Ribnica, allowing them to sell whatever they produced ty-based society we aspire to attain.’ themselves. This heritage is imprinted in Riko’s genes. Riko’s strongest activity is industrial Riko has cradled love for working and shaping engineering, primarily the sale of tech- wood. Wooden products, namely wooden household nology for the automotive industry to items, became a selling hit of the peddlers from Rib- the countries of the former Soviet Union. nica, after Friedrich II granted them a patent. Riko The company’s long standing partners Houses has built on these skills in woodworking in Russia include Avtovaz and Gaz, and and on a love of wood inherited from ancestors, and Maz, MTZ, Belaz and MTZ in Belarus. A transformed them into a unique system of wooden high percentage of the company’s rev- constructions. Based on 500 years of tradition, Riko enue is generated in the ecology and en- Houses has developed into a company recognised and ergy sector. successful throughout Europe.

30 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 31 green corner

Polonca Štritof, photo: STA and archives

The main event of the project Let’s Clean Slovenia 2012 was a clean-up action which took place in 207 Slovenian Let’s clean Slovenia to make a nicer world municipalities between 23 and 24 March 2012. On the project Let’s Clean Slovenia 2012

Experts say that there are about 50,000 illegal waste focused on cleaning illegal waste dumps. The preparations dumps in Slovenia, containing almost 2 million cubic metres for the clean-up began a year before the all-Slovenian clean- of waste. In 2010, this situation encouraged members of up action, when the Ecologists Without Borders Association the Ecologists Without Borders Association to organise the first invited municipalities and municipal companies to project Let’s clean Slovenia in one day! because waste not participate in the project in order to ensure funds for the only spoils the beauty of nature, but also compromises the removal and disposal of waste. Since 2010, volunteers have quality of drinking water, air, soil and the habitat in general. regularly updated and developed the digital register of In 2010, the initiators of the project were supported by illegal waste dumps which was created in 2010. With time, 270,000 volunteers from all municipalities in the country. the register has become more user-friendly; users can now Of course, they were unable to clean the entire country register with their mobile telephones. Before the beginning in one day; nevertheless, the campaign has undoubtedly of the clean-up action, a digital map on the website www. contributed to the fact that illegal dumping is becoming geopedia.si displayed about 16,000 illegal waste dumps. increasingly unacceptable in society. The project has During the preparations, the project Let’s Clean Slovenia exceptionally powerful energy and carries the message that 2012 used various activities to raise awareness among civil society in Slovenia is alive and well, and that when Slovenians of the importance of an environment-friendly faced with a cancerous wound in nature, it does not look life. Observing trends in Slovenian society, we can see that away, but takes decisive and quick action. people’s attitudes are slowly but constantly changing for the Among all the countries where the one-day voluntary benefit of environment-responsible conduct. How much clean-up campaign was implemented, Slovenia recorded awareness raising activity will be needed in Slovenia in the highest participation of citizens - almost 14 per cent. order for the environment to be clean has yet to be seen. Since 2008, the campaign has been implemented in 16 A great deal of effort was required to implement the countries and involved over 2.4 million volunteers. During project, but in the end, the high level of participation in the this time, the initiative Let’s Do It World has grown into a clean-up action and other activities compensated for the movement, and in 2010, it was decided that the campaign endeavours. All the project goals were achieved. would include the entire world in 2012. Slovenia, together According to our present information, about 270,000 with the Ecologists Without Borders Association, decided to volunteers participated in the clean-up action in Slovenia; join this global clean-up. The project was revived again this the organisers expect additional information from five year under the title Let’s Clean Slovenia 2012. municipalities which are implementing their actions later. As mentioned above, the project Let’s Clean Slovenia 207 municipalities were actively involved in the clean-up. 2012 was part of the global initiative World Cleanup 2012, Average participation amounted to 15 per cent; the highest which between 24 March and 25 September is uniting recorded involvement was in the municipalities of Radenci people who think alike all around the world. The main goals (48%) and Naklo (47%). of this global project are to unite 300 million volunteers in In addition to the fact that there is less municipal waste one hundred countries, to prepare a global register of illegal in nature than in 2010, it is also encouraging to know that waste dumps, and to remove illegally dumped waste from about 107,000 children and young people participated in the natural environment. The project also aims to raise the clean-up this year, as they are the ones who will be awareness and to unite people in their fight for a common leading society in the future. This raises hope that things goal - a cleaner environment. The preparations for the are improving and that Slovenia has again shown that with clean-up are currently taking place in 85 countries. good intentions and a lot of goodwill, it is possible to create The main event of the project Let’s Clean Slovenia 2012 a Slovenia without waste. was a clean-up action which took place in 207 Slovenian This was the last clean-up activity of this scope in municipalities between 23 and 24 March 2012. The action Slovenia. According to the organisers, one of the purposes was divided into two parts. Groups of volunteers from of the project was to demand from decision-makers a educational institutions and several organisations cleaned sustainable and systemic solution to the problem of illegal the surroundings of schools, kindergartens, residential areas waste dumps. and walkways on 23 March, and on 24 March, the volunteers

32 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 33 PEOPLE

A narrow and tall building dating to 1530, with gold curtains and a particular scent, houses various types of art. The old centre of Ljubljana is the home of three people who live among paintings and unfinished canvases. The paved streets with rich historical memories echo with the name of the Španzel family. The surname symbolises aesthetics, warmth of love, paintbrushes and sun- coloured hair. Biljana is relaxed, full of optimism and light; Rudolf is strong, precise and thoughtful; and Dorian is theirs and an all- round creative type.

Rudolf Španzel is one of the most emy of Fine Arts in Ljubljana proved a My father had been a prisoner of war, interesting modern Slovenian painters, turning point for Biljana. In those years, and he wanted me to become a dentist. and one of the most sought-after por- she acquired valuable knowledge from He claimed that even the enemy can get trait painters. His oil paintings are almost the teachers, and met an artist who later toothache, and that dentists always have better known in foreign galleries than at became her lifelong companion. enough butter and chocolate.’ They were home, and his paintings have been sold both talented at art, he says, and stresses all around the world. He has had over Their story that parents always want what is best for forty exhibitions in Europe and else- their children, but that children still have where. His work is mentioned in vari- At the beginning of the 1970s, Biljana to follow their own paths in life. ous weighty anthologies, which already left her home town of Skopje and came ‘I was interested in finding out who makes him one of the classic artists of the to Ljubljana to study. (Her brother is also the old man who painted so well was’ 20th century. He received the Prešeren a prominent artist - the director Slobo- As a first-year student, Biljana en- Fund Award for artistic achievements in dan Unkovski). ‘I am happy to have had chanted Rudolf: ‘When I noticed her, she figurative art in 1985. In recent years, he parents who were very understanding, immediately reminded me of the Byzan- has distinguished himself by portraying loving and who never imposed their own tine icon of the Virgin Mary.’ They met at the Counts of Celje on the basis of ana- wishes on me.’ She says that she and her the Academy library, and soon after the tomical studies of their skulls, portraying brother grew up in a cultured environ- first meeting, their life together began. ‘At Hana Souček Morača, photo: Dorian Španzel Cardinal Franc Rode - the painting hangs ment: ‘We went to the theatre, opera, the time, I lived on campus and slept in in the Cardinal’s premises in the Vati- and also to see exhibitions. On various a small room which I shared with more can - and by Vojna, Evropa in Slovenija occasions, my mother organised per- than ten other girls’, says Biljana. ‘There (War, Europe and Slovenia), a triptych formances for children. My father was a was no peace to work in the evenings, THE ŠPANZEL FAMILY dedicated to the Slovenian presidency representative of the Yugoslav Chamber so I always went to the library after lec- of the which decorates of Commerce in Istanbul for eight years.’ tures at the Academy.’ Rudolf was also a the protocol residence at Brdo pri Kranju. For many years, she went on holiday and regular visitor to the library shelves: ‘I He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in became acquainted with the colourful regularly went there before, because I am Ljubljana, where he also completed two images of the world from The Thousand a ‘systematic’ person and I became mi- Creative totality and exceptional individuals specialisations. and One Nights – she was so taken by nutely acquainted with our library in the Biljana Unkovska, a Macedonian- them that they have become perma- four years. I read everything – from the born artist, has been living and creating nently interwoven in her rich, meaning- first to the last book. I kept a notebook, in Ljubljana for forty years. Most people ful and multi-layered art. There was no and from each book, I copied what I liked know her as an excellent graphic artist. art school in Skopje, she explains. At that by a certain artist.’ Experts say that she has accomplished time, she could have chosen , Biljana first fell in love with his paint- almost everything that can be achieved Zagreb, Sarajevo or Ljubljana. ‘I was not ings. She explains that their studio was in this medium. Her paintings mainly interested in Belgrade; I knew a little next to the studio of students doing spe- depict women and animals. She is also about Zagreb; but Ljubljana was a com- cialised studies. She once saw a canvas involved in design. She designs sets and plete enigma, and it represented a new she liked and said that she would like costumes for theatre and opera. Her challenge. I thought that the whole world to meet the painter. She thought that work has been exhibited in London, Bos- was waiting for me; that they could not the painting had been done by an older ton, Laguna Beach, New York, and Gar- wait for me to arrive there’, she jokes. gentleman: ‘I found it unbelievable that a den Grove in California. She personifies Rudolf comes from the mining village young person could paint with such seri- all that we recognise as the other aspect of Zabukovica near Žalec; his parents an- ousness and accuracy. But I was wrong,’ of reality - by returning to nature, travel- ticipated a different profession for him she laughs. And as Rudolf explains, Bilja- ling to fantasy places and rediscovering than he chose for himself: ‘My mother na was the ideal woman for him, and the ancient myths. Her studies at the Acad- wanted her son to work on the railways. first who truly understood his painting.

34 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 35 they always offer support. ‘It could also Indispensable residents of a works for the benefit of Obalno društvo As painters and graphic artists, Bil- be said that they are sometimes typical- picturesque part of town proti mučenju živali (The Coastal Soci- jana and Rudolf could not be more dif- ly slow in their Italian way. I have been ety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ani- ferent from each other, and yet, they in- waiting for the original copy of my di- The end of 2011 was happy for Bil- mals). Rudolf has been opening paint- fluence one another creatively. ‘I have to ploma since 2008, and the main officer jana. After ten years, she finally man- ing schools. He is introducing the basics admit that some of my painting were the at the student office always says to me aged to organise a charity exhibition. The of drawing, human anatomy, linocut, creations of her thoughts, and to be fair, ‘Calma, carino’ (Take it easy, my dear). visitors participated at an auction of her woodcut and etching techniques. The I should have signed her name on the opening of the Chiaroscuro internation- painting as well.’ al school in Žalec was followed by the It is known that Rudolf created the opening of a school in Slovenska Bistri- portraits on the Slovenian tolar, the cur- ca. The artist says that the response has rency which was used for fifteen years. It been incredible. ‘They asked me whether was done with great enthusiasm, says the I could teach every weekend. Dorian is artist: ‘Participating in that project was a a great help to me, and I have also asked great honour for me. I was given the op- Biljana to cooperate.’ portunity to make portraits of prominent It seems that Dorian is always run- people from the past.’ But only a few ning against the clock. He was late for people know that Biljana was respon- our interview, because he had been at a sible for the design of the Macedonian meeting with a representative of a well- currency. In 1994, together with architect known company about the redesign of Matjaž Accetto, she won the Macedonian their corporate design. He now faces a government competition to design the different kind of challenge: getting up at currency of the new country. According half past six every morning. A new test to Biljana, participation in creating the has been set for him - teaching at the image of the money of a new country is a Secondary School for Design and Pho- great challenge for a painter. tography. Dorian cannot be defined: ‘My work is mainly based on graphic design, Destined to become an artist but there are also modern art, multi- already in the cradle media and photography.’ For about six months, he was a designer for Gorenje, He studied at the Academy of Fine a leading Slovenian company, and he has Arts of Venice; he is finishing his mas- been managing advertising for the Slove- ter’s degree at the Academy of Fine Arts nian National Theatre Opera and Ballet and Design, and he is this year’s recipient Ljubljana: ‘I do not want to limit myself of the Student Prešeren Award - this is to only one thing; I crave various media Dorian Španzel. Already at first sight, he of expression.’ According to him, a per- is a combination of both seriousness and son is challenged throughout their life, impetuous ease, with immense vivacity. and he is on his way to becoming ‘uomo He is a chip off the old block. ‘It would universale’ (a universal man). be strange if I were to become an econo- With a piece of cake on my plate, and mist,’ he jokes. ‘As a child and teenager, I a tape recorder running, I remained seat- had many ideas about what I wanted to ed in their affectionate proximity. I have become, but when it is time to decide, been in Venice today, I reflect. Not in the things become clear very quickly. When Italian coastal town of canals, bridges, St. I enrolled in the Secondary School for Mark’s Basilica and the muddled mass Design and Photography, I realised what of tourists, but in a home with the same I wanted to become. That is - a creative touch of grandeur - full of antiques, person.’ beauty and a view of the embankment of What is life like in Venice? I ask. ‘It the River Ljubljanica, or as Rudolf likes to is full of splendour, history, art, romance, say in jest, ‘the Grand Canal’. He and his but when the sun sets and the tourists wife are full of spirit and they have plans leave, there are only tired caterers, sleep- for the future. I ask them about creativ- less students, and an odd policeman left ity - do they need privacy at work. Ru- on the streets. I do not regret spending al- dolf laughs and says: ‘We have separate most five years of my life there. I became studios.’ They are not among those artists a better person than I would have done who constantly lament and suffer when had I stayed in Ljubljana.’ When compar- they create. They work a lot, but they ing the educational systems in Italy and also know how to enjoy themselves. They Slovenia, he stresses the approach of the complement each other. ‘Biljana loos- teachers. They are more relaxed and open ened up my systematic working methods there, he says; establishing a connection and brought happiness into my life.’ They with a student is important to them, and are looking forward to the times ahead.

36 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 37 SPORTS

Andrej Stare, photo: STA Slovenian national anthem heard twice under Ponca Mountains – thanks to Robert Kranjec

GOOD FOR MEDALS Thanks to Robert Kranjec, the Slovenian anthem thundered out twice under the Ponca Mountains at the 2011/2012 World Cup Ski Jumping Finals held in mid-March in Planica. He first triumphed in the individual competition and, after coming third in the last competition of the season, won the coveted small crystal globe in .

“SLOVENIAN” SKI JUMPING HILLS IN AND TURKEY Kranjec, Slovenia’s best jumper. season and the rebirth of ski jumping in World Cup points for the last race of Slovenia. an extremely successful season were also This has been Slovenia’s most successful collected by three Slovenians: Jurij Tepeš season since it placed fourth in the Cup of Slovenian ski jumper, Robert Kranjec, wins gold in FIS Ski Flying World Championships in Vikersund came eighth, Jure Šinkovec finished in Nations with 3,412 points – 1,744 points eighteenth, and junior Jaka Hvala placed more than the year before; however, the Slovenian sport. In addition to the medals twenty-eighth. “Our achievements in Slovenian ski jumpers also collected 1,000 won by male and female ski jumpers, Planica were not just good, but excellent. points more than in 2002/03 – Zupan’s Slovenian cross country skiers won three We witnessed the first ever Slovenian ski most successful season (2,259 points). medals – gold, silver and bronze – at the flying win for Slovenia. On Saturday, at This year, Slovenia’s ski jumpers have FIS Nordic Junior Cross-Country World the team competition where there was a achieved five great milestones. At the Ski Ski Championships. real fight between the super powers, we Flying World Championship in Vikersund, In 1969, Slovenian civil engineer, Janez came fourth and at the end, the crème de Kranjec became the first Slovenian ski Gorišek, together with his brother Lado, la crème was Robi’s small crystal globe. A flying world champion, the team won a designed the biggest ski jumping hill to dream season – the most successful so far ski-flying medal and Slovenia’s first ever date in Planica. At the first competition – concluded for the Slovenian team in ski- team victory in the men’s World Cup Team on the new “mammoth’ facility, Manfred jumping in Planica. Under the leadership of Ski Flying event when Prevc, Kranjec, Wolf of the former German Democratic the head coach, Goran Janus, and his staff, Tepeš and Šinkovec celebrated victory in Republic flew 165 metres, which set a the Slovenian team – with its ski-flying Oberstdorf with a record points haul at the new world record. From then onwards, world champion and ski-flying crystal end of the season in the Cup of Nations; the ski jumping hills in (), globe winner, Robert Kranjec – achieved they also claimed the first Slovenian Kranjec collected 355 points and won (Czech Republic), Oberstdorf a number of milestones for Slovenian ski victory on Letalnica Bratov Gorišek (the the small crystal globe for the second time (Germany) and Planica in Slovenia jumping this winter. Gorišek brothers’ ski-flying hill) in Planica. in his career, the first being in 2010. “This alternated in recording the longest flights The former B-team coach, Janus, who Slovenia has applied to host the 2017 made by man on skies. was a great weekend – I won, came fourth led the team with aplomb last season by FIS Nordic World Ski Championship in Last year was a turning point. After with the team, third today, and won the helping it to the winner’s podium 32 times, Planica. Its competitors for the honour seventeen years and nineteen successive coveted small crystal globe, which was took charge of the A-team prior to the are Germany’s Oberstdorf, ’s Lahti Slovenian ski jumping reached a new joy of the Slovenian national team was distance records, Planica surrendered its my goal for Planica. It was a mentally season just gone after the resignation and and ’s Zakopane; however, the host peak in Vikersund. Never before in history indescribable. The next day, however, the supremacy to Vikersund, Norway. The exhausting weekend because everybody departure of Matjaž Zupan. It turned out of the Alpine Ski World Championship has a Slovenian competitor won a gold Slovenian team, with , Jure ski jumping hill in the small village by expected this and so it was hard for me. that the A-team’s change of coaching staff will be decided by the International Ski medal at a ski flying championship, until Šinkovec, Jurij Tepeš and Robert Kranjec, Tyrifjord in southern Norway was also I was afraid of making a mistake, but I was the right move, since it is Janus and his Federation at the FIS Congress to be held in today, when Robert Kranjec stood on the unexpectedly won the bronze medal designed by Janez Gorišek. The 246.5 didn’t – so I am really happy,” explained staff who are “to be blamed” for this dream South Korea on 31 May 2012. highest step of the winners’ podium, thus in the team ski jumping competition, meter ski jump of surpassing the achievement of Primož another medal at a major event. of Norway was truly unbelievable. At the Ulaga who won a silver medal in 1988 in The euphoria of the Slovenian team 22nd Ski Flying World Championships, all Jakov Fak – 20 km world champion Oberstdorf. had hardly subsided when even more fans of this sport expected a new record The “Slovenian” ski jumping hill in surprising news came from Turkey, from jump. Although this did not happen, the Norway has bestowed the title of world the town of Erzurum, which hosted the “Slovenian” ski jumping hill in Norway The Slovenian biathlete Jakov Fak won the same as before. It is rare to become champion on Robert Kranjec of Kranj. FIS Junior and U23 nevertheless ensured Robert Kranjec the gold in the 20 km individual at the World a world champion. Some, during their Being among the best in the world for a World Ski Championship. Slovenian ski title of world champion. Biathlon Championship in Ruhpolding, entire career, never know what it means number of years, this thirty-year old ski jumpers, Nejc Dežman and Jaka Hvala, The Slovenian capital Ljubljana Germany. Fak missed only one of the targets to overcome everything. This is really jumper, in his most important jump in the won gold and silver medals, respectively organised a grand reception for our and edged France’s Simon Fourcade into something exceptional – a great success final round, landed at the 244 metre mark, in the men’s individual event (Dežman competitors. More than 10,000 fans of second place by seven seconds. Slovenia’s for Slovenian biathlon and me personally,” a new Slovenian record and the third was the first Slovenian competitor to win ski jumping and cross country , success was rounded off by Klemen Bauer Fak explained, still glowing with success longest in history. This Saturday evening gold at a world junior championship), among them several representatives of who also missed one target and finished two hours after the race – he was on his was truly something exceptional, and the while the Slovenian women took third the Slovenian Government, the National fifth (+16.6). way to the award ceremony in the centre of Slovenian national anthem reverberated place in the team competition. But why Assembly and the City of Ljubljana, The Czech Republic’s Jaroslav Soukup Ruhpolding – and then explained the tactics in Vikersund. The mayor of this village, should the Erzurum ski jumping hill be attended this event on Congress Square. (+12.3; 1) placed third. The third Slovenian that brought him victory. “I paced myself Terje Braathen, also learned a line from considered “Slovenian”? The answer The Minister of Education, Science, biathlete, Janez Marič, finished in 34th place very well in all loops and this resulted in the Slovenian anthem. After Janez is simple: because this sports facility Culture and Sports, Žiga Turk, promised with three missed targets (+3:33). Peter victory at the end,” added Slovenia’s best Gorišek, whom the people of Vikersund in was also designed by Janez Gorišek. In Goran Janus, the head coach of the Dokl (+7:29.1) came 84th. biathlete, who then explained that the the Modum Region consider an extremely only one week, an unbelievable set of Slovenian ski jumping team, all means The Slovenian biathletes’ performances tactics he had planned with his coach Uroš important person, Norwegian ski jumping coincidental circumstances brought of assistance in the season ahead and in during the week in Ruhpolding had Velepec on the evening before the race had fans have a new hero: Robert Kranjec. The complete supremacy in ski jumping to future competitions. promised great success. “The feelings are come to fruition.

38 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 39 SPORTS

Matjaž Nemec, photo: STA their moves became more confident, harmonious and even daring with every match. The initial restraint became a more synchronised game each time. It was obvious that they were a close-knit team, that there was excellent positive chemistry FOLLOWING THE PATH OF THE between them, and that they were driven by the desire to win. The Slovenian team did not show the best of form in the first two matches, against Great Britain and HOCKEY SUPERPOWERS Japan, but still won both, thus laying the foundations for further success. The key match was against Hungary, which the Slovenians won with the greatest goal difference in the Championships (4:1), The Lynx to the World Championships but they gave their best at a special match against Ukraine. Perhaps coincidence was on the side of the Lynx, as well, because the team had already qualified for the Championship of the elite group due to the result of the match between Hungary and Austria, which was also reflected in the The sporting news between 15 and 21 April was dominated by the Slovenian hockey aces, who beat match itself, where the competitors played all comers at the World Championship Division I Group A, and their appearance among the elite much better. in 2013 was well-deserved. Thus the Stožice Centre in Ljubljana, where our hockey players were A real treat for all sports fans, and especially hockey fans, was the match cheered on by a crowd of enthusiastic fans, opened the door to the World Championship for our against Austria: it was full of great hockey, team, the Lynx, and ensured them a place in a great competition in Finland and Sweden. beautiful moves, good defence by both goalkeepers, and the magnificent work of individual players. The gold medals were well-deserved; the crowd chanted proudly about their victory and also to encourage the players to perform even better next year. The selector Matjaž Kopitar has done a great job and laid the basis for further work. In July, he is preparing the first training camp for young players, while in May he is going with expert staff to look for strong competition for training matches at the IIHF session in Sweden. At the end of the year, qualifications for the goal that Slovenian hockey has not yet achieved, The aim of reaching the World peak in the fifth and final match against to be represented at the Olympics, are Championships, so boldly set by the Ice neighbouring Austria, when the Slovenian awaiting the team. We hope that the Hockey Federation of Slovenia, has been team achieved their fifth victory in the Slovenian team next year will be even achieved: the Slovenian team, eliminated prestigious match with the northern stronger, with the currently injured Jan from the World Championships in neighbour. Thus Slovenia ended the World Urbas and Edo Terglav, and perhaps with a Bratislava last year, returned to the elite Championships undefeated, and qualified player from NHL, and we believe that the group, which was also undoubtedly to for the elite group, with Austria, with all 15 silent wish of the Slovenians to play among the credit of the new hockey arena in the points. the 16 best teams in the world will become multipurpose Stožice Centre in Ljubljana, That the team was well prepared and a reality. Perhaps it will be a time when we which became a real fan’s arena with very fit, and that the narrow victories were live to see yet another, new fairy tale. 10,000 spectators, after they had overcome hard-earned was the opinion of both the their initial reservations. With the match spectators and players. The selector Matjaž against Austria, seen by 10,500 enthusiastic Kopitar summed up the entire World fans, Stožice Centre also registered a Championships in a few words: ‘’The hockey record with the number of fans. whole tournament was very close. We The result of the outstanding were winning by a goal, but it turned out preparedness of our team was a splendid that that goal was decisive. I’m also pleased competitive success, which was achieved with the narrow victories, because they after three matches and three victories, were hard-earned.” and the team confirmed its excellent If some inconsistency and slight readiness with their success in the fourth hesitation with handovers could be noticed match. The competition reached its at the beginning of the Championship,

40 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 41 Slovenian As a member of the fourth generation of restaurant owners, fession. “Guests often ask why we didn’t change the name from Delights Tomaž was born with a wooden spoon in his hand. Instead of gostilna (a pub or a restaurant in Slovenian) to the more sophis- learning from great chefs in the world, he perfected his cooking ticated restavracija, which is foreign in origin. For me, gostilna skills in the family kitchen, which, most probably, made him the entails something special. The Slovenian language has one of the master chef he is today. His infinite creativity and abundance of most beautiful terms for a restaurant (gostilna) because the root of Polona Prešeren, photo: Iztok Dimc ideas are the main ingredients in his culinary masterpieces. the word is gost or guest in English and gostiti means ‘to host’. This When I visited him at Zemono, we were seated at a table with a connection between the words tells you everything. It conveys the wonderful vine arrangement. This welcome included a crisp Bar- essence of culinary science. Neither Italians nor the French – two bera (we are, after all, in the Vipava Valley, the home of Barbera great culinary nations – can boast such terminology. I will stick grapes and yes, Barbera was crispy fried), salmon bonbon (as a to this and will not change the name of my Gostilna pri Lojzetu gift of the house), smoked popcorn (this winter the Vipava valley (Gostilna chez Lojze).” Manor of Culinary even saw some snow) and liquid porcini mushrooms (spring and the mushroom season are just around the corner). Everything was What kind of food is prepared? selected with great care and fitted well with the overall concept. Everything was prepared with an eye for detail, including a heart Slovenian dishes hold sway. Slovenia’s culinary delights en- Creativity made of Nanoški sir (Nanos cheese), pumpkin seed and radicchio. compass a rich variety of food. Different cultural influences have Nice, I thought to myself. It made me feel even more welcome. intermingled in our region for centuries, which is reflected in our Tomaž has received many accolades – only recently, the Dining culinary heritage. In a way, this mix of cultures gives us privilege Guide presented him with an award for best restaurant in Central since the best things have always remained with us. Most of the and Eastern Europe; it took him by surprise, but he had a hunch ingredients used by Tomaž come from the region. that something was afoot when the organisers insisted that he at- “I make sure that I do not use much food of foreign origin in tended the Food Show in Budapest in person. In his view, such my kitchen. I prefer food that is traditionally ‘part of us’ and then I achievements confirm that you are on the right track and provide adjust it to modern tastes. My grandmother baked bread with pork Towards the middle of the windswept Vipava Valley, Zemono Manor sits atop a little hill. The inspiration for the future. They motivate every team member and lard; back then, this was, of course, required for the hard work to charming, almost fairytale setting of Zemono, where the cold breeze from Nanos mixes with the further encourage creativity. Before being proclaimed the winner be done in the vineyards. These days, such a rich diet is not neces- smell of the sea hidden somewhere beyond the Kras, is actually famous for its Gostilna pri Lojzetu, in January 2012, Gostilna pri Lojzetu had been shortlisted as one of sary,” explains Tomaž, who has a very good understanding of the the finalists from ten countries. needs of modern guests. a restaurant managed by an exceptional host, Tomaž Kavčič. Tomi, as he is called by his friends, is very pleasant to talk to The restaurant at Zemono is best described as the cuisine of and speaks about the hospitality business with the great enthu- ideas. What Tomaž does and cooks is actually original cuisine. siasm and modesty that is characteristic of the best in any pro- “Cuisine is the basic ingredient. I am always careful not to spoil it. We care for what we do and we serve food to guests so that they can see and feel our attitude. I would like them to see and feel that somebody did something especially for them. I choose different techniques, but I am faithful to those that do not change the pri- mary taste of food. This is the very concept of my cuisine.” A cuisine of ideas and techniques that do not change taste – the taste that only comes from the best of ingredients. This is why Tomaž still shops for food himself. He believes that a meal in a restaurant must outshine food prepared at home. The reason for this is very simple – a housewife usually does not have the time to look for quality ingredients. She is busy and cannot travel to the Bay of Kvarner to buy shrimps or to Prlekija for goose liver. A guest comes to a restaurant to experience something better. “I see this as my duty.”

When you let go …

You won’t find many guests at Zemono engrossed in the menu before they order. They trust the choice of the chef. That could be the reason why he has so many regulars, while new guests mostly come upon recommendation. “This may sound simple to some, but it poses a challenge. In time you develop a sixth sense. Well, you either have it or you don’t.” “When I serve dishes, my guests often ask me what to eat first. Whatever we do, we have to abide by so many rules; therefore, in my restaurant I advise them to relax and do as they please. I would recommend that salty or spicy food is eaten at the end. I always do my best so that every guest feels comfortable.” He has also noticed that people either visit restaurants frequently or prefer to visit them only on special occasions. The latter need more attention to relax and properly enjoy fine dining. “In our restaurant we help guests to breath easily, instead of breathing down their necks.” Slovenians, Italians, and many other foodies from near and far, number among the guests at Zemono. Some travel across the world to taste what they have heard and read about, which in a way cre-

42 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 43 ates a sense of obligation to continuously provide high quality food There are exceptional people with exceptional ideas. Being ex- and service. Furthermore, his guests are spoilt since he is always ceptional and having exceptional ideas, however, will not make there for them. you stand out. The bottom line is how your ideas come to fruition. Tomaž believes that his business – or his entire concept – starts What matters is the overall concept and its implementation. It with the words of welcome to the guests and ends when he bids distinguishes exceptional people from average performers. This is them farewell. This is not just a job but also a lifestyle. Only on definitely true of Tomaž who excels at what he does in his kitchen very rare occasions will you not find him in the restaurant; like a and says, “It pleases me to see a completely satisfied guest.” captain, he only abandons his ship with extreme reluctance. The restaurant has become part of my life, comments Tomaž, when he About Michelin stars shows me his schedule for the next few days. I find it remarkable; what you can do if you put your heart into it. “My work fulfils me “There are several restaurants in Slovenia that, in my opinion, – everything I do, I do for my guests.” deserve at least one Michelin star. I am not saying that those still He also appreciates and accepts the ideas of his co-workers. without a star have been wronged but, simply, that’s the way it He has an excellent team that he trusts and they develop dishes is in our business. Michelin is not expanding in this time of cri- together, which means that he does not have to spend every min- sis. I know that Slovenians came very close and the future looks ute of the day in the kitchen. He does not describe his relationship hopeful. Moreover, I am convinced that this is the wish of every with his staff as traditional. He is first to arrive and last to leave. serious chef.”

Manor of culinary innovation

Tomaž is the fourth generation of restaurant owners in his family. Even as a child he had his place and chores in the kitch- en. This may be the reason why he never went to learn from the great masters in the culinary world. Despite regretting this a few years ago, he has now realised that this enabled him to develop the unique style that has brought him recognition and fame. His ideas are centred around his guests. “I fuss over food in the kitch- en, but what I put on a plate for the guest always breathes with relaxation.” His ideas very often surpassed his knowledge and so he de- cided to go to Spain to hone his skills and acquire new techniques. As a young boy he rode motocross, where he learned to work hard, persevere and act responsibly. He describes it as a positive experi- ence, a balance for being privileged as a son of a restaurant owner. Tomaž considers the ratio between quality and price to be of great significance. How much will you pay for a meal at Zemono? A masterpiece of culinary delight with assorted wines will cost you between €50 and €70. His constant care for quality paid off. His business has not been affected by the current crisis, which he believes made people return to the grassroots, they are redis- covering what has been long forgotten. Human values are at the forefront again and people are thrifty. Zemono is also the cradle of Slovenian slow food. Accord- ing to Tomaž, Slovenian restaurants made the mistake at first of serving many different courses with different wines. The- es sence of slow food was thus tainted and had snob appeal. It is true, however, that despite this unfortunate beginning, the credit for the great leap in the development of dining culture and wine tasting goes to the slow food movement. “The main idea is still to preserve traditional dishes, for example jota (bean and pickled turnip soup) that we saved from extinction. Slow food dinner can also be made of one course when a particular dish would oth- erwise vanish from menus. I want to make it crystal clear that slow food does not mean ten different courses with ten different wines. Such eating habits are simply not in man’s nature.” The regions beyond Slovenia’s borders are a frequent source of inspiration for his work, but he never forgets his roots. “The Vipava Valley has a charm of its own because it is my home.” Tomaž lectures at seminars on techniques of original cuisine. In recent years, he has met several outstanding experts in his line of work. By exchanging views and advice, he keeps abreast of the trends in his profession. His trump card is local ingredients and Slovenian wines. He has developed extensive cooperation with Slovenian wine producers, yet he also serves wines from around the world. He always aspires for diversity.

44 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 45 society

Older age also brings about many erations. In this context, several intro- At the beginning of 2010 there were problems. In competitive capitalism, no- ductory events took place in January and 19 087 places available in 94 homes and Jože Osterman, photo: Darinka Mladenovič tably created and even now supported February that promise that the activities special institutions at 112 different lo- by the materially richest countries, such throughout the rest of the year will not be cations. Thereof, public homes for the demographic trends of course represent a taken as a mere routine. They are expect- elderly supplied 13 706 places in 55 in- certain problem, one that is severely test- ed to peak within the traditional Third stitutions at 73 different locations, while ing their inner ethics. On the one hand, Age Festival, which will take place at the private homes for the elderly ensured 3 the vision of a highly-productive society beginning of autumn in Ljubljana. 865 places made available by 34 provid- Third generation homes and the prevailing values favour drive, It seems that this year will be marked ers with a concession at 34 different lo- extreme performance, success and good by a deeper reflection about the general cations. In addition, special institutions looks – attributes found in abundance social attitude towards the elderly, peo- for adults ensured 1 516 places in five among young people. On the other hand, ple who are more vulnerable and weaker institutions at five locations. If this in- European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations one can observe the ageing population than much of the rest of society, and — formation is expressed in percentages, being left at the margin and no longer in a way — comparable to children, who and given the fact that a few additional capable of contributing adequately to the must, for the sake of their future, enjoy homes have been opened in 2012, we undisturbed dissemination of the antici- the best possible protection. As for the may conclude that the care in homes for Many countries, most notably highly developed countries where the standard of living pated values. Long life also mercilessly elderly, the future is no longer their ally. the elderly home covered no less than 6.5 expands the time span in which various Such reflections will have to be built % of people older than 65 years. This is is higher, have experienced a rapid increase in the average age of the population. This generations (today, almost four!) live to- into all those principles we observe as a a very high percentage, which exceeds people-friendly experience can largely be attributed to substantially higher level of gether — a fact that probably makes the society in providing assistance and support the relevant strategic guidelines call- health-care services and medical advancements. Who would not want to live a long, perceived gap between the oldest and to our senior citizens. In this context, resi- ing for a 5 % share of people included in the youngest even more noticeable. Such dential homes for the elderly are of partic- such care. While this information seems healthy life? Over the previous two decades, the average lifespan has rapidly increased. contradictions are increasingly affecting ular importance. These residential facilities positive at first glance, the situation is al- The data of the national statistical office show that in 2010, 16.5 % of the Slovenian a human value we consider universal: ensure relatively good living conditions by ready a matter of serious concern for the population was older than 65; of this group, no less than 27.7 % were living alone. intergenerational solidarity and coexis- providing a safe building and internal pro- healthcare budget, which is supposed to tence. grammes, and to a large extent apparently finance the basic healthcare services for Therefore, the European Union has look after the elderly and usually already the residents of homes for the elderly. In declared 2012 the European Year for Ac- dependent people well; nevertheless, there 2012, it is obviously not capable of doing tive Ageing and Solidarity between Gen- are some serious reasons for concern. this any longer, because the authorised

46 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 47 insurance company has already started to refuse to sign the relevant contracts. Therefore, the Association of Social Institutes of Slovenia, which incorpo- rates the majority of homes for the el- derly, has warned all stakeholders in- volved that a national system that is only based on homes for the elderly is heading for some major problems. While it is true that once they have agreed to move to a senior residential home, a great majority of elderly people want to live in a single room (a wish that can in most cases not be fulfilled due to their financial situ- ation), it is nevertheless also a fact that while still capable of taking care of them- selves, most elderly people would like to remain in their own home until the last possible moment. These wishes, howev- er, are from the very outset frustrated by the fact that in our country, home care is still poorly developed and unreasonably expensive compared to institutional care. Given the fact that Slovenia has to date also failed to developed a special system of providing long-term care for people who fully depend on the help of others, the homes for the elderly have become a kind of nursing hospitals where the pleasant social life for which these insti- tutions otherwise strive is hardly a real- ity. To put it otherwise, it remains at the level it was 30 years ago. Moreover, if one considers the prob- lem of an uneven coverage of needs, meaning that the demand still exceeds the supply only in the central region, while in the marginal areas, homes for the elderly increasingly remain empty, it becomes clear that behind nice buildings of which we can truly be proud, there are many hidden traps for which we would have to find adequate solutions as soon as possible, perhaps during this year of deep reflection. Balancing the existing elderly care systems and simultaneously intro- ducing proper competitiveness between various providers, which could open new opportunities for a high-quality imple- mentation of the necessary programmes, heritage is undoubtedly a path we should follow in order to facilitate the resolution of a great deal of problems faced by a stag- nating system, waning in strength. To summarise: The first segment we Vodnik’s touched upon in this paper gives a much better image of the situation than it is in reality. This shows how important it is cookbook that rather than for fine, yet empty cel- ebrations, the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Genera- Polona Prešeren, photo: STA tions be used for hard analytical work.

48 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 49 Kuharske bukve (Cookbooks) written and published in 1799 by Valentin Vodnik, orig- inally a poet, is the first cookbook in the Slovenian language. It was recently published in a modernised edition by the publishing house Celjska Mohorjeva družba. The intro- duction to the book was written by the ethnologist Dr Janez Bogataj.

Vodnik was a man of the Enlight- Buckwheat, rye and millet were still A good dish called ‘Poor Man’ enment and the first in many fields in very important in the diet of Slovenians, Slovenia - he was a teacher, linguist, while maize and the potato were quite Take a goblet of milk per one piece of translator, journalist, archaeologist, coin new. And while beef was mostly con- white bread; soak the bread in the milk; collector and priest. He was also the edi- sumed in towns, people in the country crack in nine eggs; add three spoons of tor of the first Slovenian newspaper, Lu- mainly ate mutton and goat meat, ac- flour; mix all together. Slice half a pound blanske novice. He constantly expressed cording to Dr Bogataj’s introduction to (libra) of bacon into thin strips, plus one great concern for the Slovenian language this year’s edition of Kuharske bukve. pound of fruit or apples, also sliced into and planned to write a German-Slove- Vodnik initially explains that the strips; grease the baking tin with butter, nian dictionary, for which he collected kitchen was primarily the women’s do- put bacon in the bottom, then apples, some thirty thousand words. main. Dr Bogataj divides Vodnik’s in- then another layer of bacon, and a layer Vodnik was the author of the first Slo- troductory thoughts into three topics: of apples, until all the ingredients are venian cookbook, which is quite special understanding of cookery, healthy diet used. Then pour over the top the mix- and reflects the period at the end of the (in the spirit of the second half of the ture of milk, bread, eggs and flour, after 18th century. People at that time were 18th century), and Slovenian culinary first having well stirred and whipped the already familiar with basic culinary and terminology. Vodnik advises the cooks mixture. Put a piece of butter on top here gastronomic terms in the Slovenian lan- that rancid food should be thrown away and there. Finally, cook in a baking tin in guage. The cookbook is unique because and not eaten, and that iron rather than the oven where bread is baked. it does not provide recipes for Slove- clay pots should be used for cooking. He nian traditional dishes or describe what points to the hazards that cooking may people ate, but keeps to the guidelines on cause, gives instructions on the use of what people should eat. As a true man of fire, water, salt and yeast, and also ad- Dr Janez Bogataj on the the Enlightenment, Vodnik offered the vises on proper hygiene. It has to be em- importance of Vodnik’s guidelines and dishes which were then phasised that in writing his book, Vodnik Kuharske bukve: only being introduced into the kitchens sought suitable expressions in the Slove- of the period. His introduction, which in- nian language. In the conclusion, he asks ‘Vodnik’s cookbook is sig- cludes instructions for correct and, par- the readers to pardon his terminology nificant in three ways. It was the ticularly, healthy cooking, is of consider- and correct his attempts, because only first cookbook in the Slovenian able historical importance. this way can Slovenian cookery be put language. Secondly, the recipes The population in Europe grew in the ‘in order’. provide a concrete insight into 18th century and there was a food short- The general introduction is followed the dietary habits of 18th century age. However, agriculture was advancing by recipes which can challenge even Slovenians, which had not been due to new technologies and crops. The modern culinary enthusiasts. Interest- described before. As a man of the cookbooks began to emerge, with Vodnik’s ingly, the recipes do not include quanti- Enlightenment, Vodnik tried to being the first in the Slovenian language. ties, but only ingredients. To present how educate cooks and demonstrate According to Dr Bogataj, the dietary habits Slovenians cooked at the end of the 18th healthy cooking (e.g. the intro- and meals of Slovenians in the 18th centu- century according to Vodnik, we suggest duction is written in a manner as ry were a result of the country’s geograph- two recipes from the reprint of his book. a modern nutritionist would use). ical position between the Mediterranean, And thirdly, Vodnik’s book is a the Alps and the Pannonian Plain; the Apple ice-cream proof that Slovenians at the end strongest influences came from the Cen- of the 18th century could be com- tral and South-Eastern Europe and were Peal Steirischer Maschanzker apples pared on an equal basis to others particularly noticeable in the cuisine of the (an old variety) and cut them into quar- - today, well-developed culinary urban population (the cooking of the mid- ters, then boil them in water in a brass environments in Europe - as Vod- dle and upper classes). In those days, pork kettle. Add one cinnamon stick and lem- nik was able to express all the cu- was quite a frequent ingredient, because on rind; cook until soft, then sift through linary and gastronomic terms of the conditions for pig production were ex- a cloth. Add one ounce of sugar per 3.5 that period in the Slovenian lan- cellent, which was also the reason for the dl of apple juice, and cook until a drop of guage, which, given today’s glo- excessive use of lard. In his introduction to mixture turns to jelly when poured onto balisation and the use of English the cookbook, Vodnik warned against the a tin plate and cooled. Cool the entire words, is no longer possible.’ excessive use of lard, fat, bacon and pork. mixture and let it freeze.

50 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 51 Photo: Matevž Lenarčič, Slovenian Tourist Board