07 ISSN 1854-0805 July 2011

Slovenia – mine, yours, ours

• INTERVIEW: Milan Kučan, Lojze Peterle • PEOPLE: Dr. Mrs. Mateja De Leonni Stanonik, Md. • SPORTS: Rebirth of Slovenian tennis • ART & CULTURE: Festival Ljubljana • SLOVENIAN DELIGHTS: Brda cherries are the best contents 1 In focus 6 Slovenia celebrates its 20th anniversary editorial 2 Interview 10 Milan Kučan and Lojze Peterle 3 Before and after 16 20 years of Slovenian Press Agency (STA) 4 Art & culture 27 THE WORLD ON A STAGE 5 Green corner 32 Vesna Žarkovič, Editor Julon, the first in the world Slovenia – mine, yours, ours with “green” polyamide 1 2 Regardless the differences among us Slovenians, we nevertheless have a com- 6 Natural trails 48 mon view of what sort of a country we want to live in: a developed, open, tol- erant, free and solidaristic one – among creative individuals in one of the most Slovenian caves and their telliness developed countries, to put it shortly. We also set these values as our goal 20 years ago when Slovenia gained its independence. How do the former president of the MONTHLY COMMENTARY 4 presidency of the Socialist Republic of Slovenia Milan Kučan and the first prime “No” to referendum like jumping off a train? minister Lojze Peterle see those times today, 20 years later, how do they remem- ber them and how do they project them to the present time? Read about it in this BUSINESS 14 issue’s interview. The Economy is Being Revived and Exports are I was hopeful then and I’m hopeful now, says Dan Damon, Journalist, BBC World Increasing Service, in his letter: “I was hopeful for an independent Slovenia even before 1991 A LETTER 20 because I believed (unlike quite a few Slovenians I spoke to at the time) that Slo- venia would be viable as a small, self-governing nation. I had worked in other Hans van den Broek, Dan Damon small countries, Ireland and Denmark, and I knew that with a strong sense of ART & CULTURE 22 national purpose a small population size was no obstacle to economic viabil- My, your, our Slovenija, The Lipizzaner Museum, ity. Identity is what matters. The Irish and the Danes know what it means to be France Marolt Academic Folk Dance Group at turning part of their nations and I could see those characteristics in Slovenia when I first point, Desetnica goes to two writers, Aleš Šteger, toured Yugoslavia in 1989. “ Festival Ljubljana, The capital of culture On 20 June 1991, five days before Slovenia declared its independence, the STA OUR EXCELLENCE 28 (Slovenian Press Agency) published its first communication, informing the do- mestic and foreign public that the purpose of the Agency was “up-to-date and A house where the sun lives 3 4 prompt informing of the foreign media and other institutions abroad about the PEOPLE 34 developments in Slovenia while simultaneously providing information flow Dr. Mrs. Mateja De Leonni Stanonik, Md. for the needs of the Slovenian media.” Namely, for the young country it was of special importance to secure its own independent information channel which SPORTS 40 would professionally inform the domestic and, above all, the foreign public about Rebirth of slovenian tennis the ongoing developments. SLOVENIAN DELIGHTS 40 20 years later, we are wandering about the significance of “no” at the pension Brda cherries are the best reform referendum. Does it mean that this rejection will be reflected in Slovenian public finance where drastic austerity measures will have to be carried out – or CULTURAL TRAILS 44 shall we assume that Slovenia simply isn’t a reform-oriented country and could Celebrations of the new european country consequently gradually be forced out of “our” markets where it has already es- tablished its positions? This could be a development blow from which our coun- Sinfo – Slovenian information try would not recover for quite some time. In this regard, the upcoming internal Editorial: Government Communication Office, political crisis that will develop as a result of the referendum defeat is the mildest Director: Darijan Košir, Gregorčičeva 25, 1000 Ljubljana, side effect of this vote. tel. +386 (0) 1 478 2630, fax + 386 (0) 1 251 2312, www.ukom.gov.si Editor-in-Chief: Valerija Mencej After more than nineteen years of study and medical and scientific work in the Executive Editor: Vesna Žarkovič, [email protected] USA, Mrs. Mateja de Leonni Stanonik, MD., is returning to Slovenia, where on Editorial Board: Mateja Malnar Štembal, Jože Osterman, Polona Prešeren, invitation by the Minister of Health, Dorijan Marušič, she will take over the man- Hana Souček Morača, Nataša Marvin, Manja Kostevc Photo Editor: Janez Vidrih agement of the e-Health Project, set out in 1995, with the goal of healthcare ser- Production: Nuit d.o.o., Translation: Amidas, DZTPS, vices informatization at the level of the entire state. Government Translation and Interpretation Division Printed by: DZS, d.d., Slovenia, Number of copies: 4600 We are also proud of Blaž Kavčič, a young tennis player from Ljubljana. In recent Available also at: www.ukom.gov.si/eng/slovenia/publication/sinfo years, Slovenian men’s tennis has been witnessing a revival; as a result, a Slo- Cover photo: Joco Žnidaršič venian tennis player now takes the highest world ranking position in our tennis

Government Communication Office:www.slovenia.si history. The current 79th place in the world ranking is the first time ever for a Government Communication Office:www.ukom.gov.si Slovenian player to be among top 100 tennis players in the world. For Slovenia, Government of the Republic of Slovenia: www.vlada.si which is not a tennis power nation, every victory at the Grand Slam tournament Slovenian Tourist Board: www.slovenia.info Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry: www.gzs.si is precious and after Mima Jaušovec, we can again look forward to good tennis Slovenian Chamber of Craft: www.ozs.si times full of victories. Public Agency for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments: www.japti.si Ljubljana Stock Exchange: www.ljse.si Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia:www.stat.si 5 6 State Portal of the Republic of Slovenia: http://e-uprava.gov.si

2 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 3 monthly commentary

Darijan Košir

“No” to reform into effect, which was confirmed by both the Government At the beginning of the referendum campaign, Svetlik, the and the National Assembly and which was drafted for our own Minister of Labour and proponent of the pension legislation, for sake and nobody else’s. The proposed reform was not a revolution the first time presented a number: according to the calculations but a system upgrade. A response to the new demographic facts, of the Ministry of Finance, if the pension reform were not the ageing of the population, the longer life expectancy, and an implemented, in addition to all envisaged austerity measures, a decreasing number of employees working for an increasing reduction in general government expenditure in the amount of number of retired persons. Western societies must carry out approximately EUR 300 million per year or 0.8% of GDP was such adjustments every ten years and they are a natural part of expected, of which EUR 220 million per year or 0.6% of GDP referendum the pension system model which is based on intergenerational constitutes the annual savings required to achieve the medium- solidarity. Such changes to the pension system were not prepared term budgetary objectives. These assessments disregard the due to the economic crisis. We should have done so sooner, but indirect effects of the downgrading of Slovenia’s credit rating, unfortunately had to attempt to do so during this time of crisis. which will undoubtedly cause higher debt payments for the If the reform had been supported in the referendum, Slovenia entire economy and all households, assessed to be at least EUR wouldn’t have been pulled out of the crisis. It would, however, 160 million per year, and affect the business results of banks and have had a better chance of successfully overcoming it. companies, which will then generate fewer tax payments and contributions. Furthermore, individuals will have to make higher like jumping To add some more statistics: from 2000 to 2010, the number of monthly loan payments. recipients of old-age pensions increased by 26 percent, while the average number of insured persons in the same time period Let us remain focused only on the budgetary savings of which increased by less than five percent. What needs to be resolved first is Prime Minister Pahor warned right after the unveiling of the the issue of increasingly reduced pension funds, with increasingly referendum results: where can we tighten our belts and find less inflow and more outflow of capital. The pension funds these savings? This is clearly evident from the structure of general already require approximately 30% additional financing from the government expenditure. Approximately a quarter of public off a train? budget. If this percentage were to continue to rise, there wouldn’t finances is spent on pensions, a little less than a quarter (23.4%) be enough resources for other social programmes, particularly on the salaries of public employees, approximately 15% on the investments, eventually even salaries. At the same time, the purchase of goods and services, and a little less than 14% goes pension rate would also be reduced. Thus, what alternative did for other social transfers. In 2010, only 10% of public funds were Prime Minister Borut Pahor summarised his assessment: “Today the creators of the new pension legislation have? It is very simple: used for investments. These are the global numbers from which in order to avoid further reductions in pension rates, government we will be able to draw savings. Which savings exactly will be we missed the Franco-German train. It left without us.” borrowing at a higher rate to reduce the shortfall in the pension further discussed and negotiated in June, most likely within the funds, higher contribution rates for companies and employees, government discussion on the supplementary budget, with or and a decrease in economic competitiveness, the solution lies, without the additional emergency bill. regardless of the crisis, in retirement at a higher age with longer A very brief, but probably the most accurate diagnosis of which will have to be resolved with strict austerity measures. transitional periods and bonuses for those who started working To put it in simple terms: if the pension reform had been the results of the June 5 pension bill referendum, which was There is no need to explain how “popular” this has been in Europe early. That is exactly what the proposed pension reform provided. supported in the referendum, Slovenia would now have an conclusively rejected, with 72% voting against. The fact that lately. The situation will become even worse if, on the basis of excellent opportunity to slowly and gradually adjust the pension Slovenia is the only country in the world to have held a referendum this referendum result, the European and global business public Aside from the positive message that we live longer and can enjoy system to the current demographic circumstances. According to on a pension bill which envisages extending the employment assess that Slovenia simply is not pro-reform. This could result in our lives and work longer, the Government also had to warn the all calculations and the responses to the failed referendum, it is period of all employees is not the most worrying aspect. We “our” markets driving us out of areas we have already attained. public about what was already mentioned above: that the rejection clear that another attempt at adopting new pension legislation is have decided whether we want to restrict some of the rights we Such a blow to the country’s development would be devastating. of the pension reform would have negative consequences. The required, but in a stricter and quicker form, bringing even more have acquired over time, which have long ceased to correlate In this view, the upcoming internal political crisis arising from the reform opposition – trade unions as initiators and both of the social dissatisfaction and under external circumstances that will with the demographics, a fact which the legislation has not yet referendum defeat will not be the worst side effect of this vote. largest opposition parties, Janša’s SDS and Erjavec’s Democratic definitely not be to our benefit. Whichever government is to lead taken into account. Understandably, nobody wants to vote for the Party of Pensioners – accused the Government of “scaring” the the state, it will have to confront these circumstances. Regardless withdrawal of a particular right, no matter how obscure, let alone The objective of the Slovenian Government before this referendum, citizens. It would be utterly irresponsible of the Government to of the political crisis, these circumstances will start to resemble the right to a reduced employment period. From this view, the which was demanded by the trade unions, who collected 40,000 know about the negative consequences and to not communicate the Portuguese situation. Unfortunately. referendum never had a chance. The Government is most worried signatures (after the bill had been passed in the National Assembly them to the people in a timely and objective manner, e.g. in order about how this rejection will affect Slovenian public finances, by a qualified majority), was very simple: to put the pension to not lose the forthcoming election.

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

Mateja Malnar Stembal, Aleksej Adrijan Loos, Polonca Flego and MFA, photo: Borut Peterlin, Mateja J.Potočnik and archive GCO The exhibition titled “Slove- The inaugural speaker at the postures: dignity, honor, cour- Therefore, the compliment to nia – mine, yours, ours” in- central ceremony will be the age, love, utopia, creativeness, independence and sovereignty cludes 20 photographs of the president of the Republic of victory. Postures are mental draws from the multitude of events from the 20-year pe- Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk; af- gestures, they are poetic deeds cultures and languages of art: riod of our state’s existence; it ter his speech, an artistic part and they are ethical bets – of literature, music, dancing, film, was prepared by the Govern- of the state ceremony, titled individuals as well as of the architecture, painting, sculp- ment Communication Office PogUM (Courage), conceived community. Only such cre- ture, intermedia, performative Slovenia celebrates and was a symbolic start of the and subscribed by the direc- ative postures can give birth to and others. second series of celebrations tor Matjaž Berger and his co- positive principles that think of Performing at the ceremony of the 20th anniversary of our workers, will take place. modern and future as a “prin- will be Slovenski oktet, Sid- th independence. The final event The ceremony of 20th anniver- ciple of hope” (Ernst Bloch). dharta, Carmina Slovenica, within this series of celebra- sary of Slovenia’s statehood is Therefore, the high anniversary Irena Yebuah Tiran, Pavle tions will be the central state placed in a symbolic space of of a prudent and brave posture Ravnohrib, Borut Veselko, Pe- its 20 anniversary tra Govc, Nana Milčinski, Jana commemoration of the State- the Ljubljana Congress Square that gave birth to Slovenian hood Day and the 20th anni- and the University’s volume. statehood and sovereignty calls Zupančič, Matej Recer, Nina “We gained independence for ourselves, not against others, which gave us a moral versary of independent Slove- Symbolic points of Slovenian for new hopes of spirit and Rakovec, Regina Križaj, Nadiya substratum,” said the Prime Minister Borut Pahor at the opening of a photography nia which will be held at the spirit are lining the horizon love utopias that will be able Bychkova, Miha Vodičar, Maša exhibition on Slovenia’s 20th anniversary at Krakovski nasip in Ljubljana. Congress Square in Ljubljana where the statehood is articu- to think future landscapes of Kagao Knez, Katja Konvalinka, on 24 June 2011. lated as a succession of solemn spirit and space of thought. Marko Hatlak, Andreja Murn, Karmen Pečar, Leticia Slapnik Yebuah, Nejc Šurbek, Boštjan Gradišek, Katarina Štefanič, Brina Nataša Zupančič, Barbara Marič, Nik Rajšek, Beno Novak, Barbara Vuzem, Kim Kernand and others along with some Slovenian sports champions. The calendar of other ceremo- nies that will take place all over the country is also available on www.dvajset.si. A few days before the central state ceremony we will also commemorate the ceremonial planting of a linden tree at the Republic Square in front of the Slovenian Parliament on 26 June 1991 − on the day of dec- laration of independence and state sovereignty of the Re- public of Slovenia. At that time, Slovenia’s independence was marked also by other lindens that were planted in all parts of Slovenia. In days following 22 June 2011, the Government Communi- cation Office in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture – National Commemorative Events Office, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Slovenia Forest Service and the society Ecologists Without Frontiers organized a wider ac- tion of planting lindens all over Slovenia in order to symboli- cally celebrate the indepen- dence anniversary in a similar way as 20 years ago. The action was joined by many municipalities as well as lo- cal communities and primary schools. Declaration of independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Slovenia – 26 June 1991

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

Since spring, more than a few sparked self-confidence, ac- lindens have been planted also quiring its symbol, its slogan, by Slovenian embassies abroad its flag on the way towards in- – among others in the Neth- dependence. erlands, Belgium, France, the USA, and elsewhere. WE ALSO CELEBRATE BEYOND Lindens were planted or, to be OUR BORDERS… more exact, watered also in This year’s 20th anniversary a virtual realm. A prize game of independence offers an op- which was organized on Face- portunity to look back at the book within the application path walked by the Slovenian “Plant your own linden” was foreign policy. Above all, how- one of the ways the Govern- ever, it offers a challenge for ment Communication Of- looking forward. In the period fice wished to attract as many before us, special attention will people as possible to celebrate be devoted primarily to global the anniversary. From mid-De- partnerships. In the upcoming cember 2010 until the begin- months, a lot of effort in the ning of June 2011, as many as area of Slovenian foreign poli- 46,173 users planted their own cy will be put into our Security lindens. No less than 2,024,606 Council candidature. droplets of water were used to In the month of celebrating the water lindens in the Slovenia 20th anniversary of Slovenian of music, folklore and theater As an accompanying program Avenue. Their number is actu- statehood, numerous activi- groups preserving and devel- of the event, projections of ally approaching closely the ties to honor the solemn event oping Slovenian culture also films covering emigration will number of inhabitants of Slo- will take place at diplomatic- far beyond our borders. The take place under the organiza- venia. consular missions of Slovenia performing guests will be Slo- tion of Kinoatelje from Gorica/ One of the activities with abroad. At the missions, im- venian expatriate and across- Gorizia, three exhibitions – one which the Communication Of- pressive achievements of our the-border musicians, dancers will present works of annual fice of the Government of the young, two-decades-old inde- and artists coming from Bel- guest painters, the other will Republic of Slovenia wishes pendent Slovenian state will be gium, Croatia, France, Serbia, present Slovenians around the to remind the inhabitants of presented to the guests abroad the USA, Bosnia and Herze- world during the time when Slovenia of the 20-year path through the organization of govina, Germany, Italy, Austria, Slovenia was gaining its in- walked so far is also a revival of various concerts, performanc- and Argentina – therefore, vir- dependence, while the third a legendary TV advertisement es, exhibitions, round tables tually from everywhere. will include works of an artist from the marketing campaign and other activities. Among others, the rock band with Slovenian roots from Ar- “Slovenija, moja dežela” (Slo- Bališ from Carinthia, the band gentina. Apart from the above venia, my country). The ad will …. SLOVENIANS LIVING IN BK Evolution from Venetian listed events, a show with ex- be available for watching also NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES Slovenia, an orchestra, choirs, periments for children will also on the special 20th anniver- AND AROUND THE WORLD, dancing and theatre groups take place that day, while a day sary web site – www.dvajset.si or EXPATRIATES AND ALSO AT from Slovenia, from neighbor- earlier a round table about the www.twenty.si. HOME ing countries and from around position of Slovenians around The marketing campaign from the world will present them- the world is planned to be or- the 1980’s was intended to in- Ceremonies and celebrations selves at various street loca- ganized. Within the event, the volve the widest Slovenian will continue also after 24 June tions across the city center. 4th football tournament of Slo- public into the tourist service 2011. Thus, on Friday, 1 July 2011, The gathering will end in the venians around the world will product. At that time, research Slovenians living in neighbor- evening hours at the Prešeren be held in Ljubljana in the end and creative process brought ing countries and around the Square where inaugurating of July. about the symbol of Slovenian world as well as expatriates speeches will be followed by More information is available tourism and a slogan (Slo- will gather in Ljubljana at the a multimedia performance by on the web page www.dobro- venia with a linden leaf and gathering of Slovenians from Sounds of Slovenia/Sozvočja doslidoma.si and on Facebook. “Slovenia, my country”). The around the world and expatri- Slovenije which will present The Slovenian Tourist Organi- Slovenian public completely ates, under the resounding title Slovenian traditional heritage zation helped all Slovenians, identified with the symbol “Welcome home!” In the city under the artistic leadership of their offspring and friends in and the slogan and “adopted” center, stands of Slovenian soci- accordion player and composer easier deciding about visit- the campaign which was also eties from around the world and Janez Dovč. For this special oc- ing their homeland by pre- manifested in the awareness from the neighboring countries casion, the world-class opera paring numerous actions and that the inhabitants of Slove- will be set up; besides, various singer Juan Vasle and united favorable options that can be nia are the owners of historical organizations active in the area choirs from neighboring coun- checked on www.slovenia. and present identity and re- of expatriation will be present- tries and from other parts of info/homecoming. The site sponsible for the property. The ed. the world will join permanent with announced special tourist campaign “Slovenia, my coun- The event will be variegated members of the Sounds of Slo- arrangements and packages is try” unintentionally evolved by culinary delicacies and tra- venia which is composed of also intended for the exchange into self-awareness; it initiated ditional Slovenian products exceptional Slovenian musi- of impressions and memories the independence process and as well as by performances cians such as Eva Hren. of the ancestors’ land of origin.

8 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 9 INTERVIEW

Member States of the European Vesna Žarkovič Twenty years ago, the historic dream of an independent Community and, subsequently, Photo: Siân Damon, Mateja J. Potočnik the United States. state of Slovenia shared by many of our predecessors Lojze Peterle: We went to Brioni came true. A feeling of pride, confidence and immense as representatives of an already proclaimed country which was unity prevailed. Slovenia declared its independence on winning the war with the Yu- 25 June 1991. In his speech on the occasion, Milan Kučan goslav Peoples’ Army. Politi- cians abroad had to take new ended with words that have remained famous: “Today, facts into account. At that point, dreams are allowed; tomorrow is a new day.” How do some European politicians still hoped for the preservation of they look upon those times today, 20 years later, and how Yugoslavia, while others soon are they transposed to the present by the then President chose the pragmatic path. At Brioni, we agreed to with- of the Presidency of the Socialist Republic of Slovenia, hold the implementation of Milan Kučan, and the first Prime Minister, Lojze Peterle? independence, but we did not abandon the project. Many con- sidered this agreement a cold What are your best and worst clearly stated our desire for an nia if we were to remain firm shower, but in fact it provided memories of the time when independent and democratic in our endeavours for indepen- us with a path to international Slovenia gained independence country in May 1989. The mem- dence. recognition. twenty years ago? ory of the victory of the Demos Milan Kučan: My fondest mem- coalition, the parties of the Slo- Did you have the feeling at the Did you already have a vision ory of those times is related to venian spring in the first demo- negotiations on the Brioni is- of Slovenia’s future develop- the immense unity of Slove- cratic elections in April 1990, is lands on 7 July 1991 that there ment at that time? nians and our common resolve outstanding. Power was taken was a chance that dream would Milan Kučan: It would be an ex- about having sufficient strength by those political forces that had not come true, were you afraid aggeration to say that it was and courage to realise the proj- made independent statehood a of that possibility? already clear to me then how “Today, dreams are allowed; tomorrow is a new day.” ect of securing independence as key part of their political agen- Milan Kučan: No, I was not things would develop, but I a generation that was afforded da. Some other fond memories afraid, even though the climate knew that Yugoslavia, such as the opportunity and had the that stand out are the plebiscite was complicated; but I did not it was, did not have a future, chance to realise the historic on independence; the decla- for a minute believe that any- which is why I endeavoured Milan Kučan and Lojze Peterle from the mid-eighties to gain dream of our predecessors. Up ration of independence; the one could prevent our deci- until then, as a nation we had great unity after the aggression sion to pursue independence. allies for a new agreement, or not had the opportunity to have of the Yugoslav Peoples’ Army; I knew the journey would be failing that, at least agreement our own state. The unity at the victory in the war for Slovenia, an arduous one, and I was not to a peaceful departure from time still fills me with joy today, and the departure of the last certain that it would end as Yugoslavia. We wished to place as we were not able to mus- soldier of the Yugoslav Peoples’ soon as at the Brioni meeting, the Yugoslav federation on a ter such unity either before or Army; the introduction of our which had several phases: from new footing; we were not yet after that. It is with reluctance own currency; and interna- the one proposed by Van den considering independence. It that I think of the war that at- tional recognition of Slovenia in Broek, namely the return to the was only after our ideas fell on tempted to reverse the decision January of 1992. One especially original position, to the one Slo- barren soil that it became nec- taken by the Slovenian people fond memory is of the meeting venia agreed to - that it would essary to contemplate indepen- at the plebiscite. People stood with Chancellor Kohl in August postpone the processes aimed dence. This idea was brewing unarmed and faced the tanks; of 1991, when we discussed the at gaining independence for in the increasingly more struc- the war took its human toll, issue of the international recog- three months and arrange for tured opposition, which led to and I remember those people nition of Slovenia. I will never the withdrawal of the Yugoslav the establishment of political with sadness in my heart, even forget the attitude of solidarity army. The crucial element that parties, as well as the first dem- though the character of the at- of my wife Branka who, in spite moved me from my pessimistic ocratic elections. The Europe tack on Slovenia was very dif- of many offers, refused to leave state of mind was the final draft Now document envisioned Slo- ferent from that on Bosnia and Slovenia with our children dur- agreement by Van den Broek, venia in the European integra- Herzegovina and Croatia. In our ing the time of war. one of the signatories of which tion process. If this idea could case, it was not due to a territo- The bad memories I have are – alongside the European Com- not be realised within Yugosla- rial policy, or ethnic cleansing, associated with the seizure of munity and the federal govern- via, we were determined to do it but to prevent Slovenia from the arms of the Territorial De- ment – was Slovenia. This was outside the structure existing at establishing itself as an inde- fence Force; with certain media the beginning of Slovenian di- the time. The international en- pendent state. The essential el- that belittled the independence plomacy that led it as an entity vironment was not inclined to ement necessary for war was project; with the opposition’s into the corridors of interna- independence, and it is usually missing. This is of great signifi- stand after the plebiscite, and tional life. In the months that forgotten in what kind of cir- cance for the process of the dis- with the strikes just before in- followed, a lot of work needed cumstances independence was integration of Yugoslavia. dependence. My distinctly dis- to be done, as well as plenty achieved. The fall of the Berlin Lojze Peterle: I will begin with turbing memory is of a tele- of patience mustered, both of Wall and the consequent unifi- pleasant memories of the May phone call from General Adžić, which led to the joint recogni- cation of Germany were advan- Declaration, with which we who threatened to level Slove- tion of the Slovenia state by the tageous to what we were doing,

10 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 11 INTERVIEW as they gave rise to a sort of new time, have you talked to him ing of Yugoslavia in terms of flying over during the night of is also the result of a psycho- I am most concerned about is for change, we had the will and gained access to new technolo- political configuration that es- on any occasion? the ambition for a Great Ser- the celebration was a declara- logical crisis; a sort of creation declining competitiveness and knowledge, we adopted re- gies; but we are perhaps regret- tablished a new atmosphere in Milan Kučan: Milošević was a bia. tion that the army had not come of a feeling that everything is the deficient functioning of the forms – from ownership to the ting a little the parting with the Europe. The negative sign was pragmatic politician; he en- to terms with Slovenian inde- dismal, that there is no way out, rule of law. Too much attention defence system reform – and Slovenian currency, because it associated with the future of tered politics without the po- Had you received any warn- pendence, and so the war was a which has come back to haunt is being paid to the expenditure made changes in foreign poli- was after independence that the Soviet Union - namely, how litical programme fostered ings from the federal govern- logical consequence of that fact. politics like a boomerang, and side, and too little to the income cy, all of which required effort, we had our own money for the changes in Europe would affect by the Serbian Academy of ment ahead of the central Lojze Peterle: We received the which is why politics and not side. In addition, the country is courage and a lot of motivation. first time in history. It would be future developments in the So- Science and Art, which was celebration on 26 June 1991 in first warning from the Yugo- only the government is faced too expensive and the manage- We are now in a phase that re- difficult to find real evidence viet Union. Luckily, this fear was termed the Memorandum. If Ljubljana, when two warplanes slav Peoples’ Army on the day with the lowest level of confi- ment of state-owned compa- quires us to take a step forward, that would place the blame for unjustified, as the Soviet Union one wishes to understand his buzzed the city? my government was elected, dence yet. The political parties nies is poor. Slovenia has lost for which we will need cour- the conditions on the EU, but disintegrated according to a moves, one needs to under- Milan Kučan: The planes were when the Yugoslav Peoples’ are not faring any better, as it the dynamics of reform, and age. I believe that we will be the referendum campaign has certain logic - as did Czecho- stand this programme. It was just one of the many warnings Army started claiming weap- is difficult to cultivate positiv- borrowing is rising steeply. The able to take that step, because brought about the dangerous slovakia - while they wanted an unfortunate set of circum- that we received even before ons from the Territorial Defence ism. But it is not the data on necessary reform can only be this ensures a positive outlook principle of people thinking to see Yugoslavia as an internal stances, with academia lack- that. More so than to Milošević, Force. Some of us understood economic growth and competi- assured by a different political for the future. We will adopt re- that the pension reform is being problem in that overall context. ing the power to realise their the preservation of Yugosla- this act as a declaration of war. tiveness that is of key impor- option. I am certain that Slove- forms by ourselves and not al- dictated to us by the EU, so that There was no willingness to see programme and Milošević be- via was very important to the Thus, we immediately began tance, but social and political nia has the potential to change low them to be dictated to us by it could be presented as a threat it as an international problem ing without a programme. But leadership of the Yugoslav defensive preparations. The unity, and the feeling of social the trend and also to return the most developed countries, and not as an opportunity. requiring the intervention of he had the power, and these Peoples’ Army, which held the talks with the President of the compactness of Slovenian so- policy to the service of national which would be an encroach- Lojze Peterle: Some people in Slo- the international community, two merged into an untoward view that, if the political lead- Federal Government, Marković, ciety. A big problem is the level interests. Extremely demanding ment on the country’s sover- venia are spreading the idea that because the prevailing belief combination; that is, Yugo- ership was unable to preserve and the Yugoslav Peoples’ Army of unemployment – something challenges await us. eignty and financial guardian- independence and the EU are to was that this was an internal slavia was a state in which all the country, then this would seemed unlikely to succeed. we are not used to – which is, ship. The problem is that the blame for the crisis, which is far conflict that had nothing to do Serbs lived and represented be done by the army. The army The over-flight of aircrafts was however, still below the Euro- The outcome of the referen- reform proposal is not very well from the truth. Both contribut- with Europe. They thus washed the integrative nation, while became a partner to politics, a sinister sign from the military; pean average. For comparison, dum on the confirmation of the established in the dialogue be- ed to better framework condi- their hands of the whole affair, everyone else had to live ac- which had no civilian supervi- however, we had been receiving let me just provide some basic new pension act was conclu- tween social partners; its op- tions for the realisation of Slo- leaving Slovenia alone to warn cording to the rules set by sion looking over its shoulder. It political indications before, de- data: in 1990, Yugoslavia’s GNP sively rejected by the elector- ponents are proposing delaying venia’s national interests. How of the possibility of Yugoslavia Serbs. If it was impossible to therefore assumed the role of a spite the constitutional right to per capita was $5000, with Slo- ate on 5 June, with 72% of votes the reform and a resumption of these conditions are exploited breaking up. It was only when realise the thesis of Yugoslavia political originator and realised self-determination and seces- venia having less than $9000, being cast against the act. Is the discussion, whereby they particularly depends on the rul- the war in Slovenia began that as Serboslavia, then the ter- its role through threats. It saw sion. On his last visit to Slovenia while today, GNP per capita in this a sign that Slovenia is not a are pushing the country into a ing body. Europe became aware that, af- ritories that Serbs historically Slovenia as a particular incon- before independence, Marković Slovenia is EUR 25,000, which reform-oriented country? time crunch and, consequent- If we take a look at the nation- ter fifty years, it had yet again a inhabited needed to be se- venience, because we had had was very stern; although, there is 90% of the European average. Milan Kučan: One could char- ly, into a subordinate position alist parties in Europe, we can new war zone on its territory. cured. He was convinced that old grudges with the leadership was no direct announcement of Twenty years after the fact, Slo- acterise the current situation as vis-à-vis other countries. The observe that they are strong on Lojze Peterle: Independence was it was impossible for Serbs to of the army as, after the attack an attack. venia is recording an outstand- one in which the government country’s sovereignty is thus NO, but provide little on visions a precondition for a free future. be only a national minority on Czechoslovakia in 1968, the ing rise in welfare and economic had the right policy, but the sacrificed. To me, it is the ex- for YES. With the new common We actually had two demand- anywhere. When the Yugoslav Slovenian concept of territorial How do you see Slovenia today, development; we have sound proposal came from the wrong pert arguments that matter; but challenges which are being dis- ing tasks – to set up an inde- Peoples’ Army was withdraw- defence was adopted because of twenty years later? foundations for further devel- government. People need to be it is also true that referenda are cussed in individual countries, pendent state and to break away ing from Slovenia, it did not the threat that an intervention Milan Kučan: Slovenia is still a opment, as well as for imple- made to understand that it is dominated by a government a strong joint European YES from Communist totalitarian- move to Serbia, but to the bor- by the Warsaw Pact could also success story, among other rea- menting changes, all of which one thing to express one’s opin- with a low level of confidence. is gradually becoming more ism. Only as an independent ders of Great Serbia that are to occur in Yugoslavia. This con- sons because it is aware of its requires greater maturity. I am ion about reform and another Lojze Peterle: This shows that necessary. National and social and democratic entity, were this day still the borders of Re- cept had already been imple- problems – both those brought optimistic and convinced that to express it about the gov- we have poor government and demagogy cannot ensure it. we able to rely on international publika Srpska. Slovenia was mented by Slovenians during about by the global crisis and the parties have hijacked the ernment. We will express our little sense for mutual politi- recognition and the integration ethnically a relatively pure the Second World War – not in those we brought on ourselves. state from the citizens, and that opinion about the government cal denominators. The Govern- After independence and the inter- of Slovenia in the EU and NATO. country and historically not the form of a parallel army, but We had a period of plenty, when now is time for them to return it. at the elections – it is there that ment approached the reforms national recognition of Slovenia, Our vision was based on a will- claimed by either the Serbs or as a complementary army. The we should have saved a portion Lojze Peterle: Twenty years ago, the government will have to ac- in an unprofessional manner Milan Kučan was elected as the ingness to truly share values the Croats. His view was that, constant issue was whether this of the wealth for difficult times, we took over Slovenia in a very count for itself and reap what it and without a comprehensive first President of Slovenia in 1992, and principles with the Euro- if Slovenia could be preserved defence force was subordinate but we were living and spend- difficult position, but the project sown, whereas we are now vot- package, which would also re- with the support of the citizens list. pean Union. This meant putting within the Yugoslavia that to the federal leadership or to ing beyond our means and, un- of independence and democra- ing on our future. If the goal is solve the income issue. The re- He won another five-year term in an individual at the centre, es- the Serbs desired, then they the republican leadership. The fortunately, in an unproductive tisation was very uplifting. We reform and the national inter- sult was known in advance. 1997-2002, running again as an in- tablishing the rule of law and a were welcome; otherwise, we federal army was of the opin- manner. We now find ourselves were able to implement mo- est, then no sacrifice is too great. dependent, and again winning the social market economy. would not stand in their way. ion that the Territorial Defence in the period of want, with no mentous changes and achieve This is the wisdom that goes be- Does this indicate that there majority in the first round. His presi- Lojze Peterle: The man was very Force was merely an extended reserves, and this is having a unity in key political goals. yond the wisdom of party inter- are anti-European tendencies dency ended in December 2002. He How do you asses the role of unfortunate. I never met him, armed force of the Yugoslav detrimental effect on the future. Economic growth emerged af- ests. present in Slovenia? was succeeded as President by Janez Slobodan Milošević (President but I can ironically say that we Peoples’ Army, which led to We have slipped on a banana ter two years, and continued The pension reform is urgent, Milan Kučan: There are by no Drnovšek. of the Socialist Republic of should have erected a monu- continuous conflicts due to the skin, and I hope that we will until the global financial crisis. and so are reforms to health means any such tendencies, as Serbia and Republic of Serbia ment in his honour, because differences in opinion. When come to recognise the causes For many years, we progressed care, the labour market, higher the standard of living in the EU Alojz ‘Lojze’ Peterle was the leader from 1989 until 1997 in three his actions helped us enor- Slovenia chose independence, for the slip up and not repeat it dynamically and strengthened education, the education sys- is yielding positive results, and of the Slovene Christian Democrats terms of office, and as Presi- mously in our struggle for our this was a great challenge to the - meaning that we will decide our international reputation. tem, etc. We have come a long Slovenians are not attribut- from the founding of the party in dent of the Federal Republic of independence. Due to his na- army, and it also ended the view on reforms and on some sort The image and atmosphere are way in these twenty years; we ing the problems to the EU, but 1990 until it merged with the Slove- rather to the incompetence of nian People’s Party in 2000. Between Yugoslavia from 1997 to 2000, tionalist and backward-look- that the army was untouchable, of stable political atmosphere. different today. The global crisis were a success story, but the political structures to take ad- 1990 and 1992, he was the president A/N). Firstly, do you believe ing policy, it was easier fro us so that it was subjected to civil- Slovenia is not in as bad a shape has also revealed internal rea- world has changed completely vantage of the possibilities and of the first freely elected Slovenian that he recognised early on to explain to the international ian control. The Slovenian po- as portrayed by the Slovenian sons. The fact is that we have in the meantime, so we can not opportunities afforded by living government, and was among those that there was no possibil- community why we could litical leadership was therefore internal political establishment, not yet completed the transi- go forward with the same in- together. People believe that the who led Slovenia to independence ity of preventing Slovenia no longer live together in the a disruptive factor for the army. primarily to further particular tion. The ‘planned economy’ is struments. The world is mov- euro has brought good things from Yugoslavia. He is currently a from gaining independence; same country. Milošević un- They attempted to subordinate party interests, and we should still in operation and it has con- ing faster and we are lagging with it; there are no more bor- Member of the European Parlia- and secondly, how would you derestimated us, and he first it – even with proclamations of look at the objective indicators tributed significantly to the halt behind. We were successful in ders, no customs controls; we ment. characterise his role at that tried with a wider restructur- a state of emergency. The planes that support this view. The crisis in economic growth. But what the past because we were ready

12 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 13 At the Slovenian - Slovak con- cator, namely 10,630. Slightly ference, they mainly discussed more than 7,000 employed Vesna Bertoncelj Popit, Delo, photo: STA the success reached by Slovakia persons worked at Slovenske Business upon recovery after the crisis, železnice, and a slightly over while the economic coopera- 6,000 at Pošta Slovenije. tion between the countries is Since, a few years ago, com- increasing, the results of which pulsory membership in the are shown in the Port of Koper. Chamber of Commerce and The Economy is Being Revived At Pipistrel, from Ajdovščina, Industry of Slovenia was re- they built a new four seat air- placed by optional member- and Exports are Increasing craft, Panthera, the first aircraft ship. Now the Government is that will use electric drive upon preparing legislation by which taking off and landing, making optional membership will be Mr. Kranjec. On the other hand, influence reduction of the un- it almost inaudible to its envi- introduced in other chambers, the interest rates in Slovenia are employment rate. Last year, the ronment. This will be the first both in the Chamber of Craft much higher on average than in share of unemployed persons in aircraft intended for produc- and the Chamber of Agricul- the euro zone. Credit activities the active population reached tion next to Rojce airport near ture and Forestry. The Chamber of banks in relation to compa- 7.7 per cent and was the highest Gorica, since it will be too large of Craft and Small Business, in nies were significantly reduced it has been since 2005. Accord- for production in Ajdovščina. particular, does not agree with last year, and thus influenced ing to the forecasts, the number Annually, they intend to pro- optional membership, since the contraction of banks’ bal- of unemployed workers, which Dr Janez Šušteršič, the economist duce around 200 aircrafts of craftsmen and especially pri- ances. The credit growth is also exceeded 110,000, should start this type, which would also be vate entrepreneurs need com- low in this year’s first quarter. decreasing. The Government to the fact that it is still so low, by the OECD, are known. hard to test in Ajdovščina due to pulsory membership and as- Credit for non-financial com- should also continue with the rather than that it advanced by The Slovenian economy and frequent windy days. sistance from the Chamber. This panies is being reduced, and measures that promote growth one place. But the experiences Slovenian economic diplomacy Nieros Metal, from Slovenj Gra- is particularly related to the fear the intra-annual level of credit of the GDP. show that Slovenian econo- were very active in the previ- dec, with its three hygiene ma- of significant reduction of in- growth is lowering and is still The OECD expects that the re- mists are very critical of the ous year, and on the other hand, chines for disinfection, is placed come from membership fees, negative, emphasises the gov- covery of the Slovenian econ- situation in their country, both several companies reached no- among the three largest world which the Chamber of Com- ernor, Marko Kranjec, who also omy will strengthen, and an- in conditions of high conjuc- table results. The NKBM bank producers. This year, they plan merce and Industry of Slovenia implied that if Slovenia doesn’t nounces 1.8 per cent economy ture or crisis, above all, much (Nova kreditna banka Maribor) investments in the amount of had to face. In addition, a new Marko Kranjec, the governor of the Bank of Slovenia begin controlling public expen- growth for Slovenia this year more critical than economists is the first Slovenian company EUR 700,000, the most im- President was appointed to the diture, the scenario of requiring and 2.6 per cent for the follow- in other states that were placed to be quoted on one of the for- portant of which will be in the Chamber of Commerce. This The Slovenian gross domes- than in the European Union. help from the European Union ing year. Although, the Institute much higher on the scale. Slo- eign markets, namely on the welding robot with laser vision, position should be filled by Mr. tic product has increased by Otherwise, the Slovenian econ- and International Monetary of Macroeconomic Analysis and venia was placed 21st, pretty Warsaw stock exchange. Some being of great importance upon Samo Hribar Milič, who thus far two per cent in this year’s first omy, as published by the Agen- Fund, could repeat in Slovenia. Development established that low, among the 34 OECD states other Slovenian companies entering new markets, particu- has been the Director-General quarter. This has already been cy of the Republic of Slovenia His words were rejected by the welfare in Slovenia did not in- on the scale of life happiness. have similar plans, among them larly in the USA. of the Chamber. Now, the func- the fourth subsequent quarter for Public Legal Records and Minister of Finance, Mr. France crease in the last two years. On It was placed highest, eighth Gorenje and Zavarovalnica Tri- In 2010, the highest total rev- tions of Director-General and with two per cent economic Related Services (AJPES), did Križanič, who did establish the other hand, the global com- place, with regard to safety, glav. The business conference enue was reached by Petrol President shall be combined. At growth in Slovenia. Export de- business resulting in net loss for that it was important that the petitiveness scale prepared by lowest, 26th place with regard between Slovenia and Italy was (EUR 2.4 billion), Mercator first, Mr. Hribar did not intend mand contributed most to the the first time in the period after financial markets heard the the IMD from Lausanne drew a to environmental assessment, attended by 80 economists and and Revoz, and the highest net to run for the post of President, growth, along with investment, 2001; namely, it produced more statements of Mr. Kranjec, but lot of attention in Slovenia. Al- and 25th place with regard to politicians, and, inter alia, the profit, by the pharmaceutical but afterwards, as he said, some mainly an increase in invest- net loss and net profit. Com- pointed out that the Slovenian though Slovenia was placed one general satisfaction. But some significance of foreign invest- company Krka (EUR 166 mil- significant Slovenian Direc- ments in supplies, which had mercial companies produced economy is being revived and is position higher on this scale economists were quite reserved ments was stressed there, since lions), the Holding Slovenske tors asked him not to withdraw to be replenished by companies net profits of EUR 2.6 billion on the safe side. The reviving of then on the previous one, it still regarding the indicators of Italy is the fourth largest foreign Elektrarne and the pharmaceu- from the post, and the results of after the fall of the GDP during and net losses of EUR 2.8 bil- the economy and growth of ex- ended up low, namely in 51st life happiness. Thus, Mr. Janez investor in Slovenia. tical company, Lek. Last year, the elections confirmed the jus- the crisis, and production re- lion. Within the AJPES frame- port is also shown in improved place. The responses on the sur- Šušteršič estimated that al- In one of the investments, the the company with the highest tification of his candidacy. duction. In Slovenia, fast eco- work, the mandatory process government inflows, stressed vey of the economists of each though the placement of Slove- Ljubljana-based company, Ju- number of employees was Mer- nomic growth is hindered, in of set off of claims and liabilities Mr. Križanič. This should already country contributed the most nia is approximately the same lon, began new production of particular, by a decline in civil takes place, which should help with regard to the other indi- econyl, which is a technological engineering due to difficulties to improve payment discipline. cators, the global results of this innovation in the processing of of the building industry that Mr. Marko Kranjec, the gov- scale should be less important raw materials for making plas- should, as estimated by the na- ernor of the Bank of Slovenia, than individual placements, tic materials that will enable tional statistical office, fall to pointed out that the most im- which should be analysed. In savings in both petroleum and the same level as ten years ago. portant characteristics of Slove- addition, Mr. Šušteršič, as the energy consumption. As said Should the decline in civil en- nian public finances include the former Director of Institute of by Mr. Giulio Bonazzi, the CEO gineering stop, Slovenia would large dependency of the econo- Macroeconomic Analysis and of the Italian company, Aquafil, have an economic growth of my on external rather than in- Development, emphasised that and the owner of Julon, this is three per cent, which would be ternal resources, as well as the they themselves took numerous the only plant of its kind in the a very strong result. The Statisti- dependency of the bank sector other indicators into consider- world, and is the result of two cal Office, which publishes data on external resources. If Slove- ation upon their analyses. Mr. years’ work by an international on inflation at the end of each nia does not solve this issue by Matjaž Hanžek, former Human team of experts. In the future, month, calculated an inflation increasing savings and reduc- Rights Ombudsman, stressed it will only be possible to gain of 0.8 per cent for April, and ing real sector leverage, it will among other things that several buyers by offering products that 2.4 per cent as the annual infla- be hard to expect higher eco- indexes similar to the index of will not destroy the environ- Dr Franc Križanič, Minister of Finance tion rate, which is slightly lower nomic growth, in the opinion of life happiness, now published ment.

14 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 15 BEFORE AND AFTER

Barbara Štrukelj, STA editor-in-chief The creation of the STA and the rent and rapid information to written, was sent by telefax; media space. In 1993, editorial beginnings of its activities are the foreign media and other in- these items were mostly brief offices for national and foreign closely linked with the birth stitutions abroad on the events reports on the events in Slove- policy were formed as the first of the Slovene state. The cre- in Slovenia and at the same nia. In those days, the Agency two editorial departments, and ators of the STA were already time to develop the informa- operated as one, general edito- a year later, economy, cultural 20 years of Slovenian at the end of the 1980s aware tion flow to meet the needs of rial office; at the end of 1991 it and sports editorial offices. In of the importance of informa- the Slovenian media”. For a employed a staff of seven, and the same year, an independent tion for shaping the media im- young state it was, indeed, es- its first editor-in-chief became English news service started age of Slovenia which was at pecially important to ensure its Dušan Rogelj. The work took to operate in-house, while up Press Agency (STA) that time on the threshold of own and independent infor- place already then in shifts, to that time the news for for- gaining its independence. Such mation channel which would we, the journalists, reported eign public in the English lan- thinking bore fruits on 24 May professionally inform both the from press conferences, sum- guage was prepared by exter- 1991, when the contract on domestic and foreign public on marised press releases, fol- nal translators. As one of the Years ago, an acquaintance of mine asked me who this journalist was, using founding the STA was signed the current events. Jelko Kacin, lowed the reporting by the for- rare media houses in Slovenia, the acronym “sta”, who was writing so many articles for a variety of news- by the then Executive Council who was then the minister for eign press agencies and media, it also formed an editorial of- papers. Of course, the question was asked half jokingly, half seriously, how- of the Assembly of the RS and information, and his prede- and took care to ensure that the fice for European affairs at the by the company INI. A few days cessor Stane Stanič, were very STA news service was evolving time of accession of the state to ever, the work of the STA – Slovenian Press Agency – that celebrates its 20th later, on 3 June, the STA was well aware of this fact. into a “serious” agency service. the European Union. The STA anniversary only a few days before the Slovene state, is relatively unknown registered as a limited liability In those crucial days in the mid- The golden rule was, of course also put on its feet its perma- company, and Dejan Verčič be- dle of 1991, the work of a hand- – independent, credible, ob- nent correspondence bureau to the wider public. This is not surprising, as the press agency offers its news came its first general manager. ful of journalists and editors jective and swift information in Brussels. In 1996, the agency primarily to the media, companies, and state and other institutions. Its ser- Five days before the declara- took place in the premises on based on facts and sources. also widened its presence in tion of independence of Slo- Cankarjeva ulica in the centre In the years to follow, the STA the media space to the world- vice has become available in a limited form to the ordinary reader only after venia, on 20 June 1991, the STA of Ljubljana, when the build- was growing and developing wide web; 10 years later, a pic- appearing on the world-wide web. published its first message in- ings were being flown over by under the management of the ture service started to operate, forming the domestic and for- airplanes of the then Yugoslav general manager Tadej Laber- and two years ago the Agency eign public that the intent of People’s Army (JLA). The first nik; its news became an indis- developed an offer of radio the agency is “to provide cur- news, that was often hand- pensible part of the Slovenian news with sound clips.

16 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 17 BEFORE AND AFTER

The journalists of the STA re- eral permanent and contract journalists and collaborators of port every day on the events at reporters abroad: in addition the STA led in 2009 to the cre- home and in the world; and an to Brussels, it has a permanent ation of a web page called the important source of informa- correspondent in New York Crisis Mirror (Kr-og), which tion for a small national press and contributors in Zagreb, at the outbreak of financial agency such as STA are for- Rome, Trieste, Gorizia, Klagen- and economic crisis brings an eign agencies. STA, which has furt, etc. overview of the measures and been a member of the Euro- The market in Slovenia, due to best practices in Slovenia and pean Alliance of News Agen- its smallness, is quite specific. abroad. Last year, a web page cies (EANA) for many years With approximately 200 cli- –“Think Slovenian” in the field collaborates with more than 15 ents, among whom are all the of culture – was also added to foreign press agencies, among important Slovenian media, the STA web contents. them the American AP, French economic and financial insti- In this year, the Agency AFP, German dpa, Austrian tutions, state and other institu- launched, with co-financing APA, Croatian Hina, and others. tions, the Agency creates ap- by the European parliament, The editorial system, which we proximately 3.6 million EUR of the project “Europe, the day use every day in our in-house net income annually from sales after tomorrow” intended to work and which we endear- of services. present endeavours of the Eu- ingly named STAnka, is the Four services of the STA – the ropean institutions for setting result of own knowledge and core and the largest general up new development models. development. news service, the English news The STA also arranges atten- The STA was acquiring a role service, the picture service Barbara Štrukelj, STA Editor in Chief tion-grabbing round tables on and recognisability in the Slo- and the radio news service – the topical themes under the venian media space, and today are supplemented by a range auspices of its brand STAklub it is one of the leading suppli- of other specialised services. and thus increases its visibility. ers of the news for both the do- These include: news and pic- The traditional status of au- mestic and the foreign public. ture archive, daily bulletin, thority of the Agency as the In a state-of-the-art “news- clipping, possibility of distrib- first one in the chain of com- room” on Tivolska cesta, where uting original press releases via munication of information the Agency has its premises O-STA, news alerts - brief in- is, actually, disappearing; the since 2001, more than 300 re- formation in the form of news media environment is chang- ports in Slovene on the most blocks and news strips, as well ing rapidly with the emer- important events at home and as content-related projects that gence of modern technologies abroad, and approximately are produced by the Agency which open up the possibility 50 news items in English on at every important event on of applying new communica- the key events in Slovenia are which it reports even more tion channels, Press agencies, prepared and published by ap- extensively (e.g., the Olympic both the largest agencies and proximately 80 journalists and Games, inclusion of Slovenia the small national ones that contract collaborators, In ad- into the Euro-Atlantic integra- operate in small markets and dition to that, the STA has an tions, etc.). to which STA also belongs, are extensive correspondent net- New projects of a well quali- looking for a solution in the work across Slovenia and sev- fied and dedicated team of Barbara Štrukelj, STA Editor in Chief and Bojan Veselinovič, General Manager development of the range of new services and above all in offering the contents in a user- friendly manner. The develop- ment of applications for smart telephones and tablet personal computers is thus a new devel- opment stage, set as a goal by the STA. On the threshold of its third decade, the STA is facing new tasks. Its status and future are linked with the understanding and support of the state for the development plans and with our own resourcefulness and insight which was typical of all teams of journalists, edi- tors, photographers and other collaborators who were creat- ing the image of the STA during all these years. To all who have stood and still stand behind the acronym »sta«.

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

Hans van den Broek, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom Dan Damon, Journalist, BBC World Service of the Netherlands (1982–1993), European Commissioner for External Relations and Enlargement (1993–1999) I was hopeful then and I’m hopeful now My personal memories of the turbulent Dutch Presidency of the EC Council in 1991

Twenty years have passed. Looking back on the relatively intention to do so on its own account if agreement was not reached peacefully attained Slovenian independence is a lot more positive by Christmas. After intense discussion at the meeting of EC Foreign than it was in the nineties, trying to find a proper solution to the Ministers held on 16 December 1991, agreement was finally Yugoslav conflict in terms of secession, which claimed a tragic reached, which led to formal recognition the following month. The number of victims in some republics. tragic and violent further partition of the former Yugoslavia also The unilateral declaration of independence of Slovenia and Croatia led to unfortunate consequences in the Netherlands. on 25 June 1991 and the military intervention of the federal army Slovenia deserves not only congratulations on its twentieth were a wake-up call for the European Community (EC). Growing anniversary but also appreciation for having cooperated in tensions in the former Yugoslavia in the late eighties were achieving the Brioni Agreement. With its almost homogenous overshadowed within the European Commission by historic events population and already well-developed political, economic and such as the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989), German reunification even military autonomy, Slovenia was ready for self-determination (1990) and the Gulf War (1990–1991). and independence. The secession of Slovenia and Croatia heralded the dissolution of the Croatia, however, declared independence and adopted a new Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Civil war was inevitable. constitution without first properly regulating the status of the 600 During the urgent consultation of the EC Troika in Belgrade at 000 Serbs who lived in its territory. This encouraged the Muslim I was hopeful for an independent Slovenia even before 1991 because summer. I will tell her to view Slovenia once again as a place of hope the end of June 1991, it became clear that the federal government leader of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Izetbegović, to declare unilateral I believed (unlike quite a few Slovenians I spoke to at the time) that and harmony when she becomes frustrated with the lack of progress was determined to use violence to resist the dissolution of the independence against the will of the Serbian (33%) and Croatian Slovenia would be viable as a small, self-governing nation. I had in the land of her birth. federation. (18%) population. A peaceful partition of Yugoslavia became even worked in other small countries, Ireland and Denmark, and I knew And I do have great hope for Slovenia now. I understand that the “po- Heated debates took place within the EC about what should be less likely. that with a strong sense of national purpose a small population size litical honeymoon” is long over – the creation of the nation has been given priority: the right of the republics to self-determination or During preparations for the meeting of EC Foreign Ministers was no obstacle to economic viability. Identity is what matters. The achieved and Slovenia takes its proper place as a member of the most the inviolability and territorial integrity of the borders of federal on 16 December, my American colleague Jim Baker, the UN Irish and the Danes know what it means to be part of their nations important international groups and alliances. The survival of the state Yugoslavia. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar and Lord Carrington and I could see those characteristics in Slovenia when I first toured is not an issue any longer, so party politics can be more ambitious and After 16 hours of negotiations during the Dutch six-month expressed their concern about the recognition of Slovenian and Yugoslavia in 1989. vicious. Money is tight, just as it is in most of Europe, and who else Presidency of the EC Council, on 7 July 1991, on the Croatian islands Croatian independence without agreement about the future of It seemed to me in 1990, as I filmed the “log revolution” and growing are you going to blame if not the government? Arguments about old of Brioni, agreement was achieved among the Slovenian, Croatian the federation. Nevertheless, the EC Foreign Ministers associated belligerence in Knin Krajina, that in an age of defence alliances across battles have been revived as old graves have been reopened, and these and Yugoslav federal delegations, which ended the hostilities (the themselves with the German decision that day and voted for the Europe Slovenia could also guarantee its own security. The JNA op- agonies should not be forgotten but should be faced up to in a spirit of Ten-Day War) on the territory of the Republic of Slovenia. Crucial recognition of independence, which officially came into force eration to remove the TO self-defence armoury made me less certain repentance and forgiveness. None of those bad things are a reason to to this agreement was the willingness of Slovenia and Croatia to on 16 January 1992. Prior to that, serious discussions took place about that. But still, like most people who had grown up in a peace- despair. postpone the realisation of the already declared independence for in which I, as President of the EC Council, expressed my concern ful Europe, I didn’t think that when it came to it anyone would really The greatest sign of hope for me now is that Slovenia’s people and three months. about the further increase in tensions. use tanks against a European nation seeking its own autonomy, would their leaders, on all sides, are taking more and more responsibility for After the Brioni Agreement, the EC no longer believed in the It was no surprise that the long known differences Germany they? I was wrong, of course, and the decisions taken in secret then the region as a whole. Enlightened self-interest perhaps – Slovenia preservation of Yugoslav unity. It demanded, as a condition for had with France, the UK and others regarding recognition of to rearm and develop an alternative chain of command were what has access to the welcoming, undeveloped markets across the West- recognising the declared independence, mutual agreement on the Slovenian and Croatian independence were resolved for the sake saved Slovenia. ern Balkans. distribution of the assets of all six republics. The intensive efforts of consensus on the legislation in the Maastricht Treaty. That really proved how naïve we had become, we who had grown up Slovenia is doing much more than that, though. Slovenians, who of the EC for the federal government and the republics to reach The Republic of Slovenia celebrates 20 years of independence this in peace. When the JNA defied the logic of post-WW2 Europe and did teach their children not to hate and mostly have poets and lovers as agreement under the mediation of Lord Carrington, were mainly year and sincere and heartfelt congratulations are in order for send in the tanks, I expected the big armies of democratic, victorious their heroes, also have the hard-nosed political skills that countries impeded by the Serbian party. Due to serious differences within this. This well-developed, politically and economically successful Western Europe to step in. I continued to expect that kind of interven- like Serbia and Bosnia need if they are to throw off the addiction to the EC in relation to the quick recognition of independence, which country has already been an EU Member State since 2004. At the tion, like a fool, until sometime in 1994 when I’d been reporting from history that curses them and join a prosperous Europe in the future. Slovenia and Croatia again declared on 8 October, there was not beginning of 2007, it introduced the euro and, in the first half of Sarajevo for two years and heard a UN press officer insisting that there Slovenia is already teaching those other countries marketing and much time. 2008, it held the Presidency of the EU Council, which demonstrate wasn’t a siege, only front lines that were difficult to cross. engineering and networking. Now Slovenia’s leaders are using their A week afterwards, multinational Bosnia and Herzegovina that it has long been oriented towards and affiliated with Europe. My wife Siân and I lived in a hopeful Slovenia from 1992 as a base from contacts and experience to try to pull the other new states upwards also declared independence. The negotiations by which the EC I remember with gratitude the valuable cooperation with Slovenian which to travel to Bosnia, a reporter and a camerawoman chronicling with them. Most of the time they get very little thanks for that. But was attempting to reach mutual agreement became even more political leaders at the beginning of the nineties: President Milan the horrors and crimes. Early in 1993, we brought our baby daughter they keep trying because they understand more than most other Eu- uncertain and fear of civil war with Serbia was growing. Kučan, Prime Minister Lojze Peterle, Foreign Minister Dimitrij Lejla out of Sarajevo to Ljubljana – she was just 9 days old. She spent ropeans how dreadful it would be for all of us if the frozen front lines However, the Federal Republic of Germany, in particular, was Rupel and the late Janez Drnovšek, the Slovenian representative her first year in Slovenia, before we moved back to Britain. are not melted away, and soon. determined to continue advocating the expeditious recognition and member of the Collective Presidency and later Prime Minister. Now Lejla is 18; independent, beautiful, creative, increasingly aware Slovenia may not be the only hope for better times in Southeast Eu- of Slovenian and Croatian independence. It even announced the Long live the Republic of Slovenia! of her background and visiting Bosnia for the first time as an adult this rope. But I believe it is the best hope.

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

Polona Prešeren, photo: STA Jože Osterman, photo: Tamara Bizjak

Andreja Šonc Simčič, photo: STA Photography exhibition on the 20th anniversary of Slovenia’s independence LIPIKUM FRANCE MAROLT The Lipizzaner Museum, Academic Folk Dance Group at turning point MY, YOUR, OUR SLOVENIJA is now open in Lipica

The France Marolt folk group, which originates from Ljubljana University, as does the Academic Choir Tone Tomšič, can be considered a national “institution” in the folk field and has survived 63 years of operation. During all these years, the group has been proving a perfect, profound approach towards cultural heritage and occupied the leading position among Slovenian folk groups. Such quality continuity was par- The Lipica Stud Farm recently opened a state- ticularly on account of its artistic director of many years, Dr. Mirko Ramovš, who is of-the-art museum, one of the best in Slovenia, one of very few Slovenian top experts in musicology and ethnography and who suc- which will be telling its visitors the interesting ceeded in combining theoretical research in cultural heritage with live performance, story of Lipica and the Lipizzaner stallions, and which was realised through the work of the France Marolt group members. The offering them attractive and interactive presen- France Marolt folk group has never been a group that relies on cheap attractiveness tations. With the opening of Lipikum, the Lipiz- and agreeableness, as can be found with some groups that dance mostly for tourists zaner Museum, the 2005 Lipica Museum Project and current public; it has always been a group of well-trained dancers and chore- has been concluded; it was funded by the Nor- ographers that represents Slovenian folk heritage by sticking to original facts and its wegian Financial Mechanism, the EEA Financial social background. This makes the group unique on a European level. Mechanism and the Ministry of Culture. The ren- This year, Ramovš decided to leave the group in spite of good physical and psycho- ovation of the museum was substantially funded logical health. This happened at a time that the group considers to be favourable and by the Kingdom of Norway, who strongly sup- when there are members in the group who will be able to maintain the good quality ports heritage conservation. the group currently enjoys. This, of course, will not be easy. The young Tomaž -Si The museum will offer its visitors a completely metinger, who won recognition some years ago and sent his audience into raptures new experience of discovering the story of Lipica with the concert in Cankarjev dom, performed in May, which was primarily his own and the Lipizzaner stallions. Its content is based work, as he took over artistic leadership of the venue. This ethnology student, who Prime Minister Borut Pahor, opened a photography exhibition “My, in the following years. But he is convinced of our success if we as a on state-of-the-art principles of museum inter- is just about to graduate, is concerned about the load of work and responsibility that Your, Our Slovenia” on the Krakovski nasip embankment in Lju- community retain a uniform vision of who and what we want to be pretation, while the design setting includes inter- has been laid upon him; however, he has no doubts about the further success of the bljana, which was organised on the occasion of the 20th anniversa- in the future – a developed, open, tolerant, free society of creative active elements and multimedia presentations. group. His first concern is based on external circumstances, as financial crises have ry of Slovenia’s independence by the Government Communications individuals, being aware of the significance of solidarity and situ- The museum setting has musical, play, multime- great impacts on the material basis of their activity. Students’ organisations who con- Office of the Republic of Slovenia, with the expert help of photogra- ated among the most developed countries. dia and interactive elements and various chal- tributed a great deal of financing to their work, as well as many other sponsors, par- phers Uroš Hočevar and Matej Leskovšek. Pahor continued speaking about how in 20 years our children might lenges to offer different possibilities of learning ticularly private companies, have reduced their financial support on account of their Prime Minister Pahor emphasised in his speech that we gained in- remember this year’s anniversary and say “On the 20th anniver- its content. The opening of Lipikum, the Lipiz- own problems. Besides this, Simentinger states that the problem of the group that has dependence for ourselves and not from others, which became our sary, it was said that we will make a new step forward. It seemed zaner Museum, is the final stage of the Lipica existed for many decades is the lack of professional management, since management moral foundation. According to him, Slovenians have a uniform vi- impossible, but yet we succeeded.” Museum Project. It is an important contribution and artistic work are performed exclusively on a voluntary basis. This is difficult for a sion of what we want to be in the future, despite our differences, The exhibition is designed as a chronological walk through impor- to the stud farm’s development, since in this way group with such a reputation and does not promise a stable future. and will therefore succeed. tant moments in independent Slovenia’s history and presents im- the process of integral renovation of this world However, Simetinger remains optimistic. The France Marolt group is a young group The Prime Minister also said he was immensely proud to be Slo- ages that willingly or unwillingly marked our everyday life in our wonder continues. with members who come and go rather quickly, which represents a problem, par- venian, since Slovenians are Europeans and because “we can show independent country. Sometimes it’s politics, at other times sports, At the opening, Tomi Rumpf, the managing direc- ticularly when trained dancers who have already won recognition decide to leave our children the way ahead, without any illusions, and just like we culture ... 20 years of Slovenian history, 20 events captured in pho- tor of Stud Farm Lipica, said, “Lipica is something the group. But this has been the characteristic of the group from its beginnings, since were dreaming 20 years ago, now our children can dream freely and tographic images. Far too few to cover everything that happened to special. There is only one environment in the the majority of members are students. This year, a great portion of the generation is creatively for the next 20 years and for their children.” Pahor wishes Slovenians, inspired them and filled them with pride over the last world, where a history of more than 430 years of making a change. On the other hand, the capability of quickly adapting to condi- for everyone to feel this sense of pride, “…because we all deserve it, 20 years. But they suffice for a short walk through the events -re natural and cultural heritage is being preserved, tions enables unconventional work and demands that may contribute to a more vivid because this is a moment of confidence, which overcomes seem- corded by photographers marking these 20 years in one way or an- and that is Lipica. With this state-of-the-art mu- folklore creation. According to Simetinger, the challenge is in working with smaller ingly insurmountable obstacles as they were 20 years ago and as other, and which confirm that we can rightfully take pride in the seum, we will be proud to show it to the visitors.” groups, which enables working out of new areas of folk dance and thus providing for they might seem today.” path already travelled by our young country. The Minister of Culture, Majda Širca, added that performances of even greater variability. One of such specialties was a unique show In his opinion, Slovenia has written a 20-year story of success with The photographers exhibiting their work are Joco Žnidaršič, Igor the Lipikum Museum has a clear objective: to – a demonstration of the work of costumographer Ljuba Vrtovec Pribac at Ljubljana some chapters of mistakes and lapses and of unfulfilled dreams. Modic, Borut Krajnc, Aleš Fevžer, Matjaž Krivic, Uroš Hočevar, Matej place Lipica and the Lipizzaner on the map of the Castle in February, which was staged as a kind of danced fashion show. Simetinger “We have problems, but they are not insurmountable,” he claimed. Leskovšek, Diego A. Gomez, Nebojša Tejić, Tomi Lombar and others. most important locations of European cultural speaks with pleasure of the appearance of the group in the Netherlands in July, which As he said, there had been differences among us 20 years ago, dur- The exhibition will be open for visitors until 25 August 2011 on the heritage and to strengthen the role of the Lipiz- will be followed by preparations for the next annual concert where the group will ing the Slovenian political spring, while gaining independence and Krakovski nasip embankment. zaner as a national symbol. demonstrate new dimensions of their endeavours. Great success!

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

Jože Osterman, photo: STA Hana Souček Morača, photo: Branko Pilih, Peter Uhan THIS YEAR, THE DESETNICA THE WORLD ON A STAGE GOES TO TWO WRITERS Slovenian National Theatre Drama: 2011/2012 theatre season The lights in the hall are dimmed, the red velvet curtain is opened jev dom. Vampires, as directed by Diego de Brea, is based on the Polona Prešeren, photo: STA and the show begins. The Drama Theatre has been entertaining classic version of the Stoker’s story. According to the programme audiences with its exquisite repertoire for almost a hundred years. guide, the play mainly exploits the comic potential of the work. ALEŠ ŠTEGER With its charismatic actors and visionary directors, it has become The first staging of The Fall of Europe by Matjaž Zupančič who will recognized at home and abroad. also direct it, will take place in March. In his new play, Zupančič Each season offers a unique experience – a break from reality or observes today’s society and judges it without mercy, particularly confrontation with current social issues. Within the upcoming an- for its deviance and depravation. nual artistic concept, the Slovenian National Theatre Drama has The Glembays, written by Miroslav Krleža and directed by Ivica prepared twelve new premieres; seven will be performed on the Buljan, will be staged in the same month. This incredibly sharp and main stage and five on the chamber stage of Mala Drama. powerful play with sensitive criticism, written by one of the great- The main stage will be opened in September with Vladimir est Croatian authors, shows what happens when tycoons meet Stojsavljević’s Love and Sovereignty, which will be directed by their destiny. Dragan Živadinov using the vector method for the postmodern Several plays will be staged on the chamber stage of Mala dra- drama mask. ma: Jean Anouilh’s The Orchestra, directed by Diego de Brea, Maxim Gorky’s The Pretty Bourgeois will be premiered in Octo- György Spiró’s Prah, directed by Vinko Möderndorfer and Dorota ber. Gorky’s first play from 1901 was immediately censured and Masłowska’s No Matter How Hard We Tried, directed by Ivana Dji- banned several times. The play with its main focus on the conflict las. In John Logan’s Red, directed by Zvone Šedlbauer, the audi- between generations will be directed by Mateja Koležnik. ence will lose themselves in the canvases of the American abstract Otfried Preußler’s The Little Witch will first appear on Drama’s expressionist, Mark Rothko. Mala drama’s programme includes The Slovenian Writers’ Association awards the Desetnica to the best stage in November. Andrej Rozman Roza’s adaptation for the stage Staged Readings of Ancient Dramas, a concert reading of new children or youth work published in recent years. Considering the is melodic, interwoven with humorous, but also bitter rhymes and translations of classic dramas as chosen and set by Jera Ivanc. great tradition of children and youth literature in Slovenia, which The poetic creativity of Aleš Šteger, a representative of a young- filled with picturesque magic spells. The first staging will be- di New in the repertoire is a play performed by children. For The Lit- goes hand in hand with high-quality Slovenian book illustration, er generation of Slovenian poets, has earned him a remarkable rected by Diego de Brea. tle Witch and another two plays by the Slovenian National Theatre this is surely one of the most important literal awards in our country. award. With the translation of his collection of poems, The Book A Slovenian novelty, the premiere of Bobby and Boris, which was Celje, Muri the Cat and Emperor’s New Clothes, two sets of Cici- It was first awarded in 2004 to Mate Dolenc for the book Leteča ladja of Things, he was named among the five finalists for translated written by Mitja Čander, Eva Mahkovic and Dušan Jovanović, will ban season tickets will be available for children. Children will be and a year later to Slavko Pregl for Usodni telefon; in 2006, it went poetry in the USA and also won the 2011 Best Translation Book be staged at the beginning of the next year. Jovanović will also di- able to go on guided tours of the backstage and its secrets. To win to Janja Vidmar and her book Zoo, in 2007 to Bina Štampe Žmavc for Award. rect the first staging. The play is written as a documentary drama over more young spectators, season tickets will also be available Živa hiša, in 2008 to Andrej Rozman Roza for his book Kako je Os- Aleš Šteger’s The Book of Things was published in Slovenia in with mixed drama and journalistic genres. It takes us to a chess for schools and families. kar postal detektiv, in 2009 to Marjana Moškrič for the book Stvar, 2006 by the Beletrina publishing house, while its translation by match and the backstage of the legendary World Chess Champi- You don’t need to walk to travel through time. Make yourself com- while last year, it went to Dim Zupan for his book Hektor in male the poet Brian Henry was published in autumn 2010 by BOA onship in 1972 in Reykjavík, where the defender of the title, Boris fortable in a theatre hall and let the sound of squeaking wooden ljubezni: zgodba nekega Hektorja. Editions (Rochester, New York) as part of the prestigious Lan- Spassky, took on the challenger, Bobby Fischer. boards take you away from your everyday life. Where can you find And this year? This year, for the first time, the award was received nan Series, in which one translated book is published per year. Another play in January, Bram Stoker’s Vampires, will be staged in all that? In a building designed by the Viennese architect Alexan- by two authors. Milan Dekleva for Pesmarica prvih besed and Bina Prior to that, individual poems were published in many maga- the Gallus hall in Cankarjev dom, in co-production with Cankar- der Graf and built between 1909 and 1911 – in the Drama theatre. Štampe Žmavc (for the second time) for the work Cesar in roža. Milan zines, including Boston Review, Times Literary Supplement Dekleva, born in 1946 in Ljubljana, graduated in comparative litera- and the weekly The New Yorker. This is the first time a Slove- ture and literal theory at the Ljubljana Faculty of Arts and Prešeren nian poet was published in such a prestigious and influential laureate in 2006 and worked as a musical pedagogue and journal- American weekly magazine. ist for the Dnevnik Cultural Society. After that, he was employed as Aleš Šteger was presented the award during the PEN World the editor of RTV Slovenia’s children and youth programme. Writer, Voices Festival. According to a poetry committee member, Kev- poetess and drama-writer Bina Štampe Žmavc, born in 1951 in Celje, in Prufer, “the poems in Aleš Šteger’s The Book of Things focus also graduated in comparative literature at the Ljubljana Faculty of with nearly comic intensity on an array of everyday objects – an Arts, taught Slovenian and was engaged in youth theatre. egg, a coat, a toothpick, a stomach. Here, a potato recollects the Tone Partljič, a writer who provided a detailed explanation of the soil it came from. Or a hand dryer speaks a windy language we work and decision taken by the jury over which he presided, dedi- can’t quite understand. Or a doormat forgives us all. But Šteger’s cated, as usual, much of his personal thoughts to the show. He em- poems go far beyond mere comic description, personification, phasised that Milan Dekleva was the only poet that succeeded Oton or metaphor.” He also added: “Šteger’s The Book of Things is Župančič in his unique manner of addressing children. As for the harrowing and hilarious, unnerving and weirdly familiar – and, fairy tales by Bina Štampe Žmavc, in his opinion, they may be com- most of all, ambitious in its attempt to look anew into our all- pared with the works of Oskar Wilde. too-human darkness.” The following works were also nominated for the award: Pesem Aleš Šteger studied comparative literature and German at the za vilo by Cvetka Bevc; Žiga špaget gre v širni svet by Aksinja Ker- Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana and he continues to live there, mauner; the work by Miklavž Komelj, Kako sta se gospod in gospa working as an author, translator and editor. He was editor of pomirila; the book by Majda Koren, Mici iz 2.a; the poem by Tone the student magazine Tribuna; he has also published articles in Pavček, Po morju plava kit; the story by Slavko Pregl, Geniji brez various domestic and foreign media. He attends international hlač; Vitez brez krave by Primož Suhodolčan; and the work by Su- conferences and reading sessions. He was co-founder and be- zana Tratnik, Zafuškana Ganca. Evidently, last year’s youth litera- tween 1995 and 2004 the programme director of the Days of Po- ture yield was abundant. etry and Wine international poetry festival, held in Medana. He The EUR 300 prize was awarded to both winners by Zdravko Grginič, also translates from German and Spanish. His poems have been the Director of Založba Izolit, which also acts as the award’s sponsor. set to music by several popular musicians, including Godalika.

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

Jože Osterman, photo: STA THE CAPITAL OF CULTURE – A PROJECT OF NEW SOCIAL COHESION

Polona Prešeren, photo: archive Festival Ljubljana THE MAGNIFICENT FESTIVAL LJUBLJANA

The Meline Mercouri award of EUR 1 million, presented by the Euro- duced on the basis of the Promotion of Balanced Regional Develop- pean Union to cities that prepare the best programmes among Eu- ment Act. According to statistical data, the GDP of the Eastern cohe- ropean capitals of culture, surely raised the self-confidence of the sion region is only about 43%; the European rules thus classify this The magnificent opening of Festival Ljubljana will take place on 3 tastic cooperation and being great neighbours will only strengthen team that is preparing the Maribor 2012 European capital project. region among undeveloped regions. It encompasses about 60% of July with Mahler’s Eighth Symphony. The unique festival summer what we believe is the future of Europe.” This will most definitely The same award is also to be received by the second European capi- the Slovenian territory and includes about 1,100,000 people, which will begin on Kongresni trg in Ljubljana, where many historic mo- be one of the greatest musical spectacles in Ljubljana and a mag- tal of culture 2012 – the Portuguese city of Guimaraes. is 54% of the population of the Republic of Slovenia. Culture and ments have taken place. nificent commemoration of the birth and death of Gustav Mahler, However, the awarding is far from being mere routine and is not activities that are resulting from and that are associated with culture The renovated Kongresni trg which was, together with the Prešeren a composer who also worked in Ljubljana (in the 1881/1882 sea- reached by everyone who is the candidate for the capital of culture. could surely be one of the key factors of overcoming the differences monument and Trg republike, the setting of a great many impor- son). The Maribor team’s success is a result of the detailed and favour- between the developed West and undeveloped East, since accord- tant events in Slovenian history throughout the 20th century, will The Festival summer will be concluded on 7 September 2011 with able report of experts that was based on the last presentation of the ing to Europe’s assessment, cultural services, creative industries be filled with the sound of the “Symphony of a Thousand”. It will the Halévy’s opera The Jewess performed by the Lithuanian State project in Brussels at the end of March. At the end of the report, the and cultural tourism are the fastest-growing industries with the be performed by more than a thousand musicians from the Slove- Opera and Ballet. The main events will be accompanied by the 14th commission added a sentence that is surely not routine: the com- highest employment rate and are therefore the future of European nian Philharmonic Orchestra and Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, International Fine Arts Colony and an exhibition of the Lipizzaner mission was fascinated by the team’s dedication to the project, its service-oriented development. many Slovenian and Croatian choruses and eight world renowned horses. impetus and ambitiousness. Over recent months, as they wrote in Which is the main effort of the programmes that will be ongoing in soloists, among them also the exquisite soprano Sabina Cvilak. The The Artistic and General Director of Festival Ljubljana, Darko Brlek, Brussels, the project has faced outstanding progress. Maribor and other cities? Velenje will focus on its industrial heri- concert will be held in honour of the 20th anniversary of Slove- highlights the concert of the Filarmonica della Scala orchestra, I can believe that the experts from Brussels were particularly at- tage; Ptuj is the centre of rich antique findings and ethnological spe- nia’s and Croatia’s independence, under the honorary patronage conducted by Daniel Harding, three evenings of the Lithuanian tracted by certain specialties of the Maribor programme that took cialties (for example kurenti); Novo mesto is the city of situlas; Mur- of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk. State Opera and Ballet, two evenings of the Béjart Ballet of Lau- a step away from the somewhat stereotypical investment schemes ska Sobota will take over the culture of countryside, while Slovenj The conductor of the evening will be the charismatic Valerij Gergi- sanne, Eifman’s spectacular staging of Onegin and Don Quixote, into new cultural projects and performances of the best world-fa- Gradec is the global city of peace. jev, who said: “A particularly important thing about this corpora- and Twilight of the Gods by Tomaž Pandur. Somewhat more re- mous cultural performers and groups characteristic in recent years, By means of this project, Maribor, as an old industrial city, which tion is that the orchestras are coming from Slovenia and Croatia, laxed entertainment will be provided by Al Di Meola, Gilberto Gil, when the financial sources for such programmes were also much has become much more a trade and university city over the last Ljubljana and Zagreb. I hope that peace, understanding and coop- Vlado Kreslin, the musical Hair, the Belarusian State Dance Com- more abundant. It becomes more and more clear that the specialty few decades, wishes to fill in a considerable deficiency of public, eration, including cultural cooperation, music, theatre will grow pany Khoroshki and the celebrated Russian Cossacks. Brlek also of the Maribor programme lies in the ambition that Maribor and and particularly cultural space, and thus increase the participation enormously in countries that were once part of one big country adds that the festival’s faithful audience is the main affirmation participating cities would like to gain permanent elements from of its inhabitants in overall social life. In this sense, cultural ob- which broke up, for example Yugoslavia.” The conductor, who was of their work and the stimulus to prepare the annual programme. the project that will involve certain changes to their lives in cultural jects and public gatherings will be concentrated on the banks of the born in Ossetia and performs throughout the former Soviet Union, “However, without the substantial support of the Municipality of and other areas. In this sense, the Ključi mesta and Urbane brazde Drava and in the old city centre, while the said programmes, Urbane also adds: “My strong belief is that a great piece of music like the Ljubljana, Mayor Zoran Janković and all of our loyal sponsors again programmes, particularly, must be mentioned, as they should con- brazde and Ključi mesta, will strive towards disseminating cultural 8th symphony of Mahler helped, helps all of us, helps thousands this year, it would not have been possible to transform the seem- tribute to changes in the most fundamental living patterns of the and social matters among the largest possible number of people, on of people, hundreds of thousands, millions of people to embrace a ingly impossible into reality.” citizens of the cities involved. city streets and markets. Therefore, after the flags of the European challenge, to come in one big emotion and find again and again the The Festival will host 36 events and appearances of more than That is why the organisers first carried out a thorough social and capital are lowered at the 2013 New Year, the permanent achieve- power of music, the power of human genius that has no borders. 3,000 artists from 30 countries. The entire programme of Festival economic analysis of the Eastern Slovenia “cohesion region”, which ment of the city should be a way of life that can only be introduced We will have a great time and I’m very glad to hear that my Slove- Ljubljana 2011 is available at: www.ljubljanafestival.si. In addition includes Maribor and all participating cities. Slovenia consists of two by culture. nian and Croatian friends are coming closer and closer to our fan- to web sales, videos of the festival’s highlights are also available. cohesion regions: Eastern and Western Slovenia, which were intro-

26 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 27 OUR EXCELLENCE

Jože Osterman, photo: Mateja J.Potočnik A house where the sun lives The Rakitna health centre, which we represent today, has an interesting history. Its beginning goes back to the First World War when Rakitna became a military hospital used to treat the Austrian wounded and sick from the Soča Front. In 1927, patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis were treated here, and in 1930 they started treating pulmonary illnesses in children.

In subsequent decades, Rakitna became only two non-Danish programmes in FROM SMALL TO BIG the only Slovenian Alpine children’s its programme last year – besides the The Rakitna health centre is really treatment centre for respiratory diseases, Rakitna programme, a programme from something special. It is situated at the and with some enhancements, this Mexico was included. Financial resources verge of a village that is a quiet rural programme is still in place today, with for the renovation and operation of the settlement and gives the impression of a several new added programmes. In the centre allocated from European Union real countryside, while being only 30km meantime, there have been numerous funds, which require the fulfillment of away from the centre of Ljubljana. A group difficulties and problems in relation to the high criteria, was additional proof that the of low buildings that compose the health existence of the health centre, since at the Rakitna team know what to do and how to centre looks like a small village, where this beginning of independence, Slovenia was do it. year, a large roof covering the riding ground not quite sure how to include such a facility The main assurance that the institution is has been raised and enables activities in in its system, although it is also special on a developing rapidly and represents a unique nature and exercise with dogs and horses European level. However, teams that were form of treatment of various children’s in all weather. During recent years, the active on Rakitna believed in the future of problems in European circumstances is the facades of all the health facilities, which the health centre, which has brought a rich recognition of the Ministry of Health, which were built using the somewhat boring return over the past years. included the centre’s programmes in the architecture of the early 50s, have been The institution was founded by the health system and earmarked appropriate painted in vivid colours and decorated with Brezovica municipality. Within this funds through the Institute of Public pleasant children’s motives, which inform municipality, the Barje Landscape Park was Health. In this respect, it must be admitted the visitor at first glance that children are established two years ago, which makes it that our health system showed openness, the main inhabitants. The administration significant for two extraordinary natural as children’s health is undoubtedly the best building is especially interesting since it values: Rakitna and Barje. Municipal social investment. Although the working is constructed with big rocks that do not councillors are aware of this significance team manages to obtain 20% of funds need any additional processing and that and therefore provide significant support to directly through good offers, particularly give the impression of stability and solidity. the health centre. However, this happened for out-of-school programmes and some Similar houses can be seen in the Primorje after the team in the centre proved its other activities, their absolute priority highlands, constructed mainly by Italians. incredible perseverance and inventiveness is the implementation of programmes The desire of the young team to enrich in creating health and other programmes, financed from public funds. “Chidren are the centre’s ambience as soon as possible, which provided for their existence. One always our priority”, says Director Romana while they still collect money for a more of the major successes is also the fact that Rasperger, and adds a statement that gives radical renovation, can be seen at every they are being actively supported by donors a great impression and which acts as the step, particularly in the interior of the from abroad, for example: the Norway guidance of the Rakitna team: “What facilities. All ideas come in very handy for mechanism and the special Mads Clausen children need are small stimulations; the old houses with worn-out equipment, fund that was established by the Danish however, the results gained therefrom are to contribute to a nicer appearance and a Danfoss Corporation and which included enormous!” more pleasant ambience. The principle

28 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 29 OUR EXCELLENCE

that development can also take small steps advantages of Rakitna for respiratory an almost heart-stirring explanation is and that small things become big, can be organs. Children come to Rakitna from given: “Horses are big, but very gentle and noticed everywhere. The ambience is all over Slovenia, from all social and timid, as are our youth. The sympathy they very peaceful, despite the fact that over 60 financial classes, and from various cultural need from us earns excellent responses. As children were living there during our visit, and ethnic environments. The treated children, they have so much in common which is the full capacity of the centre. children do not have to undergo any pre- and share such deep feelings - the horses Small groups of bobbing children’s heads selection; they only have to agree to join and our youngest ones. Near a horse, and small figures in the meadows that the programme. with a horse, on a horse and with the surround the centre indicated that in the help of a horse, children and youth learn morning, just before lunch, children are A FRIENDLY COMMUNITY to built relationships spontaneously, fully occupied with various activities and Although the programmes are different, cooperate in a team and solve problems that this peace is only the consequence of the staff (in total, 40 people) closely in a creative manner.” It is similar to the their concentration on work. cooperate in their implementation and second method of therapy: in cooperation Some treatment programmes for children breathe with the same lungs. During with the Tačke pomagačke (Paw helpers) and youth are ongoing simultaneously our conversation, in pleasant company, association, children from Rakitna keep and may have beneficial, even with Director Romana Rasperger, main company with dogs, take care of them and decisive consequences for their future nurse Dušica Košir, head of psychology, establish emotional relationships that help development. The highest number of Julijana Pelc, and head of therapeutic them strengthen their life experience and children is included in the early treatment riding programme Katarina Mavec and connectedness with people and nature. programme for children and youth the psychologist Dordina Nakičenović, we It has been about five years since the who are at risk of developing emotional realised how it was possible for the centre to beginning of the programme and the disturbances and dietary disorders; make such huge steps forward. On the one time for evaluation or assessment of the this programme includes those who hand, the women have a firm and justified success of their work is approaching. The have not developed all the symptoms confidence in their work and are proud of collective is not afraid of this, since they of said disorders yet, and provides for what they have achieved, and on the other, systematically follow the development the prevention of such disorders. This is their reaction to eventual problems and of their clients and are well aware of healthy growing-up programme for the open issues that they often come across, everything happening with each of children and youth with various problems is almost unbelievable. They are all full of them. There are only a few who quit, in the area of sentiment, behaviour or delight and optimism. The basis for their but the number of those who finish the inclusion in a group of peers. It includes treatment is a child or youth who must be programme, continue with a successful all children with problems in school or carefully treated as an individual, to be then life and frequently preserve contacts at home and those who are preoccupied included in the collective and performance with the personnel of the health centre is with their outer look or learning success. of common assignments, by considering much higher; some of them even return The programme is expressively preventive his specialties; on this basis, they also to Rakitna and repeat the programme. and lasts for 14 days. The programme for build the joint spirit of the centre through Proof of this success was just at hand: a reintegration and rehabilitation of persons expressing their individual opinions and small group of six playful children from with emotional disturbances and dietary professional evaluations. This has resulted all parts of Slovenia were very talkative disorders includes all individuals who in a few interesting therapeutic methods and spontaneous in explaining their are experiencing such disorders and have that are rather unique and represent a experiences; they laughed and evidently already concluded specialist treatment and special part of the excellence of the Rakitna enjoyed the events of that day. One of them now need help in re-integration into every- health centre. Maj, also mentioned Luidor as being an day life, as well as a solid starting point One of these methods is therapy through important member of the group. for their personal development. Besides the use of animals; two horses are also It really does not take much for children to these psychologically-based programmes, inhabitants of the centre: the piebald open themselves for life. Many thanks to they still exercise their oldest programme, Luidor and the gentle white mare, Mimi. Rakitna for its work. treating pulmonary diseases using natural And why horses? On the centre’s website,

30 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 31 GREEN CORNER

Vesna Žarkovič, photo: Mateja J. Potočnik Julon opened a new production line, which is the first so far Julon, the first in the world to allow polyamide production from 100% recycled materials. with “green” polyamide There are several reasons why it is classified as the with the new production implementation. Within the - THEY technology of the future: oil, which is the basic raw framework of polyamide production from waste materials, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGY material for the “plastic” industry, will sooner or later run Julon also prepared a sorting facility in Ajdovščina, where OPERATE BY NOT THROWING ANYTHING AWAY short or will become unbearably expensive; energy, the ten employees mechanically process materials for recycling. consumption of which is lower in the recycling process Slovenia does not want to be a country with a cheap labour than in the processing of “virgin” raw material, is also force; therefore, investments providing jobs with higher getting more expensive, along with the fact that it has poor added value are very important. effects on the environment. Julon, along with Aquafil, where experimental production has been going on for almost six SUSTAINABILITY OF MATERIALS AS A WAY OF THINKING AND months and products made of 70% recycled polyamide A WAY OF LIVING were successfully presented to buyers, was thus the first to The Econyl project opens a path for a new concept of present its technological process. serviceability, a concept that provides added value not only The news is good for Slovenia too. During this crisis, it has for the environment but also for the company and its clients. and will gain several tens of jobs that can at least partially It is a result of belief that has matured for several years, be considered technologically demanding, i.e. jobs that which is that the sustainability of materials cannot simply will bring higher added value. At the same time, Julon be a result, but must be considered to be a way of thinking will maintain production in the coming years, bearing less and a way of living. This coincides with a new manner of risk for the environment compared to the existing one. operation, which is entirely focused on the future realisation Investment in Ljubljana would not happen if the state had of dreams about production that will not steal from nature not participated with a grant of EUR 3.2 million. For each but, rather, will help the environment restore itself. new person employed by Julon in association with the The project began in 2009, and is based on the advanced project, the state contributed approximately EUR 45,000. technology of chemical and mechanical transformation of waste material into the primary raw material, which can be THE ONLY PLANT OF THIS TYPE IN THE WORLD used for polymer production, which can then, in turn, be The production of econyl (polyamide or nylon from used for the manufacture of new fibres. It is a competitive recycled raw materials) means a technological innovation process providing equally high-quality standards to in the processing of basic raw materials for plastic material traditional production lines and enabling the possibility of production. “It is the only plant of its type in the world and is unlimited transformation of waste material without affecting the result of two years of work performed by an international the features of the final product. The factor that contributes team of experts. We are convinced that the only way to attract to the Econyl project and characterises its uniqueness is buyers in future decades is with a product that is not harmful the international network of companies created by Aquafil, to the environment”, said Mr. Giulio Bonazzi, CEO of Aquafil, primarily aimed at collecting and transforming waste the Italian company that owns Julon. In cooperation with materials and other waste, from the abandoned fishing nets research institutions (including the University of Ljubljana), on the seabed and woven carpets to plastic elements made Aquafil developed a technological procedure that is the first of nylon. Waste materials were collected from all over the to enable complete recycling of polyamide 6 from waste. world, from the British Columbia forests to far-away ports Currently, the most important sources of the raw material of the Middle East, which enabled participation of different replacing oil are floor coverings and fishing nets collected groups and private institutes, partners and companies with by Aquafil from all over the world. “Production capacity in business connections with Aquafil. All polyamide 6 materials Ljubljana is 10,000 tons per year, which means 9% of the and waste collected within Econyl in distant countries, USA, annual volume of polyamide 6 required by Aquafil. We Egypt, Pakistan, Hongkong, Turkey, Thailand and Norway, would like to increase this percentage,” said Mr. Bonazzi. were sent to Aquafil’s new warehouse in Ajdovščina. Here, The group with headquarters in Italy became the owner of the collected materials are stored, pre-processed and then Julon in 1995. Since Julon has a tradition in production and sent to the plant in Ljubljana where they are used again as processing of granulates and fibres, state aid was also an the primary raw material suitable for reuse in the production important factor in the decision to build a plant with state- cycle. In full operation, the plant in Ljubljana will accept the of-the-art technology in the branch. “Julon invested EUR input of 11,000 tons of waste, yielding approximately 10,000 17.3 million, of which 12.4 million were costs that allowed tons of caprolactam, which is the basis for higher added- us to apply for a 30% state grant,” said Mr. Edi Kraus, value plastic material production. Around 1000 tons of Director-General of Julon. Last year, the grant donated by residues will be incinerated in the nearby incinerator plant. the state to the company amounted to EUR 3.6 million, but Julon is otherwise one of the major employers in Slovenia. the company had to commit itself to open a minimum of 45 It employs around 750 workers, more than 500 in Ljubljana, demanding work places (primarily for chemical engineers almost 200 in Štore, 35 in Senožeče and 10 in Ajdovščina. The and technologists). This commitment has already been Aquafil Group employs more than 2000 workers on three exceeded, as 70 people have been employed in association continents and had a turnover of EUR 432 million last year.

32 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 33 PEOPLE

Until this news, the Slovenian public ing medicine. She selected the study of Latifi, MD., and Mrs. de Leonni Stanonik, knew relatively little about the success- biology, psychology, German, and politi- MD., planned the expedition as a pilot ful carrier and excellent achievements cal sciences, and within the framework of project of implementation of telemedi- of Mrs. Mateja de Leonni Stanonik, MD., psychology study, she achieved a master’s cine that was not limited only to the needs since individual media reported about her degree in cognitive psychology, and later of possible assistance to the swimmer or on rare occasions, and even then mainly on, parallel to the study of medicine, a his team, but also offering assistance to for a narrower target audience. Her es- Ph.D. in neuroscience. local inhabitants, particularly children tablishment in the fields of medicine and She directed her study of medicine at the who had never before seen a doctor or scientific activity have, of course, been University of Tennessee to specialisation been medically treated. Mrs. de Leonni well-known to the professional public in clinical neurology and neuroscience Stanonik, MD., made good use of the sev- for at least a decade, and therefore also to and selected neuroradiology and nuclear eral thousand kilometres long navigation Mr. Marušič MD., who years ago, when he medicine for postdoctoral study. Know- of the Amazon River, since next to prac- was still a state secretary at the Ministry ledge and mastering of all the mentioned tical work, she was also presenting the of Health, made contact with her and es- professional and scientific fields enabled concept of telemedicine and the new pos- tablished cooperation. Consequently, this her to continuously research upon clinical sibilities of medical treatment that it en- year’s invitation by Mr. Marušič was not practice, whereby she was focused on the ables to medical staff and representatives surprising. study of selective attention mechanisms, of the local authorities along the voyage. memory functioning upon mild cognitive Of course telemedicine is inseparably THE YOUNG YEARS IN SLOVENIA dysfunctions, detection of symptoms of related to modern information technol- To shed some light on the life path of Mrs. Alzheimer’s disease in its early stage, and ogy, enabling direct connection of medi- Mateja de Leonni Stanonik, MD., that lead treatment of this disease and other neu- cal teams in fields with remote medical her abroad for almost two decades, we rodegenerative disorders. Upon this, she experts who cannot be directly present of course have to go back to the period did not limit herself to clinical work, but with the patients or victims, but can, with of her youth, spent in the native Poljan- instead was active in raising the aware- instructions and advice, along with the ska dolina, in a countryside not far from ness of the wider public and of the direct help of robotics, directly participate in the famous medieval little town of Škofja local environment on Alzheimer’s disease demanding medical procedures or even Loka. There she attended primary school, occurrence in the local environment, and conduct them. Later on, Mrs. Mateja de and then continued schooling at the sec- was conferring her knowledge and expe- Leonni Stanonik, MD., introduced a simi- ondary school in nearby Kranj and Škofja riences abroad, particularly in Slovenia. lar telemedical project on the Fiji islands Loka. On their farm, which also dealt with in the Pacific Ocean, and thus linked the farm tourism, she came across guests TELEMEDICINE remote island country and its inhabitants from abroad that brought her closer to The sphere of medical and research with hospitals in Australia, in case they foreign languages. But even more impor- work activities of Mrs. Mateja de Leonni need demanding and specialised medical tant was her decision of what to do with Stanonik, MD., was not concluded with assistance. her life, which also reached back in time the abovementioned, since discover- and marked her entire life path up to to- ing new horizons is obviously a part of INTERNATIONAL VIRTUAL E-HOSPITAL day. her nature. A new side of her medical FOUNDATION Namely, already in secondary school, Mrs. activities opened when Mr. Martin Strel, In the last years, telemedicine for Mrs. Mateja de Leonni Stanonik was, next to the Slovenian ultra marathon swimmer, Mateja de Leonni Stanonik, MD., is a part several other interests and activities she asked her to take over medical care of him of her daily practice at work with her pa- cultivated, especially enthusiastic about and his accompanying team, after he had, tients, particularly in cases of acute head the secrets of the human brain and its following his greatest swimming achieve- injuries, brain injuries and strokes, espe- functioning, so she decided to dedicate ments in the rivers of Danube, Missis- cially since she moved and changed her her further study and professional path sippi, Parana and Yangtze Kiang, decided position at the University Hospital in Ten- Albert Kos, photo: personal archive to this subject. Since she could not reach to swim the Amazon River from its up- nessee to one at the George Washington her goal in her home country or at near- per stream at Atalaya in Peru to its outfall University Hospital in the capital of the by universities in Europe, she decided to into the Atlantic Ocean, at Belem in Bra- USA. She is convinced that telemedicine DR. MRS. MATEJA DE LEONNI STANONIK, MD. make the journey to the USA where neu- sil. Mrs. Mateja de Leonni Stanonik, MD., opens a variety of new opportunities for roscience, as a relatively new scientific despite her lack of experience in tropical timely and professional optimal medical discipline in which she was interested, medicine, accepted the challenge, and interventions in critical situations. Her This spring, approximately four months ago, the Slovenian media was most developed. Thus, immediately started organising the telemedical part of work in this field is tightly related to ac- after matura, precisely in the days when a 66 day long expedition in remote areas tivities of the International Virtual e-Hos- published the news that after more than nineteen years of study her homeland was gaining independence, of South America. She searched for co- pital Foundation, the president of which is and medical and scientific work in the USA, Mrs. Mateja de Leonni she set out on a journey that led her to operation with the most eminent experts Mr. Latifi, MD., while she is the Vice-Pres- Knoxville in the American state of Ten- from the field of telemedicine, and found ident. The activity of the Foundation was Stanonik, MD., is returning to Slovenia, where on invitation by the nessee, where she began systematically a very enthusiastic co-worker, Mr. Rifat presented by both of them three years ago implementing her plan. Latifi, MD., surgeon and traumatologist of at the 6th conference “E-Health without Minister of Health, Mr. Dorijan Marušič, MD., she will take over the Kosovo origin, also the world’s authority Frontiers” in Portorož, but back then, Mrs. management of the e-Health Project, set out in 1995, with the goal YEARS OF STUDY AND WORK IN THE USA in telemedicine, with whom she planned de Leonni Stanonik, MD., could not detect Following her English language exam, and selected the necessary money for the a more distinctive interest for sharing her of healthcare services informatisation on the level of the entire state. which she passed after a course that equipment for the boat that was to ac- knowledge and experience with the med- lasted only half a year, as a student, she company them. The boat was to include ical profession and health network in her registered for several courses and disci- entirely equipped emergency and op- homeland. plines that were prerequisites for study- eration rooms with telemedical units. Mr.

34 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 35 PEOPLE

saloon lectures dedicated to redefining The widespread professional activities the diplomacy of global health. The first of Mrs. Mateje de Leonni Stanonik, MD., series of these lectures took place at the and her achievements testify that she is a Slovenian Embassy in Washington, and personality ranked at the top of scientific its participants were addressed by Mrs. excellence, not merely in Slovenian cir- de Leonni Stanonik, MD., in the intro- cles but also worldwide, and with results duction. that are internationally confirmed and Mrs. Mateja de Leonni Stanonik, MD., acknowledged. From the very beginning, remained connected with Slovenia and her determination is especially fascinat- Slovenians in the Slovenian World Con- ing; she knows what she wants and she gress as well, as its Vice-President for has the will to achieve it, while she does overseas countries, while particularly in- not set herself any predetermined limi- terested in the Slovenian academic dias- tations and no matter what she under- pora developing as close as possible pro- takes, she does not hold back her energy fessional and scientific contacts with the and devotion. The e-Health Project, to home country of Slovenia. Last year, her which she is currently completely dedi- efforts in this direction were acknowl- cated, is certainly not the last stop on her edged on a national level, when the Min- career path, but her participation in the ister for Slovenians Abroad, Mr. Boštjan project is even more important and valu- Žekš, Dr., appointed her as a member of able, since by means of it, she gives spe- the Scientific Committee, in which, next cial emphasis to social responsibility as to her, there are eight other top scientists an inherent dimension of scientific and who work outside Slovenia. professional work.

THE E-HEALTH PROJECT treat individual medical cases. In public, medical technologies, pharmacology and This year, Mrs. Mateja de Leonni Stanon- there may be a fear that such accessibil- extension of lifetime expectancy on one ik, MD., ended up at the head of the e- ity of personal data could lead to abuse, hand, and limited financial resources Health Project precisely for her know- but in the planned information system, on the other. But Mrs. Mateja de Leonni ledge and experience in the field of there are virtually no possibilities that Stanonik, MD., is far from inexperienced telemedicine, and in which she recog- the data could leak to unauthorised ad- in these matters. In the long years of her nised a challenge that was very close to dresses. Mrs. de Leonni Stanonik, MD., absence and intensive professional activ- her professional and expert ambitions for remains optimistic and full of trust in the ity abroad, she kept close contacts with practical implementation of telemedi- project she manages, but also remains her homeland, not only on a personal but cine and information technologies in realistic, since she foresees a gradual ap- also on a professional level; therefore, the healthcare system. She commenced proach towards project realisation. At she was relatively well familiar with the work in her new working field within the beginning of 2012, in some areas of situation at home and she tried to stay the framework of public administration Slovenia, the priority projects within e- at home with “at least one foot”. In the with the same enthusiasm as in all her Health should come to life, at least as a period of Slovenia’s gaining of indepen- previous tasks and responsibilities. She trial, including e-prescription, telera- dence, when she had merely started her announced that she would attract doc- diology, and e-appointment, while the study, she was helping to gain sympathy tors, information specialists, electro en- other projects should be added to the set of the American public for “the Slovenian gineers, lawyers, and other professional of e-Health services gradually. The target cause” via her American acquaintances, profiles in the renovated team of experts date for finishing the entire project on the and later on, as a young but established that would accelerate the realisation of national level, as set out, is in 2015. doctor and researcher, took advantage of the e-Health Project, and who are neces- all opportunities to keep constant contact sary, since the project has to be founded CONTACTS AND TIES WITH SLOVENIA with Slovenia. It should be noted that the on several professional bases, including By taking on the e-Health project, Mrs. Government of the Republic of Slovenia on a legal basis. By means of project re- Mateja de Leonni Stanonik, MD., actually appointed her to be Honorary Consul of alisation, a lot of existing paper work will changed the field of medical practice and the Republic of Slovenia in Knoxville in be eliminated in healthcare, and with in- research activity for the field of manage- 2004, and after she moved to Washing- formation technologies, immediate flow ment and updating of the healthcare sys- ton, she established a close and fruit- of all the necessary medical data and tems, which is becoming more and more ful cooperation in the field of medical results will be ensured to all the health complex and demanding in modern soci- diplomacy with the Slovenian Embassy institutions and medical experts that eties upon fast development of medicine, there, mainly as initiator of the series of

36 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 37 SPORTS Andrej Stare, photo: STA RK CIMOS KOPER – A NEWCOMER TO THE ELITE REBIRTH OF SLOVENIAN TENNIS Koper is Slovenia’s third largest city and minute. RK Cimos Koper kept their cool, Fredi Radojević, had won three titles in a well known for its major port; however, in played effectively and, with the help of single season. This equalled the success of Currently at No. 79, Blaž Kavčič is the first Slovenian men’s player to have ever sporting terms, it is a football and basketball their magnificent defence, defeated the RK Celje, which was the best club team in city. Handball has only been played in Portuguese. The final score was 31:27 to RK Europe in 2004. ranked among the hundred best tennis players in the world. Koper at a high level since 1992. Although Cimos Koper. Next season, RK Cimos Koper will enter the sport had no tradition in the city, it soon The club celebrated winning the EHF the EHF Champions League for the first Thanks to Blaž Kavčič, the Slovenian Ruzici, she won the doubles title in Paris the American Bryan, she has achieved gathered plenty of fans. In the 1999/2000 Challenge Cup and became the fourth time, which will involve a great deal of team has lately had excellent results in in 1978. In the same year, they were also outstanding results, comparable to Mima season, , RK Cimos Koper qualified for the Slovenian team to manage such a great responsibility and hard work. With fresh the Davis Cup (the unofficial men’s world runners-up at Wimbledon. Mima Jaušovec Jaušovec’s. Slovenian Second League of Handball after achievement. additions to the team and exceptional fans, championship). At the beginning of March was awarded the title of best Slovenian Slovenians have never had a world class only seven years, and then for the Slovenian The first club to win a club title was RK Cimos Koper can also now reach the athlete for five years. After she retired as the women’s handball club, Olimpija zenith of European club handball. in Ljubljana, Slovenia managed to defeat men’s tennis player. In the early sixties, First League of Handball just two years later. Finland by a score of 3:2 after a fierce battle, a tennis player (today she is captain of The club quickly became very successful. (Ljubljana), which won the EHF Cup in Boris Breskvar from Ljubljana (today a and thus qualified for the elimination the Slovenian women’s tennis team), we Every season, RK Cimos Koper came closer the 1996/1997 season, while the women’s RK CIMOS KOPER PLAYERS FOR THE renowned tennis coach) became a member rounds for entering Group I of the Davis had to wait almost a quarter of a century to becoming one of the ‘great clubs’, such handball club, Krim, won the prestigious 2010/2011 SEASON: of the Yugoslav national team, but never got Cup. In July, Slovenia will compete against for new achievements in tennis. Katarina as RK Celje and RK Prule. The Koper team EHF Champions League twice (in 2001 Goalkeepers: Darko Stanić, Dušan Podpečan Italy, who has four players ranked higher Srebotnik (with a career-high world a chance in the Davis Cup due to the strong became a regular member of the Slovenian and 2003), reaching the finals on three and Jure Vran than Kavčič (Potito Starace at No. 42, Fabio ranking of No. 20 in 2008) and the just competition on the team from Nikola Pilić, First League of Handball and soon began occasions. As the third achievement, RK Outfield players: Bojan Skoko, Jure Fognini at No. 48, Andreas Seppi at No. 51, 20-year-old Polona Hercog (current world Željko Franulović, Nikola Špear, and Boro collecting titles. In the 2007/2008 and Celje won the EHF Champions League in Dobelšek, Milan Mirković, Matjaž Brumen, and Filippo Volandri at No. 74), who has won ranking No. 55) have taken Slovenian Jovanović. Men’s tennis in Slovenia has 2008/2009 seasons, the club won the 2004. Along with RK Cimos Koper, Slovenia Dean Bombač, Tine Poklar, Milorad 11 out of 15 matches in the Davis Cup (for a women’s tennis back to the top. Srebotnik experienced a revival in recent years, with prestigious Handball Cup of Slovenia, but is one of the few European countries to have Krivokapić, Sebastjan Skube, Matjaž Mlakar, winning percentage of .733). Nevertheless, has been one of the best doubles player for young Blaž Kavčič from Ljubljana ranked its appearances on the European stage won three of the prestigious European Club Robi Konečnik, Uroš Rapotec, Vladimir many years (mixed and women’s doubles). Championships. Osmajić, Uroš Elezović and Zoran Jovičić nothing is decided yet, since Kavčič and the higher on the ATP Rankings than any ended quickly. The players lacked match She stopped competing in singles due to The club secured its last title a few days after Slovenian national handball champions other top Slovenian player, Gregor Žemlja other Slovenian men’s tennis player. Blaž experience against the best clubs in Europe. from Žirovnica (current world ranking No. injuries. The 2010/2011 season was extraordinary. winning the EHF Challenge Cup. In the final 1991–2011: Kavčič’s mother is Bojana Dornig, once an 156), are excellent team players. Slovenia’s She has won five Grand Slam mixed Five Serbian, one Montenegrin and three game, the club defeated RK Gorenje, from 17 titles – RK Celje excellent alpine ski racer, who in the early goal is to reach the World Group with the doubles tournaments (three in Paris, well-known Slovenian national players Velenje, and became national champions 1 title – RK Prule 67 (2002) eighties competed in the slalom in the world’s top 16 national teams in the next one in Melbourne, and one in New York) (Brumen, Podpečan and Mlakar) joined the for the first time. RK Gorenje (2009) five years. Slovenia is currently ranked 31st and has reached the finals of the biggest World Cup. Her best result in the slalom team, taking it to amongst the best clubs in The team, skilfully led by their coach, RK Cimos Koper (2011) (132 countries are listed, Spain being the tournaments five times. With her tennis was a 7th place in Piancavallo (Italy) in Slovenia and Europe. first and the Sultanate of Brunei the last), partners, the Canadian Nestor, Norval from 1980. In 1981 she was recognised as the The club began collecting titles. First, it took while the current ranking of Slovenia’s South African, Zimonjić from Serbia, and best Slovenian athlete of the year. third place in the finals of the Slovenian A RISING STAR next opponent, Italy, is No. 22. Cup in Celje in April 2007. In front of 5 The Slovenian men’s and women’s tennis 000 spectators in the Golovec Arena, it Slovenia is a basketball nation. In 1968, when playing has impressed European women’s players, in singles and in doubles, have defeated RK Gorenje, from Velenje, by a Olimpija was one of the best clubs in Europe basketball. She was declared the best female made a great leap forward in recent years score of 22:20. The man of the match was and in 1970, when Slovenia held the very basketball player in all the European youth towards the world’s elite. This year’s the Serbian attacker, Uroš Elezović, who high-profileworld championship, women’s championships and the title of best European Grand Slam tournaments (in Melbourne, scored ten goals, almost half of the club’s basketball was still very much in the female basketball player under the age of Paris, Wimbledon, and New York) are a total. Unfortunately, he became injured and background. Actually, the Olimpija women’s 20, awarded to her by FIBA (International new challenge for Blaž Kavčič and Polona was unable to help the team for the rest of basketball team became national champions Basketball Federation), was yet further Hercog, both playing singles, as well as for the season. of Yugoslavia over 20 years ago but they have recognition of the extraordinary sporting Katarina Srebotnik, playing women’s and The National Championship took place at not achieved any impressive results in the talent of Nika Barič. Nika comes from a mixed doubles. the same time as the EHF Challenge Cup. last 20 years, either on the European or the sporting familyHer father was a member Slovenia, having only few tennis players, RK Cimos Koper was winning both at home world stage. Slovenia has contributed some of the first football leagueclub, Rudar from cherishes every single victory at a Grand and abroad and, at the end of May, two final outstanding basketball players to world Trbovlje, and it was in Trbovlje, which used Slam tournament. Now, long after Mima games were left. women’s basketball in the past: Sonja Mrak, to be among the top towns for Slovenian Jaušovec, we again anticipate triumphs in The team first played against the members Marjana Bremec, Metka Štoka and Polona basketball, that she developed into such an tennis. of S.L. Benfica, from Lisbon, one of the most Dornik, the last of whom won a silver medal amazing athlete. The golden age of Slovenian tennis is long respected multi-sports clubs in Europe. at the 1988 Summer Olympicsin Seoul as From this autumn onwards, Nika Barič gone. More than 30 years have passed Although S.L. Benfica had never achieved a member of the Yugoslav nationalteam. will be wearing the colours of Spartak since Mima Jaušovec achieved significant top results in handball, it had won two Dornik was born in Trbovlje, a place where Moscowthe second best team in Europe. results. She is the only Slovenian singles European Football Championships. great sporting talents are mined. Her future in basketball is secure. In a year tennis player to have ever won one of the The first game in Lisbon was a nerve- Nika Barič was also born in Trbovlje 18 years or two, Nika could turn out to be the best four major tennis tournaments, a Grand wracking experience, but RK Cimos Koper ago. She is the most promising basketball female basketball player in Europe. This Slam tournament, in Paris in 1977. After managed to secure an exceptional result player in Europe today, although still very gives our national team a new dimension in defeating Romanian Florenta Mihai by before the return match, a tied score of young. After displaying great talent at the European and world basketball, and maybe 6:2, 6:7, and 6:1, she achieved her goal and 27:27. The return match for the European age of 15, she began to play for Celje, one even a breakthrough at the top. the dream of every tennis player. Mima club title in Koper’s Bonifika Arena of the best women’s basketball teams in Remember the name of Nika Baričthe reached the singles finals in Paris two attracted more than 5 000 spectators, who Slovenia. While still a youth basketball young basketball player from Trbovlje; she is more times (in 1978 and 1983). Together were on their feet and cheering throughout player playing for Celje, she already won two currently the most promising young athlete with her Romanian partner Virginia the entire game – right up to the very last state champion titles and three cups. Her in Slovenia.

38 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 39 Slovenian Delights

Text and photo: Iztok Dimc BRDA CHERRIES ARE THE BEST Year by year, at the peak of spring, Slovenia becomes red again. Not because of Labour Day, but because of the round, red and delicious fruit that inundates the countryside and marketplaces in cities. So cherries predominate in the middle of May. Because of their shape and colour, the popular mind considers them a fruit of lust and erotica.

Diversification and density of cherry plantations all over the coun- licious red cherries. In the summer, peaches follow. Figs, apples, try prove that cherries hold a special place in Slovenia. Wherever pears and plums prosper here as well. one looks around in May and June, there is a wide selection of cher- Cherry is so important and respected in Brda that it even has its own ries with shades ranging from light and dark red to the sweetest all-day festival. There, cherries have the longest tradition of cultiva- black sorts. tion in Slovenia and cherry trees were often planted simply among “I Like to Eat Red Cherries, But I Prefer Black Ones”, a verse from a the grapevines. known Slovenian folk song reads. Cherries have always been a good source of income and used to be For women, cherries have a touch of erotica; most men, however, known all around the world, for example in Vienna and even in the believe that women are like cherries – beautiful and seducing on Tsarist Russia. After World War II, production decreased due to the the outside, with a hard inner core that will eventually be reached. restoration of vineyards, but has increased significantly again in the Despite their abundance, there is nevertheless a region where cher- last twenty years. Every year, in the middle of June, the inhabitants ries in Slovenia literally reign and share their crown, depending on of Brda put their produce on stalls in Dobrova and present the Cher- the season, with grapevines and wine. ry in a procession with carriages in all its magnificence and history. This region is Goriška brda, the Slovenian Tuscany, hidden in a cor- Visitors can choose from a diverse choice of various culinary mas- ner between new and old Gorica, between the Slovenian and Ital- terpieces made from cherries, such as compotes, jams, spirits, li- ian border, where only a narrow road corridor used to lead from the quors, cherry wine, various desserts, etc. and, at the end of the day, Slovenian side, but today is accessible from anywhere, with virtu- the Queen of Cherries is chosen from among the girls of Brda, who ally no problems. then represents Goriška brda at various events and exhibitions, not The region is a true paradise, and plants prosper. In the early spring, only with her beauty but also with her knowledge of country life, cherry blossoms cover the hills of Brda and soon mature into de- cherries, wine and other produce. The Queen of Cherries symboli-

40 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 41 cally represents women of Brda, or ‘Brike’, whose characteristic im- cess, as the grower must have experienced pickers who know how age from the past includes full baskets of cherries that they carried to pluck cherries without damaging the tips. If picking is done in- on their heads to marketplaces near and far away. correctly, the trees will not bear fruit in the following season. Birds Today, cherry is an important ingredient in modern cuisine and can taking their toll are a special story, as well as the passing tourists, be tasted in numerous recognised inns and restaurants in Brda and who frequently treat themselves to fruit from trees too close to roads elsewhere in Slovenia. Irish beefsteak or dumplings in cherry sauce and cart tracks. They cause double damage to the farmers. Such can be ordered, or pannacota with cherry dressing. Traditionally, practice is completely unnecessary, as everyone can have enough cherry pie or cherry strudel is almost inevitable in every Slovenian cherries to eat at the stalls, which are abundant along the roadside culinary offer. at this time of year. There is always a crate of cherries available for In recent years, the most well known variety of cherries from Brda, tasting. or more specifically, Kojsko, is ‘Briška hrustavka’, which strives to Cherries are a fruit hard to resist, either on trees or on a plate. Their win recognition all over the country as an autochthonous cherry shape and colour excite our imagination, poets use them as inspi- variety cultivated in a natural and ecological manner. There are only ration for verses, their taste makes our mouth water, and delicious three or four major producers in Brda, but there were many in the dishes can be prepared from them. Treat yourselves to cherries in past who have since given up, since cherry is a rather sensitive tree. Brda and you might get to know a new secret from the green hills It is not pollinated if there is too much rain, and excessive rain later above Gorica. in the season makes the fruit crack. Picking is also a delicate pro-

Goriška Brda, Slovenian pearl for all seasons. Dobrovo Castle, the centre of Goriška Brda. This is how the women from Brda used to carry baskets full of cherries on their heads. Delicious Irish beefsteak in cherry sauce, Evergreen restaurant.

The Mavrič Farm brand is the Briške hrustavke or Goriška Brda Bigarreau cherries, a symbol of first-class cherry products. Cherry strudel, an indispensible dessert in every Slovenian restaurant.

42 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 43 cultural trails of values and the entire political society. Peter Simonič, photo: Alenka Žaubi, Andrej Križ, Igor Modic Therefore, each authority dedicates a part of its mandate to a careful planning of mass events. Slovenian celebrations of statehood can be divided into four to five periods. The first period lasted from 1991 to 1994, and was a time when painful consequences of the economic embargo showed, the time CELEBRATIONS of mighty political disputes, of a search for sense, a pathway and merits in the new state of Slovenia. Due to the general the new and old art. Because of the fight nationalist atmosphere in the country for economic and ideological domina- and because of the official fight for power, tion, these celebrations also had a political celebrations directed by Drago Pečko, Igor echo, although they were the most artistic OF THE NEW Šmit and Roman Končar were devoted to of all celebrations before and afterwards. great historical subjects. The chosen di- There was not a lot of protocol. The jubilee rectors were looking for common foun- celebration “Kons 5” in Republic Square dations, thus, scenes based on Freising in 1996 was particularly solemn and mil- manuscripts, the Prince’s stone, Primož itary-oriented, and director Matjaž Berger Trubar and patriotic poetry from the 19th attracted a lot of attention and criticism. EUROPEAN 2000 and 2001 were jubilee years. In century were staged. Political ritual, theatre and celebration, In the second period, from 1995 to 1999, 2000, the tenth anniversary of the first respectively, present a specific social the celebrations moved from Trg repub- multi-party elections was celebrated, model: it brings light to a series of clear like (Republic Square) to Cankarjev dom. and in 2001, the tenth anniversary of images focusing on subjects from the The chosen directors (Janez Pipan, Barbara the declaration of independence. Direc- COUNTRY past, present and future. Social, political Hieng Samobor, Aleš Jan and Klavdija Zu- tion was again entrusted to Matjaž Berger, and moral dilemmas, persons and events pan) were primarily focused on personal who produced a “civilisation spectacle” are transformed into symbols and stories dilemmas and the search for protagonists, entitled “The Sower”. Some were disap- In mass media, there will be many reflections on the twentieth anniversary of that can be dramatised. In line with the and the stage of Gallus Hall spontane- pointed because he moved away from the Slovenia as a country, on the path we have travelled, transition, social justice Aristotelian tradition of European per- ously emphasised classical theatrical ap- established addresses that were patriotic formance arts, a ritual is closer to tragedy proaches, not performance and spectacle in subject, but only such cultural context and our international situation. The Fathers of the Nation will remember hard than to comedy, as it involves dilemmas approaches characteristic of outdoor cel- was suitable for the speech held by the times and each of them will have his own story on the key lessons of the of the leaders (kings) and strives to reach ebrations. The scenarios addressed differ- German Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder. catharsis of the community. In addition ences and common points between indi- In his address, he apologised to the pres- period. It is appropriate to take a look at the ritual side of the newly formed to the military and school systems, cel- viduals and the community, between the ent audience and television spectators for country, which distinctively unifies all the key social changes. ebrations are the most powerful medium collective and the subconscious, between many bad things the German nation had to represent political power, hierarchy the left and right political option, between done to the Slovenian nation. The appear-

44 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 45 cultural trails

ance of President Milan Kučan and the Arts or the Faculty of Social Studies, and religious and ethnic identities within the German Chancellor as well as the cultural employed in one of the theatres, media community of citizens. It reached the stars programme that followed announced the houses or governmental institutions in the with fireworks, and the heart with words European future of Slovenia. They an- capital. Even the diplomatic corps, which and music. nounced political consciousness, which is always present at celebrations, had its Last year’s celebration, directed by Jure they thought should exceed national in- domicile in Ljubljana. These celebrations Zrnec, with its parodies in writing a script terests and rivalry of the modern era. are therefore a medium of centralisation, and the political negotiation around it, sur- For ten years, Slovenian elites strove to be- of symbolic marking of the national ter- prised us and made us laugh. It was a farce come part of the European Union, at the ritory (images and dances from different of everything that seemed self-evident economic and business levels, at the level regions), of nationalisation of culture (par- and untouchable at the level of symbols of administrative barriers for individuals, ticular turns into national) and of usurpa- and approaches to the scene. In 2010, the and with regard to development money tion of the cultural heritage or history. All dominating theatre somehow revealed it- that was expected to pour into the country of the above served to reinforce the power self. Such aversion of statehood will prob- at a greater extent. The pathway to the EU of the governing political structures. Over ably not last, and can only be a short pause lead through Germany, the most important an extended period of time, constants can before the new construction of reality. trade partner of Slovenia. The entire Re- be observed and meaning can be given to Anyhow, let’s just wait and see. public Square was a stage and the audience them, considering political rituals in oth- was pushed to the edge. er countries. The Slovenian celebration After 2002, we were able to view more of statehood gets truly interesting when relaxed and joyous, less tragic and moral compared to others of its kind. Existential performances in the cultural part of the persistence in culture as its distinguish- celebrations. Subjects and performers ing element is demonstrated in all its glit- from popular culture were more and more ter. Celebration and statehood cannot be frequent, and the stage itself was becom- imagined without culture. In the rest of ing an artistic achievement. Modern danc- the world, celebrations can be divided into ers, rock bands, big choirs and orchestras monarchist and republican, military and performed; everything was colourful and civil, obscuring and uncovering. accompanied by national flags waved by Slovenian political ritual has always been audience members. The most distinct rep- organised in a republican and state-ori- resentative of this direction is director Kat- ented way – through specific commit- ja Pegan, who prepared the 2006 and 2007 tees controlled by the Government, which celebrations. Today, this is a norm. is reminiscent of France and the Soviet As a rule, people from Ljubljana partici- Union. It glorified the magnificence of the pated in the preparations and execution nation and its ethnic and cultural connec- of the Slovenian Statehood Day celebra- tion (the Slovenian word for nation can be tions: educated at the Academy of Theatre, read as “for race”). It was tolerant and at the Film, Radio and Television, the Faculty of same time arrogant towards other political,

46 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 47 Volcanoes are a dream of every young ge- high plateaus, level abysses that may reach Nadja Zupan Hajna, photo: Darinka Mladenovič ologist; in Slovenia, limestone, dolomites great depths are frequent. Large horizontal and Karst may be found almost every- caves were formed at the Karst water level where, since carbonate rocks cover over and have been stable for some time. In 40% of the territory. this way, large sinking or outlet caves were According to the Slovenian karstic termi- formed in the river basin of the Karstic nology, a cave is an underground cavity Ljubljanica and along the underground that is passable by a human being and is current of the Reka River. SLOVENIAN CAVES longer than five metres. Currently (June Big caves in the Ljubljanica river basin be- 2011), 10,250 caves are registered in the tween Postojna, Bloke and the springs of Cave Registry of the Karst Research In- the Ljubljanica near Vrhnika are the fol- stitute at ZRC SAZU and the Speleological lowing: the Križna cave and Križna II cave, AND THEIR TELLINESS Association of Slovenia. The Postojna cave Golobina pri Danah, Karlovice, Zelške system is the longest with 20,570km, fol- caves, Tkalca cave, Planinska cave, Posto- lowed by the Kačna cave with 13,250km jnska cave, Logarček, Najdena cave and and the Predjamski system with 13,092km. Vetrovna cave. The Postonjska cave is the The deepest caves in Slovenia are the Kanin longest and the most attractive Slovenian massif caves, of which the Čehi II cave with cave, as well as being one of the most fa- 1,502m is the deepest, next is Mala Boka mous Karstic caves in the world. The Post- with 1,319m and the Renejevo brezno cave, onjska cave system connects the follow- with 1,242m. ing caves: Postojnska cave, Otoška cave, Karst caves are usually the result of the Magdalena cave, Črna cave and Pivka cave, corrosive extension of cracks in carbonate each having its own entrance. The cave was rocks, which occur along ruptures, cracks formed at the contact of cretaceous lime- and lesions (by discontinuities between stone and Eocene flysch. The Pivka river individual layers). Caves are actually un- stream disappears into the cave. It has an derground channels, a product of rainwa- extensive tunnel system and abundant ter running through the Karst. The tunnels stalactite decoration, which has been at- may have been formed in the phreatic (sat- tracting crowds of tourists for several cen- urated), epiphreatic or vadoze (unsaturat- turies. Data obtained by means of various ed) zone. Each manner of running of the geological analyses indicates that Poston- water forms various cave passages; dur- jska cave has gone through various periods ing Karst development, these zones move of sediment depositing and erosion. Cer- downward, which results in a complex tain parts of the cave or tunnels were filled system of caves of various ages and forms. up and emptied several times during the Exceptions are caves that, for example, re- rather long development of the cave; this sult from the water running into the Karst is proved for example by cement alluvia from large depths, are warmer and contain on the walls of Stara cave, and elsewhere. H2S or CO2 in higher concentrations; such The lengthy (assumed to be about 2 million caves are called hypogenic caves. years old) hydrological system, that was Vertical abysses that are formed by rain- more or less stable, between Pivška kotli- water are usually cracks extended by cor- na – Postojnska cave – Planinska cave and rosion, and are some ten metres deep. On Planinsko polje provided for the develop-

48 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 49 natural trails ment of an extensive cave system with a als) and allochtone, which are brought into complicated morphology in the relatively caves from the outside. Their composition, thin rock package. graininess and sedimentation method re- The Škocjanske caves are 5,800m long and flects the climate and developments out- a 250m deep-water cave at the SE part of side and inside the caves. We use vari- the Karst. On account of their huge chan- ous methods to acquire as much data as nels, underground canyon, several col- possible from such sediments, concern- lapsed dolines and extraordinary history ing their composition, properties, origin, of cave researchers, in 1986 the caves were transport as well as the environment and included in the UNESCO list of natural time of their formation or sedimentation. heritage sites. The caves and the above sur- Allochtone cave sediments are particularly face are also preserved as a Regional Park. important for getting acquainted with the Old horizontal water caves that are lever- environment of their origin before and af- aged above the water current level in the ter transport, and being deposited in the Karst become dry. Only a small quantity of cave. Disintegration of the same rocks rainwater can run through them vertically, on the surface differs in different condi- which forms shafts, or excretes saturated tions (temperature, precipitation, pH, Eh). water that forms stalactites. Denudation of Decaying remains thus contain various the surface results in cave tunnels coming minerals from the rest of the original rock near the surface, until their ceilings are fi- to completely new minerals that reflect nally dissolved. Such caves are called roof- the environment of the rock disintegra- less caves, which are sometimes difficult to tion. Considering Eocene flysch, which is recognise at the surface, since dissolution a common rock in contact with carbonate not only damages their roofs but also their rocks in South-eastern Slovenia, the re- walls. mains of which were transferred in caves, In Slovenia, all caves, even those with en- the final decaying product is flint, feldspar trances on private land, are national prop- remains and various clay and iron miner- erty and protected by law. Due to their geo- als that were formed under particular en- morphological, geological, hydrological, vironmental conditions and are subject to zoological and botanical specialties, caves changes over time regarding climate con- are important objects of natural heritage. ditions in the environment. Caves are very sensitive to human impacts. However, in spite of all the research done In isolated places, damage is permanent, in relation to caves and the studying of their removal or overgrowing is very slow, their content in Slovenia, there is still a lot particularly where there is no running wa- that we do not know. There are still a num- ter to wash it away. Even a minor change ber of unexplained questions in relation to in the cave climate may stop the excre- their origin and development; if we add tion of calcareous sinter, while specialised the number of 10,000 caves that we know, cave animals cannot escape such environ- we can conclude that much work has been mental changes. Unfortunately, numerous left for our descendants. And I must say caves serve as waste dumps in spite of pro- that my eyes still glitter and I become en- hibitions. raptured in expectation of new informa- For me, cave sediments are the most in- tion when I crawl through the unknown teresting. In general, they may be divided tunnels and when I am far away from our into autochthonous, which originate in past notions that caves are dirty, difficult caves (calcareous sinters, sinking materi- and completely uninteresting.

50 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 51 Škocjan caves Photo: Darinka Mladenovič