Slavinec’s Invest Tourism: Photo Homage to Goriška to Plečnik Slovenia Brda page 2 > page 3 > page 4 & 5 >
NEWSLETTER
JUNE 8, 2012, VOLUME 8, NUMBER 23 Ambassador Kirn Visits Mexico On May 31 and June 1, 2012, Ambassador Roman Kirn visited the United Mexican States. During his visit, the ambassador met with various interlocutors and attended meetings with representatives of the From right: Ambassador Roman Kirn, Deputy Elvira de Jesus pola Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Figueroa, Deputy Dina Herrera Soto and Honorary Consul of Slov where he discussed issues relevant enia Ariel López Torres. to further promotion of bileteral During his visit, Ambassador Kirn solemnly relations between Slovenia and opened the photo exhibition entitled Eslovenia, Mexico. País que se siente (Slovenia, a country that you can The ambassador also visited the feel). The event was organized by the Slovenian Mexican Congress, where he met with Deputy Tourist Board in coordination with the Mexico Elvira de Jesús Pola Figueroa, Chairperson Slovenia Friendship Group in the Mexican Congress of the Mexico Slovenia Friendship Group. and Honorary Consulate of Slovenia in Mexico, headed by the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Slovenia, Ariel López Torres. In Mexico, the ambassador also met with Slovenian community and the vice coordinator of the Association of Slovenians in Mexico, Cvetka Rojko.
Embassy of Slovenia 2410 California Street, NW twitter.com/SLOembassyUSA Washington, D.C. 20008, USA T: +1 202 386 66 01 E: [email protected] facebook.com/SLOembassyUSA washington.embassy.si CULTURE Photo Exhibition in Ljubljana Park Pays Homage to Plečnik A photo exhibition was unveiled in the main promenade of Ljubjana’s Tivoli Park on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 evening to mark the 140th birth anniversary of Slovenia’s greatest architect, Jože Plečnik (1872 1957), and the 60th anniversary of the Ljubljana Summer Festival. The exhibition features 120 large scale photographs by Alenka Slavinec (1977), depicting parts of Plečnik’s last major project: the renovation of the former monastery Križanke in Ljubljana, now a popular Alenka Slavinec with Darko Brlek, Artistic and General Director of the Ljubljana Festival. open air venue. The exhibition, dubbed “Plečnik’s The opening was Perhaps his most celebrated Symphony of Križanke,” will be accompanied by a concert of creation in Ljubljana is the on display until September 3, arias from Claudio Monteverdi’s Triple Bridge in the city center, 2012. Baroque opera L’Orfeo, and a while other notable works in The author of the selection of Slovenian popular the Slovenian capital include photographs commented about songs. the central market place, the the exhibition that “Plečnik drew Plečnik is the most acclaimed National and University Library from nature and his feeling of Slovenian architect, whose (NUK), the recently renovated music, light and shadow, wind Vienna Secession style works Congress Square, the stadium and breeze, a kiss of lovers, a can be seen around Ljubljana in the borough of Bežigrad, and dance or ballet step, a touch, a and elsewhere in Slovenia, but the Žale cemetery. glance”. also in Vienna and Prague.
Concert of baroque arias. Alenka Slavinec with Zoran Jankovič, the Mayor of Ljubljana.
JUNE 8, 2012, PAGE 2 ENVIRONMENT Slovenia Marks World Environment Day Several events took place in Slovenia on Tuesday, June 5, to mark the World Environment Day, which is this year dedicated to green economy. An eco week got under way in Maribor, whereas a conference on packaging was held in Ljubljana on Monday. The traditional Eco Week, organized by the Maribor Friends of Youth Association (ZPM) and the city of Maribor, is this year dedicated to sustainable energy, as the U.N. proclaimed 2012 a year of sustainable energy. Most events of the Eco Week were staged in the Maribor city center, where a Julijan Fortunat, the Slovenia’s new energy program number of various organizations, acting director of the Directorate could be adopted in the fi rst schools and kindergartens were for Energy at the Infrastructure half of 2013. The program will presented. Moreover, workshops and Spatial Planning Ministry, encourage above all the use of for children and lectures for all meanwhile announced at the renewable energy sources and generations were held. conference held in Ljubljana that effi cient energy use.
BUSINESS Investors’ Week in Ljubljana
The VZMD – Organization of Shareholders a wide range of Slovenian and PanSlovenian Shareholders’ Associations, and the WFI – international industries and Association, in collaboration World Federation of Investors, products will be represented and with its investo.si – Invest in which in Europe alone embody promoted in hope of establishing Slovenia program, will host together over 4 million individual new relations and capital “Investors’ Week”, the world’s investors and shareholders. This investments for the participating largest international meeting will mark the fi rst time that all guests. Furthermore, at the of investors’ representatives, three prominent organizations “Investo Expo”, conference in Ljubljana on September 19 and its members will meet sessions, discussion groups 23, 2012. It will comprise over simultaneously. and educational workshops 100 representatives and over 50 Through the investo. will be offered for visitors and national associations of investors si program, an investors’ guests, providing a proactive and shareholders, including convention, “Investo Expo”, approach to gaining knowledge members of EuroFinuse also will take place on from experts. For information – European Federation of September 20 and 21 in the regarding the event, please visit Financial Services Users, prestigious Slovenian cultural http://investo.si/ . Euroshareholders – European center Cankarjev dom, where
JUNE 8, 2012, PAGE 3 TOURISM Goriška Brda
In the west of Slovenia in closely grouped villages that sold all over Slovenia, but may lies Goriška Brda, a hilly land of usually surround a small church. also be purchased directly from natural beauty, fruit and wine, With compact villages in the the farmers or at the roadsides. white castles and churches on hills, fl owering terraces between Historically, three top of the hills. It stretches from grapevine rows, diverse roads cultures have been meeting in the Soča River in the southeast to and hospitable people, Goriška Goriška Brda: Slavic, Roman, the Idrija River in the northwest. Brda attracts many travelers and Germanic, which is refl ected In the north, it is surrounded by from Slovenia as well as from in the rich cultural heritage. The the slopes of Korada and Sabotin neighboring countries. life of the locals was especially mountains. Towards the south, Good location, soil marked by a kind of feudal Goriška Brda descends into and climate have allowed full system, which was, in places, the Friulian Plain. Around six development of viticulture kept until a few years after thousand inhabitants live there and winemaking. Vines were World War II. Goriška Brda brought to this area in the is also a land of impressive times of the ancient Romans. castles, among which stand out The largest cooperative wine the Dobrovo castle and castle cellar in Slovenia established Vipolže. A special architectural in Dobrovo produces high jewel is the medieval Šmartno, quality wines. Many noble vine a compact village, which offers varieties that grow in Goriška a remarkable view on the Brda, mainly indigenous and old entire Goriška Brda. St. Martin’s varieties, such as rebula, are church contains paintings by the recently becoming prominent. Slovenian painter Tone Kralj. Wine harvest and St. But merely a walk on its streets Martin’s Day, wine tasting and between houses with balconies celebrations, are the main and outside fi replaces is already events in autumn. Goriška Brda a special experience. also abounds with fruit, which The village, which is is very tasty and sweet due to fully protected as a cultural plenty of sunshine. The locals monument, comes to life are growing cherries, peaches, especially in the spring at the apricots, olives, fi gs, chestnuts, event “Brda and wine” and in the grapes and other fruit, which are autumn on St. Martin’s Day, the JUNE 8, 2012, PAGE 4 principal village festival, when colorful procession of wagons and wine festival titled “A dream there is tasting of wines of Brda showcasing various household in Medana” (Sanje v Medani), and some specialties of Brda’s tasks, and various exhibitions takes place in two villages, in cuisine: omelets, porridge, and entertainment events. The Medana and Šmartno, featuring sausages, cooked “pituralke” festival is a tribute to the cherry, poetry and prose readings, (special autumn pears), and a queen of Brda fruits, which in concerts and workshops amid more. recent years has been regaining the beautiful scenery of Goriška The rich cultural heritage popularity. Every year, a books Brda. is also refl ected in other events and performances. For several decades, there has been celebrated the “Cherry Festival”, which in early June attracts crowds from Slovenia and abroad. The several- day event usually features a
WELCOME HOME All - Slovenian Meeting at the National Assembly Dear Slovenes: You are the European Year for Active to talk about those projects that kindly invited you to attend Ageing and Intergenerational might stimulate cooperation or the gathering of all Slovenes Solidarity. The purpose of the communication between younger living outside the borders of European Year of Active Ageing and older people, thus transferring the Republic of Slovenia. This and Intergenerational Solidarity knowledge and experience across year’s meeting will be devoted is to raise awareness on how to generations. Your suggestions to intergenerational dialogue confront the challenges of ageing, and experience will provide a of Slovenes in neighboring and as well as to share good practices. valuable basis for upgrading other countries. The meeting According to the European and formulating policies of the will take place on Thursday July Commission, active ageing gives Republic of Slovenia towards 5, 2012 in the Great Hall of the the elderly the opportunity to Slovenes living outside Slovenia’s National Assembly, Šubičeva 4, remain in the sphere of work and borders. starting at 10 a.m. and lasting to pass on their experience to We also see opportunities until approximately 6 p.m. younger generations, as well as for cooperation in increased Moreover, the First continue playing an active role in promotion of studying in Slovenia, Parliament of Young Slovenes the society and leading a fulfi lling in learning the Slovene language, from Neighboring and Other life. and summer schools in Slovenia, Countries will be simultaneously Considering the fact as well as in greater participation held in the National Council that this year is devoted to in economic cooperation. Hall, Šubičeva 4, starting at intergenerational dialogue, and Like in past years, this meeting 10 a.m. and also lasting until aware that the interest of the young will be concluded with a cultural approximately 6 p.m. At the regarding cooperation in Slovene program. For more information, conclusion of both meetings, associations and organizations please contact the Secretary we will address the proposals is greater in some countries and of the Commission, Mr. Tomo for better and more fruitful smaller in others, and that the Malnarič at: tomislav.malnaric@ intergenerational cooperation modest interest of the young is dz rs.si of Slovenes in neighboring and a consequence of generational We look forward to other countries. differences and a lack of meeting you and collaborating The European Parliament intergenerational cooperation, we with you. announced the year 2012 as suggest that we use this occasion Franc Pukšič, l.r., Chair JUNE 8, 2012, PAGE 5 TO DO LIST
“Visit Slovenia” The Slovenian Heritage Center will host an “Appreciation Dance”. The dance will feature two popular area polka bands, the Eddie Rodick and Joey Tomsick Orchestras. When: Saturday, June 9, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Where: SNPJ Recreation Center in Lawrence County, PA (located one mile east of the Ohio/ Pennsylvania border on PA Route 108, or seven miles west (on PA 108) of the Mount Jackson Exit (#17) of Interstate 376). More information: www.facebook.com/SNPJHeritageCenter or 724 336 5180
Polka Mass Start your Independence Day holiday week with the Polka Mass. America’s polka padre, Father Frank Perkovich, arrives from Minnesota to lead the service, accompanied by the Eddie Vallus Orchestra. When: Sunday, July 1, 2012, promptly at 1:00 p.m. Where: SNPJ Farm in Kirtland, Ohio (located on Heath Road in Kirtland, Ohio, off Chardon Road (Route 6), three miles east of Route 306 and six miles west of State Route 44) More information: (440) 951 6906
Tony Petkovsek’s Saturday Polka and Slovenian Radio Program Now in his 51st year on polka and Slovenian radio, Tony Petkovsek continues with a weekly, three-hour radio show. His new team of co-hosts: include Denny Bucar, Joey Tomsick, Joe Valencic and Patty Sluga. When: Saturday from noon to 3:00 p.m. Where: WELW 1330 AM in Northeast Ohio or worldwide on www.247polkaheaven.com on the internet.
Consular Hours in San Francisco The consular offi cer from the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Washington, DC will be holding consular hours and providing consular services (authentications, certifi cations, etc.) Due to regulations and technical limitations the following services will NOT be provided during the consular hours in San Francisco: - applications for ordinary passports for Slovenian citizens of 12 years of age and above, - applications for visas and residence permits. When: June 8, 2012, from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm Where: Honorary Consulate of Slovenia in San Francisco, 354 Pine Street, Third Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104 For more info: send an e-mail to the embassy at [email protected]
Lučka Koščak’s Angels Exhibition “The sculpture of Lučka Koščak is defi nitely something special inside the Slovenian Art space (and in general), because we can’t defi ne it within the context of either traditional or even less of modernistic or postmodernistic sculpture… The peace that the sculptures express is not meant to be for them, but for us. The calmness that they shine with is not the calmness of timelessness, but the calmness of this very moment that we live in…” (Mojca Grmek, art critic) Where: Embassy of Slovenia, 2410 California Street, NW, Washington, DC When: Ongoing June 16, 2012
The weekly Embassy Newsletter, produced by the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington, is available on: www.washington.embassy.si. Send us your comments or request for a subscription on: [email protected], Editor: Nuška Zakrajšek
JUNE 8, 2012, PAGE 6