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NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, VOLUME 8, NUMBER 45 Minister Novak Opens PoliMaT – S-ABA Headquarters in Akron, OH Mrs. Ljudmila Novak, S A B A , Minister for Slovenians initiated by the Abroad, on Monday, November Consulate General 26, opened U.S. headquarters of Slovenia in of the Slovenian Center Cleveland, provides of Excellence for Polymer an immense Mrs. Ljudmila Novak, Minister for Slovenians Abroad Materials and Technologies opportunity for opening PoliMaT – S ABA Headquarters in Akron, OH (PoliMaT) in the Akron Global the promotion together with Deputy Mayor of Akron. Business Accelerator in Akron, of successful Ohio, the city’s business bilateral business incubator downtown. The relationships between in Slovenia and two of that Slovenian innovation offi ce Slovenian and American country’s largest universities also contains the headquarters entities. and two government sponsored of the Slovenian-American On this occasion, CE research institutes, signed a Business Association (S-ABA), PoliMaT, which brings together memorandum of understanding launched in January 2012. 17 for profi t polymer companies with Austen BioInnovation
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 Institute in Akron, agreeing to develop new products for orthopedics, wound healing and other medical applications, and to work together on commercialization and job creation in Akron and Slovenia. The agreement was signed by Frank Douglas, President and CEO of the Austen BioInnovation Institute, and Mateja Dermastia, chief executive offi cer of PoliMaT. On Monday, November 12, research experts from CE PoliMaT as well as Slovenian Centre of Excellence for Research in Biotechnology, Pharmacy and the Physics of Matter (CE EN FIST) and Opening of PoLiMaT S ABA headquarters. Centre of excellence for Biosensors, Instrumentation and Process Control (CO BIK) Jure Žmauc, was among a Slovenian Studies at Cleveland began workshops and expert group of delegates from the State University, visited the programs in Akron. Chicago International Trade Slovenian National Home, The growing Commissioners Association, the Slovenian Museum and relationship between Slovenia who were visiting Akron. Archives, the Slovene National and Akron began in the Akron leaders then visited Benefi t Society, the Polka Hall spring, when Consul General Slovenia in September — a trip of Fame, and also met with of Slovenia in Cleveland, OH, that resulted in an agreement the Mayor of Cleveland, Frank between the Technology Park Jackson. Prior to her visit to Ljubljana in Slovenia and Cleveland, Minister Novak was the Akron Global Business welcomed at Minneapolis, MN, Accelerator to work together. airport by newly appointed Minister for Slovenians honorary consul of Slovenia Abroad Ljudmila Novak began Mr. Miro Medved, she also met her eleven day tour in the with the representatives of United States on Friday, the Slovenian community in November 23. One of the aims Minnesota. of the visit is to encourage The minister businessmen and experts of accompanied, by a former Slovenian descent to cooperate Consul General of Slovenia in with their ancestral homeland Cleveland, Dr. Zvone Žigon, as well as to stimulate the will wrap up her tour on work of Slovenian community December 2 and 3, 2012, in associations and societies to New York where she will meet strengthen their cooperation members of the Slovenian with Slovenia. community, businessmen While in Ohio, Minister and representatives of the Minister Novak with the Mayor of Cleve Novak also gave address to Slovenian Union of America in land Frank Jackson. the guests at the Centre for New York.
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, PAGE 2 EDUCATION Society for Slovene Studies Annual Meeting in New Orleans The Society for Slovene in Socialist Yugoslavia Studies (SSS), established in Legal Framework and Societal 1973, is a scholarly, non profi t Change in Slovenia and the and internationally recognized Czech lands since 1918 organization. Its goals are to Frontlines and Frontiers: promote the dissemination of Diplomatic Divides and Writings scholarly information about of War in Slovenia and Yugoslavia Slovenia, to initiate and generate For more detailed information research on various aspects of about the panels, their the Slovene culture, and to foster participants and papers see: closer communication among http://www.aseees.org/ scholars around the world who convention/program.html are interested in Slovenia. The The Society for Slovene Society is an affi liate member of Studies also holds its annual The society publishes reviews of books concerning Slovene topics in its journal the Association for Slavic, East business meetings at the Slovene Studies. European and Eurasian Studies ASEEES conventions. Thus, (ASEEES). Therefore it uses the Prof. Raymond Miller of Bowdoin ASEEES annual convention as a College, the new president of the journals.lib.washington.edu/ forum for some of its activities. Society, as well as other offi cers index.php/ssj. This year’s ASEEES gave at the convention their The SSS also supports convention, with the theme reports on SSS activities in the “Slovene” related research “Boundary, Barrier and Border past year. Among new business, by students with the Joseph Crossing”, took place Nov. 15 several important issues were Velikonja (undergraduate level) 18, 2012, in New Orleans. discussed. Mary Allen Johnson, and the Rado Lenček (graduate There were hundreds the associate curator of the level) Prizes. There were no of panels attended by more Hilander Research Library at entries for the Rado Lenček Prize than 1000 participants at the the Ohio State University, spoke this year; however, the winner conference; the following eight about the newly established of the Velikonja Prize was Andrej panels dealt with or touched on SSS archives, which are now Markovčič from the University of Slovenia: available for research. See: Washington, Seattle. His paper Crossing So Many Borders: http://ead.ohiolink.edu/ is titled “The Nietzschean Ideal Translating from Bosnian, xtf ead/view?docId=ead/ in Vladimir Bartol’s Al Araf.” Croatian, Macedonian, Serbian OhCoUHR0002.xml;chunk. For the past twelve years, and/or Slovenian. id=bioghist_1;brand=default. the Society has sponsored a Recent American Translation of Also discussed was the panel featuring younger scholars Slovene Novels 40th anniversary of the Society, in Slovene Studies. The sessions Reviving Resistance: Partisans’ and a celebration is planned for have been very well received Songs in Post Yugoslav Cultural April 2013 at Columbia University and provide an opportunity for Spaces in New York City. the Society to learn about new Interdisciplinary Approaches to In pursuit of its goals, researchers in the fi eld. Former Yugoslavia III: Art and the Society publishes annually For more information Popular Culture 1960s to present two newsletters and a scholarly, about the Society and Thinking Globally, Acting peer reviewed journal Slovene membership applications see Locally: Nesting Fields in Studies, back issues of which the web site http://www. Architecture and Urban Planning can be viewed online at http:// slovenestudies.com .
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, PAGE 3 TOURISM Selška Valley (Selška dolina) The Selška valley (Selška dolina) is a long, narrow valley that stretches along the river course of Selška Sora, below the Ratitovec ridge in the Gorenjska region. The valley was named after the settlement of Selce, which is in the middle of the valley, while the biggest town is Železniki. The history of the Selška valley dates back to 973 AD, when the bishops of Freising received land along the Selška Sora river as a gift, which for the following 830 years belonged to the Škofja Loka nobility. Archaeological On the way to Ratitovec. (photos: couresy of Igor Mohorič Bonča) discoveries reveal that certain areas in the Selška valley were inhabited long before the arrival in the land, extensive forests, and some even went abroad; of the bishops, who initiated and water power enabled the however, the modern industry, systematic settlement of the development of iron industry in established after World War II, land. Colonization of the hilly the valley of Selška Sora, which created new jobs for the locals. part of the Selška valley was has resulted in the growth of A blast furnace from the completed by mid 14th century, the region’s economic center – 19th century stands in the old whereas the area of today’s Železniki. part of Železniki. It was part of Železniki remained uninhabited. For more than 500 years, the ironworks facility, where iron Suffi cient quantity of iron ore the people of Železniki dug iron was extracted from iron ore. ore, smelted it in blast furnaces, In 1941, the blast furnace was processed crude iron into declared a protected technical malleable iron in iron foundries, monument. Opposite the blast and forged end products in furnace is the Železniki museum forges. Numerous tradesmen and gallery, which holds many also were active in surrounding collections such as the iron villages (miners, charcoal collection, which shows the burners, load carriers, barrel history of mining, foundries and makers, and sawyers), who forges; carpentry collection with contributed to the successful cooperage, charcoal burning ironworks story. and sawmilling, and other In the beginning of collections. the 20th century, due to lack The main feature of the of iron ore, exhaustion of area is bobbin lace making, growing stocks, and lack of which came to Železniki from competitiveness on the market, Idrija in 1881 and can also the ironwork industry in Železniki be seen in the museum. The witnessed its end. Many people technique of twisting and Tall iron blast furnace in Železniki. found themselves without work interweaving thin fl ax or cotton
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, PAGE 4 threads into tender laces quickly spread among girls. The closing of blast furnace in 1902 forced everyone who stayed in the impoverished town to turn to lace making: adult women and men, girls, and children. For several decades, the sale of lace provided the only source of income for many families. Even a lace making school was established in 1907 in Železniki, and is still open today. Villages on the slopes and ridges of the Škofjeloško hribovje hills, Ratitovec, and Jelovica preserve the cultural Sorica village. (photo: www.slovenian alps.com) landscape of the region. These prealpine foothills have recently of the region is slate roofi ng. mysterious pools, rapids, and been witnessing a successful Numerous village pillars and waterfalls, which charm every development of an important churches give the cultural traveler with their mightiness industry sector – agritourism. landscape a special appearance. and beauty. Marked hiking and The town of Železniki and the Towns and villages below cycling trails lead past highlands surrounding rural houses are Ratitovec offer various options to nearby peaks, which offer decorated with wall paintings, for leisure activities. Extensive spectacular panoramic views of latticed windows, and wrought forests promise tranquility and the surrounding region, whereas iron window bars; another provide shelter to its dwellers, winters invite skiers to ski resorts typical architectural feature while the lively brooks form and numerous running tracks. WORLD JUSTICE PROJECT Slovenia Ranks Between 19th and 36th Among 97 Countries In The Rule Of Law Index 2012
On November 28 the of law in practice, identifying of Law Index 2012, Slovenia World Justice Project (WJP) nation’s strengths and outperforms most countries in presented its “Rule of Law Index weaknesses in comparison to the Eastern Europe and Central 2012”, in which Slovenia ranks similarly situated countries, and Asia region in most dimensions between 19th and 36th among tracking changes over time. of the rule of law, particularly in 97 countries. Findings are based The Rule of Law Index 2012 the areas of open government on data derived from a poll of assesses nine dimensions of the (ranking twenty second overall the general public and detailed rule of law: limited government and second in the region), limited questionnaires administered to powers, absence of corruption, government powers (thirtieth local experts. order and security, fundamental overall and fourth in the region), WJP Rule of Law Index rights, open government, protection of fundamental rights is a quantitative assessment regulatory enforcement, civil (nineteenth overall and fourth tool offering a comprehensive justice, criminal justice, and in the region), and absence of picture of the extent to which informal justice. corruption (thirty fi rst overall countries adhere to the rule According to WJP Rule and fi fth in the region). NOVEMBER 30, 2012, PAGE 5 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Innovation Forum Focuses on Sustainable Development The 7th Slovenian Innovation Forum presented on Monday, November 26, 2012, 48 best Slovenian innovations selected from among 136 applicants. The forum, focused on sustainable development, was organized by Public Agency for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments (JAPTI), which aims at helping innovators promote and sell their innovations. Most of the 48 chosen innovations and inventions come majority, 25, were submitted by students and two by research from the fi elds of electronics and micro , small and medium sized institutions. More information telecommunications 35 are enterprises, 13 by individual (in Slovene): http://www. products, nine are services and innovators or groups, fi ve by foruminovacij.si/ four are business models. The large companies, three by SPORTS Maze Wins G Slalom in Aspen Slovenian skiing star Tina Maze confi rmed her dominant form in the opening of the 2012/2013 World Cup season by winning the second straight giant slalom event in Aspen, Colorado, on Saturday, November 24, 2012. Maze, who opened the new season with a victory in the giant slalom on October 27 in Sölden, Austria, and then fi nished fourth in the slalom in Levi, Finland, on November 11, overcame her earlier troubles on American Photo: snow by eclipsing the fi eld. The www.tinamaze.com 29 year old Slovenian fi nished whole 0.9 seconds ahead of Aspen, fi nishing behind Kathrin lead in the overall World Cup Kathrin Zettel of Austria, with Zettel and Marlies Schild of standings. With 310 points, she Germany’s Viktoria Rebensburg Austria. The Ambassador of is 50 points ahead of Zettel. 1.54 seconds behind in third Slovenia to the U.S. Roman Kirn Next Ski World Cup event is place. congratulated Tina Maze on her scheduled for November 30 Moreover, Tina Maze latest achievements. through December 2, 2012, in bagged third place in Sunday’s Maze maintains her Lake Louise, CA. World Cup slalom event in NOVEMBER 30, 2012, PAGE 6 CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE CoE BIK Centre of Excellence for Biosensors, Instrumentation and Process Control (CoE BIK) was established in 2009 in Primorska region, Slovenia, as one of the best four year hi tech project proposals for improving European innovation competitiveness from Slovenia. the art equipment, and currently companies from Slovenia to CoE COBIK is a privately runs 20 research projects. create better, more stimulating founded research institution Laboratory for Bio Analytics, environment. The focus of the that employs 87 highly qualifi ed Laboratory for Control Systems, CoE COBIK is to create cutting researchers from the most Laboratory for Advanced edge solutions and integrate them challenging and promising fi elds, Sensors and Instrumentation, into partners` industrial processes such as bio chemistry, bio Bio instrumentation Laboratory, or upgrade them through new engineering, bio instrumentation, and Laboratory for Advanced partnerships and new research control systems, precision electrical Materials Systems are horizontally challenges. This focus results in a instrumentation, optics and bound through Laboratory for broad, world wide network. CoE advanced new cleaning processes Open Innovation Systems, which COBIK is an excellent research in pharmacy. These diverse and provides basic business knowledge partner with many years of expanding technological fi elds are and sets a model of innovations experience with preparing and merged for innovative applications acceleration. performing E.U. projects. In the and products in medicine, CoE COBIK merges near future, some of the projects biotechnology and chemical the best partners, the best will result in creating spin offs. engineering. researchers, the best national For more information about CoE CoE COBIK consists of research institutions and the COBIK, please visit: http://www. six laboratories with state of best internationally recognized cobik.si/en/ . ANNOUNCEMENT Slovenian Presidential Elections Slovenia held its of Slovenia in Washington DC the signature of the voter, voting by presidential elections on Sunday, and the Consulate General of the ballot. If voting by mail, instructions November 11. Former Prime Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland. and voting material has been sent Minister Borut Pahor was fi rst Voting at the Embassy of the to the voter’s permanent residence with 39.98 percent of the vote, Republic of Slovenia in Washington, address. followed by incumbent president located at 2410 California Street, Slovenian citizens with Dr. Danilo Türk with 35.86 percent NW, Washington D.C., 20008, will registered residence in Slovenia and center right candidate Dr. be possible between 9:00 a.m. and visiting or temporarily residing Milan Zver at 24.16 percent. and 5:00 p.m. local time . (»začasno prebivališče«) in the As none of the candidates Slovenian citizens with United States can cast their vote in won the majority of votes, a registered residence (»stalno person at the listed representations runoff between the top two prebivališče«) in the United States or by mail if they had registered with candidates will be held on can vote in person at the above the National Electoral Commission Sunday, December 2, 2012. listed representations or by mail. by November 16, 2012. More Second round of elections, Voting procedure at the embassy information is available on the on December 2, 2012, will also be is the same as in Slovenia voter website of the National Electoral held at the Embassy of the Republic identifi cation with a personal ID, Commission www.dvk.gov.si .
NOVEMBER 30, 2012, PAGE 7 ANNOUNCEMENT 19th Winter School of the Slovene Language Between 21 January Winter school participants Every other day in and 1 February 2013 the can choose among: the afternoon or evening the Centre for Slovene as a Second/ morning course: every day for Winter school accompanying Foreign Language at the Faculty 4 school hours (9.00 am–12.30 pm) programme takes place: the get of Arts, University of Ljubljana regular language course together afternoon, a visit to the organises the 19th Winter preparation for the exam of old town centre of Ljubljana, visit School of the Slovene Language. Slovene at the advanced level to the Ljubljana Opera Theatre, The intensive course of Slovene afternoon course: every day traditional Slovene dances, is aimed for those wishing to for 2 school hours (2.00–3.30 pm) closing evening with language learn as much as possible in conversation with phonetics games and book prizes. two weeks only, and learn about for beginners For more information, prices and Slovene culture and society conversation for the application please visit http:// in the various accompanying intermediate and the advanced www.centerslo.net/l2.asp?L1_ programme. grammar ID=1&L2_ID=14&LANG=eng ANNOUNCEMENT The minister for Slovenians Abroad, Ljudmila Novak in New York
The Minister for Place (8th Street), East Village, Slovenian community faces in Slovenians Abroad, Ljudmila New York (between 1st and 2nd the U.S. and to encourage the Novak will meet with Slovenians Aves.) local institutions to connect and living in New York on Sunday, The purpose of the cooperate with the experts of December 2, 2012 at 5pm visit is to gather information Slovenian origin that are a part after the 4:30 Sunday Mass at for the Slovenian government of the community. St. Cyril’s Hall, 62 St. Mark’s about the problems that the TO DO LIST Beyond by Michael Benson A spectacular photography exhibition of images from space. When: Monday through Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Where: Embassy of Slovenia, 2410 California Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008 More information about the work of Michael Benson on: http://www.kinetikonpictures.com/
SlovenSkiSl Sk i PrProgram fofor 20201313 Schedule: February: 1 3, 2013, SlovenSki weekend Windham, NY February 15 23, 2013, SlovenSki trip to 3 Vallees, France March 18 24, 2013, Nastar Nationals Aspen/Snowmass (qualifi ed racers) April 1 7, 2013, SlovenSki week in Sun Valley, ID More information and application form: John F Kamin, 61 32 75th Place, Middle Village, NY 11379, phone: (718) 424 2711, email: [email protected]
The weeklyweekly EEmbassymbassy NeNewsletter,wsletter, prproducedoduced by the EmbaEmbassyssy of SlSloveniaovenia in WaWashington,shington, is avavailableailable oon:n: wwwwww.washington.embassy.si..washington.embassy.si. Send us your comments or request for a subscription on: [email protected], Editor: Nuška Zakrajšek
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