In This Issue Maze Got Two Silver Medals On February 20, Maze already has her - Maze Got Two Silver Slovenian skiing star Tina eye on a third medal. She Medals Maze won ’s second is among the favorites to - Starting Numbers for medal in this year’s Winter climb the podium in the Winter Olympic Games. final Olympic Alpine event, in Vancouver produced Starting as number the slalom, which will be on in Slovenia 22, Tina at the end took the program today, February 26, second place in women’s at 4 p.m. local time. super-G and on February 25, Maze brought to - Final Seminar on NATO new’s Strategic she added to the existing one Slovenia its second silver Conce pt a second silver medal in giant medal in since the slalom! country gained independence With two silvers to her in 1991 and the fourth overall. - Embassy of name, Maze has been the most Slovenian skiers Jure Franko Slovenia among Top successful Slovenian athlete (, 1984) Ten Embassies in in Vancouver and the best and Mateja Svet (slalom, Washington, D.C. Slovenian woman Olympian Calgary 1988) won silvers still of all times. under the Yugoslav flag. - Inter view Series: She brings Slovenia’s Since 1991, Slovenia’s Dr. Lydia Mihelič medal tally at Winter Olympics athletes have won three Pulsipher to 11 and the overall number medals in Alpine skiing, all of medals - at both winter and bronze and all in Lillehammer - EMA Contest summer games - to 50. in 1994: Jure Košir in men’s

- Announcement ------List to do/ see:

- Gar y Bukovnik’s Exhibition

- Grande Fête de la Francophonie 2010

- Concer t by Vlado Kreslin Maze meanwhile race.

Embassy’s Newsletter Page 1 February 26, 2010 slalom, Katja Koren in women’s slalom, and Alenka Dovžan in women’s combined. President Danilo Tuerk congratulated Maze for “excellent performance” and “the perseverance, effort and talent” required to achieve the medals. “You have shown once again that you are a supreme athlete who, I’m certain, will bring us more joy in the future,” the president added. This was echoed by Prime Minister Borut Pahor, who said that Maze had shown with her perseverance and skill that she is a “world-class athlete”. “This has been a perfect day,” Maze said after the run. “I came into the Ambassador Roman Kirn and entire race believing in myself and I wanted Embassy staff would like to express to have fun on the course,” she said. Tina sincere congratulations for such a “In the end, I did what I know best.” heroic success!

Starting Numbers for in Vancouver produced in Slovenia The nearly 15,000 starting numbers for the Olympic Games in Vancouver were manufactured by a small company in Radovljica, Slovenia. The firm’s owner, Natalie Pristov, said that it was so far the biggest deal for them in their less than 40 years of experience. The project has recruited two additional employees and her husband, who has, for these purposes, left his previous job. The entire project was carried out by five employees in a little over three months. All starting numbers were produced between September 1 and December 10, 2009.

Tina meanwhile Super G, with a starting number 22.

Embassy’s Newsletter Page 2 February 26, 2010 Final Seminar on NATO’s new Strategic Concept On February 23, the US capital Slovenia has been actively involved in hosted the final meeting on a new NATO this process and hosted the second seminar Strategic Concept. Slovenia was represented on NATO’s new Strategic Concept on 13 by Director-General for Global Issues and November 2009 in Brdo pri Kranju, which Multilateral Political Relations at the Ministry was dedicated to the role of NATO in the of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Andrej globalized world. Benedejčič, Director-General for Defense Policy at the Ministry of Defense, Primož Šavc, and Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Božo Cerar. The seminar, entitled Transformation, was focusing on the Alliance’s role, force deployability and sustainability, the development of capabilities, review of NATO’s defense planning process and NATO headquarters reform. The NATO Strategic Concept is a document that outlines the wider framework of the Alliance’s activities and is being Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State, addressing prepared for adoption by the next NATO the participants of the seminar. summit in Lisbon in November 2010.

Embassy of Slovenia among Top Ten Embassies in Washington, D.C. Washington on February 22, Ms. Irena Lukač, Economic Counselor at the Embassy, had the honor to receive a plaquette on behalf of the Embassy. Over 176 embassies, consular offices, and missions have been carefully reviewed by the International Investor’s Panel of Judges, who had made their final decision considering the embassies’ efforts to represent their nations, engage with business, economic, and foreign policy communities, and articulate their nations’ point of view on a wide range Irena Lukač, Economic Counselor, receiving a plaquette. of issues. Our embassy was honored in the The Embassy of Slovenia was named as prestigious company of the embassies of one of the Top Ten Embassies in Washington, Finland, Peru, Egypt, Canada, Antigua and DC, by the International Investors LLC. Barbuda, Poland, Mexico, Denmark, and At the ceremony, held at the Arts Club of Bahrain.

Embassy’s Newsletter Page 3 February 26, 2010 Interview Series - Dr. Lydia Mihelič Pulsipher

Lydia Mihelič Pulsipher is a encourage the consumption of Slovene wines. teacher at the Department of Geography We regularly cook Slovene meals for friends, University of Tennessee. In September we bake potica at Christmas and invite others 2009 she was appointed as Honorary to help. Our home is full of some of the Consul of the Republic of Slovenia in nicer examples of Slovene-made items. We Knoxville. It is unpaid but honored job. regularly encourage Slovene business people She is doing it because of love she feels to vend their products in the US. And we are towards Slovenia and Slovenians. partners with a Slovene businessman who produces garments (underwear and yoga-type wear) which will eventually be sold in the US. My husband is an investor in another American firm that uses some Slovene wood products and very fashionable handbags. In the past, I have been instrumental in getting embassy officials to visit my university and will do that again when possible. I am a founding member and presently on the board of directors of the Society for Slovene Studies. As a geography professor, you have One of the covers from the World Regional Geography issued a well known college geography where Dr. Pulsipher is frequent author. textbook, used in more than 200 colleges in the States, as well as in some of the other In September 2009, you were appointed countries of the world. One of your fields Honorary Consul of the Republic of Slovenia of research is also focused on Slovenia, for for Tennessee. What did this title bring to you? example,“18 Slovene Women Entrepreneurs: What are your new obligations? How do you Their Own Perceptions of Success and intend to promote Slovenia in your region? Satisfaction.” Why did you choose Slovenia? This appointment is really just a I constructed my career around another continuation of my long-standing interest in passion, the history of Africans in the Slovenia. My father immigrated to the US Americas. As a historical geographer for 37 when he was 18. By the time I was born, he years now, I have studied the lives of Africans was quite Americanized, but he did explain enslaved in the Eastern Caribbean. This turned his origins and we talked about Yugoslavia, out to be very exciting work and well funded WWII, and so forth. He explained that he and well recognized. My research was the had several brothers who fought with Tito as focus of a major exhibit at the Smithsonian, partisans. I wrote Marshall Tito a letter when I Seeds of Change (1990-1993), so, because of was about 8 and was answered by Mr. Kardelj. that success, I was diverted from doing work My father said this was amazing. on Slovenia. I was, however, invited to give This consular appointment can be seen, lectures in Slovenia on this work, which I have therefore, as the culmination of a life-long done periodically since 1991 at the University desire to know Slovenia better and to help of and later at Primorska University others appreciate the country. in Koper. My husband and I already do our best to

Embassy’s Newsletter Page 4 February 26, 2010 What are, in your opinion, the biggest the outsiders have earned their confidence. differences between Slovenia and the United Ironically, European young people tend to States? travel more than American young people. I’m I would say that Americans are more trying to encourage my American students to optimistic and tend to construct the world travel more, but it is difficult. For one thing, around them as a positive place. They often our country is much bigger than the whole do this to a fault. European people my age of Europe, so they tend to want to see the are much more inward in their lives. They are distant parts of their own country first. not expansive or accepting of outsiders until

EMA Contest received an overwhelming 15,907 votes. This was the first time ever that the Slovenian contestant in Eurovision Song was selected only by the audience rather than by a judging panel or a vote combining the two. Hosted by the public broadcaster, TV Slovenija, at the Ljubljana fairground Gospodarsko razstavišče, Sunday’s contest featured 14 bands and/or singers. Seven of them had been selected by the audience in Saturday’s semi-finals, while seven were authors who performed their own songs upon invitation Rok Žlindar - main singer of Ansambel Roka Žlindarja. by TV Slovenija. On February 21, Slovenian Eurovison The selected Slovenian contestant will Song Contest (EMA) took place. This year, compete on May 29, 2010 in finals of the the winner was Ansambel Roka Žlindre & Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, and at the Kalamari. The winning “Narodno zabavni semi-finals on May 27. rok” (Folk merry rock), a tune combining accordion-pop music with rock rhythm, they Announcement 1. EU Open House - Volunteers Needed On May 8, 2010, and Member States The event has gained extreme and EU Delegation in the United States will popularity and success. Last year more celebrate European Day by organizing the fourth annual EU Open House day, under the than 1000 people visited Slovenian slogan Green Europe. Embassy. Embassies of 27 countries and the EU We would like to offer anybody the Delegation in Washington, D.C., will open opportunity to do his part. their doors, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. showcasing our art, culture, food, and introducing the If you would like to volunteer with the European Union to public. Slovenian Embassy, please send an This year we are planning to prepare sport activities email on: for kids! [email protected]

Embassy’s Newsletter Page 5 February 26, 2010 Our To Do/ To see list:

1. Gary Bukovnik, The Rebirth of Flora, exhibition at the Embassy of Slovenia

On February 17, 2009, the Embassy of Slovenia opened an extensive exhibition by Gary Bukovnik: “The Rebirth of Flora”. The Exhibition will continue trough March 18. Stop by and admire Bukovnik’s work. 2410 California Street NW 20008 Washington, D.C. Working time: Monday- Friday, from 9 a.m - 5 p.m. 2. Grande Fête de la Francophonie 2010 Traditionally more than 35 embassies, governments and associations will present their respec- tive cultures at the Grande Fête de la Francophonie. French as a second language is spoken only by 4% of Slovenia’s population. As an observer state, we participate in this event every year with a display stand where we offer visitors infor- mation about Slovenia, and its traditional foods (potica and smoked ham) and wine. Francophonie will take place at French mansion (La Maison Française) on March 5, 2010. Tickets available on: www. InstantSeats.com

3. Join us for an evening of folk, blues and rock music by Vlado Kreslin Vlado Kreslin, born in Beltinci in the Prekmurje region of Slovenia, is one of the best known and highly-esteemed Slovenian musicians and songwriters drawing on Slovenian folk heritage. The event is free and open to public. WHEN: March 22, at 8: 00 p.m. WHERE: Busboys@14th Street, NW Please RSPV till March 17 on: [email protected]

The weekly e-Newsletter is produced by the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington. The archive of the e-Newsletter is available online. To subscribe or unsubscribe to the e-Newsletter please send an e-mail to: [email protected].

Network of Slovenes by connecting professionals, Your online trainig entrepreneurship connection and reanimating Slovene to everything culture. Slovenian all around the world. Embassy’s Newsletter Page 6 February 26, 2010