NEWSLETTER 18Th Annual Consultations of Slovenian Diplomats
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Embassy Tourism: SWU Adoption Preddvor Scholarships for Program 2014 -2015 page 2 > page 3,4 > page 11, 12 > NEWSLETTER JANUARY 17, 2014, VOLUME 10, NUMBER 2 18th Annual Consultations of Slovenian diplomats Heads of Slovenian Slovenian ambassadors and senior Foreign Ministry officials together embassies, consulates with President Borut Pahor. and representative offices abroad and senior Foreign will redefine the country’s role In the afternoon session, Ministry officials met at in the international arena and the ambassadors were addressed Brdo estate on January identify its vital interests. The by President Borut Pahor, and 6–8, 2014, for a three-day minister, in his speech, also at the opening of the second annual consultation. The underscored the importance day, by Prime Minister Alenka event focused on Slovenia’s of economic diplomacy and, Bratušek. The Prime Minister new foreign policy strategy, turning to multilateral relations, highlighted the diplomatic topical international noted Slovenia’s bid for service as having a key role in and bilateral issues and membership on the U.N. Human advocating Slovenia’s interests economic diplomacy. Rights Council in 2016-2018. in international institutions, The annual meeting of The protection of human rights, opening doors for the Slovenian Slovenian diplomats opened particularly of vulnerable groups economy, and creating the on Monday with an address by such as children, women and atmosphere for boosting bilateral Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec, the elderly, will therefore remain and multilateral ties. The PM also who stressed that a new the focus of Slovenia’s foreign outlined regional cooperation Slovenian foreign policy strategy policy. and good relations with the Embassy of Slovenia 2410 California Street, NW twitter.com/SLOinUSA Washington, D.C. 20008, USA T: +1 202 386 66 01 E: [email protected] facebook.com/SLOembassyUSA washington.embassy.si neighbors. She also cited the Western Balkans as a priority in terms of bilateral relations as well as in the context of the E.U. and NATO enlargements. At the heart of the discussion at the meeting were also the current challenges that face Slovenia’s foreign policy and its diplomats, ”green” policy and international development cooperation. The meeting took place at the Brdo estate. EMBASSY ADOPTION PROGRAM An Hour at Janney Elementary School On January 15, Nuška Zakrajšek and Brina Murnik from the Embassy of Slovenia made the first visit of 2014 within the Embassy Adoption Program to the adopted class at the Janney Elementary School in Tenleytown, Washington, D.C. The group of very interactive and motivated children first got acquainted by Ms. Zakrajšek with the Slovenian alphabet, especially the letters, specific to Slovenian language. Later, they learned how to count in Slovenian up to 20 and, pronunciation of a few essential Although unfamiliar, the through fun games, practiced the phrases of introduction. unusual sounds in the language and the distinction between the feminine and masculine form of words were quickly mastered. The last few minutes were dedicated to a quick pop quiz on fun facts about Slovenia, and the students showed their knowledge about the length of the Slovenian coastline, the Lipizzaner horse breed, the capital city of Ljubljana, etc. The fun-filled but educational hour quickly passed; but there is to be the next one already in two weeks. JANUARY 17, 2014, PAGE 2 TOURISM Preddvor Many archeological deposits, ruins of forts and older castles speak about the rich history of Preddvor and its surroundings. This area was The Bistrica stream, which flows down the steep valley from behind the Potoška settled already in the Stone Age. On hill, was dammed at the castle and it now feeds the artificial Črnava lake. (Photo courtesy: Zavod za Turizem Preddvor / Tourist Organization Preddvor) Apnišče (739 m; 2420 ft.), between The oldest written sources to its subjects for an annual rent. In Možjanca and Štefanja gora, there mention castles and villages from the following centuries, the abbey was a Neolithic settlement. the 12th century. A document from enlarged its holdings, but they were The most vigorous among 1156, preserved in the Carinthian reduced in the 16th century, when them was Preddvor, where land museum in Celovec, mentions a state prince demanded large archeological finds prove 3000 that count Bernard Spanheim amounts of money for fighting the years of continuous settlement, donated Dvor and Preddvor to the Turks. At that time, a defensive from the Neolithic -- around 100 BC Cistercian abbey of Vetrinj in Carinthia wall was built around the church -- until today. In the Iron Age, the before he left for a crusade in 1147. St. Peter. What remained from the surroundings of Preddvor contained The Vetrinj abbey established a abbey, estate was sold on the 1st several settlements: Sv. Lovrenc, “grangija” in Preddvor, which meant of October 1605 to a private buyer Gradišče, Vrtičnik, etc. Further finds a court with land cultivated mainly for 8,000 guldens. Since then, Dvor confirm the presence of the Romans by the monks themselves. In 1224, and Preddvor have changed many and later, in the early Middle Ages, the “grangija” broke up. The abbey owners. of Carniolans (Preddvor, Sv. Jakob, divided the estate and allotted farms The two-storey building Tupaliče, Dolga njiva, etc.). of the the Preddvor manor, in the Renaissance-Baroque style, was mentioned for the first time in written sources in 1147. Preserved are the Renaissance ceiling with stuccos, and wooden ceilings from the 17th century. Since then, the manor functioned as an abbey, sanatorium, holiday resort and reformatory institution. In the 19th century, a park was designed on the eastern side behind the manor and renovated in the beginning of the 20th century. The 16th-century Hrib Castle stands on the shore of the The Turn Castle. (Photo courtesy: Helena Krampl Nikač) artificial Črnava lake, in the middle JANUARY 17, 2014, PAGE 3 estate were bought in 1793 by in written sources in 1154. It is also Martin Urbančič, who had been until mentioned in the folk poem “The then caretaker at the Brdo Castle. galley slave”. The present building Josipina Urbančič (married name with a Roman nave and a Gothic Toman), who published under the star-like vaulted presbytery was pen name Josipina Turnograjska consecrated in 1507. The frescoes (July 4, 1833 – June 1, 1854), one of the Journey of the Three Kings, of the first Slovene female writers, made by Friulian masters in the poets, and composers, was born at 15th century, are partly preserved. Turn Castle. The ceiling was coffered at the end The Neuburg Castle (Novi of the 17th century. grad Castle or Pusti grad Castle) was Next to its rich history and first mentioned in written sources monuments of cultural significance, in 1156. In 1439, it was greatly Preddvor gives visitors many damaged in the battle for the estate possibilities for cycling trips, one- The avenue of ash trees.. heritage of the counts of Celje by day walking trips and hikes in the (Photo courtesy: Helena Krampl Nikač) knight Jan Vitovec, and in 1473 by unspoilt natural surroundings. The the Turks. Finally, it was destroyed Storžič mountain (2132 m; 6977 of a park with exotic trees and an ft.), which got its name from its avenue. The castle changed many conical shape, plays a dominant owners and went through many role among the peaks that interest renovations. Currently, it is part of hikers, but, walking trails to St. Jacob hotel Bor, which contains an inn and Kališče are also fascinating. with a wedding hall. The avenue Geological path to Možjanca (691 of ash trees at the Hrib Castle is m; 2260 ft.) cuts through a steep well-known for the intertwining of slope that offers multicolored rocks its branches at the top. The legend in the exposed area, which are full of says that in ancient times the Hrib interesting animal fossils. There are Castle’s gardener fell in forbidden numerous walking paths also along love with a castle’s young lady. the Kokra River. More information They had secret meetings in the about Preddvor is available at: avenue. Only trees understood their http://www.preddvor-tourism.si/ love, therefore, they interlaced their branches to help hiding them. When Oil painting of Josipina Turnograjska by a mother-countess realized how Henrika Langus. (Photo: wikimedia) deep their love was, she permitted by an earthquake in 1511. their wedding. Their marriage The church of St. Peter in lasted in joy and happiness for 50 Preddvor was mentioned for the first years. Hence, today the Hrib Castle time in 1156. From an older church, guarantees to newlyweds who walk only a late-Gothic tower is preserved, through this avenue on a wedding which was added in the period of day, 50 years of happiness together! Turkish invasions The church was The Turn Castle is mentioned given its present look in 1751. The in written sources in 1408 as the presbytery of the Baroque church Turn Castle under the Novi grad was painted by Matija Bradaška, castle. Both castles were owned by side altars were made by M. Vrbnik, the counts of Celje. Initially a tower- and the main altar painting,The like castle from the 14th century, it “Posmodule” are cakes typical of Last Supper, was painted by Janez Preddvor. They are spread with minced was gradually completed to become Wolf. The church has a crypt and a a two-storey and four-tract building lard or sprinkled with cracklings, dome. The Church of St. Lawrence or spread with cottage cheese and with an inner courtyard. It changed (892 m; 2920 ft.) was mentioned sprinkled with chopped chive. several owners. The castle and the (Photo : Helena Krampl Nikač) JANUARY 17, 2014, PAGE 4 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS SWU Scholarships for Academic year 2014-2015 The Slovenian Women’s must be of Slovene ancestry.