NEWSLETTER Concert of Violinist Anja Bukovec at the Embassy
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May 9 - Piran - Open House Day Europe Indianapolis at the Embassy Day Exchange of Slovenia page 2 > page 3 > page 7 & 8 > NEWSLETTER MAY 10, 2013, VOLUME 9, NUMBER 18 Concert of violinist Anja Bukovec at the Embassy On Friday, May 3, 2013, the Embassy of Slovenia, in cooperation with The Embassy Series, organized a concert that featured one of the most renowned Slovenian violinists, Anja Bukovec. Anja Bukovec accompanied by pianist George Peachley. More than 90 guests were welcomed by Ambassador Roman Anja, accompanied music by Slovenian composer Kirn, whereas Mr. Jerome Barry, by pianist George Peachey, Mihael Rožanc and Yugoslavian the founder of The Embassy presented to the audience a folk music by Božidar Milošević. Series, presented the work of wide range of musical genres, In his review, Gary the organization. Since 1994, the performing music by Beethoven, Tischler wrote: “Bukovec series has offered to its audiences Rachmaninoff, Kreisler and approached her music in a kind the opportunity to participate in a Copeland, as well as themes from of undaunted fashion—to use cultural exchange -- to watch and Fiddler on the Roof, arranged a sports analogy she seemed listen to musical performances by John Williams, and from the to step up to the plate with that highlight the contributions of musical The Addams Family, every part of the performance, a particular country. tango stints by Astor Piazzolla, respectful but also joyful on 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 Beethoven’s Sonata for Violin and age of five and,, at the age of casts, she performed all over Piano in F Major, a performance thirteen, continued her schooling Europe, in Australia, China, that satisfied everyone’s taste at the Music Conservatorium Canada, and the United States. and longing for one of the great in Prague and later in Vienna Anja has been collaborating with works in the Western canon.” and Cologne, where she Alban Berg Quartet, Igor Ozim, Furthermore, he pointed out graduated in 2001. Next to her En Shao, Uroš Lajovic, Marko that: “She has played with many technical perfection, she excels Letonja, multiple BAFTA award of the best orchestras in Europe because of her distinctive style, winner Christopher Gunning and and won numerous musical highly virtuosic interpretation top pop/rock artists such as Jeff competitions, so there is no and communication with the Healey. She also had the honor question of pedigree. But she has audience that present classical of performing exclusively for another quality—a willingness to music in a unique way attracting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. run across bridges, bridge gaps wide audiences. Her records, Last time in Washington, D.C., and mix genres with a stylish Gemini (2007), Follow (2008) she performed at the Kennedy adeptness. “ and Chameleon (2009) are best Center. Born in Ljubljana, sellers among classical records. More information about Slovenia, Anja Bukovec began As a solo performer and Embassy Series is available at: her first violin lessons at the member of chamber music http://www.embassyseries.org/ EU Europe Day Yesterday, on May 9, our free and modern Europe is the European Union celebrated such a far cry from those days.” Europe Day to commemorate “The values that united the day in 1950 when French and guided the E.U. from war Foreign Minister Robert Schuman to peace have become values proposed consolidation of the we project outside our borders coal and steel industries of and that others around the Europe, binding nations so world want to embrace. With closely together that renewed the United States, we work to Environment, Janez Potočnik, war would be unthinkable. promote peace and security in to discuss topics such as the The “Schuman Declaration” is places that desperately need it, European Union, European considered to be the beginning promote free and fair elections citizenship, environment, and of the creation of what is now and fight for human rights,” economy. the European Union of 27 Ambassador Vale de Almeida Main squares of several Member States -- very soon writes. “Schuman foresaw that cities across the country are 28 Member States -- with half ‘Europe will not be made all at hosting, from Tuesday to a billion people living in peace once, or according to a single Saturday, various information together. plan. It will be built through and social activities as part of Writing in the Huffington concrete achievements which the Europe Week, including Post, Ambassador João Vale first create a de facto solidarity.’ in Maribor, Celje, Ljubljana, de Almeida, Head of the E.U. He was absolutely right, and on Slovenj Gradec and Nova Delegation to the United Europe Day I’m happy to note Gorica. The activities aimed States, noted that: “Our current that his vision of a peaceful, to provide European citizens challenges are still considerable. united Europe is alive and well.” an insight into their rights and But we need to look at the larger A series of events as opportunities in the 27-nation perspective and see how far we part of this year’s Europe Week bloc. A number of activities in have come since 1950. I spent were held across Slovenia. which participants have been the first 17 years of my life Highlights included the able to test their knowledge of growing up under a dictatorship European Film Week, which the E.U., win prizes and discuss in Portugal -- it meant a lack of featured free screenings of 18 E.U.’s cultural heritage with basic freedoms, no democracy select European film productions European volunteers from other and wide-spread poverty. It isn’t and a drop-in session with the member states have also been some distant history -- and yet European Commissioner for the taking place. MAY 10, 2013, PAGE 2 SLOVENIA in US Piran - Indianapolis Exchange The University of Indianapolis, IN, and Primorska and Indiana University Piran became Sister Cities in Purdue University Indianapolis September 2001; therefore, (IUPUI) have been engaged in Mr. Lesjak is working with the video conferencing in tourism Indianapolis-Piran Sister City classes to connect students in Committee (IPSCC) members to the 2012-13 term. As part of the expand the relationship between collaboration, Miha Lesjak, Ph.D. Piran and Indianapolis. He is candidate at the University of assisting in developing resources Primorska, Faculty of Tourism for Indianapolis elementary and -Turistica, Portorož, located in secondary teachers to include Piran, Slovenia, is currently on lessons on Piran and Slovenia. an exchange visit to Indiana Other projects include advising on University Purdue University IPSCC participation in Indianapolis Indianapolis (IUPUI). His visit is Sister Cities film festival and hosted by Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis, cultural festival (both events in IUPUI faculty member. The September 2013). future plans between The On May 2, representatives University of Primorska and of IUPUI and IPSCC joined Mr. IUPUI include continuation of Lesjak in meeting Indianapolis video-conferencing of classes, Mayor Greg Ballard for discussion Miha Lesjak with mayor of Indiana- academic research and projects, of current and future Sister City polis Mr. Gregory A. Ballard. and exchange of academic projects. The presentation included staff. Discussion is underway exchange of gifts and letters from and is expected to be joined by to expand the current tourism Mayor Ballard and Piran Mayor, IUPUI faculty members and IPSCC relationship to other IUPUI Peter Bossman. Mayor Ballard will members. More information: academic departments. be traveling to Piran in September www.indy.gov/globalindy CULTURE SEE Fest 2013 After five days in five locations and 40 films shown to diverse audiences in Los Angeles, the South East European Film Festival, SEEfest 2013, concluded Monday night at UCLA’s Bridges Theater in Los Angeles with Turkish film Present Tense in a double bill with a short from Switzerland Where Do We Go from Here. The Slovenian film shown A scene from the film Feed Me with Your Words. at the festival on Friday, May 3, was Feed Me with Your Words actors Sebastian Cavazza, Jure round screenings and programs. (Nahrani me z besedami) by the Henigman, Boris Cavazza, Maša Every year, SEE FEST organizes young Slovenian writer Martin Derganc, and Miranda Caharija. conferences and retrospectives, Turk. Walking a fine line between South East European serves as the cultural hub mystery, thriller and psychological Film Festival educates about and resource for scholars drama, Turk’s debut feature and promotes cultural diversity and filmmakers, and creates follows an estranged father and of Southeast Europe through opportunities for cultural exchange his older son on an anguished trip, its annual presentations of between Southern California and and casts renowned Slovenian films from this region and year- Southeast Europe. MAY 10, 2013, PAGE 3 TOURISM Jesenice where Jesenice now lies) due to need for wood, flowing water for mills, and iron ore. With the development of new techniques of extraction of iron from ore, the need for water energy grew, and the small streams on the slopes of the Karavanke were no longer sufficient. The ore-extracting industry was relocated in 1538, when Bernardo Bucellini from Bergamo gained permission from the Habsburg King Ferdinand I to move the ironworks to a larger water source, the Sava, creating a settlement that Panoramic view on Jesenice (Source: www.slovenia.info) was to become Jesenice. The The town of Jesenice, a list of mining rights, issued ironworks, however, continued which lies on the southern, to the Carinthian counts of to mine iron ore on the slopes of Slovenian, side of the mountain Ortenburg, dating to 1381, but the Karavanke. range of Karavanke in the the first settlements in the area Different iron foundries Upper Carniola region, got its were founded on the southern belonged to different owners name from the name of the slopes higher in Karavanke (the Zois, Ruard, and Bucellini ash tree (in Slovene: jêsen), (rather than in the Sava Valley, families) and did not interact.