04 ISSN 1854-0805 April 2011

Searching for solutions not problems

• interview: Tatjana Fink • People: Dubravka Tomšič Srebotnjak • sports: His majesty the Vitranc cup • art & culture: Austellung Laibach Kunst • slovenian delights: Žganci – always and forever contents 1 In focus 6 ACER – the first EU agency based in editorial Slovenia 2 Interview 12 Tatjana Fink, General Manager of Trimo 3 Before and after 18 Twenty years from the Linden Leaf to I FEEL SLOVENIA 4 Art & culture 24 Austellung Laibach Kunst Vesna Žarkovič, Editor 5 Green corner 34 Are we patrons of the light or the dark? Helping frogs 1 2 Every individual is faced with an internal and ongoing battle between the 6 Natural trails 49 light and the dark. Between mischief, anger, malevolence, jealousy, sadness, Mysterious pile-dwellers greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, low self-esteem, lies, selfish- ness and the good inside us, the joy, peace, love, hope, tranquillity, mercy, MONTHLY COMMENTARY 4 kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, uprightness, compassion, trust. Priorities and pitfalls Which will win? The light or the dark? The one that is kept within. It is for BUSINESS 16 every individual to decide whether they want to be a patron of the light or the dark. The number of exporters should increase We need to see victory as our goal; we must walk towards it, focusing on A LETTER 22 solutions rather than problems. The reality can always be changed, and we Prof. Dr. Manca Košir, Tina Košir are responsible for every moment of our lives, says Sinfo’s guest interviewee, ART & CULTURE 24 Tatjana Fink, the director of Trimo, one of the most distinguished directors Contemporary dance in the shape of Gibanica, in Slovenia, and the most influential and respected women in the Slovenian Presentations of Slovenia at the I FEEL SLOVENIA business world. stand in tourism trade fairs and exchanges, Andrej Pompe, the president and programme director of Brand Business MILJENKO LICUL (1946–2009) – Retrospective School poses the question of how we came from the Linden Leaf to the “I exhibition of Licul’s design oeuvre, The mystique of FEEL SLOVENIA” brand in 20 years. Despite a 20-year span between the Japan through the eyes of a Slovenian, Slovenia in us two brands, the two have never been as close together as they are today. For OUR EXCELLENCE 30 Andrej Pompe, combining the two is an excellent solution. If the IFS brand has been embraced abroad, why should it not find its way to the hearts of 3 4 Awards for Excellence in the Economy Slovenes? PEOPLE 36 At the time when the pharaohs were ordering huge pyramids to be built for Dubravka Tomšič Srebotnjak their afterlife, and with this ruthlessly exploiting their people, pile-dwellers SPORTS 40 or lake-dwellers, known in Slovenian as koliščarji, mostiščarji or jezerci, His majesty the Vitranc cup lived in the biggest marshes in Slovenia, which are today called Ljubljan- Slovenian Delights 42 sko barje. They are believed to have lived in the area for centuries, as early as 5000 BC until 1500 BC at the latest, when the lake became completely Žganci – always and forever outgrown by the marshes, leading to the end of pile-dwelling construction. CULTURAL TRAILS 46 Every year at the end of February, Slovenia is swept by a festival of joy where, The reign of the “Kurent” against a backdrop of dancing snowflakes and Kurents, winter is chased Sinfo – Slovenian information away and spring is welcomed. “Pustovanje”, the festivities held during the Editorial: Government Communication Office, Shrovetide period, are the result of a long tradition in Slovenia, with a wealth Director: Darijan Košir, Gregorčičeva 25, 1000 Ljubljana, of masks that have been preserved and have in time started to symbolise tel. +386 (0) 1 478 2630, fax + 386 (0) 1 251 2312, www.ukom.gov.si Editor-in-Chief: Valerija Mencej the region or town of their origin. The Kurent is the most popular traditional Executive Editor: Vesna Žarkovič, [email protected] Shrovetide figure in the wider area of Ptuj, with up to 2,000 costumes seen Editorial Board: Mateja Malnar Štembal, Jože Osterman, Polona Prešeren, Hana Souček Morača, Nataša Marvin, Manja Kostevc every year. The legend has it that “the conqueror of women’s handkerchiefs Photo Editor: Janez Vidrih who chases the cold away” in fact fights the winter and helps nature to wake Production: Nuit d.o.o., Translation: Alamma Lah, Amidas, DZTPS, Government Translation and Interpretation Division up and rise to the life of spring. Printed by: DZS, d.d., Slovenia, Number of copies: 4600 March was also a month of national sporting pride with two events – the Available also at: www.ukom.gov.si/eng/slovenia/publication/sinfo Cover photo: Darinka Mladenovič Vitranc Cup and the Ski-Jumping Cup in Planica. The Vitranc Cup can safely be called one of the most popular Alpine skiing events of recent years. A Government Communication Office:www.slovenia.si Government Communication Office:www.ukom.gov.si 50-year tradition in any sporting competition is indeed a valuable tradi- Government of the Republic of Slovenia: www.vlada.si tion, and this competition undoubtedly fills Slovenians with great pride: all Slovenian Tourist Board: www.slovenia.info Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry: www.gzs.si this makes the Vitranc Cup much more than just a top-level sporting event Slovenian Chamber of Craft: www.ozs.si through which Slovenia shows itself to the world. It is a monument to Alpine Public Agency for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments: www.japti.si Ljubljana Stock Exchange: www.ljse.si skiing and a scene of grand battles and true drama where giants and legends Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia:www.stat.si were born on the white slopes. 5 6 State Portal of the Republic of Slovenia: http://e-uprava.gov.si

2 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 3 monthly commentary

Darijan Košir

The six main priorities presented to the public were the following: Priorities 1. Consolidation of public finances 2. promotion of favourable business environments 3. improvement in payment discipline 4. improvement in labour market performance 5. More effective prosecution of economic crimes and pitfalls 6. Structural measures and institutional adjustments As previously mentioned, Prime Minister Borut Pahor’s govern- ment has, at most, a year and a half left in office, which is why the 2011. Short-term measures include the improvement in payment with the majority of others awaiting government or parliamentary public needs to be openly told what to expect from its leaders; on discipline and more effective prosecution of economic crime. debate or adoption. These include long-term structural measures However, several other measures, in particular those relating to the such as the pension reform, which may end up as a referendum the other hand, the crisis in the country is not over yet, the impact modernisation of the labour market, public administration, and (as will the Mini Jobs Bill). The mentioned 2011 priorities mark a the health care system, are significantly more long-term in nature logical continuation and completion of the measures taken over of the economic recession is still being felt, and the government and can be adopted after considerable negotiations with the social the last two years, a package that will help Slovenia stabilize its continues to work in rather unfavourable conditions. partners within a period of one year. Other attractive measures economic position, and make the necessary arrangements for the are: taxation on total bank assets; elimination of administrative developmental breakthrough to take place in 2012 and the years barriers; adoption of a law concerning reductions in payment to follow. delays; an overhaul of labour legislation; amendments to the State At the same time, these conditions have forced the government fact that the coalition parties seemed highly uncoordinated in Prosecutor Act, the Criminal Procedure Act, the Courts Act, and Clearly, the success of government reforms is at risk by the to invest considerable effort and take several unpopular their perception of urgent or priority measures. Yet, the series the Judicial Service Act; modernisation of Slovenia’s health care possibility, and outcome, of the referenda. Both key labour- decisions over the last year. Thus, it has managed to preserve of coalition meetings showed that the difference in perceptions system; adjustments in the public institution management; and law acts, namely the Pension Reform Act and the Mini Jobs the country’s sound economic core, but the high number of was not all that divergent, and that the coalition partners many others – all are equally important, forming a coherent and (Student Work) Act, are currently facing a referendum vote. anti-crisis measures taken has also created an impression that were able to coordinate urgent measures, unify the relevant systematic whole. As the operators and deadlines have already With regard to the pension reform bill, the Government called the government has been unable to handle so many decisions. standpoints, and unite before the public to communicate a been defined for all the measures, not only the government as the on the Constitutional Court to establish whether a referendum This has left the public confused and uncertain as to what the relatively uniform message to citizens, which a member of a announcer of the measures but also the general public and the on pensions was allowed, and whether a rejection of this bill government has been doing and what it has been trying to coalition party optimistically commented on by saying: “We politicians will be able to monitor the government’s progress on would have massive unconstitutional consequences. Slovenia’s achieve. Furthermore, in recent months the Slovenian economy start work tomorrow.” the implementation continuously and carefully. high court, however, decided that the pension reform bill shall and society, as such, have had to face the existence of a number be voted on by the public (the Mini Jobs Act referendum is of critical issues (e.g. construction companies and the entire As previously mentioned, the government has coordinated and In short, these measures complete the anti-crisis actions taken scheduled for 10 April). This situation points to a typical feature environment affected by the construction industry), which built a tree structure of priority measures and agreed on the six by Prime Minister Pahor’s government in this unfortunate term of Slovenia’s referendum rules as being rather lenient in defining called for immediate and focused government action. most important sets of tasks which it referred to as ‘priorities.’ of office which was, as previously stated, marked by Slovenia’s the criteria for public vote. As is, referendum rules may put at risk Also, it has determined within each of those priorities several worst-ever economic crisis. The government accomplished its the government’s entire reform package as two other crucial and The government became aware of the feeling of confusion and commitments in the form of laws, rules and regulations, or other first difficult task, namely financial stabilization, by endorsing unavoidable though unpopular measures – labour market reform the urgency of taking action, not only by opinion poll results measures envisaged to secure their implementation. the state budgets for 2011 and 2012, which undertake to gradually and health care reform – may also be decided in referendums. but also by other important political players. President Danilo cut the government deficit by implementing a set of cost-saving Such a development would endanger the entire project aimed Türk, for example, challenged the government to immediately Within these priorities fall several interesting legislative acts and measures (in particular as no significant rise in tax inflows can be at increasing the competitiveness of Slovenia’s economy as the adopt, after the New Year, a set of, say, five priority projects it measures that will make government goals more operational. Some counted on as yet due to the aftermath of the crisis). As part of the main aim of all government reforms, which is the only route would accomplish in 2011 (and later) and communicate them of the measures are designed as short-term measures and in light second important task tackled in 2010 the government adopted to the long-term survival and breakthrough of Slovenia in the in the public accordingly. At first glance accomplishing the of urgent demands (in particular from the economic sector) these the majority of measures in its anti-crisis package: 16 important increasingly competitive world. task looked next to impossible for many reasons, including the will have to be adopted in the first phase, in February and March long-term and structural laws have already been implemented,

4 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 5 : in focus

Vesna Žarkovič, photo: STA ACER’s opening marks the beginning of a new era of cross-border cooperation between energy regulators – ACER will provide a more user-friendly energy market Günther Oettinger, Alberto On 3 March 2011, the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) opened European Pototschnig, in Ljubljana. Its main task will be to promote cooperation between national regulators Commissioner Director of ACER: at EU level and complement the functions they perform. The Prime Minister said that he for Energy: This EU Agency opens the door was proud that the members of the EU had entrusted Slovenia with the responsibility of This is a truly European - mo to the third energy package. It hosting the seat of the Agency. ment; the Agency’s main fo- will provide the tools and in- cus will be on cooperation stitutional framework neces- between the national energy sary for the implementation of regulators, with the involve- an integrated internal electric- ment of the European Com- ity market model – which has mission. It will propose leg- already been defined – and a islative initiatives, participate model for an integrated inter- in establishing ACER guide- nal gas market, which the EU lines, and encourage regula- is still developing. In this way, a tors and the industry to par- single European energy market ticipate in setting priorities. At will be created and, with this, the same time, the Commis- common rules for the network sion will discuss these priori- code. Time will tell how the ties with the Director of ACER Agency will perform, I’m sure and the Agency’s Regulatory the results we can expect will Board. ACER’s opening repre- be good. ACER’s task list is long sents the beginning of a new and will be extended, but the era of cross-border coopera- Agency enjoys a large support. tion between energy regula- ACER’s obligations correspond tors, as the current levels of to the current situation, as the cooperation between energy EU’s internal market for en- regulators will only get stron- ergy is still forming. The third ger, creating a more effective energy package, which forms framework within which to the basis for the operation of operate. the Agency, represents an im- portant step forward.

Commissioner Günther Oet- eration between Slovenia and tinger thanked the national Russia in the South Stream gas regulators for their work un- pipeline project. She stressed dertaken in the interest of the need that third countries European citizens, and an- that are integrated in the EU nounced that the EU’s third single market respect relevant energy package will serve to European legislation. further strengthen their posi- The battle fought for the seat of tion and increase expectations the ACER was long and tense. about its work. Ljubljana faced competition Minister of the Economy Dar- from Bratislava and Bucharest. ja Radić underlined the im- By the end, only Ljubljana and portance of cooperation in the Slovak capital were left in the field of energy between the running and the outcome EU Member States and other of the decisive ballot held in countries, such as the coop- December 2009 was 15:11.

6 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 7 : in focus : in focus

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, photo: archive Common Agricultural Policy by the year 2020

One of the priorities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food for the next two years are negotiations to reform the Common Agricultural Policy by the year 2020. In Minister of the Prime Minister November 2010, the European Commission published a document setting out strategic Economy, Darja Borut Pahor: objectives for agriculture for the next 7-year period. The Ministry supported the pro- Radić: EU’s third energy package is the posed changes and guidelines, the details of which will become known in the second This is an agency that will first truly integrated EU energy half of 2011, when the Commission plans to prepare legislative proposals. regulate the internal energy framework, and Slovenia is market and play a very im- very supportive of this. During portant role in its design. I do its European Union Presidency not know whether there is in 2008, Slovenia also contrib- enough awareness of the im- uted a great deal towards its portance of the Agency in Slo- adoption, and I am proud that venia. Ljubljana is now on the EU has recognised those ef- EU’s energy map, and will host forts and established ACER in representatives from all EU Slovenia. A competitive and Member States and companies, efficient energy market is a as well as countries outside the precondition for lower prices borders of the 27 EU countries for citizens, for the transition who are interested in invest- to a low carbon society, and for ing in the European market. achieving our objectives in the The opening of the new Agency fight against climate change. also has a symbolic signifi- ACER will contribute greatly to cance, since Slovenia still has achieving these goals. a number of tasks to achieve in the energy sector in order to get closer to meeting the require- ments of the EU internal mar- lators to work together and to cess should be completed by necessary, initiate proceedings ket. I therefore see the Agency complement the tasks carried the end of the year. The Agency for any breaches of European as an incentive for Slovenia to out by the national regulators has three departments: elec- legislation. make an effort as a host, make at the European level. Howev- tricity, gas, and administration, Recently, the European Com- up for all the delays, and pre- er, the ACER is by no means a and some services respond- mission informed that all pare an energy sector that will European regulator. It can only ing directly to the Director. The Member States are falling be- know how to be competitive in work in a cross-border context Agency has three bodies: Board hind in introducing the new the common European mar- and has no direct powers with of Regulators, Administrative European energy legislation. ket. The third energy package regard to national affairs. Board and Board of Appeal, Slovenia plans to bring its leg- is one of the most ambitious in The Agency will carry out which will primarily meet in islation in line by this summer. recent times; it fulfils the re- around 30 different tasks. Its Ljubljana. quirements of EU regulations main task will be prepara- ACER is financed from the EU EIC Codes on energy and enables the en- tion of framework guidelines budget. Theis year’s Agency’s EIC code (Energy Identifica- ergy market to become more and European network codes budget isestimateted to EUR 5 tion Code) represents a unique In June 2011 the Commission regional characteristics of fish- as being the strategic objec- rent two-pillar structure and user-friendly and better for the that will be binding for all 27 million, last year it was EUR 2 code for the identification of a will present a draft reform of eries, fish farming and fisheries tives. For Slovenia, the secu- common rules. Without ap- economy. Member States. The process of million. European energy market par- the Common Fisheries Policy, fund. rity of long-term food supply propriate budgetary resources, developing network codes is Upon implementation of the ticipant which enables a more and in July 2011, the draft of a is crucial. Two other important the realisation of those goals complex and subject to comi- new EU energy legislation efficient electronic data - ex new fisheries fund. Commis- SLOVENIA’S POSITION goals stated in the Communi- will not be possible. Slovenia is All EU Members voted, with tology. ACER will draft around Commissioner Oettinger once change. sion’s proposals will then be ON THE COMMON cation are also important for therefore keen on maintaining the exception of the presiding 20 framwork guidelines and again called upon all EU Mem- discussed by the EU Council. AGRICULTURAL POLICY Slovenia: sustainable manage- the necessary level of resourc- country. The United Kingdom, this will be the main task of ber States to quickly adapt their http://www.energyandutilities.org. The reform proposals should In the Communication on the ment of natural resources and es for the CAP in the EU budget, uk/thought-leadership/content/1139/ one of the three most influ- the Agency over the next few national legislations to the new progress_towards_eu_energy_ be adopted by the end of 2012. reform of the CAP, issued by balanced spatial development. and, through this, maintaining ential countries in the Union, years. European rules. He added that network_codes Slovenia will focus particularly the Commission, vital food the current weighting of Mem- supported Slovenia. The Agency is still in the process the Commission will carefully http://europa.eu/rapid/ on the favourable treatment of production and the conserva- Slovenia supports the main- ber States, thereby preserving pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/1 The main task of the ACER will of recruiting staff and plans to monitor the implementation of 1/246&format=HTML&aged=0&languag small-scale fishing, as well as a tion potential for its production tenance of a strong common the existing levels of funding be to encourage national regu- employ 52 people. This pro- the third energy package and, if e=en&guiLanguage=en better acknowledgement of the across the EU are highlighted agricultural policy in the cur- for Slovenia both for direct

8 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 9 Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and context: halting deforestation, Food Dejan Židan: creating buffer zones and the “The common agricultural policy is currently not mobilisation of financial re- sources for sustainable forest focused on money but on the strategy and opera- management, and increasing tional measures which present the basis for the public interest in the forest. distribution formulae. The common agricultural During the International Year policy is about the greening of agricultural pol- of Forests 2011, targeted activi- icy and the fair distribution of food. Let’s adopt ties for the purpose of raising greener farming innovations and implement them awareness of the importance of sustainable forest manage- fully, as only then will they have the maximum ment will take place at all lev- effect. We are committed to making the over- els in Slovenia. For campaign all agricultural policy greener, which in practice purposes, a website (www. means that cross-compliance criteria need to be letogozdov.si) has been set up more stringent in terms of natural resources. The for informing people about modernisation of income payments is required. In events taking place in the Year of Forests. The objectives of the Slovenia, we advocate regional payments, which national forest campaign are: to means that they should be different at the level of increase awareness of “forest” countries and regions. All costs, natural resources related issues. These include and other aspects need to be taken into consider- raising awareness of the im- ation. portance of forests, of sustain- able forest management and and ensure its funding. Deci- products, and posted to the of wood as raw material. The sions regarding the size of the specific budget item. Promo- aim is to motivate and con- nect governmental, business funding, the involvement of tion will also be financed from and other organisations in their various sectors in the promo- the state budget, in the amount work regarding forests and to tion and content of the pro- of 40% of the collected funds reduce the gap between actual motion, as well as the imple- contribution. and possible output of forest mentation itself are conducted potential. through governmental proce- Changes to the Agricultural dures, within specific sectors, Land Act concern primarily Project to increase (e.g. milk, meat, bread grain, planning and protecting agri- the effectiveness of fruits, vegetables, wine grapes, cultural land and the area of support (Pillar I CAP) as well is committed to its reform and indirect budget users as rural development (Pillar II simplification and the intro- olives, honey). Promotion will agrarian operations. The objec- In 2011, one of the priorities is to CAP). duction of new mechanisms be implemented by way of tive of the Act is to maintain increase the efficiency of pub- to improve the functioning of a common general (generic) and improve the production lic services, which fall under Regarding the proposed chang- the agro-food chain, especially promotion and a promotion of potential of agricultural land the authority of the Ministry of es in direct payments, Slovenia with regard to improving the quality schemes and voluntary for food production and its ex- Agriculture, Forestry and Food advocates the introduction of situation of primary producers. designations. Promotion will tension, the sustainable use of and are provided by: the Slove- a single, fairer, greener and In the context of rural develop- be financed through manda- fertile land, landscape man- nian Forest Service, the Cham- targeted system of direct pay- ment (Pillar II CAP) Slovenia tory contributions, paid by agement, conservation and ber of Agriculture and Forestry ments (Pillar I CAP). In doing supports the maintenance of agricultural holdings and food rural development. To achieve of Slovenia, the National Veter- so, Slovenia is aware that its the existing structure measures processing industries in equal the goals set, the amendment to inary Institute, the Department introduction might lead to a and new emphases, such as an shares on primary agricultural the Act provides for measures of Fisheries RS, the Agricultural new distribution of resources increased concern for the en- to eliminate overgrowing and pean countries. In general, a ture, Forestry and Food and Institute of Slovenia, the Slove- between countries. The most vironment, adapting to climate to carry out agricultural opera- solution to this problem can be the Ministry of the Economy nian Institute of Hop Research important factors are gradual change and innovation. tions. Amendments to the Act either by a code or by special established a working group and Brewing, the Lipica Insti- change and flexibility of im- will make possible for more legislation. representing all the links in the tute, the Slovenia Beekeepers plementation at the level of Adoption and agricultural land to be used and chain. At the beginning of April Association and many other each Member State. Slovenia Implementation of for adequate protection of agri- Slovenia’s position is that in- 2011, the working group will organisations. In 2011, particu- supports the further integra- the Promotion of cultural land from building and dividual links in the food sup- present a draft code, agreed by lar emphasis will be put on the tion of environmental issues Agricultural and Food other forms of degradation. The ply chain should get adequate all the food supply chain enti- development of new guide- into the CAP in principle, and Products Act, and of the sector responsible for agricul- income from the activity con- ties. lines in animal production and still has reservations concern- Agricultural Land Act tural land will also be able to ducted, and provide products the analysis of the operation ing the Commission’s proposal The Promotion of Agricultural play a more active role in the of adequate quality at a rea- International Year of of public institutes and public regarding the introduction of and Food Products covers the planning process. sonable price for consumers. In Forests 2011 services, and on the rational- mandatory environmental promotion of agricultural and our opinion, a code is the ap- The United Nations General ization of public spending and measures, due to the incom- food products in accordance Equitable relations in propriate option, if respected Assembly declared the year recruitment. Operational plans pleteness of the proposals. with EU regulations and fol- the food chain by all the links in the chain, 2011 as the “International Year in these services will focus on With regard to the measures lows the example of some other A fairer distribution of income from producers to processing of Forests 2011”, with the tag achieving set objectives, use needed for the management of European countries. It provides in the food supply chain is an industries and trade. To this line “Forests for People”. Sev- and monitoring of relevant in- agricultural markets, Slovenia the basic structure to promote issue common to most Euro- end, the Ministry of Agricul- eral objectives were set in this dicators and reporting.

10 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 11 interview

tion of trusted colleagues who Vesna Žarkovič She is top of the list of the most respectable Slovenian have a motivation to live for Photo: Mateja Jordovič Potočnik managers and is one of the most influential and respect- the company and play a part in creating a strong corporate ed women in the business world. She claims that a lot of identity. It is believed that one women’s knowledge and talents have not yet been fully third of the manager’s busi- ness reputation depends on the exploited and hopes that a balance between the number business’s results, which are of men and women in management will eventually be of interest to the owners, and 40% of the manager’s business established. reputation should depend on his/her public appearance. The rest should be innovations and Mrs Tatjana Fink, General What was the last year for Tri- ed. It is a shame that we do not so-called ‘soft factors’, which, Manager of Trimo. You are mo like? How did you operate deal with things which would among other things, also in- famous for creating with pas- and what are your plans for give us all more. clude social responsibility. The sion, both for people and with this year? criteria taken into consider- people. What is your motiva- Taking the extremely difficult You operate in over 50 coun- ation when selecting the most tion? conditions into consideration, tries and have spread success- influential business women A powerful childlike curios- we are satisfied with our finan- fully into Third World markets. were: total turnover, net profit, ity and enthusiasm about our cial results, the development of What are the perspectives that the number of employees in the achievements. The results are our new products, and the re- Slovenian companies need to company under their manage- the trends which establish us at structuring process; we have adopt in order to succeed in ment, how many Supervisory the peak of European providers made changes to operations the Arabian, Middle Asian and Boards she has been a mem- of original and complete solu- and increased employee mo- South American markets? ber of, how many associations tions in steel buildings, roofs rale. Our plans? A 5% increase Great. Trimo hardly operates in and societies she is active in, if and facades, steel construc- in sales and export income. Slovenia. Over 75% of its busi- the company operates in for- tion, containers and sound- We are looking to expand ness is carried out in foreign eign markets, and how much insulation systems. An investi- in markets in the Near East, markets. The success story of has been invested into research gative soul is always interested where things have been put on Trimo brought design, tech- and development. in something, always searching hold for the time being, but we nology and the market togeth- for something, checking ev- hope for the best. er. The company, which sells You have received a prestigious erything and exploring… its products around the world, award for business excellence. What is your recipe for higher pays a great deal of attention So far, our company has at- You have announced a health added value? to innovation. Therefore, we tained the best Slovenian re- check of your own pro- If it were so simple, everybody have been opening invitations sults at the European Compe- grammes, markets and pro- would have the recipe. There is to tender for our employees tition for Business Excellence. cesses, and in so doing, the no simple formula for higher to submit the craziest idea for Among the 18 finalists of the timing of a new investment added value. On one hand a few years now. That is how European Award for Excel- cycle. there is technology and, on the we really collect crazy ideas. lence, Trimo was in the com- Restructuring is expected to other hand, there is knowl- Besides, this year we have re- pany of organisations such as take effect on the demand edge, which need to be com- ceived an invitation to join the Siemens, OBI, TNT, Ricoh, Phil- side in 2011. At the same time, bined using institutions and European Club of the Most In- lips and VW, and achieved the dumping prices will come universities as the source, and novative Companies. best result among the finalists to the fore. To compete with redirected into new products, The design process at Trimo is in the big company category. It dumping is nigh on impossible. as well as into the economy. understood as being an inte- is a special award, Prize Win- As a result of dumping, mar- The school system, academic grated development process, in ner, in the field of leadership gin squeezes have been made sphere and the entire social which architects and designers and constancy of purpose. The which are obvious, but not un- framework, which either sup- constantly cooperate with en- European Award for Excellence usual for the crisis. We want ports or inhibits development, gineers and technologists from is the highest accolade avail- Searching for Slovenia to increase invest- need to be involved. the outset. In order to keep up able in the field of organisation ment, much in the same way If there is no new value, com- to speed, they monitor modern excellence. The prize winners that some Western countries panies cannot divide anything. trends since some guidelines, have been those organisations have done. The state should in- I advocate good added value such as minimalism, are ap- which have achieved the best troduce investment subsidies and the search for innovative plied in fashion as well as in results in all aspects of their solutions, not in order to develop new busi- solutions, which also provide architecture. operation. All the best organi- ness start-ups. We are mainly good salaries. If we spent more sations of all sizes in the private looking for opportunities in time on how to create more, According to the opinion of and public sectors can compete Western European markets, then there would not be any marketing managers, more for this influential prize. This especially Great Britain, Ger- questions regarding a mini- than half of the reputation of year, a total of 18 organisations problems many, the Netherlands, and mum salary. the company depends on the have been awarded places as other countries with reliable I firmly believe that Slovenians manager. Do you agree? finalists in the contest. payers. We will still continue are capable of creating good The manager’s reputation is The success of Trimo is the to look for potential ways to re- added value, as we are flexible, firstly built in the company success of each employee and Tatjana Fink duce costs. open-minded and multitalent- and is dependent on the selec- partner. We have been en- 12 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 13 interview I would encourage women to assume leadership and responsibility for their decisions.

couraging a different way of for me to be recognisable as the my energy. I keep going on. My take over the highest positions thinking and an innovative Manager. Each man has some- big advantage lies in the fact in companies, but the number atmosphere. We create excel- thing special, something of his that negative feelings never of women in top positions re- lence in our business through own, his energy and talent. I occupy me or drain me of my mains low and disproportion- an organised talent search and get along with people well, energy. ate to the number of women in developing the abilities of all personally and professionally. the entire population. our employees. The improve- How would your subordinates ment of business excellence However, you have been the describe you? What do you enjoy the most? has also been one of the stra- generator of innovations at They would say that I am very I enjoy many things, but I par- tegic purposes of our company. Trimo. strict and demanding, but they ticularly like travelling, reading The leadership prize, awarded We are all generators – we all look forward to meeting me and exploring new things. I by the EFQM organisation, have special approaches and because I radiate power. Peo- have always done things in my gives us renewed energy to aim ideas. The leader should have ple like looking for new solu- own way and had my own way at that goal with our operations the ability to create ideas and tions together. I always claim of thinking. I appreciate hon- in future. see them through to the end, that one cannot be successful est and down to earth people resulting in financial success unless one is disciplined, neat – people who do not pretend Success also depends on con- and relation to buyers. Each and responsible. You have to to be something they are not, stantly adapting to new cir- company has its own approach. keep to your word. who are simply humane. It cumstances. Slovenians have an array of is important to me to live my This is true. I think that all successful companies. We Are weekends yours or are you life according to my own val- levels of society should adapt need to encourage successful working? ues. There is a big problem if to the crisis. However, this is companies, which compete on The last one was all mine, but people are not satisfied with happening too slowly. There the global stage and test them- other weekends have been themselves. People who inter- have been warning signs of our selves everyday in business, in working weekends. nalise their values lead a bal- positioning on the competi- the same way that we encour- anced life, function well and tiveness scale. We have a lot of age our sportsmen. We are not What would you advise a Slo- are mostly satisfied. Slovenians talent and many of our people sufficiently aware of the fact venian woman? have a tendency to complain have been successful abroad, that entrepreneurs have been I would say that she alone is all the time, even if it is not but when at home, the situa- the source of all our develop- responsible for her life. No one necessary at all. We feel like tion somehow suffocates them. ment and superstructure. It is can stand up for herself bet- winners too rarely and like los- Things should be changed from significant that we are con- ter than her. She also has to be ers too often. We avoid being the top down. I am convinced stantly adjusting to the situa- self-confident and never afraid. responsible adults. It is a pity, that there are opportunities tion with theoretic and prac- Certainly, women have a suit- but all that wailing drains away for us to become one of the tical knowledge, recognitions, able place here, but we need our valuable energy. Winning most progressive nations in the models, permanent education, more women in politics, which is our goal. Let’s take this di- world. So, public awareness and participation in interna- cannot be achieved overnight. rection. Let’s find solutions, not first and then change for the tional forums. It is also very It is a long-term process. A problems. A given can always better. important to exchange ap- lot of women’s knowledge and be changed. Every individual proaches and practices. talents have not yet been ex- is important. People have to Are you well accepted by men ploited, but I believe that a bal- be joined and encouraged to in the ‘traditionally masculine’ How do you coordinate your ance between the number of change. We are the only ones business world? private life with your busi- men and women in manage- responsible for the current We are all affected and en- ness? ment will eventually be estab- situation. Therefore, I live and riched by each other. I have I always look for simplicity and lished. function for today because I never had a feeling of not be- that is the key to success. There Unfortunately, perfection is can only live and change things ing accepted by men. Trimo is no time to laze around and very often required for a wom- now. I am convinced that we has been introduced in differ- there is always something that an, which is not good. Many need to make radical changes ent roles, but surely the most needs to be done. I am never institutions are not adjusted to society. But each person recognisable are the innova- bored. I am straightforward to support women in their ev- should begin with himself. tions, business excellence, new with people. I do not have neg- eryday life. Slovenia has many models, which are the reasons ative feelings as they only drain successful women who could

14 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 15 which are already high. Finally, forecasts for pension reform for their policy, and reduce their the OECD estimated that Slove- the year 2060 are meaningless. margins. Vesna Bertoncelj Popit, Delo, photo: STA nia earmarks too much public He also noted that structural re- The Slovenian Chamber of Business money for education, which is, forms are, in fact, a reduction of Commerce and Industry pre- however, not enough effective. social transfers. For Mencinger, sented awards for outstand- This is especially true for el- inflation, dreaded by the OECD, ing business achievements for ementary schools and kinder- represents an opportunity for 2010. The awards were handed gartens, for which less money reduction of debt, as the alter- to Chamber awards winners should be allocated according to natives are likely to be bank- are: Jože Ceglar of Termoplast- The number of exporters the OECD, but even more so for ruptcies and compulsory settle- Plama; Boštjan Gaberc of Mi- university study, which should ments. krografija; Izidor Krivec of no longer be free; tuition fees Minister of Education Dr Igor Celjske mesnine; Andrej Mate of should increase and loans should be introduced; Lukšič rejected the proposals to Inles; Devid Palčič of Robotina; this is currently being consid- streamline the funding of kin- Stanislav Rozman of the NEK increased export demand in ment has set a special goal for ered and worked out by the dergartens and primary and nuclear power plant; and Bo- the Western markets, particu- this year – balancing and im- Ministry of Higher Education. secondary schools, while Prof Janez Šušteršič, Koper Faculty of gomir Strašek of KLS Ljubno. All Management larly Germany. The Slovenian proving the competitiveness of However, these OECD proposals Dr Marjan Svetličič called for these companies have success- Government is in the process of the Slovenian economy to the were judged to be unacceptable higher emoluments for univer- be completed within two years. fully weathered the economic concluding an Economic Part- greatest extent possible. for the Slovenian situation by sity teachers. Although neither the Cham- crisis and increased sales last nership Agreement with Ger- Samo Hribar Milič, Director Dr Stanislav Pejovnik, Rector of The crisis refuses to abate, ber of Craft nor the Chamber year. The winners, who are also many, similar to the agreement General of the Slovenian Cham- the University of Ljubljana. particularly in the construc- of Commerce is satisfied with environmentally conscious, recently signed with France. ber of Commerce, points out Other Slovenian participants tion sector, which typically this law, it is expected that the claim that without expansion Both countries are among Slo- that the majority of Slovenia’s accepted some of the reviews strengthens in times of excep- situation will gradually begin into new markets there would venia’s most important eco- exports have been achieved by and disagreed with others. For tionally strong GDP growth due to improve, which will largely be no success. nomic partners, with Germany a handful of companies and example, Dr Janez Šušteršič to the construction of highways contribute to higher revenues Bonitetna hiša I, d.o.o. credit being at the top of the list. that other Slovenian companies from the Koper Faculty of Man- providing the construction sec- generated by companies. The rating agency, which usually The Slovenian Government need to become more export- agement noted that the recom- tor with a lot of work. According Slovenian Chamber of Com- grants the Rating of the Year hired German expert Hart- oriented. Hribar considers that mendations of international to Slovenian Statistical Office, merce considers that the Gov- award to three companies each mund Mehdorn as an adviser in Slovenia should follow the ex- institutions remained the same the Slovenian construction sec- ernment should have cooperat- year, in the past two years de- the development of a logistics ample of Austria, where, since through the years. The rea- tor has regressed to 2005 levels, ed with the private sector in the cided not to present awards due holding, which would include 2003, the Government and the son behind this is the complex i.e., the period before the finan- preparation of the law, whereas to the financial crisis as well as the railways, Luka Koper, and Chamber of Commerce have decision-making system on cial crisis. members of the Chamber of other factors including the diffi- Intereuropa. Although such a joined forces to encourage com- reforms in Slovenia, of which The National Assembly passed Craft demand more govern- culties faced by company own- scenario was already consid- panies to export through the there is a lack of understanding, insolvency legislation to im- ment intervention and have ers, which have often brought ered a few years ago, for now Go International programme. and the attitude toward a sug- prove payment discipline and threatened civil disobedience even very good companies to these plans seem impracti- Aleš Cantarutti, Director of the gested change depends on who bring domestic legislation in measures such as refusing to the brink of failure. They an- cable. On the other hand, ex- Centre for Competitiveness, has proposed it. The Minister for Fi- line with European law. Ac- pay taxes, withdrawing money nounced that the awards would changes between Slovenia and emphasised that the Chamber nance, Dr France Križanič, stat- cording to the new law, invoices from banks, etc. Craft enter- be presented again next year. In 2010, Slovenia’s gross do- Development (IMAD), as they France are thriving. Revoz in itself cannot carry out such a ed that if long-term measures must be paid within 60 days, the prises are generally opposed For 2010 they published a list of mestic product increased by missed the actual rate of growth Novo mesto is one of the most task and that the involvement of fiscal stability are not sup- state must pay invoices within to compulsory compositions. the 50 highest-rated Slovenian 1.2 percent, a slight increase on by one tenth of a percent- successful subsidiaries of the of the Government and other ported by increased revenues, 30 days, and invoices delayed Small and micro enterprises are companies. As pointed out by the predictions, as a rise of less age point, whereas the IMAD’s French company Renault, and institutions is required. additional long-term measures by 30 days should be compul- by far the predominant type of Marko Batista, none of the com- than 1 percent was forecast. An forecast was off by three tenths has great plans for the produc- The OECD prepared and pre- will be needed, which should sorily registered for the offset. business in Slovenia. Amongst panies that received the Rat- increase in Slovenia’s rate of in- of a percentage point. The tion of motor and electric ve- sented the Economic Survey become clear by March or April. The Act also provides for expe- these, construction and trade ing of the Year award in recent flation for the first two months IMAD’s forecast for 2011 is the hicles. The French company, of Slovenia for 2011 at Brdo pri Dr Jože Mencinger, famous diting the process of compulso- companies are experiencing years have failed. of this year was also predicted most optimistic, as it estimates Alstom, which will cooperate Kranju. Amongst other things, economist, said that the OECD ry composition, which should the most difficulties. The rate as a consequence of soaring a 2.5 percent increase in GDP; in equipping the sixth unit of the OECD proposed further of employment in these com- food prices; however, this has the OECD predicts a 2 percent Šoštanj thermal-power plant, pension scheme reforms that panies is low, as there are only not materialised. Slovenia re- increase in GDP, and the Eu- has shown an interest in par- would increase the retirement about 15 small companies with corded a deflation rate of 0.8 ropean Commission forecasts ticipating in the construction of age; the current government more employees in Slovenia; percent at the beginning of the economic growth of 1.9 per- a possible new unit of the Krško proposal stipulates 65 years of most are family businesses year. In January, there was a fall cent. While these forecasts can nuclear power plant, and ex- age for men and 63 for women, with few employees. Thus, em- in prices of consumer goods, always be adapted and modi- pressed a desire to use the Port with the long-term aim being to ployment in Slovenia is mostly which remained steady in Feb- fied to reflect current events, of Koper for transport of cars equalise the age of retirement provided by large and medium- ruary. the economy has to function in manufactured in Romania, etc. for both genders. The Organisa- sized companies, and the failure Leaving the substantial increase these conditions regardless of Those partnership agreements tion for Economic Cooperation of such companies always has a in the rate of unemployment the estimates made. are expected to provide a place and Development estimates great impact. aside, it could be said that Slo- In 2010, Slovenia’s economic for Slovenia on the French-Ger- that the long-term impact of the In the present situation of eco- venia began the 2011 fairly well. growth was based almost en- man train, which should expe- current pension reform on pub- nomic crisis and stronger for- With regard to the various fore- tirely on export demand. It ap- dite Slovenia’s development. lic finances will be inadequate. eign competition Slovenia casts of economic growth in pears that this will continue in Important reforms to the pen- It also suggests that public sec- begins to emphasise the impor- 2010, the OECD and the Euro- 2011, as domestic demand and, sion scheme, health insurance, tor wages increase should be set tance of producing more food pean Commission proved more particularly, investment has and the labour market, amongst aside and not suspended, and in Slovenia and buying food Igor Lukšič, Minister of Education and successful than the Institute of not yet come to life. Many Slo- others, should also contribute to propose an increase in prop- locally. Trade companies have Stanislav Pejovnik, Rector of the University of Ljubljana Sport Macroeconomic Analysis and venian companies have noted this end. The Slovenian Govern- erty and environmental taxes, already begun begin to change

16 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 17 BEFORE AND AFTER

Andrej Pompe, Brand Business School, President and Programme Director, photo: archive Twenty years from the Linden Leaf to I FEEL SLOVENIA There is a 20-year span between the two brands, yet the two have never been so close to each other as they are today. of the brand that people took the potential in the brand I placed in a green rhomboid – considered non-functioning. for their own and what this FEEL SLOVENIA. At the mo- as a result, a professional ex- Consequently, the mistake has means. ment, this is only potential. planation of this new develop- been made twice: with respect The Past and the We recognised our difference ment began. to the first, there was a lack of Present within the former country. We The brand is an Links between Even though the brand was, understanding of what trea- Our national brand has two recognised that we deserved assistant the two brands from the outset, intended for sure it was hiding, while with realities. Each is manifested in our own identity. We realised I need to outline the reasons The theory of innovation in- use at all levels in Slovenia, respect to the other, there was its own way. One was in effect that the decision on our inde- why trademarks were created cludes the method of joining it was mainly used for tour- a lack of understanding of the in the eighties of the previous pendence was the right move. even in the nineteenth cen- seemingly incompatible ele- ism, probably due to a lack importance of the brand and century; the other is in effect And to reach this point, the tury and why they have nowa- ments as an exceptional meth- of understanding rather than branding in general. today. For both we can say that linden leaf and all its commu- days exceeded all theoretical od of finding something new, a lack of willingness. And they are mostly associated nications were an inspiration and practical limits. With the advanced and more efficient in this context it is the tour- I FEEL SLOVENIA with tourism. Each plays its to us. A strong identity was emergence of mass produc- and pleasing. This has been ism sector that has made sig- is a unique own role, and each has advan- created. It was not just a mat- tion, buyers in different parts proved by Uncle Ben’s sweet nificant progress. Success has brand without tages and disadvantages. Each ter of exceptional complai- of the market needed an as- and sour sauce, and by Pava- been achieved abroad, while the strongest brings its own results. And sance; there was also a huge surance of a promised qual- rotti’s combining opera with at home the enthusiasm of the advocates these results are different and desire to use this logo for dif- ity level and a repeated good pop and rock music. If graphic Slovenian public can be mea- I FEEL SLOVENIA is an excel- it is important that we take ferent purposes: for societies experience. It was the trade- designers of any brand were sured in millimetres. In other lent national brand accepted them into consideration. and companies, in transport, mark that assumed the role asked whether it is possible to areas, the brand is practically outside the borders of Slovenia in crafts, for various commu- of a vendor or an intermedi- merge one brand design solu- not applied. but, regrettably, faces difficul- Linden Leaf nities and associations, and, of ary between a provider and a tion with another, they would ties in being accepted at home. The linden leaf has some- course, in tourism. consumer. We all know that probably give a negative an- A good response All of us who understand the how become a symbol of The linden leaf became a sym- the strongest ties are those swer. However, when linking abroad professional management of Slovenians. In fact, it was a bol representing the whole among people. When such different elements, we must Against expectations, increas- trademarks and branding are by-product of tourism brand- of Slovenia and was not at all a role is assumed by a trade- only be interested in whether ingly better responses to the well aware that the brand will ing and related to efforts to a matter of dispute. It was a mark, it must be incorpo- by merging it is possible to ob- brand were noted abroad, not succeed if not supported strengthen the importance of unanimous decision, similar rated into our best vendor or tain a new synthesis. Of course mainly in competitive tourism by the people who the brand tourism in Slovenia and for to the unanimously adopted adviser. In other words, the it is. We need only create it. On markets and among marketing represents. In fact, a brand of Slovenia. The idea of the cam- decision on the independence. trademark must become a the issue of the national brand, professionals engaged in the this kind is an inflated balloon. paign was entirely correct, Then its story ended and, at personality with well-known I am talking about a new syn- marketing of countries. The As a result, on the one hand, since the strategy was based this point, it does not make properties, a recognisable thesis that will bring a solu- brand even became a chal- there is (in the eyes of external on the fact that a good brand any sense to look for the rea- view of the world, a distinctive tion to many existing identity lenge for writing a doctoral public) an increasingly visible The 20th anniversary of the not the case, then wrong deci- must first be supported by the son. It is important only to image with human attributes. problems. thesis. Because it was differ- and likeable brand and, on young state offers several re- sions have been made. people associated with it (e.g. know what kind of potential is Accordingly, it will be easier ent, it was quickly noticed. the other hand, there is a lack warding opportunities. One is The brand of a country can be employees in an enterprise, still available. to understand hereafter why a I FEEL SLOVENIA Luckily, this was the reason of support (with the excep- to again put on the table cur- a real brand, but it can also tourism workers in tourism). good trademark must have the The I FEEL SLOVENIA brand for not being abolished, which tion of tourism and a few at- rent and past events and view be only a Potemkin village The strategic objective was How to make the ability and power of emotional was created in an entirely dif- was the case with the Linden tempts in sport). The problem them from a different, more or a cowboy town. The lat- to develop awareness of the domestic public acceptance and association. ferent way than that which Leaf and Four Flowers brands. lies, therefore, in the domes- objective perspective. We can- ter implies a short-term view, tourism product: the beau- enthusiastic about appears in textbooks. Among One was said to have exceed- tic public. The issue is how to not deny that our interest in which does not fit with build- ty, conditions and capacities I FEEL SLOVENIA? A brand is a set a number of proposals, a sen- ed the limits of its intended make the domestic public en- life is primarily in the future; ing strong brands. By this I of Slovenian tourism. What It is a tough task to make a of promises tence in the English language purpose, while the other was thusiastic about the brand. however, there is much we mean that a brand is a long- followed was a creation of Slovenian enthusiastic about At every moment when a per- was selected, which subse- can learn from the past. And if term instrument which needs awareness that, along with the adopting an English phrase. son sees the brand, he must quently received its own sur- something is good, why would a carefully planned birth and physical elements, people are And in a way, it neither makes play in his mind a film about face on which its contents we ignore it? One is sometimes even more careful care, edu- of the utmost importance for sense nor is it ethical, since we it; a film telling a story about started to reflect with all its left with a feeling that some cation and growth. And not a good tourist service. The slo- have our own language, our promises, a story that touch- weight. In this way, a brand things at some moments are only that. Equally important gans SLOVENIA – MY COUN- culture and our pride. What es people. The more a brand was created with mission, as I being deliberately destroyed so are its core and contents, vis- TRY! and TOURISM IS PEOPLE should we do to maintain all is capable of promising and, understand it, of an innovative that later they can be rebuilt. ibility and perception, as well did not have an effect only on the advantages of the I FEEL consequently, delivering, the approach to building the con- In Schumpeter’s terms, claim- as rational and above all emo- tourist workers but also on SLOVENIA brand and not greater the power it has. In ad- cept “Made in Slovenia”. This ing as he did that creative de- tional strength, which “moves all Slovenians. The country start all over again? You will dition to power, it also has the was confirmed by those who struction is the driving force of mountains”. A brand needs a grew on us even more, and find the answer a few lines potential to expand, comple- played an active role in the progress, it would be undoubt- soul. our respect for ourselves and below. First, I need to explain ment, compose, upgrade and birth of the brand. It was thus edly reasonable to do. If this is our own identity was greater. about the current functioning otherwise enrich. Think about born with a sentence that was

18 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 19 BEFORE AND AFTER

The indifference of This is a brand representing worthy of a human hand and I FEEL SLOVENIA and MY the domestic public our pride, our achievements, management (a campaign en- COUNTRY. The solution be- In my view, the domestic pub- our people and relations, our titled “We are looking for a comes self-evident and con- products and services, our good manager”). Our beautiful veys our feelings about Slove- MOJA lic in Slovenia covers a wide range of Slovenians: from the history and culture, our nat- Slovenia was even referred to nia and about the love for our population in general to all ural environment and other as the country “on the sunny beautiful country. The current those engaged in various fields benefits. And how can we side of the Alps”, which added brand would keep the word SLOVENIJA of the economy, politics, di- live the brand if we cannot a special charm. After gain- SLOVENIA, but written in the plomacy, culture, science and get closer to it? This is about a ing independence, everything Slovenian language (i.e. SLO- education, as well as local match between two personali- was quickly stowed in a care- VENIJA), while the slogan town and village communities, ties, the personality of a Slove- fully closed box and, for some of the previous brand would local self-government, utili- nian and the personality of the years, the feelings that these keep the word MY (MOJA). In ties, infrastructure, transport, brand. In the four years since activities triggered between this way, we would obtain an tourism, other communities the birth of the brand, this has and in Slovenians were forgot- emotionally charged slogan, and, last but not least, reli- not happened. We are there- ten. It’s a good thing that the MY SLOVENIA (MOJA SLO- gious communities. None of fore looking for a way to make box was not thrown away. VENIJA), which need not be these different publics should this happen. How? I believe Why is this good? Because both psychologically or semanti- remain indifferent. Indiffer- that we should not throw away studies and the answers of dif- cally justified. Such an argu- ence to the brand stems from something that has already ferent generations reveal that ment simply cannot be op- two key assumptions: 1) there settled in our hearts, emitting the linden leaf is still deeply posed, as in this case we would is a failure to understand the positive vibrations for quite rooted and only the branches oppose ourselves. power of the brand and 2) the some time. have been cut. I was in doubt The graphic design of the light brand simply has not grown about this and therefore held green rhomboid would be kept on people. Is the satisfaction some group discussions in ur- the same, with the slogan MY of the brand ban and rural settings. It is true SLOVENIA (MOJA SLOVENIJA) The brand is consumers enough? that some of the 19-year olds inside it. a personality It has long been known that did not know about the Linden Thus we would overcome one At this level we need to ask not only buyers and/or con- Leaf or its significance; on the of the biggest grudges held how something grows on you. sumers but everybody must other hand, the other group of against the phrase I FEEL SLO- By force? By communication be satisfied with a brand. The various ages was mostly fa- VENIA, which is that it is in “bombing”? By means of a de- domestic public should by no miliar with the fact that the the English language. No mat- cree? By none of this. Some- means be excluded. I am fa- Linden Leaf was ours, that we ter what the advocates of Eng- thing will grow on you if it is miliar with the fact that some are fond of it and that we iden- lish may speak about global close to you. And what is the action to make Slovenians tify with it. The rural commu- “Internetisation” and, conse- closest to a person? Another enthusiastic about the I FEEL nity also agreed 100% with quently, about the globalisa- person, of course. I am aware SLOVENIA brand has already this view. And this is capital tion of the English languages that economists, politicians been taken; however, real na- that may be used even now. as a contemporary Esperanto, and diplomats, not to mention tional pride in the brand has We are not talking about fi- it will not help if a certain bankers and lawyers, have dif- not been noted within Slo- nancial capital, but emotional part of the Slovenian popula- ficulties in accepting the fact venia’s borders. Yet, some of capital, which in any case is tion does not accept English. that a trademark will be suc- us are quite fond of using the invaluable. In fact, the “Anglicisation” of cessful if it becomes a market- brand outside of Slovenia. Slovenia simply does not seem ing personality (and not just a The solution acceptable. One hundred and marketing tool for the purpose What is there in is at hand more years ago, we struggled of differentiation on a com- the hearts of I believe that the linking of against being dominated by petitive market). Irrespective Slovenians and why two exceptional brands, the the German language (and of the level of understanding, should it be forever I FEEL SLOVENIA brand and the remnants are still here: we need to know that every deleted? the Linden Leaf brand, would šraufenciger, širhakel, poušter, successful brand is a person- It took Slovenians a good half- be an excellent solution. The etc.; today we are facing new ality characterised by entirely decade to realise how beauti- association of the two solves viruses: skenslanje, printanje, human qualities. And getting ful our country is and what the most burning issue of the I lajkanje, etc.). If for nothing closer to a person only hap- riches it has to offer. At first we FEEL SLOVENIA brand, which else, this is the reason that pens through human traits. said that Slovenia is our coun- is that Slovenians have not yet compels Slovenians into re- try and the country belonging adopted it. If the I FEEL SLO- specting, cherishing and cul- We have to live to each of us (My country). VENIA brand was warmly tivating their language. Simply the brand Then we made it clear to our- accepted by foreigners, why for that reason, we need the I Since the brand is a marketing selves that in all relations it is wouldn’t it win the hearts of FEEL SLOVENIA brand in our personality, all of its support- a person who plays a key role Slovenians? Let us see how. language. Hence, its equivalent ers and ambassadors must live (in tourism this referred to the would be MOJA SLOVENIJA it. In case of the I FEEL SLO- slogan “Tourism is people”) Verbal and graphic- (MY SLOVENIA). This phrase VENIA brand, it means that and we particularly drew at- semantic level contains the entire feeling and Slovenians have to live it; after tention to certain aspects that On a verbal level, two state- the feelings we have about all, it is the brand of all of us. had been neglected but are ments must be combined: Slovenia.

20 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 21 Photo: archive Photo: archive

Prof Dr Manca Košir, publicist Tina Košir, publicist and moderator of cultural events

To radiate hope Feel Slovenia?

“To educate towards hope is one of the fundamental ethical values.” and this is because of that envious wolf in the souls of fearful people. It is only when I return from abroad that I really grasp how I feel about Why then would someone even want to work as an independent Well, we have many great athletes who we know how to encourage, Slovenia. contractor, journalist, researcher or cultural worker in the first place? Dr Alojzij Šuštar because it might be easiest to identify with them. We have innovative There are two reasons: the first of which is that there are not many men and women in farming, who are guardians of nature and not its When I return from a big vibrant city, Ljubljana embraces me with its jobs in this area, and the second reason is that the institutions which exploiters. The whole of Slovenia could be a boutique oasis of organi- calm convenience. employ those people are often set in their ways, and not amenable to “How are you?” an esteemed Slovenian gentleman asked me recent- cally grown food! We have social entrepreneurship, which the state creativity or fresh ideas. I see this as one of Slovenia’s main problems. ly. “Excellent,” I replied cheerfully. To which he responded, “Well, if a still does not know how to promote, yet its actors do not give up, but From where I live, I can reach the city centre in less than half an In Slovenia, there are many talented and bright individuals possess- Slovenian claims to feel that way, then that is a true miracle.” persist in starting new projects for the public good. Perhaps we also hour’s walk or a five to ten minute bus drive. A walk or a jog through ing huge drive, but who do not feel that the system affords them ade- “This is my method of defiance,” I explained to him, waved and hur- have the highest number of charitable organisations in relation to the the woods? I just put on my sports shoes and within seven minutes quate support – rather the opposite, in fact. Talented young scientists, ried on with my duties. number of inhabitants. I myself act as a volunteer in a hospice and I’m on the top of Rožnik. A weekend holiday? I just jump in the car contractors and creators are more frequently venturing abroad – in those dying have taught me the most about life. About what is truly and I’m by the sea or in the mountains within the hour. Visitors to some respects this is excellent as it demonstrates that we live in a day Yes, to be excellent, joyous and full of hope – this is my way of de- important and what is not, what is truth and what is illusion. That Slovenia are usually charmed by its unique combination of compact- and age where this is possible. A little less excellent, however, is that feating the fear that creeps all over the world and also comes to my life has a profound meaning, if only we can recognise our role and ness and diversity. For Slovenians, this is all self-evident. Unfortu- the reason for them doing so is the feeling that they do not have any beautiful homeland, a way of defeating the insecurity which has got the mission for which we were born right here and now. Therefore, I nately, the beauty that stares you in the face is often overlooked. options or support here. Those visiting foreign universities often feel inside people’s bones, and the criticism, sensationalism, wailing and am glad to be living in Slovenia during this exciting time when huge fearful of experiencing something new and different. gnashing of teeth spouted by the mass media, which splashes out changes – the likes of which have never before been seen by human- Slovenia is indeed small, but it is spacious, and this is something I from too many mouths, like some obligatory mantra. It is true that ity – are transpiring. only realise when I return home from a city, where the streets are al- Fear is the biggest issue in Slovenia. Surveys indicate that fear is a de- much evil exists in this world, and that there have been a litany of ways crowded. I like the feeling of personal space. If I’m caught up in cisive factor in young people choosing to study. This is not because injustices which are certain to continue in the future, that there are I am aware that I am playing a part in creating a new world. A world a large crowd, I feel claustrophobic. If my shoelaces come undone, I they are passionate about gaining knowledge in a desired field, nor many corrupt, greedy and ruthless people in all the structures and in- with a higher consciousness and human beings with open hearts. I can tie them in the middle of the street without being afraid that the down to an entrepreneurial spirit, but because they have to do some- stitutions, oh, so true. However, it is equally true that the world is also feel the positive changes that are happening. Consumerism is being crowd will stomp all over me. A little luxury, for which I am grateful, thing to earn money. However, as every good baker knows, bread full of beautiful and good things, that there is compassion, solidarity substituted by the alternative lifestyles of simplicity and modesty, as when I return from somewhere I sometimes feel this is not pos- which is baked without love will not be very tasty. We will not starve and empathy, and there will continue to be in the future – there are life’s focus is moving from the egocentric ME to the more collabora- sible. to death when we have such bread available, but nobody will really honest and hearty people who radiate hope. We truly live in a dual tive community of US. We knit networks of friendship that cannot like it. world, a world of good and evil, and it is our mission to decide wheth- be torn apart by rivalry and aggressive energy. The good wolf is be- When I open the box of organic vegetables delivered to me every er we will support the light or the darkness. coming stronger and Slovenia is a country which offers him a suit- week, I feel Slovenia in the form of a child-like joy. A box full of colour- A major change in Slovenia would be if we relaxed, banished fear, able environment. As more and more people follow Gandhi’s wisdom ful, aromatic goodness. How difficult would it be to arrange a supply fell in love with creativity and supported each other. If we could There is a Native American story about two wolves. It goes like this: everyday: be the change you want to see in the world. Such a change of ecologically-grown fruit and vegetables elsewhere? I love greens only sweep open the doors of the institutions and bureaucracy and One evening, a Cherokee grandfather was telling his little grandson requires internal maturity and responsibility, qualities which can best so much, I whisper in my thoughts. We like to promote ourselves as let some fresh air in. If we could only put the environment and peo- about the battle that takes place inside us. He said: “My grandson, be taught in schools as well as in the family. Therefore, I have set up “the green country on the sunny side of Alps” but in everyday life we ple first. Are these unrealistic dreams? Maybe it is really difficult to this battle continuously takes place between two ‘wolves’ inside us the “What kind of school do we want” civil initiative, which is help- often forget this. We would like to be considered the equals of “the big imagine such a Slovenian reality, but it is worth the effort as there are all. One is called Evil. He is angry, envious, jealous, sad, greedy, arro- ing to construct an excellent public elementary school. To teach for countries” in areas where we cannot possibly compete, and yet we do probably a lot of people who would like to feel this way. gant, self-pitying, guilty, resentful, feels inferior, he lies, shows false life, for a healthy self-image and personal growth, for creativity and not take enough care of what is most precious to us. Therefore, I root pride, acts superior and is egotistical. The other is called Good. He is freedom of spirit. For the joy of living. My new book entitled Žareti for our sportsmen and sportswomen and support all those who are happy, peaceful, loving, hopeful, tranquil, merciful, friendly, well- upanje (To Radiate Hope, translator’s note) has just been published, working to develop innovative projects in Slovenia, in harmony with intentioned, empathetic, generous, honest and compassionate. He is and features dozens of stories about Slovenia of wonderful people nature and for the long-term benefit of the community. trusting.” and amazing opportunities. Opportunities that, with trust, are be- The little grandson thought about that and asked his grandfather: coming our feasible options. As I am self-employed in the field of culture, I think a little less kindly “Which wolf wins?” on Slovenia when signing contracts, as extensive intellectual work is Grandpa simply replied: “The one you feed.” very poorly paid. These thoughts take the form of anger or even rage when I call after a month or so after the due date stipulated in the I decided to feed my good wolf. Every day, in every person, in all situ- contract and have to beg them to pay my fee – this would be entirely ations and events, I try to find the light. I see: Slovenia is one of the unnecessary in a normal state of affairs, as compliance with pay- most beautiful countries in the world. With forests that no longer ment deadlines should present the very cornerstone of good prac- grow elsewhere, with water we can still drink from our taps at home, tice. I feel I would be wasting my breath if I explained how this has with air that we do not yet need to wear gas masks to breath, with become standard practice, with cultural workers carrying out their arable land that yields us rich harvests, with stars in the sky that glow work without even having a contract in place, and being kept in the brightly at night. With people with open hearts and charitable hands. dark in advance about the fee – “we will discuss this later, what is the It seems to me that in relation to the size of our population, we have problem?” Friends from abroad are always amazed when I complain the highest number of great artists and scientists, who are very suc- about this. Is this anarchy and exploitation of people really allowed to cessful abroad, but unfortunately sometimes a little less so at home, go on in Slovenia in the field of intellectual work? Sadly it is.

22 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 23 art&culture

Jože Osterman, photo: STA Hana Souček Morača, photo: Miha Fras Austellung Laibach Kunst, Perspektive CONTEMPORARY DANCE 1980–2011 IN THE SHAPE OF GIBANICA At the end of February, Ljubljana played host to the fifth biennial Your Face! is, appropriately, as disciplined and precise as military Visual Works of Laibach in Maribor festival of contemporary dance, the Gibanica, which was organised protocol.” Zamrznjene podobe (Frozen Images) by Wanda and Nova by the Contemporary Dance Association of Slovenia with the sup- de Viator boasts guest appearances in the Netherlands, Italy, Croa- port of the Ministry of Culture and the City Municipality of Ljublja- tia, and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Spomenik G2 (G2 na. This year’s festival, which took place at several venues across Monument) performance is part of What to Affirm? What to Per- Ljubljana, presented a select choice of Slovenian dance productions form?, an international project in which the Maska Institute coop- and was complemented by two panel discussions, one of which was erates with the Centre for Drama Art Zagreb, the National Centre entitled Institutionalising Contemporary Dance and was held at the for Dance Bucharest and the Vienna-based Tanzquartier. The Slove- Ministry of Culture, while the other discussion was Contemporary nian-Israeli dance duo of Domen Šega and Maya Levy is the closing Dance Network. production of the Nomad Dance Academy, a Balkan network study The festival saw the participation of 57 contributing artists and fo- programme which has travelled the countries of the southern and cused on three goals. Their aim was to present Slovenian contempo- western Balkans over the past three years. The Novi list newspaper, rary dance productions to foreign selectors and the home audience published in Zagreb, wrote that the Sad sam /almost 6/ (Now I am / in order to popularise this genre of dance and cultivate a new audi- almost 6/) performance was observed by the audience in deep in- ence. They also sought to promote structural solutions conducive to trospective silence and, when it ended, was greeted with sustained establishing improved working conditions in the field of contempo- and heartfelt applause. rary dance. According to the organiser’s data, 1,600 people attended The artistic board of the Gibanica festival, composed of Goran Bog- the performances staged at this year’s festival, and the total number danovski, Tamara Bračič Vidmar, Rok Vevar, Alma R. Selimović, of visitors for all the Gibanica events exceeded 2,000. The festival Mojca Zupanič and Sandra Đorem set itself the objective to expand was graced with the presence of as many as forty foreign selectors Gibanica by incorporating activities which boost the status, visibil- who watched the presentation of Slovenian contemporary dance ity and recognisability of Slovenian contemporary dance in foreign performances over the past two years. At the closing ceremony, the cultural spaces. To this end, and for the purpose of establishing a symbolic audience award – a culinary delight characteristic of Prek- “Slovenian Dance Network”, this project was financially backed by murje, the gibanica cake – was presented for the performance en- the Ministry of Public Administration, with the Ministry of Culture titled Duet 012 by Rosana Hribar and Gregor Luštek, and produced providing support in 2011 and 2012 in the form of 1.5 million eu- by Plesni Teater Ljubljana (Dance Theatre Ljubljana). The dancers’ ros and an investment in the construction of a contemporary dance performance blended different dance styles and techniques, and centre. One outstanding issue however remains, and that is how to the artists utilised contemporary dance to tell a shared artistic and enhance postproduction and distribution of contemporary dance It is a little surprising that what is presumably the largest exhibi- when the activities of Laibach had borne most social commitment intimate story. The performance was also awarded second prize by a outside Ljubljana, while at the same time effectively introducing it tion of visual works of the group Laibach will not be organised next as it could be stated that they had brought about direct social and panel of expert judges at the 24th International Competition of Cho- to a geographically removed audience, educational institutions and year, when Maribor is the European Capital of Culture, but has been even political consequences. Most of their early works were bought reographers in Hanover, Germany. potential production partners. organised this year instead. The name and work of the group is one in the 1990s by American art collector Neil Rector, which means With regard to eastern European cultural contexts, contemporary The next Gibanica will take place in the spring of 2013. The organis- of the best-known art “items” from Slovenia on the international art that an important part of the cultural heritage from an important dance in Slovenia has the longest history which, after some ups and ers are announcing a format which will be nothing like the previ- and music scene, and the attention attracted by this (perhaps too) period of transformation of Slovenian society has been in a way downs, has seen its production increase over the past four decades, ous five events, as this new arrangement will take its lead from the early exhibition reflects this. alienated. Unfortunately, for it seems that the value of such creativ- as concluded by Andreja Rauch Podrzavnik, Blaž Lukan and Virve desire for decentralisation, making the Gibanica a travelling dance The exhibition, whose title Austellung Laibach Kunst, Perspektive ity has increased through time. Sutinen, the festival’s selectors. coffeehouse. 1980–2011 consistently follows the provocation that use of German The event, undoubtedly broader than usual exhibitions, is in fact an This year marks 84 years of contemporary dance in Slovenia, a his- and the memories of Nazism connected with this language caused overview of the development of the basic iconography of Laibach, tory decorated with numerous examples of international coopera- in this (Slavic) area at the beginning of the group’s career, covers and enables a comprehensive reflection on the artistic content and tion and positive reactions from audiences abroad. Take the Beton- as many as 12 rooms of the current Maribor Art Gallery. The new elements of presentation employed by the group in its activities, tanc Dance Company as an example; their performance, created in gallery, which is one of the most ambitious construction plans in mostly presenting its artistic practice as a provocation and devia- tandem with the Latvian group, Umka.lv, entitled Show your face!, the country planned for the next year, will open in early 2012. In tion from the supposedly immanent contents. Curator Simona Vid- finished its fifth tour of the United States at the end of January, by the upper-floor rooms, the group exhibits ten installations while the mar, who prepared the exhibition and strongly relied on her Berlin which time they had staged thirteen appearances in four cities. lower-floor rooms host the new work Artist Perspective created by colleague Claudia Richter in the process, has probably followed this They encountered passionate audiences and received critical ac- the group for this exhibition. This work partly relates to the history temporal relevance especially and mostly presented the works from claim. Among other things, the Los Angeles Times noted: “Well, of the city. The exhibited works thus consist of multimedia installa- the early period of the group. Large inscriptions and quotes from the this is Eastern European theatre, where the music is composed by tions, classical oils, watercolours, mixed media works, photographs, different artistic manifestos of the group clarifying individual stages a band called Silence.” The Time Out Chicago observed that: “Show graphics, and film and video. They include works from the private of the work’s creation stress an unusual, but artistically consistent collections of Neil Rector and Daniel Miller, works by Jane Štravs criticism of the totalitarian society to which Laibach held a merci- Performances at the Gibanica 2011 festival and Sašo Podgoršek, and objects from the archives of the Maribor less mirror, and this importantly contributed to a rapid development Betontanc Ltd.: Tam daleč stran (Someplace Far Away). Uvod v ego-logijo (Introduction Regional Museum and the Anatomy Institute of the University of of auto-reflection. On the one hand, visitors wonder at the prac- to Ego-logy); Mateja Bučar: Zelena luč (Green Light); Ivica Buljan, Jordi Casanovas, Ljubljana. The exhibition was dedicated to the recently deceased tically incredible innovation of the artistic creativity of the group, Edward Clug, Iztok Kovač, David Zambrano / EnKnapGroup: 10 Mini Projects; academic painter Janez Knez (1931–2011) from Trbovlje, whose role which developed its criticism from a sophisticated reinterpreta- Domen Šega and Maya Levy: Glej me, kako ljubim; bo dovolj? (See Me How I Love; Will It was concisely assessed by group member Ivan Novak: “Without tion of social stereotypes frequently shown in visual art creations Be Enough?); Jurij Konjar: Goldbergove variacije (Goldberg’s Variations); Mala Kline: Bliss; Janez Janša and Dušan Jovanović: Spomenik G2 (G2 Monument); Rosana Hribar and him there would be no Laibach. Much of his work is in these paint- that are considered social axioms; on the other hand, they become Gregor Luštek: Duet 012; Evin Hadžialjević, Maja Kalafatić, Špela Tovornik, Jasna ings.” aware of the power of the society of 20 years ago, which was, after Zavodnik and Ajda Tomazin: (P)razno (Empty/Miscellaneous); Milan Tomášik and Novak added that not all of the works of the group had been put into all, capable of looking in the mirror and changing. The question now Alexander Gottfarb: Baga-Basta; Bojan Jablanovec and Jaka Lah: Pure Performance; the exhibition, but that they have included all those that constitute is whether this ability is still at the same level as it was then. Matija Ferlin: Sad sam almost 6 (Now I am /almost 6/); Wanda and Nova de Viator: their programme core and which had been made in the early 1980s Zamrznjene podobe (Frozen Images); Leja Jurišič and Teja Reba: Med nama (Between Us).

24 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 25 art&culture

Source: STB The ‘green’ philosophy at fairs and exchanges The STB maintains that sustainable or “green” tourism provides a de- velopment opportunity for Slovenia. It is the response of all stake- Presentations of Slovenia at the holders in tourism to changes in the environment, with a view to ensuring the long-term competitiveness of Slovenian tourism and I FEEL SLOVENIA stand in tourism trade improving the quality of life of Slovenia’s inhabitants. Green philosophy is a guiding principle for presentations of Slovenia in international fairs and exchanges. At fairs in 2010, the Slovenian fairs and exchanges stand presented a number of novelties. One project worth mentioning is “Eco reincarnation” which is in ac- Presentations of Slovenia and its tourism in fairs and exchanges cordance with the sustainable development of the Slovenian tourism abroad constitute a key marketing and communication tool of the and promotes eco-friendly behaviour. Slovenian Tourist Board (STB). On an annual basis, the STB organ- “Eco Reincarnation” aims to present what people can make by us- ises more than 40 fairs in Europe and selected distant markets. The ing waste or used materials (including old catalogues, waste paper, STB appears at fairs and exchanges in partnership with the Slove- padlocks and elements of the old standard stand). New promotional nian tourist economy and representatives of various tourist associa- products and small gifts are 100% recycled – made of all kinds of al- “Eco Reincarnation” counter tions or local organisations. ready used materials. Old promotional materials, such as flags, cata- logues and posters, which represented Slovenia in the past, have been Slovenian Tourism Stand redesigned into new products and re-used for the promotion of Slo- In 2008, a new standard stand was selected for communicating venia – materials have thus been reincarnated and assumed a new the Slovenian brand I FEEL SLOVENIA and promotion of Slovenian life, suggesting the “Eco Reincarnation” name. tourism. Going green at the stand is also made possible by Bluetooth technol- The idea is based on the concept of harmony of senses and feelings ogy which through modern and environmentally friendly technol- and, with the logo I FEEL SLOVENIA, fully complies with the hand- ogy allows a paperless approach to marketing, thus contributing to book of the Slovenian brand. The design is based on recognizable reduced consumption of catalogues and, consequently, of paper. The idea of presenting Slovenia in this innovative and environmentally graphics of pure and simple forms, natural materials and attractive Slovenian Tourism stand motifs arousing strong associations. The stand can be adjusted to friendly way follows on from a successful marketing campaign at Jože various sizes of exhibition premises, ranging from 50 to 200 square Pučnik airport, carried out by STB in partnership with its partners, metres. the Aerodrom Ljubljana, d.d. company, and the Creativ Interaktiv, Its design is focused on natural and environmentally friendly ma- d.o.o. company. Passengers at the airport can thus receive all infor- terials. The prevailing material is wood. Pale maple wood is used mation necessary for their stay in Slovenia on their mobile phone via for all the counters, partition walls and storage room battens, while Bluetooth, free of charge. A similar, but slightly more sophisticated chairs and tables are made of cherry wood, which is slightly darker concept is also used at events. and more reddish. This wood combination gives the stand more vi- Bluetooth technology enables direct access to a consumer/tourist. vacious and cheerful appearance. It offers the opportunity of reaching a core group at a certain loca- Openness and accessibility of the stand is made possible by the tion, providing an attractive and free-of-charge transfer of multime- ceiling structure, which allows a transparent view of all the ongoing dia contents to a mobile phone, where the user can access it without activities at the stand. Large-scale photographs, positioned within limits, even when the event has ended. Bluetooth technology is used the storage area, which is, if possible, located at the centre of the at the stand for distribution of notices, information and brochures, stand, provide visibility and identification of the stand among the digitally, without any printing or other harmful impact on the envi- other material that is otherwise found at event locations. At the in- ronment. This Bluetooth marketing is carried out using low radio fre- formation desk, which is designed in a recognisable form of the logo quencies with low energy consumption. All the content and mobile for Slovenian brand, each exhibitor has, under the title of the com- catalogues are translated into English and the language of the host pany, a photo that provides an opportunity to present its products country, with a view to getting closer to tourists from the region. Promotion of Slovenia by Bluetooth technology. or/ and services. The stand first appeared abroad at one of the world’s largest tourist New for 2011 – business breakfasts exchanges – the WTM (World Travel Market) in London in 2008, In 2011, the Slovenian stand’s culinary presentation has been en- where it also won the award as the “Best Stand for Doing Business”. riched with business breakfasts, with the aim of going beyond the At fairs, we approach potential visitors to Slovenia through a pre- traditional afternoon reception for business partners and journalists. sentation aimed at stimulating all of the senses of a visitor: Sight is Business breakfasts reveal a diverse selection of Slovenian cuisine approached through the structure, made from natural and environ- as an additional tourist product of Slovenia. This new feature was mental friendly materials, equipped with attractive motifs of Slo- first introduced at the WTM London tourism exchange in November venia, arousing strong associations in visitors, and through the pre- of last year. Well received by business partners, business breakfasts Eco instructions will remain a component of fair presentations in the future. sentation of typical Slovenian customs, traditions and landscapes, In Slovenia, loves goes through the stomach, WTM 2010 which are, as part of animation, carried out at the stand by indi- vidual partners of the Slovenian tourism economy. Taste and smell are targeted by culinary delights, tasting Slovenian dishes and wines from different Slovenian regions, prepared by trained and experi- enced catering staff. The reception refreshments are organised by the STB or partners from Slovenian tourism. Hearing is approached through traditional Slovenian music, performed by various Slove- nian musicians, who are often an indispensable part of the team at the stand. Touch is stimulated through promotional and eco gifts, offered to business partners and visitors to the stand so that a part of Slovenia can become part of their every day life. Presentation of Slovenian cuisine at Ferien-Messe Wien 2011 Presentation of Slovenian cuisine at BIT Milano 2011

26 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 27 art&culture

Albert Kos, photo: STA Jože Osterman, photo: STA MILJENKO LICUL (1946–2009) The mystique of Retrospective exhibition of Licul’s design oeuvre Japan through the eyes of a Slovenian At the start of the year, an interesting photo exhibition was held at the Cankarjev dom Cultural and Congress Centre. Gorazd Vilhar, a graduate of Art History at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana, prepared an exhibition entitled Božanski detajl (Divine Detail) for which he used the classic photographic film – a veritable rarity in this day and age. Vilhar, who has been living in Japan since 1985, is consumed Vesna Žarkovič with a passion to discover this land, particularly its religious and cultural aspects or details, and has exhibited several remarkable photographs of religious ceremonies, impressive sacral architecture, SLOVENIA IN US elegant geishas and gardens – all of which are undeniably unique During the Prime Minister’s working visit to Washington, to Japan and exude the Japanese perception of the aesthetic. Vil- Ambassador Roman Kirn organised a reception at the Slo- har is married to an American publicist, Charlotte Anderson, with venian Embassy on the occasion of Prešeren Day, the Slove- whom he published a book in 2009 entitled Incomparable Japanese nian cultural holiday. Prime Minister Pahor addressed the as- Gardens, featuring 150 outstanding photographs of the most beauti- sembled audience and opened the exhibition “Slovenia in US” ful Japanese gardens, showing just how much this topic has truly featuring photographs of Slovenia and its Lipizzaner horses by Over the past few decades, industrial and graphic design in Slovenia In his design work, Licul worked closely at all times not only with evoked the couple’s passion. Vilhar’s or Slovenian photographic Alenka Slavinec. has taken a leap forward in terms of development and established a his clients, but also his myriad artistic associates. After working at the perspective of a culture distant to us therefore bears witness to the SLOVENIA IN US, the photography exhibition is a story of love, presence on the international stage, with Slovenian designers gar- Zodiak Studio, he held the post of Art Director of the Diptih studio. universality and beauty that culture brings into our lives. peace and courage. The main characters are world renowned nering a string of awards and recognitions, both at home and abroad. For many years, he was also a member of the Znak group. He studied Lipizzaner horses, which are deeply interlinked with the Slo- Miljenko Licul, whose design work has characterised a whole three architecture and design in Ljubljana where he lectured in typography venian identity and cultural heritage. For more than 430 years decades of Slovenian history, ranks at the very pinnacle of creators at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design. He had long-standing ties they represent beauty, freedom, community, respect, deter- involved in graphic design. with the renowned sculptor, Janez Boljka, for whom he staged sev- mination, elegance, wisdom, wildness, pride, braveness... It would be no exaggeration to attribute historic significance to Licul’s eral exhibitions in Slovenia and around the world, and his work on Each of the 20 exhibited photos represents one year of Slove- work as his superlative design messages have embodied turning Slovenian tolar banknotes and coins led him to team up with Zvone nian existence as an independent country, from its declara- points in Slovenia’s history – both before and after independence. He Kosovelj and Rudi Španzel. He designed the reverse side of Slovenian tion of independence in 1991 to the present, each with its own will linger long in the memories of many Slovenians as the designer euro coins, in collaboration with Maja Licul and Janez Boljka. topic. of the tolar – Slovenia’s first very own currency – which was intro- On 10 February, a retrospective exhibition of Licul’s design oeuvre SLOVENIA IN US will be exhibited first at the Embassy of Slo- duced soon after independence in 1992, and the banknotes and coins was put on display at the National Gallery of Slovenia in Ljubljana. venia in Washington and will is open to the public from Feb- which remained in circulation for more than a decade and a half, up The exhibition featured close to 700 of Licul’s works or about one- ruary 9 till June 17, 2011. It will be continued by a second exhi- until the adoption of the euro. He also designed the first Slovenian tenth of his entire body of work. The exhibition is complemented by bition, focused more on the individuality, self-confidence and passport and identity card, as well as the new health insurance card, a monograph, in which Licul’s associates, clients, friends and life and purity, which will be open at the Festival Ljubljana on June 29, in turn contributing to the creation of the identity of a fledgling inde- creative partners write about his individual projects and the back- 2011. pendent state. Even after bidding farewell to the tolar and adopting grounds behind their realisation. The exhibition and monograph Alenka Slavinec a photographer and film producer, who was the euro, the imprint of Licul’s creativity among Slovenians and even together form a complete portrait of this prolific Slovenian designer born in Ptuj, the oldest town in Slovenia, fall in love with pho- Europeans can still be seen on a daily basis – the reverse side of the whose knowledge of tradition and contemporary design directions tography, when she was 10 years old. She studied social scienc- Slovenian euro coin was designed by none other than he himself. and movements allowed him to combine and merge, in a deliberate es at University of Ljubljana and, since her graduation, worked Needless to say, these are only the best known and most widely manner, the elements of the old and new, thereby creating his own, in international marketing, sales, photography, advertising recognised achievements in Licul’s extensive creative oeuvre, which inimitable style which will continue to serve as a valuable tradition and public relations for various companies, including Saatchi further comprises corporate designs for various Slovenian companies and inspiration to all those who work in design or are yet to venture & Saatchi. Since 2006, Alenka has been official photographer and institutions as well as artistic designs for a variety of art mono- down this path of creativity. for The Slovenia Times of Ljubljana. She holds a certificate in graphs and books, newspapers and magazines in addition to a whole The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Danilo Türk, attended the Film Production from New York Film Academy (NYFA). Her host of exhibitions. Licul’s work is highly diverse and his projects can opening of the exhibition and took the opportunity in his keynote ad- movie debut (in 2008) “The World Didn’t Know He Landed be thematically divided into the realms of politics, the economy and dress to highlight the importance of the role played by Licul’s aesthet- in a Poem” was a documentary about the renowned Slove- tourism, culture, art, education, health care, sports and the state. ic avant-garde design of the first Slovenian currency in establishing nian photographer Stojan Kerbler. Among other directors, she In 2008, just a year prior to his premature departure from this world, Slovenia’s presence on the world stage. collaborates with the famous Jasny Voiteck and Aksel Stasny, Miljenko Licul was presented the Prešeren Award for his life’s work, We have now bade farewell to the Slovenian currency designed by with whom she collaborated on “Coming home”, which was which is the highest Slovenian accolade for outstanding achieve- Licul and we no longer use some of the other documents that bear an official selection at the Montreal and Magnolia film festi- ments in artistic creativity. He was the first to receive this award in the the hallmark of his visual design; however, a plethora of design and vals. Her latest production is “All That Glitters”, feature drama sphere of design, which symbolically placed design among the ranks graphic solutions and creations bearing the author’s signature and (2010). Alenka is cultural manager at Museum of Transitory of the recognised artistic disciplines. Perhaps by coincidence, the creative imprint are still with us today and will continue to be in the Art (MoTA), and has just begun working with Wayward Pen Prešeren Award was received at the same time by the literary transla- future, as they have taken root in our consciousness and, in turn, play Foundation in NYC, a not-for profit cross-cultural organiza- tor, Janez Gradišnik, which symbolically put visually expressed com- a part in creating the culture of our life. tion dedicated to the exchange between new and emerging munication on an equal footing with verbal communication. European, primarily Slovenian, and American artists.

28 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 29 Our excellence

Jože Osterman, photo: STA Awards for Excellence in the Economy For the 43rd time, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry has made awards to seven people from companies that have proved it is possible to succeed in business in very unfavourable conditions, such as those caused by the economic crisis, which affected Slovenia more than most other EU Member States.

Jože Ceglar, the manager of the Termo- Boštjan Gaberc, who is also the owner of work within its community to support so- plasti-Plama company of Podgrad near Il- the company, has created an exceptional cial life. Something similar may be said for irska Bistrica, was the head of the company working environment where mostly young the company Inles of Ribnica, managed by 30 years ago. He left after a time because people with an innovative approach and Andrej Mate, MSc. Despite strong compe- his vision of development differed from excellent technological solutions have built tition in the field of wood processing, its that of the workers and trade unions at the an extraordinary business capable of cov- programme of windows and front doors time, but then returned in 2002 and saved ering the growing needs in this field and has created a tradition of an excellent the company from a severe crisis. The already successfully exporting their know- brand throughout 60 years. The company company, which manufactures technical how. High technology is also the field of is environmentally conscious and supports films for the rubber industry, has as much Robotina of Kozina, managed by David many cultural and sport activities in its na- as a 50% market share in Europe while the Palčič and providing services of highly tive Ribnica, with one excellent handball generated value per employee is far above competitive engineering in the field of re- team bearing its name. the average in this field. The company is a newable sources and efficient use of ener- good supporter of the social life in its com- gy: the integration of the company with its The manager of the Nuclear Power Plant munity, while Mr Ceglar enjoys great pop- environment, the links with universities, Krško, Dr Stanislav Rožman, has held his ularity and respect among the local people where it acquires a considerable part of the position since 1988; he has therefore de- because of his modest way of life. We may basis for its new products – all this testifies voted practically all of his most creative also say that Bogomir Strašek, the manager to an exceptional sense of development of years to a company continuously under of KLS Ljubno, which has recently become modern business relationships ensuring public scrutiny. Besides stability in the one of the most important manufacturers the reliable growth of the company. production of energy, the successful op- of car equipment in Europe and worldwide, eration of this company shows especially is also a veteran displaying excellence in a Contrary to some similar Slovenian com- in the field of safety, respect towards the similar field. Value added per employee in panies which have gone bankrupt in the environment and the trust of the local this company is also high above the aver- last few years, the large company Celjske population, with the company passing this age in the field; their programme of starter mesnine from Celje, managed by Izidor difficult test with flying colours. In all its ring gears has as much as 40% of the Euro- Krivec, has achieved excellent business years of operation, it has not encountered pean market and 12% of the global market, results in all elements of its business: an any major problems, and the strategy of while their gears are found in the engines increase in volume, profitability and ex- constant technological upgrading has con- of as many as 26 car marques! ports, as well as successful development tributed to the fact that it is now possible of new products. Of particular importance to estimate the role of energy generated by The Mikrografija company of Novo mesto is its exceptional environmental orienta- nuclear power plants more objectively and is one of the leading providers on the mar- tion, since it has considerably reduced the rationally than it was at the beginning of ket of electronic archiving and electronic use of energy products and the quantity the nuclear era. documentary systems. Its young manager, of waste. Another exemplary quality is its

30 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 31 Our excellence

Chamber of Commerce ther proven by the fact that the Slovenian economy, despite the turbulence and crises and Industry of Slovenia – that have often shattered our area in these 160 Years 160 years, has always kept the reputation of a relatively well-developed, reliable and The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of successful manufacturer. This includes the Slovenia, which presents itself as the big- present time of the global crisis. gest independent, voluntary, interest and not-for-profit economic group celebrates The Chamber of Commerce and Industry its 160th anniversary. The source of its of Slovenia introduced its system of the work was the establishment of the Cham- most important economic awards 42 years ber of Commerce and Crafts of Carniola, ago, as the first awards were given in 1969. undoubtedly an extremely important eco- Those times were crucial in many ways: nomic community for Slovenia, which was the Slovenian economy, then a part of the founded in 1851 under the leadership of its Socialist system, began to escape the rigid first president, wholesaler Lambert Luck- frames of the planned economy relatively mann. The birth of this new community quickly and boldly faced the market chal- can thus be closely linked to the “spring lenges. It may be said with certainty that it of nations” in 1848, when Slovenians were was the Slovenian economy that brought winning many of the new attributes of an about totally new approaches not known independent nation. anywhere else in the Socialist world; the result was a solidly functioning mix of Which organisation is therefore more com- market- and plan-oriented companies, petent and more authoritative in awarding among which more and more became ca- its most successful members than this? pable of competing in the most demand- Although it experienced a considerable ing global markets. Those years saw the change in 2007 by abolishing compulsory emergence of strong brands such as Iskra, membership for economic organisations Gorenje, Meblo, Elan, and of products such and introducing voluntary membership, as Cockta, Barcafe, Rex Armchair, which it can be said that its share and influence are still valued today. The new self-confi- on the processes of forming and harmo- dence of Slovenian economic operators, nising conditions in which the economy then boosted by the excellence of their operates has not reduced, and that it con- production, continued for at least the two tinues to be considered the most credible or three following decades. Although it is representative of the economic field by its impossible to ignore the great crisis and the partners. The success of its work is fur- economic breakdown of the former Yugo- slavia, which caused enormous strain for the Slovenian economy, too, it should not be overlooked that Slovenia, due to its rel- atively successful economy, was declared “the world display window of Socialism” in 1988, thus representing an islet in the sea of declining Socialist economic pro- duction. The economy’s relatively peace- It must be stressed that successful manag- winners. Because the Slovenian public is ful and successful entry into the capitalist ers are highly appreciated and often very well aware of the importance of the ex- system even after the loss of the Yugoslav popular among Slovenians, who, accord- cellence awards in a field that offers a liv- markets in 1991 is certainly the result of ing to international surveys, are people ing for us all, the awards ceremony is an these sound foundations. with a strong working culture. People who event that may easily be compared with set an example and bring inspiration! This the award of the Prešeren prizes for cul- The CCIS awards, formerly named after was particularly true in the times when ture. The road leading to the award is also Boris Kraigher, the tragically deceased the social system promoted the maximum not easy : since 1990, a special committee, minister of economy from the 1960s who social and material equality as the basic including a number of former winners, has was one of the founders of the new paths principle, and managers lived a similar life made its selection on the basis of 66 nu- of Slovenian economy, are awards to indi- as their workers, so were often appreciated merical criteria, considering the general viduals for their successful management of as their equals. Of course, some names market and export results, internationali- companies revealed through longer peri- now inspire bitter feelings as some simply sation and establishment in the European ods. It is therefore understandable that the could not maintain the qualities that had Union, as well as fast and effective market list of former award-winners (as many as made them our laureates; their companies expansion, clear development strategy, 305 by now, with “only” 18 women among experienced a decline or were even wound innovations and especially business and them) contains virtually all important up; in a dynamic structure such as the entrepreneurial culture and integration people ever active in the economic field. economy, time is a more severe judge than in the environment in which a company From this aspect, the awards have had a anywhere else. operates. The size of companies is consid- valuable role in promotion and in helping ered separately, as awards are given for op- to create an economic elite as is very im- These anomalies, however, cannot affect eration of small, medium-sized and large portant in a functioning European society. the respect for the CCIS awards and their companies.

32 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 33 green corner

This year, with the help of volunteers and volunteer firemen, a kilometre of fence was Polona Prešeren, photo: Darinka Mladenovič put up for amphibians, while buckets were buried along the road for them to fall into. The volunteers are checking the buckets twice a day (in the morning and in the eve- ning) and carrying animals across the road. At the same time, they are documenting Helping frogs their number and all the species.

In recent years, there has been a nice ecology initiative spreading across Slove- nia – helping frogs. At this time of year, frogs, toads and newts begin their annual migration from hibernating places to breeding sites. Many amphibians are killed crossing the roads on their migratory paths. Be prepared to see special warning signs about frogs on the road anywhere across Slovenia; Radensko Polje is not the only Various organisations have decided to help these endan- Račna regional road. At this black spot each spring, a ma- place with such a campaign. There are more gered amphibians by preventing this decimation of the pop- jor portion of the amphibians were being run over on their taking place all over Slovenia in areas criti- ulation by traffic. On their breeding sites, the frogs repro- migratory path. This is an extremely delicate issue for their duce and lay their eggs into different types of water. While vulnerable population. Within the framework of its devel- cal for the frog population. And thousands migrating, frogs and amphibians are being massacred on opment, in 2008 the Radensko Polje landscape park decided of frogs are being saved. dangerous road sections, also called “black spots” for frogs to deal with this problem with the “Helping the Frogs across and amphibians all around Slovenia. the Road” campaign, which began with amphibians being carried across the road at the most critical road sections in This is surely one of the loveliest and the most encouraging the period of their most intense migration. The project was ecology initiatives. All across Slovenia, volunteers are put- upgraded with workshops and by raising the awareness of ting up protective fences and carrying amphibians across the the local population. Special workshops also took place in road. One of the black spots for amphibians is the Mlačevo- elementary schools and day care centres. Račna road, not far from Ljubljana. The area’s population of amphibians is dense due to its moist and mushy terrain. The following year the campaign was continued, and - pro With frogs migrating and crossing roads with heavy traffic, tective fences for amphibians were put up by the side of the the death toll for amphibians was high and the population road. “Since the campaign proved to be a success and we substantially decreased. The Radensko Polje landscape park, carried more than 15,000 amphibians across the road in a however, while still in development, decided to put an end few weeks, we decided to continue putting up the fence,” to this. For several years, the park has been organising the said the spokesperson for the park. “Helping the Frogs across the Road” campaign. This year, the campaign has already started. As the night “Last year we managed to carry approximately 22,500 am- temperature rises above zero, the frogs wake up and start phibians across the road in ten days. The project wouldn’t their spring migration by heading towards breeding sites. have been as successful without the help of volunteers and local societies,” said a spokesperson for the Radensko Polje The Radensko Polje landscape park uses this campaign to landscape park. gather as much information on the population number and species in this area as possible. It also aspires to have am- Radensko Polje stretches to the southeast of Grosuplje and is phibian tunnels and permanent fences at the critical section the smallest of the nine Karst fields in Slovenia. Specific -wa of the regional road. ter conditions form different water bodies, which enables the reproduction of numerous amphibian species, finding In recent years, the park has managed to find enough vol- the different types of water habitats to be suitable breeding unteers for the campaign, which will presumably end in sites. In the flora and fauna inventory of the year 2000, there the middle of April. This is also due to different workshops were 12 documented amphibian species at Radensko Polje. and raising the awareness of the local people. Carrying frogs It was also confirmed that the common salamander, a very is also an excellent opportunity for the volunteers to learn rare animal in this area, also lived there. about different amphibian species and their issues. What is the volunteers’ job? They have to pick up the amphibians, Amphibians typically migrate between hibernation sites, put them in buckets and carry them across the road, where breeding sites and summer habitats. At Radensko Polje, they can head towards their breeding site. Volunteers require their migratory corridor crosses the very busy Mlačevo- a reflective vest, flashlight, bucket and gloves (optional).

34 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 35 PEOPLE

obvious. She started to take piano lessons at a tender age of four, in Ljubljana, under “The larger the concert hall, the bigger the joy professor Zora Zarnik, who did not oth- erwise teach children. She studied there of performing.” until she went abroad. At first, she also played the violin, but, since she was deli- a lot. But I am not on friendly terms with famous Carnegie Hall, followed by per- cate and frail, doctors advised against her writing,” she adds, laughing. formances at concert stages of world- playing two musical instruments. To the renowned halls, numerous recitals and great disappointment of her violin teach- She still enjoys performing, as she always guest performances with many major ers, she chose piano, which, she remem- has. She has never experienced stage world orchestras. “I played on prestigious bers, was at that time her first and greatest fright. She gave her first recital at age of subscription concerts where I gave re- love. She also wanted to become a ballet five, finished music conservatory at nine, citals and performed with orchestras in dancer, but lacked the necessary predis- entered the Music Academy in Ljubljana, Europe, Australia, United States, Russia, positions. After all, there was always the and then left for New York where she Canada, Mexico… I gave more than 4,000 piano there. overwhelmed the musical world with her concerts, and this figure does not include playing. She graduated from the Juilliard my minor performances.” School, New York at seventeen, and could An incredible have graduated earlier had it not been for She has not skipped a concert season in the need to finish her baccalaureate: first, her career: “Mostly, my health is good, story she had to finish High School to be able to which is very important for a pianist. Oc- graduate from the Julliard. casionally, I played with a fever because I Dubravka Tomšič has an incredible biog- did not want to let my audience down. I raphy that resembles a scenario in which Arthur Rubinstein, with whom she stud- once cancelled my Russian tour. That was many different stories intertwine. Her ied for two years, was impressed by her when my father died. When I gave birth to professional career has been marked by talent. By then, her “dangerous years” my son, I was absent from the stage for ten success. She only smiles when I men- were over. She gave a solo recital in the months in total. I performed in Canada tion this and adds that she has been en- couraged to document her experiences in At fifteen, she was named the musical talent memoirs. “It is true, there have been nu- merous stories, starting at the time of my of the year and was rewarded with a perfor- studies, and continuing through the tours, mance with the New York Philharmonic. and journeys…I have really experienced

Polona Prešeren, photo: STA Dubravka Tomšič The Piano is her Love Some 65-odd years ago, she gave her first piano recital as a tiny little girl.S he was a prodigy. That was the start of the extraordinary career of our indisputable first lady of music – pianist Dubravka Tomšič. It seems astonishing that she is still playing with such ease and that she continues to thrill music lovers all over the world. She would not have chosen any other path; she is in love with her profession and with music.

I paid a visit to Dubravka Tomšič- practice every day, except before concerts she could not be parted from it, and she Srebotnjak at her home in Ljubljana, be- and tours,” she explained. It seems almost remembers that something was drawing tween her engagements at the University unbelievable that her career has been so her to that piano all the time. She does not of Ljubljana, Academy of Music, where she long. “I might not sit at the piano for a come from a musical family. Her mother is a full Professor of piano, and her prepa- month and then, in a day or two I’m back was very fond of music but was rather an rations for a concert tour in the United in shape, “ she said. amateur. She was, nevertheless, always States. A room with a view over Ljubljana keen to play the piano. Her father also had city centre houses a Steinway piano. “Are During our pleasant talk, she told me that no professional involvement with music you still so active?” I asked. “I am trying it was during the difficult times of the Sec- either; he was a distinguished professor of to stay in good performance shape but I ond World War that by chance a piano international law. But it was not long be- am not as active as I used to be. I no longer came into her parents’ home. Even then, fore the tiny girl’s ample talent was made

36 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 37 PEOPLE when I was five months pregnant.” When “That is a sort of fluid that one can never where they were content. Their son is a she had a baby, everything was more dif- feel by listening to the recording. Unfor- little different from the rest of this musi- ficult. She tried to schedule her concerts tunately, you can only experience it in live cal family; his career started with success as close together as possible to spend performance,” we agree. Tomšič remem- in the computer industry, and today, he is more time at home. “These things are dif- bers her first performance in Australia a film director and assistant professor at ficult for a mother,” she says. well. People queued throughout the night the Academy of Theatre, Film, Radio and for ticket returns. Television in Ljubljana. She has always been a concert pianist. This was a more difficult way, but that was She greatly enjoys playing, performing a challenge for her. There must be many and collaborating with orchestras. “Col- A vast opus stories connected with the years of per- laboration and rehearsal with good con- forming… “But of course,” she remem- ductors and orchestras offers exceptional In addition to her numerous public ap- bers. “At the beginning, it was very dif- experiences. Cooperation between musi- pearances, Dubravka Tomšič has created ficult for a person like me, coming from cians is vital here, while in preparations an extensive discography, and has record- Yugoslavia, to break the ice. Applause was for a recital, I only depend on myself. How ed for major radio and television stations polite, particularly in Germany. But at the an orchestra and a soloist are attuned de- throughout the world. She has released end the concert the audience went raving pends on a conductor…I have worked with more than 90 CDs recorded at various mad and forgot where I came from. This great conductors like Kurt Sanderling, publishers since 1987. happened in Munich.” There was a simi- Seiji Ozawa, Bernard Haitink, Hans Graf, lar episode in Berlin. And something even Wolfgang Sawallisch, Carlos de Prieto…I I am curious whether she has any favou- more powerful happened in St Petersburg. have worked with numerous conductors, rite music. “Certainly,” she replies: “Clas- young and old. I had a close and fruitful sicism, romanticism, and also the music collaboration with Anton Nanut.” of the 20th century. I am not so much “The applause was inclined to play the most recent musical so enthusiastic that She teaches at the Academy of Music in scores. Others should play them. When I Ljubljana and much of her work is devot- was a little girl, I only wanted to play Bach, I played 17 encores. ed to young talents. She is convinced that Mozart, and, later, Beethoven. Then came I simply could not there are many talented young people and romanticism with Chopin, after that, im- good pianists in Slovenia. Talent alone is pressionism with Debussy, later Proko- play any longer and not enough, she says, though there is a fiev, and my development continued. But just closed the pia- common idea that one must be excep- then you focus on a narrower selection. tional. It is true, talent is imperative. But When you get older, you play more for no,” she remembers, talent alone does not suffice: “You must your heart’s content.” Her solo repertoire laughing. be devoted, love your instrument, and is very wide and diverse, and she had also above all, you must work very hard. Some in her repertoire 40 Concertos for Piano One of the stories is associated with her people excel in the first, others in the and Orchestra. Dubravka Tomšič Srebot- performance at the Aspen Music Festival. second. Of course, we are trying to guide njak is full of plans. In the last month, she “When I finished my performance, the au- students in this direction.” She is always has given recitals throughout Slovenia. In dience clapped and stamped not only their there for her students when they need April, she will start a concert tour of the feet but chairs. I did not know what was consultations and assistance, and is very United States. And she will continue her going on, I thought it was an earthquake. fond of her work. work with students at the University. These are truly astonishing memories.” Both she and her husband Alojz Srebotn- Her performance may seem unpreten- It is the interpretation that warms up the jak, who was a composer, taught. Leading tious, but it is always technically com- audience and makes them forget where music universities and academies around manding: “After all, music is simple. It is an artist comes from. Music becomes a tie the world offered posts to the two of them, difficult to compose a work, but at the end between a performer and the audience. but they decided to stay in Ljubljana, it all sounds so simple.”

The critics’ word:

»…heroic power and Olympian vision…« (Los Angeles Times) »…splendour, drama, passion, poetry, and subtlety…« (The Boston Globe) »TheS lovenian pianist Dubravka Tomsic, who gave an extraordinary recital at Alice Tul- ly Hall.« (The New York Times) »Pianist of power and vitality.« (The Daily Telegraph) »Every note is full of life. There is an ideal balance between the right and left hand, and every phrase has its natural beginning, its natural development and its natural ending. And it all seems wonderfully simple« (Kurier) »Dubravka Tomšič’s name will continue to be mentioned even when other piano recit- als are no more than a humming in our ears.« (Süddeutsche Zeitung)

38 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 39 SPORTS Andrej Stare, photo: STA HIS MAJESTY THE VITRANC CUP PLANICA – CRADLE OF SLOVENIAN SPORT In the northwest corner of Slovenia, the idyllic village of Kranjska gora is surrounded The four-day World Cup Ski-Jumping Finals brought new joy and enthusiasm into the by mighty mountains, among them Vitranc, which with its grand scale and famous Planica valley. More than 50,000 spectators enjoyed the exceptional achievements of ski slopes, has become a symbol of Slovenia and Slovenian sport. There are many ski the ski jumpers, in particular the Austrians and also the excellent Slovenian “eagles”. runs on the 1638-metre mountain, while the slope is most famous for its slalom and giant slalom races. Although, after 26 years, Planica has lost the primacy of the biggest jumping hill in the world with the new world record giant slalom), which has been matched in sky flying set in February 2011 in Vik- only by the Spaniard Francisco Fernandez ersund in Norway, Planica has continued Ochoa and the legendary Swede Ingemar its outstanding tradition of ski jumping. Stenmark. This discipline of ski jumping was born in The greatest Vitranc hero is the Italian Al- Planica 86 years ago; since then, the Plan- berto Tomba, one of the best Alpine ski- ica old ski-jump hill (known as “Bloudek’s ers of modern times, who won the Vitranc hill”) and the new hill (since 1969, known Cup five times, while Bojan Križaj won as “Letalnica bratov Gorišek”[the Gorišek four times, and Marc Girardelli (Luxem- brothers’ hill]) have hosted as many as 74 burg) and Benjamin Raich (Austria) three grand competitions. These competitions times. include competitions in ski jumping before An enjoyable atmosphere in Kranjska the Second World War, competitions un- gora and along the Podkoren ski slope der the auspices of FIS-Ski (International this year marked the 50th anniversary of Ski Federation), world cup competitions the event. The spectators enjoyed watch- and six world cup finals in ski jumping ing the tricks of the best skiers, and the (since 1972). accompanying events have once again Planica has always had its heroes. These proven that Kranjska gora is one of the have included Sepp Bradl (Austria), Wal- and took second place. than 250 m possible, and a cross-country best and most hospitable World Cup event ter Steiner (Switzerland), Jiri Raška (Czech This year’s finale was also a farewell com- skiing stadium with several tracks. The organisers. Republic), Wirkola Bjorn (Norway), Matti petition for one of the greatest ski jumpers Nordic Centre will also feature a compe- The Vitranc Cup remains a source of na- Nykanen (Finland), Martin Schmitt (Ger- of all times, Poland’s Adam Malysz, who tition and recreation track, and as a par- The best skiers of the world have raced or a thaw. The Vitranc Cup was held twice tional pride. In the years to come, the best many), Noriaki Kasai (Japan), Primož won third place in his last competition and ticularly innovative feature, a 1.5-km long and won on the slopes of Vitranc, some in Adelboden (Switzerland) and once in Alpine skiers in the world will continue to Ulaga (Slovenia ), and, later, Matti Hau- also took third with total score in the world track in the hall, which will allow cross- placing themselves among legends, while Aspen (the USA); however, in the hearts reign over the Vitranc slope, as once did tamaki (Finland), Bjorn Einar Romoeren country skiing 365 days a year. The main some have never overcome the pitfalls of of ski fans, it has the importance of the Jean-Claude Killy, Gustav Thoeni, Inge- cup. (Norway), Adam Malysz (Poland) and the building of the Nordic Centre will have Vitranc. One such example is the Austrian Lauberhorn Cup (Wengen), the Adelberg mar Stenmark, Phil Mahre, Alberto Tom- The Planica valley, situated close to the youngest among them, 21-year-old Gregor cutting-edge equipment for monitoring ski legend Karl Schranz, who has never Cup – Kandahar (Garmisch) and the Hah- ba, Lasse Kjus, Benjamin Raich and Bode borders with Italy and Austria, will be even Schlirenzauer (Austria). The young Aus- and training athletes, including a special succeeded in winning the Vitranc Cup. nenkamm Cup (Kitzbühel). Miller. more beautiful and modern in the future. trian has defeated all of the masters of ski wind tunnel. Space will be provided for a The first Vitranc Cup was held on 4 March Since its first race on the “Old FIS” course, The Republic of Slovenia has established flying and has already won four victories museum of Nordic skiing, with an excep- 1961, long before the Alpine Skiing World and later on the modern “Podkoren” the Planica Sports Institute, which is en- at the Planica giant hill, including this tional location and exhibits. The stands Cup began. Josef Stiegler from Austria was course, the Vitranc Cup has been visited trusted with the renovation and building of year also the first individual competition. along the cross-country stadium and ski- the first winner in giant slalom on the ski by many dignitaries, including heads of a brand new Nordic Centre in Planica. This The share of Slovenian ski jumpers was jumping hills will hold 30,000 spectators. course later termed “Old FIS”. This ski state, royalty and other political lead- investment, which will create one of the again large and visible. The Slovenian team Planica will present its candidature at FIS slope next to the road between Kranjska ers. The years 1986 and 1987 saw a record (Jernej Damjan, Peter Prevc, Jurij Tepeš and most modern Nordic centres in the world, for organisation of the World Cup in Nor- gora and Podkoren is now abandoned, number of visitors, with approximately Robert Kranjec) won third place, while amounts to EUR 42.7 million. dic Skiing in 2017, while in 2020 it will host with no skiers, but serves as a reminder of 40,000 spectators watching a slalom ski Slovenia’s champion Robert Kranjec ex- It will contain seven jumping hills, a ski- the Ski-Flying World Championship. the pioneer days of Alpine skiing. race. Slovenia has always been very proud celled at the last competition in the season flying hill, which will make jumps of more A 50-year anniversary of any sports com- of its Alpine skiing competitions, and the Planica has always held a special place petition is a tradition that deserves all re- exceptional atmosphere, hospitality and among the organisers of large competi- spect and of which Slovenians are very easy accessibility have become a trade- tions; ski-jumping competitions have proud. Along with the Vitranc Cup, Slove- mark of the Vitranc Cup. achieved record numbers of spectators at nia also organises the Golden Fox wom- Slovenian skiers also won the highest all times (with the highest number of all en’s alpine skiing competition in the Po- prizes on the Vitranc slope, and, with six in 1985 when almost 70,000 spectators horje and the traditional ski flying event individual victories, they rank as the most watched ski jumping in one day); hospital- in Planica. successful competitors in the 50-year his- ity and authenticity have become an icon The Vitranc Cup is one of the oldest com- tory of the event. A special place among in the sport and confirmation of the Slove- petitions in Alpine skiing and, according the Vitranc champions is held by Bojan nian attitude towards Nordic Skiing. to the FIS Calendar, has been a constant Križaj, who won the slalom race three Each year, while saying goodbye, the Plan- venue of the annual World Cup. In its 50- times (in 1980, 1982 and 1987) and the ica workers and spectators call out “See year history, the Vitranc Cup has been giant slalom once (in 1980). In 1980, he you again next year at our common holi- cancelled only 7 times due to bad weather celebrated a double victory (in slalom and day – ski jumping in Planica!”

40 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 41 It is remarkable for a small country like Slovenia to have such cu- Žganci is prepared from buckwheat, corn, wheat or barley flour, Slovenian linary richness. Traditional home cooking is still very popular and sometimes also from groats or potatoes. Wheat grits, cornmeal young people enjoy Slovenian dishes, enjoy the taste of home-made and potatoes can be added. It somewhat resembles polenta but Delights food. Local inns have recently come to recognize this as a market is prepared with finely ground flour. Žganci are distinguished by niche, since people love to eat food that reminds them of home. the basic method of cooking or frying the flour: Carinthian, Upper Carniolan, Lower Carniolan and Lower Styrian. Žganci is a simple It seems unbelievable how dishes vary in different parts of Slove- dish. Various types of flour (corn, buckwheat) are cooked in salted Polona Prešeren, photo: Tomo Jeseničnik nia, although they are only a few tens of kilometres apart. Žganci boiling water. Different ingredients can be added (such as pota- is one of the dishes that can be found all over the country but is toes). Even the side dishes served with žganci vary across Slove- prepared differently in each region. The essence of žganci, how- nia. Žganci goes well with all kinds of soup, from sour to vegetable ever, stays the same. It is rich in energy giving carbohydrates. It soup, various stews, in some places even goulash. It also tastes is one of the essential ingredients of traditional cuisine that in its good with sour milk, sauerkraut, turnip and yogurt. Žganci – always and forever time corresponded to people’s possibilities and needs. Dishes were natural, prepared with only a little sugar or meat. They were based The most widespread method of preparing žganci is the Upper As children we were told: “Eat some more žganci and you’ll be big and on mashes, vegetables and fruits, and contained valuable protec- Carniolan one. Pour flour into salted boiling water to form a lump. tive nutrients. When the water is boiling, make a hole in the lump, so that the strong!” So žganci was imprinted in our memory as a healthy food flour cooks as well. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 40 that gives us strength and energy, as food that people used to enjoy minutes. Remove from the heat and strain off the boiling water, What is žganci? which is also called žgančevka. Save some of the water for later. and still do. If you asked any Slovenian to name typical Slovenian Stir thoroughly and crumble. If the žganci appears too dry, add food, I’m sure that žganci would be in the top five. In his book “Taste Slovenia”, which offers an exceptional overview some žgančevka. Top with lard or cracklings, and the dish is ready of the Slovenian culinary tradition, ethnologist Janez Bogataj de- for serving. I would like to add that although preparing žganci scribes žganci as formerly the most widespread dish. In the 19th seems simple, the right ratio between the water and flour must be century, it was even called “the pillar of Carniola”, which shows its mastered. Don’t give up, even though you fail a couple of times. importance for the survival of a lot of people. Žganci wasn’t tied to a specific social class. It was eaten by the poor as well as the rich. White potato žganci and buckwheat žganci with potatoes are typi- It wasn’t tied to a specific meal either. It was served for breakfast, cal of Lower Carniola. The Lower Carniolan method consists of lunch or, although less often, supper. Leftovers were toasted with mixing a thick paste and grating it using a small narrow wooden lard the following day. board and a fork. Crumbled žganci can be served with cracklings,

42 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 43 sweet or sour milk, pickled turnip or cabbage. It can also be Buckwheat žganci (for corn Potato žganci served with beef broth or stew. žganci use corn flour) 500 g of potatoes 1 kg of buckwheat flour 1 small onion In Carinthia, where žganci originates, this dish was prepared us- 100 g of cooking oil 400 g of flour ing a slightly different method. The flour is first toasted. Pour the 150 g of cracklings 100 g of minced lard flour into a pot without cooking oil, salt, onions or any other ad- salt 1 spoonful of lard ditions, and toast it on mild to medium heat. The heat mustn’t be Boil 3 litres of salted water. 1 decilitre of sour cream too strong or the pot too weak or the flour will stick to the walls Pour the flour into the boiling water to form a lump. As the water Boil salted water for cooking the potatoes. and the bottom. quickly covers the lump and boils, lower the temperature. Make Peel, wash and cut the potatoes into cubes and put them into the a 2–2.5 cm hole in the lump with the handle of a wooden spoon. salted boiling water. Boil for about 10 minutes, until the potatoes Take another pot and bring salted water to the boil. Let it sim- Cover the pot and let it simmer for 40 minutes. Remove from are half done. Pour in the sifted flour and quickly bring to the boil. mer during preparation. Slowly start adding the water to the heat. Strain off the žgančevka and save it for later. Stir the lump As the water covers the flour, lower the temperature and make a toasted flour using a ladle. The flour is toasted enough when it thoroughly. If the žganci appears too dry, add some of the decanted hole in the flour with the handle of a wooden spoon. Let it simmer starts turning yellowish or brownish. It is harder to recognize žgančevka. Scoop from the pot with a wooden spoon and crumble for 30 minutes. Put minced lard into a pan and let it dissolve over the change of colour with buckwheat flour, so rely on your into a bigger bowl with a fork. Top with lard and cracklings, stir, heat. Peel the onion and slice it thin. Dissolve the lard in the pan sense of smell. A few minutes after sensing the aroma, start cover and let it sit for a few minutes. and stir-fry the sliced onion. Decant some žgančevka into a cup adding the water and continuously stir. A warning again: it is and add hot minced lard into the pot. Stir thoroughly. If the mix not easy to determine the right amount of water. It is best to try appears too dry, add some decanted water. Scoop the mix from the and see whether you like your žganci wet or dry. If it appears pot with a wooden spoon and crumble it into a bowl with a fork. too dry, add some more water. Sometimes a spoonful or a few Add some sour cream to the stir-fried onion, bring it to the boil and drops is enough. pour it over the žganci in a bowl. Great chefs reveal their tiny secrets

While preparing žganci, it is crucial to add the right amount of water. A lot of people will tell you that real žganci must be served with cracklings but that is a matter of taste. What side dishes žganci should be served with is also a matter of taste and culinary preference. It is also a seasonal matter. In the winter, žganci is eaten with sauerkraut, turnip and stews. In the sum- mer, sour milk is more refreshing.

It is also important which flour is used. The best kind is ground in the traditional way with millstones, so that is remains who- legrain. The day after preparing the dish, pre-boiled and larded žganci is mixed with an egg. It is added to hot žganci and stirred until it coagulates. The egg white and egg yolk contribute fun- damentally not just to the taste but also to the appearance of the žganci. Each housewife has her own secret recipe for prepar- ing this dish. Žganci differ not only from region to region but also from town to town, and even from house to house. In the Prekmurje region, the most popular version of žganci is potato žganci, also known as dödele, dödöle, dödöli and konopérni žgániki.

The Slovenian word žganci sounds sweet, different, even funny, and foreigners struggle with its pronunciation. The recipe for buckwheat žganci first appeared in German cookbooks in 1465, which proves that žganci really is an old dish. There are many sayings about žganci. If anybody ever says to you: “You’ll have to eat a whole lot more žganci before you’ll be able to do this,” they are almost patronising you, saying that you’ll have to get a lot older and stronger to achieve your goal. Another saying is “Sleep is better than žganci,” meaning it is better to sleep than to eat. Traditional food is being kept alive and remains quite popular. Almost every holiday is celebrated with special dishes, as described in the old Lower Carniolan saying “A different cut for every holiday.” However, any day is right for žganci! You know, to keep you strong.

44 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 45 cultural trails Every year at the end of February, Slove- groups make their outfits by themselves, Hana Souček Morača, photo: Darinka Mladenovič nia is consumed with the joys of a holi- but some order them from the very rare How the figure day that chases away the winter and wel- manufacturers. One of them is the expert comes the spring through the dance of Kurent outfit manufacturer, Marko Klinc, of the Kurent snowflakes and the Kurent, a traditional from Spuhlja near Ptuj. These manufac- carnival figure. The traditional Shrovetide turers have an important role to play as comes alive Carnival has established strong roots in they have a responsibility to hand down The reign of the “Kurent” our lands, and many masks have been the tradition to the younger generations. Marko Klinc produces the outfits accord- preserved which have become recognisa- Marko Klinc continues the family tradi- ing to orders placed by individuals, with ble hallmarks of the region or town from tion of producing Kurent outfits, a trade a single outfit requiring between five to which they hail. he learned from his father. His father, like seven sheep skins, leather, goose or tur- Marko, was an upholsterer, and his uncles key feathers, cow horns and hedgehog The Kurent is the most popular tradi- were saddlers, but they were all proud skin. He buys the bells and the leggings tional carnival figure in the wider Ptuj Kurents. Marko Klinc Sr. was the first to elsewhere. “The preparation of the ma- region, with as many as 2,000 gathering start making outfits for other people and terials takes the most work, as these are each year for the celebration. According to not just for himself, while nowadays the all natural products.” He explains that popular belief, this conqueror of women’s whole family is involved in this business. the outfit makers look for special sheep handkerchiefs and banisher of the cold Marko Klinc says, “I’ve always poked with coloured locks in the fleece or Me- chases winter away and rouses nature my nose in his business, so to say, and I rino sheep as they need the fleece of live into budding spring life. Its origins are un- watched my father with great interest and animals, so they do not always buy raw known, but similar figures can be found learned from him”. It takes him around materials locally but in other locations elsewhere in Europe. These mighty masks two days to make an outfit and he com- around the Balkans. According to him, the run through villages in packs and cause a mences work after New Year, continuing start of the manufacturing process is the commotion with the bells which are af- until the end of the Carnival. He is him- most difficult, namely the making of the fixed to their waists. self a Kurent, which is why he makes the hat or headdress. The base is made out of outfits and souvenirs with particular pas- leather with openings for the eyes, nose sion. He says, that they “put their soul into and mouth. He proceeds to decorate the The giant of the Kurent” and adds that when you don mask, attach the ears, affix the rye horns the outfit, you become twice as strong. He adorned with colourful ribbons which Shrovetide points out that his outfits can be seen in represent joy and new life, and finishes by every continent of the world and that he decorating the hat with the nose. “Nos- With its sheep skin coat, its mask featur- has travelled and seen large swathes of es can differ, depending on the client’s ing a long red tongue, its wooden club and Europe as a Kurent. wishes.” The base is then covered in sheep big cow-bells, the Kurent is a mighty and mystical figure. Ptuj has two groups of Kurents: the feathery variety, which origi- nates from Markovci on the left side of the Drava River, and the featherless horned type which reigns in the Haloze area on the right river bank. Although the Kurent has preserved its image, its costume (called “Kurentija”) has been developing throughout history. The single bell origi- nally sported has now increased to five in number, and the costume’s appearance has otherwise become more uniform. The quality of the fleece, however, has under- gone the biggest change. The tradition of costume- making

In times gone by, boys made the outfits by themselves and used everything at their disposal. Instead of sheep with spe- cial fleece, which is what is used nowa- days, they would sew together anything hairy. In the evening hours, they would create their mystical figure in stables, and back then, the masks were very dif- ferent. Even today, some of the carnival

46 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 47 cultural trails fur coat, which is stitched together us- ing sheep skins which need to match Juš Turk, photo: Darinka Mladenovič up as well as possible. Winter cannot be chased away without the bells, which are affixed to the Kurent’s waist. Five bells – they used to be inherited in the old days – are fixed to a chain. “The biggest one is on the back, while two smaller ones are on the hips, and the smallest of them all is positioned in the front. The three dif- ferent sizes make three different kinds of sound.” An important part of the outfit is the wooden “hedgehog” club, wrapped in leather, with hedgehog spines attached Mysterious symbolising manhood; a Kurent must always carry this with him as there is no greater shame than if someone were to snatch it from him. The whole outfit can weigh over 30- ki pile-dwellers lograms. Marko Klinc uses up to 15 skins and a pair of feathers, “from one goose for one feathery Kurent and a pair of horns for the horned Kurent”. Kurents differ a revelation about prehistoric from one another in terms of skin and co- lour, as every outfit is unique. people in the Ljubljansko barje If you would like to join our band of win- ter-chasers, you do not need to meet any criteria. Your age is no obstacle and nei- ther is your gender or marital status. All that is needed to usher in the spring is a merry disposition, a fur coat and a pair of bells. If, however, you want to make a skin and a moustache is fastened under grown ones.” Every Kurent needs leg- Kurent happy, than give it your handker- the nose, as is the decorated tongue made gings, and these take the form of hand- chief as they are not allowed to accept any out of cloth. For the teeth, the maker uses knitted stockings which were once made other gifts. “The most likeable and best white beans threaded on a string. The face out of the yarn taken from old sweaters. looking Kurent gets the most handker- of the Kurent is adorned by goose, duck These days, they are mostly made in red chiefs”, says Klinc and adds that, in these or turkey feathers. But not every feather or green, with decorative pom-poms. The modern times, one can sometimes see a will do, mind you; feathers are a natural colour of the leggings – which can take bra springing up on the hedgehog club. As material and the fowl must therefore be eight to ten hours to make – can symbol- well as handkerchiefs, the horned Kurent of the right kind, namely a free-range ise marital status or territorial belonging. finds it difficult to resist sausages, not to fowl that grooms itself and not the farm- An indispensable part of the outfit is the mention the region’s home grown wine.

48 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 49 natural trails “Well, at first the Swiss also believed that pile-dwellers were Celtic people, but later they established that they were sig- nificantly older. Perhaps Indo-European, but we are not certain. It seems that they probably came to Europe from the east.”

What is in your opinion most character- istic of the pile-dwellers in the Ljubljan- sko barje compared with others? Is it the remnant of the oldest wheel found in the world? “Definitely. Their beautiful pottery made of baked clay is also very interesting; some pieces are about 4,500 years old, which makes them nearly as old as the ancient Egyptian pyramids.”

In your book, I could not find any men- tion of musical instruments used by pile- dwellers. Has anyone in the Ljubljansko barje found a flute similar to that discov- While pharaohs commissioned the build- of Hallstatt and La Tène origin. Wood traps wheel ever found in Europe or the world. without a find from the period of the pile- Ljubljansko barje were also farmers. Their ered in the cave in Divje babe near Idrija, ing of huge pyramids for their afterlife and with metal frames found in deep peat in This area was settled by the Slavs in the dwellings in the Ljubljansko barje. Since fields were on dry, firm ground at a small which is believed to be the oldest musical ruthlessly exploited their people to this the south and east of the marshes tell sixth century, as shown by finds of typi- their culture is interesting and the sites distance from the dwellings, they certain- instrument ever found? end, some European tribes were much stories of hunting in those ancient times. cal clay vessels with a recognisable orna- are very close to the capital of present- ly also picked wild forest fruits and raised “Of course, we know that they played on wiser. They are called pile-dwellers or The Ljubljanica runs through this area and mental wavy line and a pottery sign at the day Slovenia (Ljubljana), the Slovenian cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, but hunting musical instruments because some were lake-dwellers and in Slovenian koliščarji, has always been useful for navigation, bottom of the jug. Most of the weapons authorities have for some time been con- and fishing were their most important excavated.” mostiščarji or jezerci. For centuries, pile- although the height difference between found by the archaeologists in this area sidering an initiative from experts to set activities. Clay and ceramic vessels are In conclusion, Slovenian authorities are endeavouring to preserve one of the two dwellers inhabited the largest marshes Vrhnika and Ljubljana is no more than a can be traced back to the eighth and ninth up a replica of a pile-dweller’s house as among their products. It is awe-inspiring most beautiful natural sites in Slovenia, in Slovenia, which are today termed the metre. The port of Nauportus, situated in centuries, when Franks marched against a tourist attraction. But the residents of when Dr Velušček places a shard of this the Ljubljansko barje as it is today: a wet- Ljubljansko barje. The first pile-dwellings present-day Vrhnika, flourished in Ro- Avars and Hungarian insurgents. Ig in the south of the Ljubljansko barje vessel into your hand saying that it is sev- were erected there as early as the first half man times and has yielded interesting have beaten them to it by opening a per- eral thousand years old. Within the Lju- land with no buildings, rich in diverse of the fifth century BC. By the middle of clay vessels and numerous weapons. This manent exhibition of not only a replica bljansko barje, archaeologists also found original flora and fauna – so that, for ex- the second century, the lake had turned is also manifested in the famous find of a A permanent exhibition of the house but also artistic illustrations objects made of copper testifying that the ample, rare bird species may continue to into marshes and moors, which signalled Roman barge, unearthed in 1890 at one of pile-dwellers has conveying the typical “lacustrine” way of pile-dwellers began to explore the metal- nest there, including species hardly found the end of pile-dwelling construction. of the properties in the Ljubljansko barje. recently been opened life. According to Dr Velušček, discussions lurgy of copper in the fourth century BC. elsewhere in the world. This is another It had a flat bottom suitable for shallow with representatives of Ig – near to where For transportation on the lake they made reason why the Ljubljansko barje was Dr Anton Velušček, rivers. An even more exciting discovery near Ljubljana the first dwellings were discovered – have oak dugouts, and in the second half of the proclaimed a Landscape Park by the gov- an archaeologist from the Institute of Ar- followed in April 2002 when Slovenian The first pile-dwelling in the Ljubljan- been ongoing for several years with the fourth century they used carts to travel ernment. chaeology, Scientific Research Centre of archaeologists found the remains of a sko barje was discovered in 1875 and to- objective of establishing an open-air mu- outside the Ljubljansko barje. In short, the Academy of Sciences and Arts in Lju- two-wheel wood cart of between 5,350 day there are around 40 known locations seum of pile-dwellings. Until now, the pile-dwellers were highly innovative and bljana, and an acknowledged expert who and 5,100 years old. This is the oldest of pile-dwellings. A year does not go by dwellings were presented only in muse- capable of adapting very successfully to has been researching the history of life ums, such as the National Museum of Slo- the environment. This is presented to lay in the Ljubljansko barje for more than 15 venia in Ljubljana. readers in a book by Dr Velušček with years, believes that, 6,600 years ago, the photographs and illustrations by Tamara first pile-dwellers inhabited the marshes Korošec. for less than ten years. This was followed Holding a prehistoric by intermittent periods of settlement in vessel in your own hands Is it true that pile-dwellers did not settle the area. They lived in groups of five or is an experience only in the Ljubljansko barje but inhabit- seven in wood houses with a surface area The lake covering the present territory ed other lakes around the world as well? of 20 to 30 square metres. The houses of the Ljubljansko barje vanished in the “Yes, of course, in Greece, Germany, Aus- were raised on wooden piles hammered middle of the second century BC and with tria, Italy, France and Switzerland. The into the lake bed, which is similar to the it the pile-dwellers. An uninformed visi- Swiss have the largest collection of data practice of modern people living in the tor would not notice that this is the site of on pile-dwellers and are also making the Ljubljansko barje, the only difference be- prehistoric pile-dwellings. For archaeolo- most effort to include pile-dwellings on ing that the houses are not now elevated gists, the site is an inexhaustible source of the UNESCO list. This project is well on and modern piles have replaced the wood. information because even the organic track to achieving its goal, for which the remains of tree trunks and seeds are pre- credit goes to the Swiss, and it seems that Discovery of the oldest served in the humid air of the marshes. they will soon implement it successfully. wheel in the world Plant material tells us much about veg- It is important that Slovenia joins them The oldest archaeological remains in the etation and life in those times. Examining with its pile-dwellings.” Ljubljansko barje date back to the Middle these and other remains, archaeologists To which tribe did the pile-dwellers be- Palaeolithic or ice period. There are finds have established that pile-dwellers in the long? The Celts maybe?

50 Government Communication Office Sinfo – Slovenian information 51 Goriška Brda Photo: Darinka Mladenovič