Newsletter May 30, 2008 Page 1 Gala Dinner “Slovenian "Tiny Slovenia Fills Big Current Events Sounds, Sights and Bites” Shoes As It Wraps Up EU Presidency" May 30 - Musical performance Washington, DC, June 4 - The by two Slovenian music Slovenian Embassy in groups: string quartet Washington, DC is hosting a gala “Godalika” (with guests) and dinner entitled “Slovenian “Fake Orchestra.” Joe’s Pub, Sounds, Sights and Bites” on 425 Lafayette St., NYC. LINK. Wednesday, June 4. A 5-course dinner with traditional Slovenian An article on Ambassador Upcoming Events food and wine prepared by Vesna Samuel Zbogar and Slovenia's Čarman, a renowned Slovenian EU Presidency was published in May 31 - Concert featuring chef, will be served. The evening The Washington Diplomat's June renowned Slovenian will also feature a live music edition. The following is the performers of rock, jazz and performance by the group “Brina” summary of the article: folk. NYC Town Hall, 123 West and a photo exhibition “Two 43rd Street, at 6 pm. Capital Cities – Ljubljana and It was in Slovenia, seven years Washington, DC.” ago, that George W. Bush made June 4 - Gala dinner entitled his first trip to Europe as the “Slovenian Sounds, Sights and president of the United States, Bites.” Embassy of Slovenia. and it will be in early June of 7:30 p.m. Registration 2008, that he will made his last, required. LINK. in order to attend the U.S.-EU Summit that will cover issues June 4 - August 31 - such as Kosovo’s independence, "Two Capital Cities: Ljubljana- rising oil prices and growing Washington." An exhibit of world hunger. contrasting photos from Ljubljana and Washington. Slovenia’s past 17 years, since Embassy of Slovenia. This is set to be one of the most its break up from Yugoslavia, distinguished events of the year, have been nothing less than as the Embassy will be prosperous. The youngest of the welcoming Senator Tom Harkin, 27 EU member countries, it has the vice-president of National for the past five months provided Geographic Society, State guidance to more than 500 Department officials, and million Europeans. representatives of the private sector among its guests. A ticket Mr. Samuel Žbogar, the for the event costs $100. There Ambassador of Slovenia to the are only a few tickets left, so get United States, described yours today! Slovenia’s independence when he said, “We were the first one The invitation is available online. to leave Yugoslavia in 1991, For more information, please when we were on the agenda of contact the Embassy of Slovenia the EU. And now, 17 years later, at 202-386-6628 or we are at the helm of the EU, [email protected]. and we’re putting Kosovo on the www.washington.embassy.si Newsletter May 30, 2008 Page 2 agenda. A circle is being liaison to the foreign completed.” Ambassadors in Washington. Robič said he will also try to Under her direction, the Office of improve the average speed Being the first country to free the Chief of Protocol is record, set back in 1986 by an itself from the collapsing responsible for activities including American, Pete Penseyres. The Yugoslav confederation, the planning, hosting and hardest part of the race for Jure becoming the member of the EU, officiating of ceremonial events will be the Appalachian and adopt the euro as its official for visiting chiefs of state and Mountains in West Virginia. currency, as well as its heads of government, as well as During the race, he will be embracement of democratic coordinating logistics for the accompanied by Uroš Velepec, value of openness and visits. In the light of the and nine other guys and a girl, transparency since its upcoming visit of President Bush all part of his team. independence, Slovenia has to Slovenia, Mrs. Brinker's visit shown that even the small and with the EU spouses proved to be young can walk in the shoes of especially beneficial. the big. CULTURE EU Spouses Luncheon Desetnica Award Washington, May 22 - Mrs. Maja Washington, DC, May - The Žbogar hosted an EU short story, “How Oscar became Ambassadors' Spouses luncheon a Detective from the Forget Me on Thursday, May 22, at the Not” won the Desetnica Award. Jure Robič residency of the Slovenian This is an important for the Ambassador. The guest of honor Forget Me Not series, which are To read more about the race, was Honorable Ms. Nancy books that are written in both please visit Brinker, who was sworn in as Slovene and English. www.raceacrossamerica.org. Chief of Protocol of the United States on September 14, 2007. The Desetnica Award for youth Jure Robič's website: literature is conferred by the www.jurerobic.net. Slovenian Writer's Association. SPORT Srebotnik Wins over Williams in Roland Garros Jure Robič to Participate in Race Across America Paris, May 30 - Slovenia's Katarina Srebotnik defeated 5th Ljubljana, May 29– Slovenian seed Serena Williams in the 3rd ultra marathon bicyclist Jure round of the French Open on EU Ambassadors’ Spouses with Mrs. Friday in straight sets 6:4, 6:4. Nancy Brinker and Mrs. Žbogar in the Robič announced that he will be middle. making his 6th attempt at the Race Across America, more In this role, Ms. Brinker advises, famous under the name RAAM. assists and supports the Winning the race three times President of the United States, already, Jure said that his only the Vice President and the goal in this year’s race is to get Secretary of State on official that record 4th win that no one in matters of diplomatic procedure. the race’s history has been able She accompanies the President to achieve. The race will open on on official visits abroad and June 8th in Oceanside on the Katarina Srebotnik serves as the President’s pacific coast, and end 4800 km personal representative and (2900 miles) later in Annapolis, Srebotnik will play the winner of Maryland. the match between Emilie Loit of www.washington.embassy.si Newsletter May 30, 2008 Page 3 France and Patty Schnyder of Raul and Hugo Martinez, 6-3, Slovenian in the NBA Switzerland for a place in the 6-3, for the men’s open doubles Finals quarter-finals. championship. There are six Slovenian basketball players currently Slovenians dominate tennis playing in the NBA, and one of championship them is in the running for the championship ring. Sasha City Park, CO, May 18 - Vujacic, who has been with the Slovenian men’s tennis player Los Angeles Lakers for the past Rok Petelinsek defeated the two- three seasons, has proved his time defending champion Andrea moneys worth by averaging 18 Gabrieli 6-2, 6-2, at the minutes of playing time, 9 International Paper Cup men’s points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist, open singles championship on per game. If the Lakers win the May 18th, at City Park. Later in championship, Vujacic will be the the day, Petelinsek, along with third Slovenian to win a ring in another of his fellow Slovenian Darij Kranjc the NBA finals. players, Darij Krajnc, defeated The weekly e-Newsletter is produced by the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington. The archive of the e-Newsletter is now available online. To subscribe or unsubscribe to the e-Newsletter please send an e-mail to: [email protected]. www.washington.embassy.si.