CULTURE
Eva Petrič, a multimedia artist: It is essential for a piece of art to touch people
As the daughter of Ernest Petrič, a diplomat and former President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia, Eva Petrič moved frequently from one part of the world to another together with her family. Today, she is an increasingly popular universal artist who holds exhibitions all around the world. This time, we caught her in Basel, Switzerland.
Petrič holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and visual arts and a master’s degree in new media. In the interview for Rodna gruda, she explains, “Art has been a part of my life since my childhood. The quiet process of making art always made me feel at peace, safe and satisfied.”
Torn between Ljubljana, Vienna and New York, she feels at home everywhere and nowhere at once. As she says, “The people whom I love are everywhere. And the same holds true for the memories and experiences that marked me and made me who I am today. But it is definitely easier and more comfortable to work at home – in Slovenia.”
The Most na Soči international artists’ colony: Networking as a means of enriching artists and art
In June, Slovenian artists from all over the world participated in the Most na Soči international artists’ colony, which the Slovenian Emigrant Association has been organizing each summer for 32 consecutive years. On the second Saturday in June, Vodna hiša opened an exhibition of works created in this social and creative art gathering. Working under the mentorship of academic painter Jana Dolenc, 11 artists took part in this year’s artists’ colony. Also performing at the opening of the exhibition was guitarist Brin Loncner.
The June edition of Rodna Gruda features the summaries of in-depth interviews conducted by dr. Nadia Molek, which you will have a chance to read in full by the end of 2023.
GENERATIONS
A promenade in Olavarría commemorating Slovenian compatriots
In Olavarría, a city 353 kilometers south of the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, a trail called Paseo República de Eslovenia was opened on Mt. Cerro Luciano Fortabat on Saturday, 27 May 2023.
In the 1920s, Slovenian emigrants who got jobs at the Fortabat cement factory moved to this very area. They initially built small and modest houses, but eventually started leaving the area and moving out to bigger ones. The foundations of these houses remain to this day, bearing witness the times past.
The promenade was opened and hosted by Gabriela Guzmán – Habjan from Tandil, Argentina. After giving a few introductory remarks in Slovenian, she carried on in Castilian Spanish to talk about the importance of the promenade and the opening event, present the speakers and read out the writings on the signs by the hayrack.
SLOVENIANS IN BUSINESS
Pikapolonca: An ambassador of Slovenian cuisine in Japan
You probably would not believe your eyes if you saw a restaurant serving Slovenian dishes in the middle of Kyoto, Japan. But it is true! Igor Leiler, the owner of the Pikapolonca restaurant, will also serve krvavica (a dish similar to black pudding) and sauerkraut!
“During my master’s degree studied in mathematics, I developed an aversion to the subject, so I decided to dedicate my time to ecology instead. I was convinced that mathematics could help me study emerging problems, such as environmental degradation brought about by the activities of humankind. One of the universities where such studies were possible was the University of Kyoto. This is where I got my PhD in theoretical (mathematical) ecology,” Leiler explains. After finishing his PhD, Leiler got a job at a Japanese company developing business software. He later established a department that developed educational video games but, unfortunately, these were ahead of their time. As his work was not sustainable in terms of income, he turned to cuisine.
At its height, Pikapolonca offered a whopping 60 Slovenian dishes, but the business was struck heavily by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leiler envisions his future together with his wife, living in the countryside, producing crops and writing about the Slovenian cuisine for Japanese foodies.
SLOVENIAN WONDERS
Gorenjska: The kingdom of mountains and crystal-clear waters
Gorenjska, also known as Upper Carniola, is a region encompassing the northwestern part of Slovenia. Known for its rich natural and cultural heritage, the region is studded with Alpine valleys, mountains, lakes, large and small towns, hidden villages, gorges, gullies and waterfalls. A large part of Gorenjska is covered by the Julian Alps, most of which are a part of the Triglav National Park. The highest summit of the Julian Alps is Triglav, which also happens to be the highest mountain in Slovenia and the Slovenian national symbol of resistance to Christianization. In the northern part of Gorenjska, next to the Slovenian-Austrian border, two mountain ranges can be found: the Karawanks and the Kamnik–Savinja Alps.
