CURRENT EVENTS

Nova Gorica-Gorizia: The first borderless European Capital of Culture

Together with its neighbor Gorizia, the youngest Slovenian city Nova Gorica has taken the European and global spotlight by becoming the first-ever borderless European Capital of Culture. With this, Slovenia has an opportunity to present its lush culture, exceptional art, tremendous creativity and unique heritage.

To learn about this important and organizationally complex project as well as its impact on future, Rodna gruda spoke with Neda Rusjan Bric – the initiator of the European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica-Gorizia 2025, the director of the opening ceremony and, since recently, also the art manager of GO! 2025.

CULTURE

A book about France Bambič: An unusual story of an ordinary man

On an April evening, the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad organized an event dubbed At the Heart of the Homeland with Artists Living Abroad, which was marked by the Slovenian Emigrant Association. Presented at the event was a book by France Bambič entitled Small Inventory and Novel. Out of what is mine: A journey. Life, treatment, suffering and a bit about events during war (originally Mali popis in roman. Iz mojega – potovanje. Življenje, zdravljenje, in trpljenje, in nekoliko o vojnih dogodkih). A discussion with editor Tomaž Simetinger was moderated by Boris Jesih, the president of the Slovenian Emigrant Association.

As pointed out in the welcome address by Jesih, Simetinger – one of the most influential Slovenian ethnologists – is currently employed at the Department of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana. As noted at the event, the guest of honor was France Bambič – the protagonist of the exceptionally captivating work that sheds light on the life of an ordinary man.

GENERATIONS

Great unity of members at the 51st general meeting of the Slovenian Emigrant Association

On Monday, 31 March 2025, the Slovenian Emigrant Association hosted the 51st annual general meeting at its premises. The meeting was attended by 19 members, which was enough to make the quorum. Those attending unanimously approved the management report for 2024, the report of the Monitoring Committee and the work program for 2025.

Following the welcome address by president of the Slovenian Emigrant Association Boris Jesih and the adoption of the proposed agenda, the conduction of the meeting was taken over by Jože Osterman. In continuation, head secretary of the Association Jasmina Ilić presented the management report and the activity report for 2024, adding in her introduction that the Slovenian Emigrant Association had successfully implemented all programs planned for the previous year.

Overall, 2024 was a highly diverse and productive year for the Slovenian Emigrant Association. As noted by Jesih, many important projects were successfully seen through. Among the highlights was the organization of the Welcome Home event in Celje. Planned projects saw the light of day, and several book presentations and exhibitions took place. At the end of the year, the Association also paid a visit to Slovenians living in Germany, who at the time were holding a conference.

SLOVENIAN WONDERS

Chocolate Festival: Less is more, but only if it is high-quality

On 12 and 13 April 2025, the town of Radovljica hosted the Chocolate Festival. Marked by sunny weather, the festival offered various activity and a rich assortment of chocolate products.

This year, 22 chocolate producers presented their offer, which ranged from handmade chocolate pralines and chocolate-coated nuts to chocolate bars, drops, fountains, spreads, and other products.  With Easter just behind the corner, there were also plenty of chocolate rabbits and chocolate eggs of various shapes and sizes. The Chocolate Festival is not reserved for locals only. Aside from visitors from all over of Slovenia, the event was also attended by foreigners, mostly from the Austrian Carinthia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary. The diverse accompanying program at this year’s festival also included the launch of a new product – chocolate filled with Slovenian honey.

SLOVENIAN LANDSCAPE

Slovenia in April: Election campaign starting one year ahead of the election

Although the parliamentary election will not take place for another year, it feels like it is happening next month. A political rollercoaster has started, and with it the counting of votes!

Nevertheless, a referendum on artist pensions is scheduled on 11 May 2025. The proposed act has been met with a wave of critics and accusations, comprising deceptions and various false claims that the act is bringing a privilege for a select few while other pensioners will suffer due to smaller pensions. While most of these claims are false, those defending the referendum say that this referendum will also determine the fate of Robert Golob’s government. The election campaign is accordingly fierce, and the main protagonists are preparing not only for a fight – they are ready for slaughter as pointed out by an opponent of the act.

In parallel, the coalition has made a breakthrough in the adoption of the pension act. As is to be expected, this comes with the encroaching of certain rights, creating an inevitable opportunity for confrontation – yet we find it hard to believe that any other government could have done any differently.

One year ahead of the election, political forces are thus still tied, with the right wing holding a slight advantage. Yet, the smaller parties will determine which way the balance will tip. The year ahead will certainly be interesting.

Kristijan Radikovič