Ban Ki-Moon Visits Slovenia page 4 > NEWSLETTER JULY 20, 2012, VOLUME 8, NUMBER 29

Transcription

1 Slovenefest XXI page 2 > Ban Ki-Moon Visits Slovenia page 4 > Bled Stategic Forum 2012 page 7 > Students from Slovenia Participate in the U.S. Youth Leadership Program Within the Youth Leadership Program, the Meridian International Center in cooperation with the U.S. Department of State s Bureau for Educational and Cultural Affairs, and Central European partners, recruited a total of 48 students and their adult mentor participants for the summer 2012 program to work collaboratively NEWSLETTER JULY 20, 2012, VOLUME 8, NUMBER 29 Program participants from Slovenia with Embassy representatiives at Meridian House. towards developing the next generation of young leaders. The three-week program s focus is to bring together young leaders and adult participants from Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United States to build cultural bridges, learn about leadership skills, and, moreover, to take back to their local communities the experiences in the form of a community project. The program began with participants traveling to Washington for an overview of U.S. history, politics and culture. In the fi rst few days, the group visited Meridian House in Washington, where they started the course of their activities, such as a briefi ng on the U.S. government, meeting with nongovernmental organizations representatives, learning on communication skills, and attending a lecture by an advisor of U.S. senator Kay Hagan. Embassy of Slovenia 2410 California Street, NW Washington, D.C , USA T: E: vwa@gov.si washington.embassy.si twitter.com/sloembassyusa facebook.com/sloembassyusa

2 On Friday, July 13, the group met with the representatives of each of participating countries embassy. For the Embassy of Slovenia, the 11 Slovenian students and two adults were addressed by Mr. Andrej Medica, Political Counselor, who tried to answer inquisitive questions of the students on the embassy s range of activities. From Washington, the students split into groups to travel to Raleigh, NC, Kansas City, MO, or Burlington, VT, to focus on their choice of important global Slovenefest 2012 Slovenefest once again provided a homecoming for thousands of visitors from at least 20 U.S. states, Canada, Slovenia and beyond--as Slovenska Narodna Podporna Jednota (SNPJ, ) offered its 31st celebration of Slovenian culture at the SNPJ Recreation Center July For three days and two nights, Slovenian melodies fl oated through Western Pennsylvania hills near Enon Valley, while festival participants enjoyed ethnic and carnival foods, Lasko Pivo and -- new in Slovenian wines. As travelers descended on the area for Slovenefest, local hotels fi lled to capacity. Charter buses carried passengers from as far away as Ontario. For some, this was their fi rst Slovenefest, but others were present who have attended all 31! Sometimes referred to as Polka Woodstock, Slovenefest is known as the largest event of its kind in North America. Five venues featured local button-box clubs, polka bands, and cultural gems Ansambel issues including environmental awareness, underserved youth, and international hunger relief. The participants were there welcomed into the homes of their American counterparts and take part in leadership workshops and cultural activities. Site visits to local non-governmental organizations such as, for example, Stop Hunger Now, provided the students with lessons on best practices and advice how to start grassroots programs of their own. Throughout the program, American and European participants developed well crafted Dvojčki (Cleveland) and Murski Val (Ontario). In all, 25 different bands played at the Slovenefest. While some attendees listened and visited with family and friends, others danced the days and nights away. Even a polka mass, with the liturgy set to beloved polka and waltz tunes, was offered on Sunday morning. JULY 20, 2012, PAGE 2 Action Plans to implement long-term collaborative projects addressing specifi c community needs. These needs may include community literacy, environmental awareness, voter awareness, political organizing, and minority rights. All European participants will reunite in Chicago to participate in closing workshops and a fi nal closing ceremony where they will present their action plans, which they would try to apply to their projects in their home communities. (Vid Leskovar, Ana Rozman, Katja Tomšič) EVENTS Children and youth enjoyed the music and food, but found plenty more to do at Slovenefest. They swam in the beautiful SNPJ Recreation Center pool, fi shed in the replica of Lake Bled, rode a trackless train, made crafts, played on the sprawling playground, jumped in the bounce house, played miniature golf and Charter buses.

3 were entertained by a balloon artist. During the Slovenefest, the Pennsylvania premiere of the Slovenia-USA Traveling Art Exhibition took place in the SNPJ Slovenian Heritage Center. To celebrate this wonderful six-artist art show, the Heritage Center skyped with featured artist Gorazd Jordan of Maribor. Visitors talked and laughed with Gorazd for two hours, discussing art, life in Slovenia, Gorazd s hobbies and current events. Two of the other fi ve artists featured in the exhibit visited in person, Lynn C. Miller and Toni Rash. Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland, Jurček Žmauc, greeted festival Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia Jure Zmauc is joined with Miss SNPJ 2012 Danielle Brand and the 2013 Miss SNPJ Pageant Contestants during Slovenefest XXXI. SNPJ National President Joseph Evanish referred to it as a fountain of youth. If you have never been to this gathering of Slovenians, Frank Koren, age 98 dancing with his grandaughter Amy during Slovenefest. Dancing to The Klancnik and Friends Band. attendees and gave an address at the crowning of the 56th Miss SNPJ. The Scholarship Pageant has become a Slovenefest favorite with its talent competition and thoughtful presentations made by young women from across the United States. This year s winner was Kristen Cushman from Strabane, Pennsylvania. Consul General Žmauc called Slovenefest the largest Slovenian festival in the States. JULY 20, 2012, PAGE 3 Slovenian-Americans, Slovenian- Canadians and Slovenian friends in Pennsylvania, plan to join in the fun at Slovenefest XXXII, July 12-14, 2013, to rediscover and celebrate your Slovenian heritage, make new friends, and fi nd out what draws so many visitors from across North America to the SNPJ Recreation Center every July! For more information about Slovenefest, visit Slovenian-Culture/Slovenefest To view a brief video news report of the 2012 Slovenefest, visit The SNPJ, SNPJ Recreation Center, and SNPJ Slovenian Heritage Center also invite you to follow them on Facebook. (Joseph Kumer) Students from Slovenia visiting Slovenefest hosted by Tom and Marge Luzar of Cleveland, with SNPJ National President Joseph Evanish.

4 United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon arrived to Slovenia Thursday, July 19 evening, starting his tour of the Balkan region. During his second visit to the country as UN secretary general, Ban met President Danilo Türk, Prime Minister Janez Janša and parliamentary Speaker Gregor Virant. His talks focused among other things on the situation in the Western Balkans, the conditions in Syria and other hot spots around the world. Talks also revolved around other security and political issues, as well as environment- and development-related topics. The UN secretary general also addressed the National Assembly while in Slovenia listing Slovenia s most important contributions to the international community and the tasks awaiting the country. One of them is the effort for reconciliation and stability in the region of former Yugoslavia. Slovenia s position has been different from those of other countries in the former Yugoslavia from the start, being fortunate to be largely spared the most brutal experiences of war, while it had a responsibility to help others who were affected, Ban said, referring to its hosting of refugees and demining efforts. There are other mines that could explode with pressure. We have to de-activate underlying tensions and distrust through dialogue and reconciliation, Ban said, expressing gratefulness to Slovenia for promoting these goals in the region and for lending its expertise to the countries seeking to join the EU. The secretary general also JULY 20, 2012, PAGE 4 POLITICS UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon Visits Slovenia UN Secretary Genera with Prime Minister Janez Janša. (Source: UKOM) UN Secretary Genera meeting President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr. Danilo Türk. made references to Slovenia s participation in UN peacekeeping missions in the world, involvement in mine clearing and in the Alliance of Civilizations. He also lauded Slovenia s contribution as member of the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council, as well as its advancement of women s rights. Describing Slovenia as a small but crucially important country with a long and proud history of looking outward, Ban said that Slovenia s national anthem, A Toast, was a call for global citizenship, a world where no war, no strife shall hold its sway...a world where all people live free as neighbors. Ban visited Slovenia as secretary general for the first time in early 2008, just after the country took over the presidency of the EU as the first new member to preside the bloc. For the second time he is visiting the region at a time when both Slovenia and Croatia are celebrating 20 years since joining the UN. Ban left Slovenia on Friday for Croatia and later continued the trip in Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

5 Portorož, Lucija, and Sečovlje Saltpans Portorož is one of the most beautiful Slovenian coastal towns, with the longest tourist tradition. Named after the church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Portorož has been known as a health resort since the 13th century, when the healing features of seawater and sea mud were discovered by monks, and their tradition has been kept alive by all town rulers from the Venetians to the Habsburg emperors, as well as the French. At the end of the 19th century, a shareholder s company was established, which built a health and spa resort. Gifts of nature were complemented with the magnifi cent architecture of the Palace hotel, the gorgeous spot on the glamorous Portorož promenade. In 1975, the Palace Hotel acquired its natural health resort status. The Kempinski Palace hotel was revived in 2008, uniting the famous oldfashioned exterior with modern facilities. Today, Portorož is a popular place for business as well as for relaxation and entertainment. Numerous hotels, a marina, an airport, casinos, wellness centers and various events are attractive features of the Port of Roses, also known as an important congress center. The hotels provide all necessary facilities The Palace Hotel in Portorož. JULY 20, 2012, PAGE 5 TOURISM Portorož. for different kinds of events; seminars and experts, educational, cultural and sports meetings. Portorož is also home of the Grand Casino Portorož, established as early as The casino, with the longest tradition in Slovenia, also offers various forms of entertainment, from concerts and fashion shows to exhibitions. The distinct attribute of this casino is its salon privé, the place known to all top-ranking players in Europe. In the immediate vicinity of Portorož is located a small town: Lucija. In recent years, Lucija has become a lively shopping, business, trade and partly even tourist center. New residential buildings, a modern shopping center, a central bus station and a trade zone have grown in the recent few years. Lucija also is well known as one of the oldest ports in Europe. Marina Portorož located on

6 the old Lucija s saltpans is now a modern marina with moorings for over 1000 boats. Tourists looking for more active vacations can pick the Lucija camp at cape Seča. Seča, noted for Forma viva, an outdoor sculpture exhibition, has been recognized as an important part of its natural heritage. Little further down the coast are the unique Sečovlje saltpans. The original wetlands at the mouth of the Dragonja river were transformed into salt pans already in the Middle Ages. Their true peculiarity is the unique procedure of salt-making, which has remained nearly unchanged for over 700 years. The saltworks as an economic activity is still carried on on approximately 1630 acres of operational saltpans. In the area of the old, abandoned saltworks, there is the Saltpans Museum, which shows the gradual development of the saltpans, as well as the way of life of the salt workers during the centuries up to the present. In addition, the salty environment is home to some rare and endangered plant and animal species. The Sečovlje Sečovlje Saltpans. saltpans have been granted the status of a nature park and cultural monument of national importance. They have also been placed on the list of the wetlands of international signifi cance under the Ramsar Convention. The natural and cultural heritage within the Sečovlje Salina Nature Park is protected and permanently preserved by Soline, Pridelava soli d.o.o. (Salt Production Co. Ltd.). By paying regard to various natural processes in the area, the company, which still produces salt in the old traditional manner, thus provides for its sustainable development, The basic activity of Soline, Pridelava soli, generally known as Piran saltpans, is highprofi le natural production of salt and other saltpan products such as salty chocolate, cosmetics, and spa products in the area of Sečovlje Salina Nature Park. Its products are also available in the U.S. at: www. slovenianpremiumwines.com. Going through July s edition of the Travel+Leisure magazine, one can come upon an article presenting Slovenia and its beauties. In it, its author Scott Spencer recounts his experiences while traveling around Slovenia and getting in touch with its people and local particularities. If the author can be believed,»eventually this allbut-unknown country, with it s medieval villages, onion-some spires, idealistic love of the arts and vigorous wines will no longer be hidden in plain sight.«in the ten-page article,»secret Slovenia«, the reader can fi nd an introduction to the enormously rich Slovenian touristic offer, presenting a few cities and their pulse, JULY 20, 2012, PAGE 6 TOURISM»Secret Slovenia«in the Travel+Leisure Magazine together with some of the historical facts. The author tells the story of his journey through Slovenian cities and villages, and offers numerous color photographs to illustrate his viewpoint. In Ljubljana, he walks around the many squares, specially admiring the Old Square, and hikes up the Ljubljana Castle hill for

7 magnifi cent views of the serene city below. He then goes to Ptuj and, beside the city itself, enjoys an easy drive through the green countryside. He describes Bled as a»sundrenched town clustered around a brilliant blue lake, at the center of which is a fairytale island with a church, set upon in the summer months by boats bearing brides and their grooms.«his last stop is Piran, where he enjoys sitting at the waterfront promenade and watching the sunset and the people. The article, featuring a true compliment to Slovenia, is The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia is organizing, in partnership with the Centre for European Perspective, the Bled Strategic Forum. On September 2 and 3, the seventh edition of the forum will bring together statesmen, politicians, representatives of the economy and experts focusing on future strategic challenges to address the European fi nancial crisis and on ways to boost economic growth, on the Arab Spring, and developments in Central Asia and Afghanistan. On separate panels, the participants will discuss Europe and the reshaped world order, ways ahead in light of also accessible online and can be found at: com/articles/exploringslovenias-undiscoveredtowns Travel+Leisure is a travel magazine, published 12 times a year and having a total of 4.8 million readers. The circulation of July s edition is 950,000 and is read by active travelers who are planning both pleasure and business trips. Front page of the magazine. Bled Strategic Forum 2012 the current economic crisis, the advantages of cooperation between Europe and China in stimulating economic growth, the challenges brought about by the Arab Spring, the events in Central Asia and Afghanistan after 2014, and Europe s pull in the southeast of the continent. The entire spectrum of topics is built on the forum s established combination of regional and global matters. The Bled Strategic Forum will be launched by the Young BSF, a platform for aspiring students and promising young experts from the diplomatic and academic domains, to discuss youth unemployment, shifts in the Mediterranean after the Arab Spring and the new approach of the European Union to its southern neighbors. A new addition to this year s event will be the Business Forum, to be held in cooperation with the Bled School of Management. Sustainable development and the current JULY 20, 2012, PAGE 7 POLITICS challenges as seen through the eyes of Europe s hidden champions will be at the heart of the discussion. This year s international conference will be proud to welcome the prime ministers of the Czech Republic, Albania, and Kosovo, respectively, Petr Nečas, Sali Berisha, and Hashim Thaçi. Participation has also been confi rmed by the foreign ministers of Slovakia, Jordan, Macedonia, Montenegro, the Palestinian Authority, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary- General for Afghanistan Ján Kubiš, E.U. Special Representative for Central Asia Pierre Morel, and President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Suma Chakrabarti, as well as many representatives of other international organizations, the economic and academic spheres, and countries worldwide.

8 Jubilee Lace-Making Days in Železniki The 50th Lace-Making Days were launched on Thursday, July 19 in the northwestern Slovenian town of Železniki,with the opening of an extensive exhibition of lace and bobbin masterpieces. The main event of the festival is Sunday s competition for the Gold Lace prize. One of the oldest tourist events in Slovenia, the Lace- Making Days presents the art form of lace and keeping the tradition of lace-making alive. This year s exhibition is a rich collection of lace-work made by lace-makers from Železniki and gathered from all over Slovenia. Železniki and its surroundings, known as the Selška dolina valley, are home to around 100 lace-makers, who continue the tradition dating to the area s mining and steelmaking days going as far back as the 14th century. In order to preserve the tradition, local lace-makers hold meetings and courses, and even run a lacemaking school, in which some 100 primary school pupils are enrolled. Beside Železniki, TO DO LIST Discover Enchanting Slovenia Those of you who love to enrich your knowledge or the knowledge of your children and grandchildren, or at one point decide to visit Slovenia, will appreciate this 30-minute DVD. This film by Zoya D. Pinto will introduce you to the most interesting places in Slovenia, which has a long history, great architecture, art, and a breathtaking natural beauty. Order DVDs not only for yourself, your children and grandchildren, but especially for your American friends and thus help promote tourism of our native country. More information and request for order form: zdpinto@yahoo.com Clearly fi lled DVD order form must be sent to: ZD Productions, 51 Village Circle, San Rafael, CA Promo links available at: Sensorial Perspectives - Boris Selan Exhibition New York 2012 The exhibition features Slovenian artist Boris Selan. When: July 7 - July 27, 2012 Where: Agora Gallery, 530 West 25th Street, New York, NY More information: Agora-Gallery.com or CULTURE lace-making is also prominent in another northwestern Slovenian town, Idrija, where it emerged during the mercury mining boom in the 16th century. (Source: STA) Luka Gregorc vs. The Washington Kastles The Washington Kastles, D.C. s professional tennis team, will test its strength against the Philadelphia Freedoms of World Team. Slovenian Luka Gregorc will play as a member of the Philadelphia team. In 2009, Luka became the fi rst Slovenian to qualify at Grand Slam, when he won three matches to reach the main draw at Wimbledon. When: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Where: Kastles Stadium at the Wharf on the Southwest Waterfront, 800 Water St. SW, Washington, DC, More information: The weekly Embassy Newsletter, produced by the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington, is available on: Send us your comments or request for a subscription on: vwa@gov.si, Editor: Nuška Zakrajšek JULY 20, 2012, PAGE 8