At the Congress Square in Ljubljana on 5 July 2013 we could feel we were truly welcome.
Organiser, Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenians Abroad tried to make the gathering for Slovenians living abroad flawless.
This year, together with fellow-countrymen in addition to some senior members there were approximately 300 young people from Croatia, Hungary, Macedonia, Serbia, BiH, Italy and Argentina. Exactly those young people who are now networking with their fellow-countrymen will be a strong support to each other in accomplishing their goals and wishes. It was very nice to see so many young people who came to the beautiful Ljubljana to meet their fellow-countrymen and show at the central event Welcome Home that Slovenian song, dance and language are preserved where they come from, where their homeland is now.
The event started in the afternoon. Folklore, music and drama groups presented themselves. Young members of the Association of Slovenians “Triglav” Banja Luka, together with children folklore group Kres from Novo mesto danced Slovenian folk dances. It was wonderful watching and listening how young performers presented themselves without making a single mistake.
Central event started at exactly 21.00hrs. The first to welcome many people who had gathered at the Congress Square were young members of the Association of Slovenians “Triglav” Banja Luka. Together with children from folklore group Kres from Novo mesto they assisted musician Janez Dovč in performing a song »Tu smo doma«. This was followed by welcome speech by mayor of Ljubljana Mr. Zoran Janković and Minister for Slovenians Abroad Mrs. Tina Komel. Programme continued with performances by music groups with well-known singers of pop and opera music and in the end a song »Naj traja« was performed together by young members of the Association of Slovenians “Triglav” Banja Luka, children of folklore group Kres from Novo mesto, composer and artistic leader of the music part Janez Dovč, a successful artist Trkalj and Vesna Zornik.
The official and this time different, more modern central event was finished. We all truly felt at home.
Nataša Kajmaković
