On Saturday, November 20, 2021, the Association Triglav organized the 22nd celebration of St. Martin's Day in Banja Luka.
This time we moved the celebration of St. Martin's Day outdoors, due to well-known epidemiological reasons. We decided to organise it in Slatina, a Slovenian village, where many Slovenian families moved in and brought their own customs but also accepted the customs of the local population. Transportation to Slatina was organised by a bus covered in inscriptions promoting Slovenia. The Ambassador of Slovenia to BiH, H.E. Damijan Sedar, drove to Slatina together with us. The official program started at 12.30 when participants and guests gathered. The Mixed Choir Davorin Jenko introduced the audience to the celebration of St. Martin's Day, performing two Slovenian songs under the conductorship of Mrs. Vanja Vještica Topić. Programme presenter Mr. Dušan Tomažič first invited Ana Marjanović, a member of the Executive Board of the Association, to greet those present. After that, the guests were addressed by Mr. Miroslav Bojić, Mayor of Laktaši, then the Mayor of Banja Luka, Mr. Draško Stanivuković and H.E. Damijan Sedar.
The guests were also greeted by the members of the Children's Folklore Group, who, together with their choreographer Predrag Savić, prepared a mixture of Slovenian and Serbian dances. In the end, Peter Kirič and winegrower Miran Trop performed the "baptism of wine" in an interesting and humorous way, which turned the must into young wine.
After the official part of the programme, all those present were entertained by the ensemble Efekt from Novo Mesto. This was another opportunity to mark a Slovenian custom, and for the Slovenians of Banja Luka to thank all those who have been with us not only this year, but also all these years, and at the same time to relax and have some fun. The organisation of this celebration was made possible by the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenians from Abroad, the Ministry of Education and Culture of the RS, the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH, and of course the City of Banja Luka. As it is almost the end of the year and it is time to gather impressions, we expressed our gratitude to the Institute for Education of the Republic of Slovenia, Slovenian Emigrant Association and our long-time project partner Association for the Development of Voluntary Work Novo Mesto, led by Ms. Branka Bukovec who was also with us at the celebration of St. Martin's Day.
Ana Marjanović
