The "Welcome home" event is a gathering of Slovenians and their descendants who live and work outside of Slovenia and is traditionally organized by the Republic of Slovenia every year in June. Our association proudly participates in this event every year, the central event of which this time was held on June 22, 2025 in Nova Gorica.
On that occasion, the Triglav Association stayed in Slovenia in the period 20-23 June 2025. On the first day, Friday, we left early to visit our first hosts, Female Choir Večernica, which operate within the Ajdovščina Pensioners Society and the Ajdovščina Disabled Society - Vipava. The hosts performed first, followed by our Mixed Choir "Davorin Jenko". Although it was quite warm, the hall was full, and after the performance we refreshed ourselves, had sweets, danced a little and mostly socialized with each other.
Then we headed to our accommodation on Mount Sveta Gora. The journey to the beautiful location is quite challenging, especially for the large bus that transported the members of the choir, folklore and the Executive Committee. However, the dexterous hands of our driver Milan brought us safely to Mount Sveta Gora, which we climbed a total of 5 times during our visit. Sveta Gora is known mainly among believers and locals. It is a well-known pilgrimage center above Nova Gorica, where believers come from all over Slovenia, as well as neighboring countries. At the top there is a church, several restaurants and a large parking lot. The view of Gorica and Nova Gorica as well as the hills above is incredible and worth every climb.
The next morning, on Saturday, in the company of guide Robert, we had an organized tour of Nova Gorica and Gorica. It was interesting to see and hear about the history of the creation of both places, one in Slovenia and the other in Italy, the life of the locals when there were borders and now when they don't exist. Both places won the title of European capital of culture for 2025, so a large number of events were organized in different locations. We also climbed to the fortress in Gorica, from where we had a beautiful view of the city.
After returning to Mount Sveta Gora and having lunch, we returned to Nova Gorica where the stage had been set up for performances as part of the Welcome Home event. At 4 pm, the program began, opened by the orchestra of Slovenians from Kakanj, followed by performances by Slovenians from Sarajevo, and then our folklore. Although it was a very warm day, the smiles remained on the faces of our young folklorists. After the performance, we also visited the stands where guests from different countries were presented, as well as the Office for Slovenians Worldwide. There was something for everyone, food and drinks, sweets, face painting, and photography with cute props. In the meantime, our choir had one performance in Nova Gorica as part of the Culture Week, and then another in Kromberk, at a celebration attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Robert Golob, with whom the President of the Triglav Association had the opportunity to meet.
The next morning we had an organized trip to the seaside - we were in Monfalcone and refreshed well. After lunch on Mount Sveta Gora, we went back to Bevk Square in Nova Gorica where the central event was held. Those present were greeted by the Minister for Slovenians Worldwide, Mr. Matej Arčon, who emphasized that Nova Gorica had never been as big and borderless as on that day. It was magnificent, with a brass band, an acrobatic group, performances by Slovenian associations from various countries, the time passed quickly. We met our friends from Slovenian associations from Belgrade, Smederevo, Tuzla, Zenica, Sarajevo, as well as representatives of the Slovenian Emigrants' Association, RTV Slovenia and others.
On Monday, 23 June 2025 we headed home, full of impressions and with batteries recharged. Our trip would not have been complete if we had not stopped by Branka Bukovec from the Association for the Development of Voluntary Work, who hosted us on the premises of the Center for Biotechnology and Tourism in Novo Mesto.
Meetings of this kind are dedicated not only to preserving the Slavic identity but also to getting to know each other and connecting, and participation in them is made possible with funding from the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenians Worldwide.
Ana Marjanović
