Whether we will perform at the "Welcome Home" event was a question that the members of the choir asked themselves and "Triglav" since the beginning of the year. We diligently practiced at rehearsals, performed at local performances, participated in the work of the Association and at the end refreshed the choir dresses with new tulle sleeves, matching beads and waited impatiently. As the Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Matej Arčon, said, "Welcome home gives a sense of belonging, connection and recognition to those who live outside the borders of the Republic of Slovenia, and still feel Slovenia as their home. It connects generations, strengthens language, culture, memories - everything that makes up identity".
And finally the news: We will go... joy, last rehearsal before departure, selection of songs for the performance, passport check...
We left on Friday, June 20, 2025, in the morning with the unpleasant news that choir member Nada had injured her leg and could not go with us. The bus was comfortable and, despite the high temperature, we traveled without any problems to the first break in Slovenia, the Anja restaurant in the Vipava Valley, where a rich, tasty, home-cooked lunch awaited us.
We continued towards Ajdovščina, a small town 20 km east of Gorica in the Vipava Valley. There we are welcomed by friendly hosts, representatives of Female Choir "Večernica" from the Association of Pensioners Ajdovščina and the Association of Disabled People Ajdovščina-Vipava. In the building of the National University in Ajdovščina, the host “Večernice” sang first and then the Mixed Choir “Davorin Jenko”. Despite the great heat, the performance and socializing were successfully carried out to mutual satisfaction. This strengthened the relationship established during their visit to Banja Luka.
Tired but full of impressions, we continued our journey to Gorica and Mount Sveta Gora where we were staying. A narrow, seemingly dangerous winding road leads to the top of Mount Sveta Gora (683 m above sea level). The view from the bus into the abyss causes a sigh of fear, but also of delight from the beauty of the Soča canyon, the Soča Bridge (to this day the largest stone bridge in the world) and the green slopes of the Goriška Hills. The driver Milan successfully drove us to the top where a much-needed rest awaited us.
On Saturday, we visited two cities: Gorizia, in Italy, and Nova Gorica in Slovenia, two opposites, two countries, which, with the abolition of the border, complement each other culturally. Both cities were declared European Capital of Culture for 2025.
At 4 pm we performed in Nova Gorica as part of the week of culture lovers, together with choirs from Nova Gorica who sang under the conductorship of Bogdan Brecelj. We sang three songs: Gorenjska zdravica, Lepa Nera, Po jezeru, and then the square was lit up with the joint song "Dajte, dajte".
That same evening, the song echoed throughout Kromberk, as part of a cultural program called "Local Holiday" organized by the Slovenians from Kromberk. Our choir performed 3 songs and together with the "Kromberški vodopivci" we sang "Zdravica". The performance of the quartet "Bršljan", the vocal group "Bisernice" and children from the kindergarten "Čriček" was complemented by a concertina performance by a children's group from Kromberk. The party continued with a performance by the ZOO BEND group, which we unfortunately had to leave. Another ride along the serpentines to Mount Sveta Gora awaited us. With the sounds of music in us, we continued our socializing on the terrace of the Center Mir in Dobro, where we were staying. With songs and wine, we watched from the terrace on one side and the lookout on the other, the sea, the Vipava Valley, the Julian Alps with Triglav, the proud Krn and the Dolomites.
After a Sunday swim in the Italian town of Monfalcone, we attended the Central Event "Welcome Home" on Bevk Square in Nova Gorica. We were part of a big event, a gathering of Slovenians from abroad and Slovenia. We met many acquaintances from previous gatherings, and at the end we enjoyed the sounds of waltzes and polkas by the Saša Avsenik ensemble.
After breakfast on Monday, we took the last photos on Mount Sveta Gora and the bus left for Banja Luka. Of course, the experience would not be complete if we had not stopped in Novo Mesto below Trška Gora, where Branka Bukovec welcomed us with a traditional lunch.
In the evening, we happily arrived in Banja Luka full of unique impressions from the trip from the Welcome Home 2025 event.
Olga Suvajac
