July 1, 2011, the centre of Ljubljana, streets and the main city square are filled with stands of various Slovenian associations and organizations, filled with products of original cuisine, handiwork and other diverse things, seasoned with music, folklore and theatre groups preserving Slovenian culture outside their motherland.
On its own stand, the Association of Slovenians "Triglav" Banja Luka presented geographical and ethnological image of Slovenia. We wanted to show that we, who live outside the borders, have not forgotten how beautiful and special our motherland is and how deep feelings it continues to stirs up in us. On the stand we also presented the monograph "From Ancestors to Descendants" and the catalogue from the exhibition of photographs "Images of two cities" Ljubljana – Banja Luka.
Our instrumental group and vocal soloist had a half-an-hour concert at the Pogačar’s Square. They performed songs of local and foreign authors.
It was an encounter with our relatives from all over the world who, despite numerous kilometres separating us, wish to preserve Slovenian culture and language.
We were happy on the 1st of July 2011. We would like to extend our gratitude to all those who prepared the event "Dobrodošli doma" (Welcome Home) and hope that our future gatherings will be as successful.
Our instrumental group and vocal soloist had a half-an-hour concert at the Pogačar’s Square. They performed songs of local and foreign authors.
It was an encounter with our relatives from all over the world who, despite numerous kilometres separating us, wish to preserve Slovenian culture and language.
We were happy on the 1st of July 2011. We would like to extend our gratitude to all those who prepared the event "Dobrodošli doma" (Welcome Home) and hope that our future gatherings will be as successful.
On the roads of Štajerska and at Kozjansko, July2
On the second day of our visit to Slovenia we headed towards Štajerska and Kozjansko upon the proposal of Nina Gradič, teacher at the Supply Teaching Lessons of Slovenian in our Association in Banja Luka.
The first stop – Trojane – we had to taste the doughnuts of Trojane, then we had to greet Kum, the highest mountain in Zasavje, to which there is a beautiful view from Trojane, whereupon we continued out journey. We admired tidy places, well kept fields full of hop plant. It was the first time for some of us to see hop as a plant.
The second stop – Celje – a short walk in the city and taking some time to stop at the statue of the worldwide traveller Alma Karlin. The story about her made us interested in seeing as much as possible, in seeing everything! We visited the fortress of Celje. At the entrance we were greeted by knights from the Middle Ages, whereas some of our ladies took the chance to be photographed with the heroes dressed in armour. There are many stories about the old middle ages fortress, lords, malicious women and lovers. Nina told us some historical facts. Weather served us well and we were able to see the entire city of Celje and its surroundings from the high walls of the fortress. We had to leave the romantic place and head towards Šentjur. Šentjur is a municipality with a few inhabitants but a lot of museum collections. One of the most significant is the house of the Ipavec family. Many future doctors with a gift for music were born therein. Poems written and redone by the Ipavec family continue to be sang nowadays representing the pride of Slovenians.
The first stop – Trojane – we had to taste the doughnuts of Trojane, then we had to greet Kum, the highest mountain in Zasavje, to which there is a beautiful view from Trojane, whereupon we continued out journey. We admired tidy places, well kept fields full of hop plant. It was the first time for some of us to see hop as a plant.
The second stop – Celje – a short walk in the city and taking some time to stop at the statue of the worldwide traveller Alma Karlin. The story about her made us interested in seeing as much as possible, in seeing everything! We visited the fortress of Celje. At the entrance we were greeted by knights from the Middle Ages, whereas some of our ladies took the chance to be photographed with the heroes dressed in armour. There are many stories about the old middle ages fortress, lords, malicious women and lovers. Nina told us some historical facts. Weather served us well and we were able to see the entire city of Celje and its surroundings from the high walls of the fortress. We had to leave the romantic place and head towards Šentjur. Šentjur is a municipality with a few inhabitants but a lot of museum collections. One of the most significant is the house of the Ipavec family. Many future doctors with a gift for music were born therein. Poems written and redone by the Ipavec family continue to be sang nowadays representing the pride of Slovenians.
We travelled through the times of the Ipavec family and arrived to the old pharmacy at Olimje pri Podčetrtku.
"There is a medicinal herb growing in the nature for each disease". The second oldest pharmacy in Europe is located near the monastery, with planting of many medicinal herbs and scented plants whose smell spreads wide. Podčetrtek, "atomic spa" is known by healthy thermal water and is a well known resort. The characteristic of that small place is their excellent chocolate made by a special recipe and produced in a private chocolate factory.
We saw so many beautiful things and learned new facts and then made a picnic at the Sljivniško Lake and all that in one day. We simply did not feel tired at all.
It seems that the worldwide traveller Alma Karlinova and our Nina incited the desire to see everything those two had already seen at different times, while we saw that on July 2, 2011.
fotogalerija "There is a medicinal herb growing in the nature for each disease". The second oldest pharmacy in Europe is located near the monastery, with planting of many medicinal herbs and scented plants whose smell spreads wide. Podčetrtek, "atomic spa" is known by healthy thermal water and is a well known resort. The characteristic of that small place is their excellent chocolate made by a special recipe and produced in a private chocolate factory.
We saw so many beautiful things and learned new facts and then made a picnic at the Sljivniško Lake and all that in one day. We simply did not feel tired at all.
It seems that the worldwide traveller Alma Karlinova and our Nina incited the desire to see everything those two had already seen at different times, while we saw that on July 2, 2011.