Good wine, sounds of accordion, polka and good fun encouraged smiles on faces and happiness in the hearts of over 500 Slovenians, their descendants and friends who gathered at the Jadranka restaurant in Banja Luka, on Friday, 16 November 2008.
The St. Martin’s Day is an old Slovenian folk holiday which marks the end of works in the fields and the baptising of “young wine”. Celebration of St. Martin’s Day /Martinovanje/ is traditionally linked with drinking, because on that day (11 November) must turns into wine, which means that the master has worked well and has had a successful year. We, in the Association Triglav, follow the tradition of celebrating Martinovanje, and on that occasion show everyone how successful we have been during that year. That is the opportunity to organise the biggest event of the Slovenians throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was a success this year as well.
There were approximately over five hundred Slovenians of Banja Luka, their descendants and friends at the tenth celebration of Martinovanje in Banja Luka. In addition to the members of our Association, this event was attended by numerous guests from Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In that way, Banja Luka hosted representatives of the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenians Abroad, Mrs. Natalija Toplak and Mr. Tadej Bojnec, as well as representatives of the Slovenian Emigrant Association, Mr. Sergij Pelhan and Mr. Janez Rogelj. On the occasion of Martinovanje, the Slovenian consul in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Gregor Presker, came to Banja Luka. Our invitation was accepted by deputy Mayor of Banja Luka, Mr. Jasmin Komić, as well as representatives of all national minorities of the Republic of Srpska and all Slovenian associations from Bosnia and Herzegovina. We also hosted our friends from the Voluntary Work Development Society Novo Mesto and the Youth Centre Herceg-Novi. Other learned guests were with us, not only from Slovenia but also from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The tenth Martinovanje was opened by our friends from the Folklore Ensemble Veselin Masleša from Banja Luka who, especially for our holiday, prepared a mixture of Slovenian folk dances and in that way surprised all the attendees. It was followed by an introductory speech by Mrs. Marija Grbić, president of our Association, and other eminent guests. Subsequently, our choir Davorin Jenko sang Vinska zdravljica /Toast to wine/. Naturally, we organised that “young wine” be baptised and it was done by a “priest” from Novo Mesto. A music group of Borut Antonič, who has successfully entertained Slovenians and all their friends eager for entertainment for several years already, took care of the good mood. In that way, in the good mood, with good wine and music we had good time and danced late into the night.
