On 18 November 2017, the Association »Triglav« observed the traditional holiday St. Martin.
That is the holiday we have observed since the very beginning of the establishing of the Association. In Slovenia, St. Martin's Day is primarily marked as a wine holiday. Until that day, must is treated as impure and sinful new wine, which transforms into the real wine with the blessing. Our pagan ascendants would thank to gods in autumn for good harvest and prayed at the same time for repeated abundance in the following year. We, Slovenians of Banjaluka, are also thankful for good results in this year, achieved with help of all those who were with us that evening, as well as of those who were not able to join us.
The Children Folklore Group of the Association »Triglav« performing a set of Slovenian dances started the programme. It was conducted by Pavle Ravnohrib who first invited a representative of the Association Ms. Ana Marjanović to welcome the attendees. It was followed by the speech by the head of Consular Office of the Slovenian Embassy in Banjaluka Mr. Marjan Ristič. After that, the attendees were greeted by Mr. Sergij Pelhan on behalf of Slovenian Migrant Association who donated books to the Association. This was followed by the custom of baptising the wine.
The official part of the programme was followed by entertaining part with music group Efekt that came together with representatives of the Association for Development of Voluntary Work Novo mesto.
Funds for the event were provided by Government of the Republic of Slovenia via the Office for Slovenians Abroad, Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Srpska, City of Banja Luka, as well as many friends of the Association via donations.
Ana Marjanović
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWSyakTc7Ig
On 3rd Programme of TV Slovenija – footage on Martinovanje, at approximately 21st minute.
http://4d.rtvslo.si/arhiv/tele-m/174504625
