eNEWSLETTER EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA IN TEL AVIV February 2015

HAPPENING NOW Valentine's Day was well worth celebrating in Ljubljana On February 14, the Shrovetide carnival parade again filled the streets of Ljubljana. The Traditional Slovenian carnival figures appeared including the biggest dragon ever, the magical creature which is the Capital's mascot. Adults and kids loved it!

The "Kurent" of Ptujsko polje - probably the best known Slovenian traditional masks (Photo: Dunja Wedam)

Slovenian Shrovetide tradition, dating back to ancient pagan times, is very distinctive and interesting (Photo: Dunja Wedam)

Source: www.facebook/visitljubljana

BUSINESS

Economy Expands by 2.6% in 2014 The Official Statistics Bureau of Slovenia released officially GDP data for 2014. Slovenia's economy expanded by 2.6% in real terms last year, the first full year of growth since 2011, as the annual rate of economic expansion stood at 2.4% in the final quarter. The growth was powered predominantly by a vibrant export sector, which saw Slovenia foreign trade expand by 6.3%. Domestic consumption picked up also, albeit at subdued pace of 0.8%, boosted by 3.1% rise in gross capital formation. Source: www.sta.si Fairs in Slovenia 2015 FAIR FIELD DATE Organizers: Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre, http://www.gr-sejem.si Celjski sejem d.d. http://www.ce-sejem.si Pomurski sejem d.d., http://www.pomurski-sejem.si

HOME FAIR http://www.gr-sejem.si

54th international fair of offers for the home, building trade, doors and windows, heating

10 – 15 March 2015

and cooling engineering, interior fittings, security and landscaping.

20th FLORA SHOW http://www.ce-sejem.si

International Gardening, Floristry and Landscape Architecture Show.

13 – 15 March 2015

14th WEDDING SHOW http://www.ce-sejem.si

Wedding Show features a wide range of wedding products and services for the most beautiful day in one's life in one place.

13 – 15 March 2015

11th ALTERMED http://www.ce-sejem.si

A show promoting Healthy Living, Alternative and Herbal Medicine, Healthy Nutrition, Natural Cosmetics and Eco-friendly Dwelling

13 – 15 March 2015

38th APISLOVENIA http://www.ce-sejem.si

Beekeeping equipment, supplies and materials, honey and honeybee products

14 - 15 March 2015

CONSTRUCTION, ENERGETICS, MUNICIPAL SERVICES AND TRADE MEGRA International Construction Fair ENGRA International Energy Fair KOGRA International Fair for Municipal Services, Landscaping and Ecology POS Pomurje Craft- Business Fair http://www.pomurski-sejem.si

The Spring Fair builds with you the Construction Fair MEGRA, the Energy Fair ENGRA, the Fair of Municipal Services, Landscaping and Ecology KOGRA, and in the year 2013 for the first time the Pomurje Craft-Business Fair POS.

26 – 29 March 2015

GREEN http://www.pomurski-sejem.si

International Fair of sustainable technologies and green lifestyle

26 – 29 March 2015

INTERNATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING FAIR LOV http://www.pomurski-sejem.si

9th International Hunting and Fishing Fair

17 – 19 April 2015

NATURO http://www.pomurski-sejem.si

3rd International Fair for Outdoor activities and Recreation

17 – 19 April 2015

13th FORMA TOOL http://www.ce-sejem.si

Tools, tooling, machines 21 – 24 April 2015

11th PLAGKEM http://www.ce-sejem.si

Plastics, rubber, chemistry 21 – 24 April 2015

7th GRAF&PACK Graphics, paper, machines, 21 – 24 April

http://www.ce-sejem.si packaging, packing 2015

6th WELDING & FOUNDRY http://www.ce-sejem.si

Everything for welding and cutting, foundry machines, equipment, materials

21 – 24 April 2015

WORLD EXHIBITION 1001 INVENTIONS http://www.gr-sejem.si

Exhibition for all generations which highlights a thousand years of scientific and cultural achievements during the Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation.

2 April – 2 July 2015

EOS – CRAFT AND SMALL BUSINESS FAIR http://www.gr-sejem.si

Products and services of the Slovenian Craft and small business, new technologies and innovations.

13 – 16 May 2015

VINO LJUBLJANA INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION http://www.gr-sejem.si

57th International Wine Competition

29 – 31 May 2015

AGRA http://www.pomurski-sejem.si/index.php/en/agra/about-agra-fair

53rd International Fair of Agriculture and Food Leading event in agriculture and food industry in Slovenia and broader region

22 – 27 August 2015

48th MOS, International Trade and Business Fair http://www.ce-sejem.si

The largest trade show and business event in the region - complete offer of small and medium-sized companies - new trends, special deals, discounts and discussions about the latest business opportunities.

8 – 13 September 2015

10TH OTROŠKI BAZAR LJUBLJANA, FAMILY FAIR EVENT http://www.gr-sejem.si

The biggest family fair in Slovenia presents a rich offer of playgrounds, toys, sports and school equipment for children, family tourism, furniture, accompanied with cultural and educational programme.

17 – 20 September 2015

VINO LJUBLJANA INTERNATIONAL WINE FAIR http://www.gr-sejem.si

51st International Wine Fair 15 – 17 October 2015

ŠTUDENTSKA ARENA, EDUCATIONAL AND FAIR EVENT FOR THE YOUNG http://www.gr-sejem.si

Študentska arena comprehends a rich educational programme and fair area, presenting the young different education programs, employment opportunities, sports, fun, travelling, finances, etc.

20 – 22 October 2015

SLOMED http://www.pomurski-sejem.si

International fair of modern and ethical health care

23 – 25 October 2015

NATURE-HEALTH FAIR http://www.gr-sejem.si

46th Fair offering products, activities and ideas for healthy living.

5 – 8 November 2015

AMBIENT LJUBLJANA – FURNITURE FAIR http://www.gr-sejem.si

26th Furniture Fair. 17 – 22 November 2015

TOURISM Slovenian Ski Resorts Until now the winter has not been so severe, but almost all Slovenian ski resorts are open and working. Ski resort operators are this year offering visitors plenty of diverse activities.

Krajnska Gora

In order to bring variety to winter sports activities, a range of different events and entertainments are being organized. Slovenian ski resorts increasingly focus on family skiing, offering kindergartens, amusements for children and parents, and similar activities. The skiing season started very early in Slovenia this winter. To the delight of many lovers of winter recreation, diligent ski workers on Vogel prepared three slopes, enabling skiing to the most avid enthusiasts already in mid-November. It should be mentioned that no artificial snow is made on Vogel and skiing takes place on natural snow only. The second additional feature of the offer is the Active Slovenia project for active spending of free time. You can choose between individual, family and 6-day cards. The Association of Slovenian Ski Lift Operators and the Chamber of Mountain Centres have made skiing possible in almost all Slovenian ski resorts with a uniform seasonal Active Slovenia ski card. At the World Ski Awards in Kitzbühl at the end of November 2014, the Kranjska Gora ski resort and the Ramada Resort Kranjska Gora Hotel received international awards for the best Slovenian Ski Resort and the best Slovenian Ski Hotel. The prestigious World Ski Awards are considered as ski or tourist Oscars. The award is a great encouragement for further work at the Kranjska Gora ski resort and great responsibility for the realization of further development projects, which include the construction of a cable car between the top of Vitranc and the valley. The Ramada Resort Kranjska Gora Hotel also received the award for the best Slovenian Ski Hotel for the second consecutive year.

Rogla skiing resort

Let's Snowkite Snow, wind and winter are conditions which have recently made snowkiting a popular, safe and fun winter sport in Slovenia suitable for everyone. It is a mixture of waterkiting, skiing and boarding. And what is most encouraging, with some skill it can be learned quite fast. Although, a smaller so-called trainer kite is most suitable and safest for beginners, it is still possible to feel the unpredictability of the wind. Especially because the direction and wind speed are constantly changing. But that is nature and that is also the beauty of activities in nature. With some prior knowledge of skiing or boarding, managing the kite can be learned in a day or two.

The main criteria for selecting the terrain are suitable wind and a sufficient quantity of snow. Strong wind is not necessary for snowkiting; about 15 km/h is enough. It is particularly important for beginners who are not fully capable of maneuvering the kite yet that the wind is not too weak or too strong so they can ensure their own safety. Source: www.slovenia.si Outstanding performances by Slovenia’s winter sports athletes Slovenian ski-jumpers have been at their best this season The Slovenian men’s ski jumping team is very strong this season. All of the team members – Peter Prevc, Jurij Tepeš, Jernej Damjan, Nejc Dežman, Matjaž Pungertar, Robert Kranjec, and Rok Justin – have made the podium. Their rankings are nearly the same. The selection among the top athletes is quite fierce, almost brutal. At each competition athletes must perform to their maximum to achieve a high ranking. Slovenia’s ski jumpers have proven several times that they are able to endure the strain and stress experienced on such occasions and focus on their goal: the best possible result for each individual and the national team. Tina Maze, has spoiled us with her successes for a number of years. Her explosiveness, boldness, skills, maturity, and ability to adapt to extreme conditions are just some of the strengths of the greatest female skier of all time and the winner of two gold medals

at the Winter Olympics in Sochi. At the end of the season we may again see her win the overall World Cup title, as she has further increased her lead in the overall World Cup standings. All of Slovenia is rooting for Tina to win the Crystal Globe.

Tina Maze and Peter Prvc Source: Sinfo.si

JUDAICA TRACING JEWISH HERITAGE: A GUIDEBOOK TO SLOVENIA Tracing Jewish Heritage: A Guidebook to Slovenia , is the first comprehensive guidebook to the preserved monuments of tangible and intangible Jewish heritage in Slovenia. Written by Slovenian authors - an art historian Janez Premk, PhD, who spent part of his MA studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, and Mihaela Hudelja, ethnologist, working at the Department for Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology, University of Ljubljana - it is a result of years of research in the field of Jewish heritage in Slovenia. The guidebook provides a thorough historic, artistic and cultural overview of Ljubljana, Bled, Gorizia, Ajdovščina, Koper, Piran, Izola, Maribor, Ptuj, Celje, Radgona, Murska Sobota, Lendava, Beltinci and other places, bearing traces of Jewish presence. It offers primarily historical and spatial coordinates of the places were inerasable trails were left by the Jews, but acquaints us with the parts of history with no remaining physical traces as well. The Jewish community of Slovenia today has its seat in the capital city Ljubljana and is one of the tiniest Jewish communities in Europe. It tries to preserve Jewish costumes, its members regularly participating in the European day of Jewish culture and other cultural events. On the other hand especially in the Late Middle Ages the Maribor Jewish community used to be one of the most thriving Jewish communities of southern Central Europe, becoming a temporary seat of the chief rabbinate of Carinthia, Styria and Carniola. The medieval synagogue of Maribor is one of the two preserved synagogues of

Slovenia and one of the most ancient synagogues in Europe, dated by the authors of the guidebook according to the new findings before the year 1354. There was a prosperous Jewish Community in Prekmurje, a region bordering Hungary, in the last two centuries before World War II and for the first time Jewish communal infrastructure is presented in the guidebook, like public buildings, encompassing not only cemeteries, cemetery halls and synagogues, but even other buildings, like house of a rabbi, a Jewish school, as well as Jewish enterprises (factories) and outstanding private buildings. In the case of no remaining on-site testimonies, the places are reconstructed from preserved documents and records. Other facets of Jewish cultural history and life are also presented, like famous Jewish personalities, such as Gustav Mahler and the Heimann family in Ljubljana, Rabbi Isserlain in Maribor, sculptor György (Mayer) Zala in Lendava, the harbinger of Messiah Asher Lemlein in Izola. There is a brief section on Jewish cuisine of Slovenia. The book published by the Research and Documentation Center JAS is further enriched by numerous documents and detailed descriptions. It is accompanied by detailed thematic maps, illustrations by Anja Premk, and more than 200 photographs taken especially for this guide. It has 112 pages in 22 x 12,8 cm in a high quality paperback format.

Second Edition of the book "The Soldier with the Golden Buttons by Miriam Steiner Aviezer The sought after book in Slovene libraries is now published for the second time. The book presents a child's eye view of the Holocaust in this story of Jewish children wrenched from a carefree childhood and overwhelmed by the brutal savagery of war. A few days are enough to turn them into adults forced to contend with hunger and thirst, fear and death, and only their inner world can help them confront reality.

CULTURE Prešeren Day Celebration of Culture and Art This year marks the 70th anniversary since 8 February was officially designated the Slovenian cultural holiday. Dedicated to the memory of the greatest Slovenian poet, France Prešeren, it is an occasion to reflect on the significance of culture and art, which contributed to ensuring that Slovenians as a small nation managed to preserve their language and identity over the centuries. This year’s Prešeren laureates for lifetime achievements are the pioneer of Slovenian comic books, Miki Muster, and the poet Andrej Brvar. 89 years old Miki Muster is one of the most successful authors in the field of comics and animated films in Slovenia. His famous comics include Zvitorepec the fox, Lakotnik the wolf and Trdonja the turtle. Zvitorepec was born in 1952, first envisaged for children but from the beginning enjoyed by the adults as well. That is still the case more than 60 years after their first appearance in, than newly established weekly magazine PPP.

France Prešeren Did you know? France Prešeren is considered the greatest Slovene poet. Although he was not recognised during his lifetime, he was the first Slovene whose quality of writing could be compared to that of his European contemporaries. His best poems were published in a collection entitled ‘Poezije’.

France Prešeren (1800-1849), Prešeren's manuscript of Zdravljica from 1844. Photo:Luka Fabčič /UKOM archive Prešeren Monument in Ljubljana, source: slovenia.info Prešeren was born on 3 December 1800. On this day, Slovenians celebrate ‘This Merry Day of Culture’ when the majority of museums, theatres and exhibitions open their doors to the public free of charge. - Part of his poem, ‘A Toast’, written in 1844, became the text of the national anthem of the Republic of Slovenia. The anniversary of his death, 8 February, is the national day of culture. -Prešeren fell in love with Julija Primic, a lady from a rich merchant’s family, in Trnovo church. She did not return his love, but he nevertheless dedicated one of his most beautiful poems, ‘A Wreath of Sonnets’, to her. Each initial letter in the last sonnet, i.e. a master sonnet composed from the first line of the previous fourteen sonnets, forms a dedication in the form of an acrostic which reads Primicovi Juliji. - Prešeren also fell unhappily in love with an innkeeper’s daughter called Zalika. In a rage after she threw him out of the inn, Prešeren wrote ‘The Water Man’, describing Zalika as “proud Urška”. - Prešeren Awards and Prešeren Fund Awards, the highest acknowledgements in Slovenia for achievements in the arts, are given on Culture Day to artists who have enriched the Slovenian cultural treasury with their artistic achievements or life’s work in culture. The first awards were conferred in 1947. - Prešeren’s image is also on the Slovenian two-euro coin. The line, ‘God’s blessing on all nations’, from his poem, ‘A Toast’, is added under his image in his handwriting. - The central square in the capital of Ljubljana is called Prešeren Square, where his statue is also located, looking towards the house of his love, Julija Primic. - No actual portrait of France Prešeren exists. His portrait in oils painted by German painter Franz Goldenstein in 1850 is the first representation of France Prešeren and the only one made according to the poet’s actual likeness from memory. This representation, whose accuracy is doubtful, has served as the basis for poet’s numerous representations since 1900. –

Prešeren was also the inspiration for a dessert. The famous specialty is Prešeren figs, dried figs dipped in cream and dark or milk chocolate. The name of the product is connected with Prešeren, who was nicknamed Doctor Fig, because he kept dried figs in his coat pocket which he gave to children in the street.

Prešeren's figs, source: www.slovenia.info

UPCOMING EVENTS

Lecture By Vladimir Vidmar on March 22, at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, 60 Salame Street, Tel Aviv at 20:00

Vladimir Vidmar is the Artistic Director of Škuc Gallery in Ljubljana, Slovenia. His many curatorial projects include: Tadej Pogačar: Quarter to Two (co-curated, Alkatraz Gallery, 2011), Word out of Joint (international group show, Škuc Gallery, 2012), The pleasure is mine (international group show, Škuc Gallery, 2013), Lala Raščić: How to do things with words (Škuc Gallery, 2014), Observations (international group show, Škuc Gallery, 2014), Fokus grupa: Taste for Work (Škuc Gallery, 2014), Mladen Stropnik: night train (who's there?), (Škuc Gallery, october 2014), and others. He regularly publishes texts on contemporary art practices in Slovenian and foreign art magazines, art catalog and was a member of various juries.

34rd Summer School of Slovene Language 2015

The Center for Slovene as a Second/Foreign Language at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ljubljana invites you to visit Slovenia this summer and take a course in Slovene while enjoying an unforgettable Slovene holiday. Various Slovene language courses are scheduled for the period July 6–31, 2015, at the Faculty of Arts, Aškerčeva 2, Ljubljana.

You can choose between two-week (40 hours) and four-week morning course (80 hours); 4 lessons each day for a total of 20 lessons a week. The course takes place Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

If you want your studies to be more intensive, you can decide to attend an optional course, i.e., two additional language classes a day, available on July 7 through 17, 2015. and/or July 21 through 31, 2015; 2 lessons each day for a total of 18 lessons in 2 weeks from Monday to Friday from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

According to your level of knowledge of Slovene, you can select from among the following courses: Beginners' level (Conversation and Phonetics), Intermediate level (Conversation / Slovene Literature and Culture / Grammar), and Advanced level (Conversation / Slovene Literature and Culture / Preparation for the Exam of Slovene at the intermediate and advanced level). Individual elective courses will be held if at least five students enroll.

At the end of the Summer School, you will receive an official Certificate of Attendance at a Slovene language course at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ljubljana.

After successful completion of the course, the participants are awarded ECTS fte European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credit points: 3 credits for a 60-hour course, 4 credits for an 80-hour course, 6 credits for a 120-hour course.

If you want to obtain an official certificate of Slovene, you can take the Exam of Slovene at the Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced Level, administered by the Examination Center at the Center for Slovene as a Second/Foreign Language, and other institutions in Slovenia (only the Basic Level).

Summer school activities are not limited to language learning; there is also a varied social program, where you can get acquainted with Slovene culture, history and contemporary reality. In workshops, you will learn about cultural practices and customs, meet famous and interesting Slovenes, see a Slovene film or a theatrical production, go to a concert and do some sports.

The activities of the accompanying program are held in the afternoons and in the evenings and are covered by the tuition fee. Parts of the accompanying program are translated into English, which enables beginners to follow those activities as well; other activities are held only in Slovene and are meant as a direct complement of the language courses.

Anyone with an interest in learning Slovene is very welcome. However, participants must be at least 18 years old; younger participants should attend the Youth Summer School.

Tuition fees that vary from EUR 158 to 915; about $180 to $1035) and cover language courses as well as the additional activities program. The textbook is not included in the price, you will buy it at the course after the results of the placement test are known. The price of the course also does not include the Exam of Slovene.

You can apply for the course using the application form no later than June 22, 2015 (and July 6 for the course July 20–31, 2015). Upon receiving your application the center will send you the invoice by regular or e-mail.

Members of Slovene ethnic minorities in other countries and descendants of Slovene expatriates and emigrants can apply for the scholarship (2-week morning course). The deadline for applications is May 15, 2015. Candidates who do not have Slovene background, but are actively engaged in Slovene culture or in some other way contribute to the promotion of Slovenia in the world can apply for one of the scholarships of the Jana Zemljarič Miklavčič Scholarship Trust. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2015.

More information about the enrollment, payment and cancellation and the prices is available at: http://www.centerslo.net/l2.asp?L1_ID=1&L2_ID=1&LANG=engr suc of the course, the participants are awarded ECTS