The Slovenia Times Summer 2013 by The Slovenia Times

The Slovenia Times Slovenian Magazine in English Language Summer Edition 2013, Volume 10, EUR 4.90

Sailing into a Hot Summer of Reform Economy

Government Putting into Action the National Stability and Reform Programme European Union

Brussels to Slovenia: The key is action now! Sports Interview:

Ivo Daneu, Slovenian Basketball Legend Interview: Karl Erjavec, Minister of Foreign Affairs

A Changing Europe in a Changing World 1 - 3 September 2013

Clear Vision for the Future 17 September 2013 Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

International platform for doing business in South East and Central Europe The FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) Summit Slovenia 2013 is an executive-level business conference devoted to the investment environment and opportunities in Slovenia. Being a business networking event, it is an outstanding opportunity to make new contacts with the leading business people in the region, top government officials, existing international investors in Slovenia and those interested in entering the Slovenian market and develop business in the wider region.

Editorial

“Soft” Troika is Here The government of Alenka Bratušek announced its first “victory” following her visit to Brussels. Slovenia was given two more years to lower the excessive public finance deficit and the European Commission assessed the National Reform and Stability Programme as a step in the right direction. But because of our now well-known, acute tendency to talk a lot and do much less, the cheerful Brussels atmosphere was disrupted by nine “recommendations” from Vice President Olli Rehn.

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

Published quarterly by Domus, založba in trgovina d.o.o. Dunajska cesta 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Editorial office Dunajska cesta 5, 1000 Ljubljana phone – desk: +386 (0)1 520 50 84 fax: +386 (0)1 520 50 82

By Tilen Majnardi, M. Sc. Obviously EU leaders finally understand the Slovenian genetic problem: we are not able to do anything if somebody with executive power is pressing and pushing us or if something is extremely urgent and threatens our basic existence, as was the situation in the early 1990´s. So instead of a general assessment of our Reform and Stability Programme, our sympathetic new PM received a ”To Do” list with clear tasks and exact dates. Instead of the famous troika coming to Slovenia, our government will frequently visit Brussels to report on which items from the “shopping list” are already in the basket. How unrealistic and self-centred are our politicians; as shown by their change in behaviour when they go from opposition to government. Before visiting Brussels our current PM virtually undertook, in front of the Slovenian public, that she would never accept that the fiscal rule should take effect in 2015. After just a few minutes with EU officials, the fiscal rule is incorporated into the Constitution with implementation in 2015 which was, for her, the logical thing to do. Of course she wanted to spin this fact to the voters and said it had nothing to do with the EU however, at the press conference in Brussels following the meeting with the European Commission, her face told the story. Consequently, Slovenian citizens must ask ourselves for who or what our politicians working for, what´s their drive? Five minutes of local glory, 10 minutes on a television show, find a job for a family member or friend? If this is true, we are much deeper in problems than we think. On the other hand we must be frank and fair and admit that our new PM is showing extremely positive energy and will to pull Slovenia out of negativity and general crisis. We must also be proud that Slovenia has made a lot of progress since last year. We adopted pension reform and labour market reform although both of them are in fact a little too soft or insubstantial; all the legal foundations for the so called Bad Bank, which will hopefully end

Summer Edition 2013 www.sloveniatimes.com

the credit crunch, have been prepared; we adopted the fiscal rule; changed referendum legislation; and changed the bankruptcy law which will speed up bankruptcy processes. All this shows that politicians, on the surface, are slowly changing their attitude at the formal level but the real question is whether this “new”, more transparent approach can be adopted in all parts of the public sector and state owned companies. The question is whether we will get clear strategies for the major sectors of our economy, for our tourism potential, finance sector, wood processing sector, will we be able to cut the red tape, improve the investment environment, shorten the process to obtain land for new projects... The government has a good chance to really start cleaning state-owned companies and agencies with improved corporate governance. Despite big words and formal action at the legislative level, we are still witnessing the continuation of bad practices in government staffing in crucial parts of the economy and in companies. We are spectators to the comedy in the biggest insurer, state-owned Triglav where a group of people, without any real reason, fired the President of the Board; our biggest gaming and tourist company, Hit (also state owned), has been searching for a new CEO for a few months; our highest and most attractive ski resort, Kanin, declared bankruptcy in spite of a record winter because of incompetent leadership and owners (again state or semi-state owners); the Port of Koper is still waiting to hear what will happen with the second pier, second railway track; and the final cherry on the pie is the EUR 1.4bn investment in the new thermo plant, TEŠ 6, which is a first class tragicomedy combining corruption and politicisation at both the local and state level and leadership incompetence of galactic proportions. To clean this mess and to integrate a new mind-set in all parts of state management, this is the real task for the new government. Then we will see if we, all together, really understand the way out of our maze. 

CEO and publisher Brane Krajnik

Editor-in-chief Tilen Majnardi, tilen@solutia.si

Art director Marko Pentek, www.mgo.si

Marketing/Advertising +386 (0)1 520 50 84 Goran Mladenović goran.mladenovic@sloveniatimes.com

Translations Alkemist d.o.o.

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Photo on front page by Source: www.slovenia.info Author: Tomo Jeseničnik The Slovenia Times is listed in the Media Register of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia under number 491. All content - texts or pictures - with no author specified are exclusively created by contributors to The Slovenia Times or published in accordance with owner’s instruction. All uncredited materials printed in the Slovenia Times are either created by the Slovenia Times journalists/photographers or acquired from the author/owner in accordance with the legal terms. ©DOMUS d.o.o., 2003. All rights reserved.

Business Partners

Contents SUMMER SEMAPHORE 4 Effect of higher VAT 4 The end of customs control at the border with Croatia 5 Hoping for ”normal“ hot summer weather and a good tourist season

ECONOMY

6 Government Putting into Action the National Stability and Reform Programme 7 GDP: surprise contraction close to 5%! 8 Interview: Dr Japec Jakopin, founder and co-owner of Seaway 10 Interview: Professor Dušan Mramor, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana

POLITICS 13 Fiscal rule and overhauled referendum legislation finally in the constitution 15 Interview: Nataša Pirc Musar, Information Commissioner

EUROPEAN UNION 18 Brussels to Slovenia: The key is action now! 20 Interview: Karl Erjavec, Minister of Foreign Affairs

EXPERIENCE&LIFESTYLE SLOVENIA 24 Feel the Cultural Pulse of Ljubljana 26 The oldest wooden wheel in the world makes its first public appearance in

the City Museum of Ljubljana

28 Promenada Gourmet Restaurant – The atelier of culinary artist Bine Volčič 30 Visit Koper and its enchanting surroundings 32 GoOpti - LOW COST ground transport 33 Graz Airport: Take-off to Summer 34 Marco Polo Airport, Venice - an easy way to reach the world 36 Trieste “no-borders” Airport

SPORTS 38 Interview: Ivo Daneu, Slovenian Basketball Legend 41 Exercise for the Mind and Body

culture&EVENTS

42 61st Ljubljana Festival: At the Heart of Your Experience 43 Slovenian Pavilion at the 55th International Art Exhibition 44 Kinodvor at the very top of European cinema networks 45 16 days and 16 nights of Festival Lent 2013 46 Event Guide Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Summer Semaphore

Effect of

higher VAT As a part of the government´s stability programme the standard VAT rate will be increased to 22% from 20% and the reduced rate to 9.5% from 8.5% on 1 July. The government hopes that this will bring an extra EUR 250m in revenue. Many economists have warned the government that the higher VAT will further decrease domestic consumption and that government projections are far too optimistic.

There is also a danger of higher inflation and even more importantly for the Slovenian food industry: retailers will probably try to put extra pressure on their suppliers. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) has appealed to retailers not to shift the cost of higher VAT onto local suppliers and distributors, after obtaining information indicating grocers were exerting pressure to that effect. GZS warn that the plan to shift the entire cost of the rise in VAT on 1 July onto their local suppliers and distributors

for three months would mean at least EUR 4.5m less in revenue for the food industry. This would in turn mean a loss of revenue from the VAT rise for the state, according to GZS, adding that by jeopardising jobs and wages at distributors and suppliers and consequently reducing purchasing power, the move by the retailer would amount to scoring an “own goal”. The Chamber maintains that it is in the best interest of retailers to treat local suppliers and distributors differently than other suppliers. 

The end of customs control at the border with Croatia Apart from huge expectations of faster development and economic growth in the next few years, the first effect of Croatia´s accession will be that there will be no customs control at the border with Croatia. This will mean a quicker and easier border crossing and fewer problems for the masses of tourists expected to visit Croatia´s Adriatic coast during the summer. Nevertheless, the border between Slovenia and Croatia will still exist and also border police. Croatia is not expected to join the Schengen Treaty before 2016, 2017 or even later. Special attention also needs to be paid to yachts and pleasure craft that fall under the temporary import arrangement in Croatia before 1 July 2013 and will be released for free circulation in the EU after Croatia’s accession. In such instances VAT is, in principle, owed on import unless it can be demonstrated that these boats have already been subject to VAT in the EU. For pleasure craft eight years or older that have not already been subject to VAT in the EU, a VAT exemption on import to the EU may apply subject to conditions. 

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

On 1 July, Croatia will become a member of the European Union and will be part of EU customs territory. This means that all goods in free circulation in Croatia before that date will also be in free circulation in the EU after that date. As such, after the accession date, these goods can be dispatched to other EU Member States without customs duties. This also applies to goods that are currently in free circulation in the EU and that will be dispatched to Croatia after 1 July 2013.

Summer Semaphore

Hoping for ”normal“ hot summer weather and a good tourist season Many parts of Europe this year are extraordinary from a meteorological point of view. Winter in Slovenia was not so cold but very wet with huge amounts of snow across the country. Winter-like weather continued through a large part of spring which in fact never came properly. The Julian Alps in NW Slovenia, at the beginning of June, is still wintery with more than 2.5m of snow. Cold fronts at the end of May brought snow below 1000 metres above sea level. The Slovenian tourist industry expects a good summer season despite the unpredictable weather. In fact, the tourist sector is one of the rare parts of the Slovenian economy which is in relatively good shape. This year the significant overhaul of the organisation for promoting Slovenia was made by integrating different agencies into a single promotion agency named SPIRIT. 

Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Economy

Government Putting into Action

VAT increase on 1 July

The government plans to raise an additional EUR 540m through new taxes as part of the effort to balance the budget. This will be coupled with an equal amount of spending cuts. The measures are part of the Stability Programme and National Reform Programme, two documents which were welcomed by the European Commission as an important step forward.

Both VAT rates will increase as of 1 July, from 20% to 22% and from 8.5% to 9.5%. A real estate tax will be enacted in 2014, the automatic corporate income tax cuts stopped and several smaller taxes introduced. On the expenditure side, savings of about EUR 500m are planned but this includes EUR 380m in cuts that are the result of the effect of last year’s Fiscal Consolidation Act. The government had also planned a temporary payroll tax, but it has been put on the backburner after the delay in wage cuts in the public sector. The general government deficit is expected to hit 7.8% of GDP this year, which includes EUR 900m in bank capital hikes and the already completed conversion to equity of the hybrid loans to banks. In 2014 the deficit is expected to drop to 3.3% of GDP, before sliding below the 3% threshold the year after.

By S. T./STA

Worrying trend of public debt

the National Stability and Reform Programme

Debt, meanwhile, will temporarily exceed the 60% ceiling prescribed by the EU but will reduce as non-performing loans transferred to the bad bank are cashed in. Slovenia needs structural measures of about EUR 1bn for fiscal consolidation according to the Finance Minister, Uroš Čufer. The current ratio between revenue and expenditure measures is 50:50, but the ultimate goal is to achieve two-thirds of consolidation through spending cuts. These steps are coupled with ongoing measures such as the transfer of non-performing loans into a bad bank, changes to referendum legislation and amendments to the Constitution enshrining a balanced-budget rule.

Struggle for new growth, faster and transparent privatisation Hard work ahead for the Finance Minister Uroš Čufer

Adria Aurways will be among the first 15 companies to be privatised

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

The government has also announced measures to kick-start growth. Čufer did not elaborate, but he suggested Slovenia’s current debt level provides enough room for stimulus. However, Čufer was quick to point out that Slovenia would need to rollover EUR 3bn-4bn of debt each year over the medium term. Since foreign investors buy up to 70% of Slovenia’s bonds, the country will continue to be in the spotlight of financial markets. The debt will ultimately be reduced with further consolidation measures and privatisation. The government has decided to privatise 15 companies, including NKBM bank and Telekom Slovenije. The economic and fiscal measures will be followed by measures to improve the business environment, raise the effectiveness of the public sector and enhance the rule of law. 

Economy adjusted data for the first quarter showed Slovenia’s GDP shrinking by 3.3% on a year earlier.

Correction of annual forecast

Boštjan Vasle, IMAD; Photo:STA

GDP: surprise contraction

close to 5%!

The Slovenian economy contracted at an annual rate of 4.8% in the first quarter of 2013, on the back of significant drops in domestic consumption and investment activity, according to the Statistics Office. The JanuaryMarch period marked the biggest contraction during the current period of four consecutive negative quarters for the Slovenian economy. By S.T./STA/SORS

Solid export results, record trade surplus and free fall in domestic consumption While exports remained the only source of expansion, growing by 1.8% year-on-year, its effect was significantly outweighed by a 7.7% drop in domestic consumption and a 20.7% reduction in gross capital formation. Private consumption contracted by 5.4% and government spending was 2% lower year-on-year. “The reasons for the decline in consumption are clear: unemployment is rising and wages are falling,” Karmen Hren, Head of Macroeconomic Statistics at the Statistics Office, told the press. Consequently, Slovenia also recorded a trade surplus of 5.4% of GDP in the first quarter, “the highest in a long time.” The surplus originates from exceptionally weak domestic demand, she said. Seasonally and working days

Value added dropped across all sectors. The construction sector, which has been hammered since the start of the crisis, saw a deepening in decline, as output fell by 16.9% on an annual level. Significant drops in value added were seen also in agriculture, fisheries and forestry (7.7%), in trade, transport and the hospitality industry (4.9%) and in manufacturing (3%). The figures indicate forecasts of Slovenia’s economic trends this year may have been overly optimistic. Domestic and foreign forecasters projected an annual contraction of the economy for 2013 of between 2% and 2.5%. Meanwhile, a Bloomberg survey of six economists carried out before the release of official data projected a first quarter contraction of 2.9%. “The Q1 figures show that the economy remains very weak,” it said. The Head of the Employers’ Association, Jože Smole, said the figures were “shocking” and a result of the inability for companies to obtain financing. “Companies cannot function normally...If we don’t tackle this, I don’t see how anything will change in the short term,” he said. The country’s biggest industrial association, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS), said the sharp collapse in GDP was “far beyond” its expectations. The GZS has already announced its plan to downgrade its forecast of a 2% contraction for this year to a 2.5% fall based on its May businesses outlook survey and the expected impact of government austerity measures. The only positive effect on GDP is expected from a modest growth in exports, according to GZS, which pointed to a continued slump in domestic consumption and in the investment market, as well as pressure on prices, rising input costs and staff optimisation. 

Selected data about the Slovenian Economy, growth Y/Y Q1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8

1,8

Export

5,4

Balance of trade

-7,7

-4,8

Domestic consumption

GDP (Source: SORS, IMAD)

Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Economy

Interview: Dr Japec Jakopin, founder and co-owner of Seaway

No Reason For Whining Dr Japec Jakopin is one of the most recognisable Slovenian entrepreneur right now. He has walked an interesting path, from a doctor of medicine to a industrial designer and builder of the most modern, contemporary and energy efficient boats. With its creative, positive approach, Seaway has grown into the leading international company in its field. Jakopin is known for his direct and clear expression of opinions, trying to convince the general public that Slovenia has no reason to drown in pessimism. By T. M., S. T. Q There has been a lot of talk in Slovenia recently about the supposed pessimism, lack of ideas, economic opportunities etc. In terms of your company, we can say quite the opposite. How do you keep the tempo of creativity and efficiency, what do you do differently? A It is obvious that whining will get us nowhere. The problem is not the problem; the lack of response to the problem is the problem. We have enough creativity and knowledge; we are located in the most innovative part of the

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

world; we are faster and more adaptable than anyone else. In short, we have all the necessary qualities for success. We are our own obstacle, so letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roll up our sleeves, activate our gyri and then nothing can stop us.

Q Where do you see the real and not just the possible opportunities for Slovenia? Are we too prone to seek quick solutions that are often unrealistic and connected to state financing, bureaucracy, questionable efficiency â&#x20AC;Ś?

Economy A Slovenia has three areas where it can do an awful lot in a short amount of time: high technology, the fact that we are located at the crossroads of worlds and tourism. We have to put our knowledge and energy into building Slovenian brands based, like all others, on knowledge and marketing. In this way we can go from being the servants of foreign corporations to the masters of our own identity and independence.

Q More or less we talk about nothing but the division of profits in Slovenia, usually profits not yet made, and much less about how and what we are going to create. How do we change this uncreative and passive mentality? A We should be talking about what and how we are going to make and create something and not how we are going to divide it. We need to change our misperception that the person who works, creates jobs and pays taxes is the bad guy and the person who spends is the good guy. We need to turn this remnant of our inglorious past around and the sooner the better!

Q What is your comment on the fact that our experts, entrepreneurs and successful business people generally want nothing to do with political decision makers or often worse, they cannot get (are not let) “in” to express their professional opinions? A People who do something with zeal usually want to do little else and have neither the time, nor the energy, nor the concentration for anything else. But at the same time, we must know that politics is also work and that there is no democracy without politics. It is a necessary part of the public sector, just like healthcare or the school system – but it must do what it was appointed to do: like all other public services.

Q We also have regular discussion on the importance of foreign investments but the fact is that we obstruct foreigners and to top it off, there is usually excessive concern about the supposed national interest. Where did we get the idea that the state must be the owner of practically every company? A Why the politicians would like to have control over the economy is clear to everyone by now, even me. But it is certainly not right, not to mention less effective for the “national interest”. We, locals and foreigners; we are part of a multi-state, multi-ethnic and multicultural community and everyone should do what they do better than someone else. Not only in Slovenia, but anywhere they want.…

Q We often console ourselves by saying that we are small and therefore not sufficiently recognisable. Do you think we have any comprehensive promotion, including the corporate promotion of our country, or are we trapped in the old patterns

It is obvious that whining will get us nowhere. The problem is not the problem; the lack of response to the problem is the problem. of selling Lipizzaners, potica, the little church on Bled Island etc.? A As I said: we are our only obstacle that is standing in our way … Our “smallness” offers enormous advantages compared to “big” cultures that cannot even walk through the door because of their arrogant baggage. Our company is in Slovenia because we are the only ones who can work together with all countries and nations without any obstacles whatsoever (so far, we have worked with 30 nations and have 14 of them within our company). The ability of fast and good communication with everyone gives us a decided competitive edge. We speak foreign languages, we appreciate all other cultures and we make everyone feel at home … we did not spend 15 centuries at the crossroads of worlds for nothing.

Q What is your comment about the government’s most recent measures, the so-called stabilisation and reform programme? It seems as though, apart from the higher VAT, new taxes on sweet drinks and real estate, a possible crisis tax, everything has sort of been left hanging “in the air”. Is this another short-term re-division with no clear development measures? A I am missing structural reforms that would turn Slovenia into a creative, dynamic, successful and democratic society. I do not understand how raising taxes is supposed to get us there … but I must admit that I am neither a micro- nor

Shipman 80; Photo: N. Claris

GreenLine 40 Hybrid

a macro-economist … I used to know about irregular heart rate and now I sort of know about boats …

Q How do you see the role of Brussels and the European Community regarding the recent issues about saving our public finances? Are they really only heartless bureaucrats destroying the country of Slovenia, or are they trying to make it clearer and clearer to us that we can only spend as much as we create? A No one forced us to join Europe, we can also leave if we wish. How that is going to make us more competitive and therefore help us sell our products and services around the world, I cannot see. Brussels is certainly not a model of efficiency and pragmatism, but you know what De Gaulle said to Churchill when he advised him to restore some order in France: “Do you think it is easy to rule a country that knows four hundred types of cheese?”  Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Economy Interview: Professor Dušan Mramor, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana

There is No Long Term Fiscal Consolidation without Economic Growth Professor Dušan Mramor is definitely one of most respected Slovenian economists. The former Finance Minister is known for his calm, analytical approach and clear answers to the current economic problems of Slovenia. As the Dean of the Faculty of Economics, he has been successful in putting the institution on the global map , the Faculty of Economics in Ljubljana is now amongst the best in Central Europe. By Tilen Majnardi, M. Sc. Q You are now at the end of your mandate as mation interchange” worked better and consethe Dean of the Faculty of Economics and under your leadership the faculty has become one of the most recognised institutions in Central Europe, it is also positioned among the top percentage globally. What was your recipe for success? A Tricky question actually. I would say 15 years of clear orientation for our strategic objectives: a quest for quality and internationalisation. Of course, this is not enough; the key element for success is the flawless implementation of strategy. Without devoted, hardworking, open minded and high calibre faculty and administrative staff, this cannot be achieved.

Q It seems that the Slovenian education system is producing a large number of experts in all areas but these people are somehow “separated” or “pushed” away from the current state leadership, government and other important state institutions.... or are they leaving Slovenia? What´s your comment on this? A Slovenia should improve its governance system predominantly in the government sector, including government controlled companies because, in our current system, professional competence is rarely the decisive factor in the employment of the most important state officials, managers etc. I do see signs of change.

Q How can politicians be more sensitive toward expert opinions? It seems that, for example in the years after independence, this system of “infor-

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

quently the whole country was functioning much better than it is today? A Just after we gained independence we were really in a position of hardship. There was no room to manoeuvre without using the best knowledge available in Slovenia and from around the world. So, I would explain the period from the early nineties up to our entrance into the European Union and Eurozone, as a period of extreme necessity to use the best, the most knowledgeable and experienced people. There was no room to just use political connections, friendship or any other criteria for putting someone in a position. But after that, in 2005, 2006, 2007, alongside EU membership and the adoption of the Euro in Slovenia, we witnessed a huge economic boom in Europe which also spilled over into Slovenia. With our increased ratings we had easier access to global capital markets and the general situation for a certain period of time actually allowed us to discard the professional qualities of the people. It seemed that everybody could treat this “cancer”. But now the situation has changed again. There are some similarities to our independence period. Again, there is no room for bad decisions without real consequences for everyone, including the politicians. I can see now that the attitude is changing a lot. For example, since I came back to the Faculty of Economics from the Ministry of Finance in 2004, nobody from

later governments asked me for an opinion or advice until this government. I don´t know if the advice I’ve given to this government will be used or not, but I definitely see a change in their need and attitude.

Q Slovenia is now, for the fifth year, in deep crisis. In all those years we knew what had to be done to prevent further deterioration of the economy but nothing or very little has been put into practice. We woke up when the situation became almost catastrophic. What do you see as the reasons for this ignorance or false confidence “that everything will somehow be ok”? A Actually, I must admit that I was wrong when I was the Finance Minister. I thought that adopting the euro would discipline politicians with regard to fiscal expenditures, taxes and the economic policy in general, but it didn´t. Probably because it coincided with a big boom in the world economy. My thinking at that time was that every wrong decision would decrease the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy because the monetary policy will no longer be in our hands and this would discipline politicians. Unfortunately, it didn´t and they got away with it because of Slovenia’s increased ratings and the general business optimism. But now the situation is different and there is little time left. We know that the pressure is so big that every decision reall has to be weighed and only the best ones can be accepted and then also implemented.

Economy Q Connected to this external “pressure” , particularly from EU institutions, it seems that some people in Slovenia, politicians, trade unions, etc., think that the EU is our enemy, that they have some hidden agenda. In fact, Brussels is basically just pushing us to do what we promised and it is logical in the current situation. How do you see this emerging “hate” toward Brussels? A I don´t see such a hate towards Brussels. I think it is quite clear amongst our citizens that we made mistakes in the past, that we are overburdened with foreign debt, that companies are over indebted and that we have to do whatever is necessary to make appropriate changes. Even politicians are very aware of it. For example, I don´t know of any country in the world that has adopted pension reform with 100% of the votes in Parliament , which is reducing pensions. There was also huge support for the labour market reform that is restricting worker’s rights and for the changes of constitution with fiscal rules introduced and referendum possibilities limited. And the recent negotiations between the government and public sector labour unions showed that the unions were aware that an agreement must be made and they signed it although it brings lower wages and some hardship.

Q Do you think that the big problem in the past was in false self-confidence or ignorance and the basic credibility of politicians? This general crisis obviously brought some changes in attitude A Two things happened in the 2000´s and even during the crisis up to a certain point in time. Firstly, I have already mentioned the completely unprofessional way of handling economic policy after we adopted the euro. Politics completely discarded whatever was prepared by the Central Bank and previous governments; all warnings about the risks that would come with the euro. Rinks materialized due to easier access to the capital markets with low interest rates and low required returns in general and no counter measures were taken. Even worse, we were in fact leading an illogical, pro-cyclical economic policy. It was a very populist policy. The second part of the problem is that politicians shifted their appetite towards grabbing and privatising for personal gain as much as they could under their control. This produced a corruption problem that was initiated in the same period after 2004. I definitely agree that when the crisis hit Slovenia and we should have adopted measures which would align Slovenia with the new situation, and we were not able to do it because people questioned why they should pay for the crisis when the politicians and their close supporters were the beneficiaries. But now I think this is over, as everybody is aware that nobody else can pay such a big price except the people of Slovenia. It is also

Faculty of Economics from Ljubljana among top faculties in Central Europe

clear to the politicians that they must rectify the claims concerning corruption and implement the measures which are not popular but necessary.

Q After mentioning false self-confidence, we have fallen into a spiral of excessive pessimism with which we have infected the international arena, the European Union, the OECD... You were very critical of the last OECD report on Slovenia, how can such a renowned institution produce such a faulty or inadequate report? A I said once in an interview that the country is like a big plane. It is very difficult to make it go up but when you are in upward direction you can hold the direction with some effort. But when the “plane” starts going down it takes a great deal of effort to turn the path upward again. One of the issues is the time lag in international institutions and businesses abroad to understand what is going on in a certain country. And when a country has already changed course, they are still not aware of the change and still have the perception of the previous situation, for example, from one year ago. And even when pension reform, labour market reform and austerity measures are adopted, when the bad bank is created, when everyone can see that there is a big movement in the implementation of what is necessary and so on... they are still up to one year in the past. Slovenia is in the spotlight and this is partly also due to our extremely negative media coverage, which is in line with a strong sentiment of disappointment from the population, but closely watched by the international community and business partners. I was critical of the OECD report. I said that if this was a report about Slovenia from one year ago I would sign it as it would be a fair report. However, it was not up to date as it did not emphasize enough

the key developments, the adopted structural reforms, various fiscal consolidation measures, the legal changes needed to rehabilitate major banks etc. International institutions are often too slow in their reactions.

Q Is time lag also “guilty” for our credit rating? A I would not be surprised. Just think about mortgage backed bonds. They were still tripled when we were already in the crisis and it was clear that they are high risk securities and many will not be repaid. Credit agencies definitely have the same problem with time lag. Even if Slovenia performed extremely well at this moment in time, the credit ratings would still go down or be low for some time. It is normal – it is not good - but that is the reality at this time.

Q What is your comment on Moody´s behaviour when they lowered the credit rating in the middle of our bond issue activities in the USA? Is this normal? A This is most unusual, I was really surprised and it should not have been done as it was.

Q Is that kind of behaviour just a mistake or is there some bigger story behind it? We heard a lot of possible speculation, is it fantasy or a real possibility that the “big brother” is playing with little Slovenia? A I would not like to speculate about the reasons for their timing and downgrade in the middle of the implementation of the whole bond issue programme. I would just say that it is us who are to be blamed for the situation and not foreign institutions, credit rating agencies, investors. It is the economic policy of Slovenia that has been unwise in certain times and later the political blockade of proper and timely reactions to the crisis. Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Economy affect economic growth and the key question is what the structure of budget cuts and taxes is? I think that the structure is going in the right direction. The cuts are mainly in wages, social transfers, less in material costs and even less in investments and when we are looking at the GDP multipliers of these expenditures, investments are the last to be cut. Can we do more? This is always the question, but with EUR 1bn of reduced deficit these measures have a sizable effect.

Q For now we are more or less talking about

Q Back to the reality of the Slovenian economy, how do you assess the Reform and Stability Programme of the government? We face more taxes, higher VAT and some additional cuts in the public sector and privatisation. Is there any alternative? A We must, in fact, add up all the cuts that have already been made in the last year with the special austerity law and cuts in the general government budget plus the cuts now made to public sector wages and additional cuts to the budget this year. If you look at higher education, for example, the cuts altogether will be around 15%, in R&D even more if we compare 2013 with 2011. These cuts together are sizable. But the question is if we want to have a functioning system without public appraisal , how quickly can these cuts be made? In practice, there are also severe legal limitations to the speed of adjustments. If they are not respected, the cuts which may seem very big at the time, in the end come out modestly after they are contested in court. So cuts need to be made in such a way that they are long term cuts of a sizable nature. I think that, only a good balance of decreasing public expenditures and increasing taxes, is economically and socially acceptable and that the balance now is sensible. The cuts are still bearable and I expect that they will not cause disruptions in the economy and will have a long term result in the budget. The rest of the measures to reduce budget deficit employ higher taxes, together with budget cuts of approximately 3% GDP. All these measures negatively

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

solving short term critical problems, the budget deficit, credit crunch... but what are the other necessary steps to lay the foundation for new growth? A I do agree that there is no long term fiscal consolidation without economic growth. It is a “chicken and egg problem” and what has been done so far concerning the fiscal consolidation is critical. But growth has two sets of elements. First are the short term measures that are now in place or being implemented; measures to reduce the credit crunch and get finance flowing again in the economy. And also reducing the indebtedness of companies is the key to start releasing the economy from this lack of funding. To do this, of course, certain privatisations have to be made in order to get additional capital and also for improved governance. In the short term all this is extremely important and if this is done well, it will have a quick effect. Then we have a number of inefficiencies which if properly addressed would have short to mid-term effects on growth. In this respect, each Ministry has a number of tasks. They are all responsible for reducing the excessive red tape to support business and not the opposite.. For example, one of the critical areas is the real estate permits and available land. Actually, this is also only one of the areas that is discouraging FDI. A systematic overview of all the areas of concern belonging to foreign investors and their improvement is also an immediate task. Furthermore, much better regulation of the non-tradable sector is needed as the prices for their products and services are excessive, such as the prices of energy or quality is inadequate. I would also like to mention that Slovenia should largely improve the drawing of EU funds and not only the processes to draw all the funds available, but also the purposes of usage to have the biggest impact on growth possible. Then we have the sectors of public services like health and education from where impetuous growth could come more towards the long term. In the health system, we have huge reserves and these reserves should be realised. Taxes covering health expenditures should not be increased before the health system is made efficient. This debate has been going on since

2001, there were “white” books, “blue” books, strategies... and nothing happened. The same is true of education. We have, according the latest data in 2011, the smallest number of people leaving the educational system after elementary school. Only 4.2% of the population of 18 to 24 year olds are not studying! This is number one in Europe. We have too many people studying at the universities and we are not international enough. There is definitely a lot of room to increase efficiency and quality which is important for new growth. So, in each of these areas we have a lot of reserves. We also need a change of mentality concerning FDI and foreign capital and I think that this will change now that people understand more and more that we are part of a global environment.

Q You mentioned FDI and as we know, in September, the Faculty of Economics will host the biggest conference in this area in Slovenia – the FDI Summit Slovenia 2013. What do you expect from this year´s conference? Until now, politicians haven’t listened to professional opinions. A Times are changing. The government is forced and willing to “use” any help. I expect that the government will present a clear action plan of further measures and the Faculty of Economics, with our partners, will try to help them in any way we can with our expertise and advice. The key word for the government is definitely “implementation” and investors will seek clear answers without empty political rhetoric.

Q The words “credibility” and “transparency” are widely used as the first step toward new growth. We can agree that in Slovenia we had (and still have) big problems with that. But are European and other international institutions “credible” when they are “preaching” urgent measures, austerity, wage cuts.... but at the same time not able to reorganise themselves, to cut the bureaucracy, to cut extreme and deviant earnings of these institutions? A Whoever has worked on any EU project knows how burdened they are with bureaucracy. I am finding, as Dean, that documents for projects for EUR20,000, EUR30,000 or EUR 50.000 that are a decimetre thick. There are many forms and documents that are completely unnecessary. Behind those documents are, of course, the people that are processing them and I am sure that the red tape is excessive, it should be reduced. Regarding wages in EU institutions, it´s quite a tricky question because the wages are so different from country to country. If you make them too low nobody will come from countries with higher wages, if you put them too high then they are excessive for some countries. Re-evaluation of the wage levels would be more than beneficial. 

Politics party would strongly object to the potential “destruction of the welfare state”. The overhauled Article 148 of the Constitution allows exceptions from the rule in cases of extraordinary circumstances, which will be defined in the implementation law which will be passed by the National Assembly within a year with a two-thirds majority, according to the amended Article 148.

The end of referendum mania and political blockades

Fiscal rule and overhauled referendum legislation finally in the constitution The National Assembly proclaimed changes to the Constitution at the end of May that enshrine the golden fiscal rule and overhaul Slovenia’s referendum legislation. The changes will take effect a week after being passed by the parliament. Deputies underlined that Slovenia was fulfilling its promise to the EU with the move, thereby shoring up its credibility and sending a positive signal to the markets. By S. T./STA

Under the changes on referendum legislation, deputies and national councillors will no longer be able to request a referendum, meaning that a referendum can only be initiated with 40,000 voter signatures. Deputies underlined that the changes are not cutting into the rights of the people and that they limit the possibility of abuse, as referendums have, historically, often been used as a political tool. The leader of the opposition New Slovenia (NSi), Ljudmila Novak, said that her party will continue to fight for changes that will allow less than 40,000 people to request a referendum. The constitutional changes on referendum legislation amend articles 90, 97 and 99. Under the changes, the National Assembly will no longer have to wait a year before discussing a bill, similar to the proposal in the document rejected in a referendum. The changes also ban referendums on laws dealing with taxes, budget implementation, emergency relief, defence and safety measures, ratification of international treaties and laws correcting existing unconstitutional provisions. The changes moreover introduce the “rejective referendum” model, under which a law will be defeated if the majority of the valid ballots are against, but only under the condition that at least a fifth of all eligible voters vote no. To date, a simple majority was required. 

Fiscal rule does not mean the end of the social state Marko Pogačnik of the opposition Democrats (SDS) regrets that it took Slovenia a year to take these steps, while Mihael Prevc of the opposition People’s Party (SLS) said the process was not yet complete as Slovenia still needs to adopt an implementation act for the fiscal rule. The golden fiscal rule will have to be observed, for the first time, in Slovenia’s 2015 budget. After that, the country’s budgets will have to be balanced without borrowing. Maša Kociper of the ruling Positive Slovenia (PS) said people must be reassured that they have nothing to fear from the changes. “This will not lead to lower salaries, pensions and social transfers,” she said. Marjana Kotnik Poropat of the Pensioners’ Party (DeSUS) said that her

03 01 Angela Merkel & Alenka Bratušek; Photo: European Council 02 Ballot box 03 José Manuel Barosso & Alenka Bratušek; Photo: Thierry Monasse/STA/Source UKOM

Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Politics

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

Politics Interview: Nataša Pirc Musar, Information Commissioner

Paid not to trust any government Nataša Pirc Musar, Information Commissioner, is without a doubt among the “loudest” government officials, pointing a finger at mistakes, problems and abuse of personal data both in the public and private sectors, and fighting for access to public information and wider transparency of public sector daily businesses. A lawyer, a former journalist, experienced in the economy – without mercy she incriminates those wanting to unlawfully benefit from abuse of personal data or unaware of the importance of information protection in an increasingly digitalised society. By T. M., S. T. Q Information Commissioner is a relatively new institution in Slovenia. Are the Slovenian public and politicians aware of its importance and what do you think is its “image”? A I was very surprised already back in 2008 when the EU’s Eurobarometer survey showed that people here are very familiar with this institution, mainly in terms of the importance of personal data protection. Slovenia was ranked an enviable 2nd both among legal and natural persons, as only Finland’s citizens were more familiar with the Information Commissioner. It makes me very happy that we ranked so high after three years of my work. I think the result could be even better if measured regularly, because we have accomplished a great deal in these years. This is mainly reflected in the number of complaints by natural and legal persons alike. The number of complaints regard-

ing access to information of a public nature is higher every year and sadly so is the number of complaints about the silence of authority. As for politicians, when the relevant act was passed in 2003, I think politicians were not aware of what this act could do for state transparency as regards access to information of a public nature. But in politics it is usual that those currently in power – the position – hate me to death and those in the opposition love me. Luckily, parties in Slovenia frequently shift places in these positions, so the act has not yet been subject to radical amendments that would impair it. And so it should be, because the opposition uses the act to scrutinise the position and the latter of course defends itself with all its might when it comes to transparency. As regards personal data protection, I realise that the Information Commissioner is not very Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Politics must. Some of my European colleagues cannot afford to employ IT experts during the recession. I was lucky enough, because we employed these experts before the recession, before our budget was greatly slashed. I say that as long as we are here, we will work with the funds available, to the best of our abilities. People around me all know that I am a workaholic of a kind and everyone working with me have to keep up with the pace. We work heavily on prevention and awareness raising and we discuss personal data protection in schools, on Facebook and other social networks, and this is bound to bear results sooner or later. These children are literally “hooked” to the www, the keyboard, they cannot live without computers, and schools simply devote insufficient attention to these issues. I think that one of our tasks is to act as a body dealing with offences, appeals, repression and inspection, but even though we are not a non-governmental organisation, I still think that the preventive activities that we carry out are the carrot that could pay off in the sense that we will not need to use the stick often, but we have the stick too. popular with legal persons, because he or she is looking over their shoulder. At this moment, we supervise no fewer than 140,000 liable persons in the public and private sectors. Individuals make great use of the possibilities offered by our institution, which is only right, because we all have to be aware of the importance of privacy. Without privacy, there is no individual freedom. My job is, putting it roughly, to be a pain in the ass for those who manage personal data collections, and I am paid not to trust any government, and to watch over the shoulder of the private sector. I take my job very, very seriously.

Q Is this general awareness of the importance of the Information Commissioner also reflected in actual behaviour? Using diverse new technologies, individuals rather foolishly send out information to various companies, institutions ... Are people aware of personal responsibility when they submit information? A Unfortunately, the existence of the Information Commissioner and this awareness do not quite go hand in hand. That is why we devote a lot of attention to raising the awareness of individuals. If an individual is unaware of the importance of his/her personal data, if he/she cannot imagine what can happen with such data, Nataša Pirc Musar and her colleagues can make noise in the country, but that is far from enough. Personal awareness and responsibility are in a way the second stone in a mosaic of privacy protection. Even today, I often see individuals who sell their personal data for a pack of coffee or a kitchen cloth. They gain a momentary benefit, but they

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

do not know what happens with these data in large personal databases. An illustrative example is the anti-cookie directive applying to websites. At present, this law already applies in Slovenia, because as of 15 June, individuals/users have to be informed of what cookies do, but we witnessed a massive revolt of site managers, especially those dealing with advertising. I told them nicely: you did not listen for many years to the data protection authorities, you did absolutely nothing and because of that you got the regulation. We got the regulation mainly because these websites, giants such as Google, Amazon, Facebook ..., ignored these problems and today trading in personal data has grown to a proportion that requires action. The anti-cookie directive was the first step. A new EU regulation is in the works, but it has already recorded the highest number of amendments in the history of the European Parliament, namely 3,500, which is an obvious indication of how strong the lobbies behind companies that make money from personal data are.

Q Can your institution keep up with these new technologies, ever new ideas of various national authorities about merging databases, new applications of various companies ... Do you have sufficient financial and human resources? A Of course we cannot keep up with all of them, and I cling to no illusions in this respect. I do have a simple guidance though: those that I discover to have committed a great breach will experience much pain to serve as an example for others. I have three excellent guys dealing with modern information technologies; this is a

Q How do you assess some incidents when public institutions, for instance health clinics, hospitals, etc., “lose” information. Lately, patient information was found in garbage, practically on the street. Are these institutions not sufficiently aware of the importance of personal data protection? A I would not call it a consequence of insufficient awareness at these institutions. For the past five years, we have closely cooperated with the healthcare sector, whereas at first we came across the greatest opposition specifically from this sector. When I took the position of the Information Commissioner and wanted to conduct an inspection in a healthcare institution, doctors were all up in arms, saying that who am I to examine all patient information, that this was inappropriate and the like. But when I explained to them the principle of proportionality, that I examine only what is really necessary, I convinced them that we were headed in the same direction. I think that so far I have been in all Slovenian hospitals, lecturing on the Patient’s Rights Act and the Personal Data Protection Act, which indicates the need for knowledge about this issue, and they started realising that their knowledge about it was lacking. What happened a few weeks ago (author’s note: patient files in garbage) is rather an exception and not the rule; I think the healthcare sector deserves to be commended. Throughout all my term, this has happened only twice and probably because of a human factor. One person in the chain makes a mistake and such a disaster may ensue. Patients rightly expect a considerable level of correctness and carefulness.

Politics Q What is your opinion about some pressures a paedophile register, perhaps those with unat- As a citizen and the Information and ideas of government bodies to publish certain personal data? The first such example was the publication of real estate value by the Surveying and Mapping Authority. Given the number of online views, Slovenians are keen on “taking a peek” at the neighbours. These data were withdrawn on your demand! A Yes, we filed a request for constitutional review and constitutional judges ruled that the principle of proportionality had been breached, that what was published was simply too much considering the intention of the legislator. What I personally most resent the state: that it cannot explain to me as an expert or to the public why something like that is necessary! When I asked the Surveying and Mapping Authority and the Ministry, I made it clear that I had no problem with such a database existing, with the fact that all tax administration employees, for instance those assessing real estate tax, have access to this database, but I did not receive an answer as to why these data have to be published? The only answer of the Director of the Surveying and Mapping Authority was that why should we be upset about publication if we had nothing to hide??? This is the stupidest argument you can get from a high government official or another person. Privacy is not about having “something to hide”. If the state wants to publish something instead of me without my consent, it should have a damned good reason to do so.

Q A similar example is the latest disputable publication of tax debtors. The state published all persons who owe it over 5,000 euros for more than 90 days, but the debtor categories are very diverse, to some, in fact, the state even owes money, the cases are not even final. Did you take action in this case as well? A The problem with this database is that data were published in 90 days from the due date and not after finality was reached. A lot of people on these lists pursued all legal remedies endowed by a democratic state, e.g. appeal at second instance. It is all too common that the authority of second instance finds that the first-instance authority made a mistake. What will the state do in this case? Such an individual has an option of suing the state for interfering in his/her personal rights and claiming damage compensation. What I resent the state most is that such lynching reveals the state’s helplessness. As a citizen and the Information Commissioner, I want to know what the state has done to collect the debt and not who owes whom. If the state cannot collect, it is undemocratic and it is disproportionate to resolve this issue by public accusation and lynching. Now we have these lists, let us ask ourselves what comes next, where does this lead? Will we publish the names of people driving too fast,

tended gardens, the people who dislike Zoran Janković or Janez Janša? As the Information Commissioner, I have to make sure that publications are consistent with the intention and that they are proportionate, which was not the case in tax debtors.

Q How could such attempts be prevented while still in preparation to avoid unnecessary damage? There is too much of making amends “retrospectively”, even though there were many warnings that this publication was illegal and unconstitutional. A In these cases, the Government stepped into the sphere of political demagogy, and that is not good. I warned the Government in advance that I would file for constitutional review of tax debtor publication and that I had no doubt about the decision of the constitutional court, because I trust the constitutional judges are familiar with the principle of proportionality. According to the European Human Rights Convention, human rights may be encroached only when absolutely necessary for democracy in a state. I do not see the absolute necessity in this case. The state should have first strengthened tax inspection, written off non-collectible debts and collected those that can be recovered. Only then, perhaps, tax evaders could be published, as in Ireland and Great Britain. But it is necessary to distinguish between “debtors” and “evaders”. I fear that our politicians in the National Assembly were unclear on that when they pressed the button. To be quite honest, as the Information Commissioner, I would have no great reservations about publishing tax evaders.

Commissioner, I want to know what the state has done to collect the debt and not who owes whom. If the state cannot collect, it is undemocratic and it is disproportionate to resolve this issue by public accusation and lynching.

other, you are not democratic, but authoritative. Weighing of rights was not established in practice. This is naturally the consequence of the fact that anyone can be a journalist in Slovenia, and a great majority of them have never read the Human Rights Convention or any text on human rights, especially those bordering on the “yellow” press, and these are becoming ever more numerous. It is true, however, that we need to be clear on the fact that in legal terms, the right to privacy of political figures is smaller but not non-existent. In cases of the highest representatives of political authorities, where there is a “buzz” about assets being acquired contrary to the legislation or when these politicians are unable to clarify the origin of their assets, there is no doubt that public interest outweighs a politician’s privacy. 

Q Where is the limit between private and public in politicians? Lately, we have witnessed several cases of politicians defending themselves about certain issues, also irregularities. Providing certain information about their property to the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption is one thing, their legal obligation, whereas their everyday privacy, family is another thing. A I noticed one problem that is referred to as journalists blindly defending the freedom of expression. The right to freedom of expression is the foundation of democracy, no doubt about it, but this right is not an absolute human right, it is limited by the rights of other people. Journalists interfering in individuals’ privacy are often being excused with the argument that they protect the right to freedom of expression. No, a journalist too must know when to put both rights on the scales and when one outweighs the other. If you automatically give priority to one right over the Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

European Union Too slow “cleaning” the banking sector

Brussels to Slovenia:

The key is action now! The European Commission has accepted Slovenia’s commitment for fixing its troubled banks and consolidating public finances, giving the country more time to get its house in order but also warning that time is of the essence. The Commission announced it would not institute proceedings for excessive economic imbalances against Slovenia for the time being. The country also received two additional years - until 2015 - to bring its budget deficit in line with EU rules. By S. T./STA

First step toward light at the end of the tunnel The announcement was made as part of an assessment of commitments Slovenia submitted, in early May, to the EU in the National Reform Programme and Stability Programme. But the positive assessment came with a call for quick action in fixing the ailing banking sector, helping the corporate sector reduce debt and taking additional measures for consolidation of public finances. Along with the submitted commitments, decisive action in recent weeks was a prevailing factor in the Commission’s decision

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

to give Slovenia more time, European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner, Oli Rehn, told the press. He added that recent constitutional changes introducing the fiscal rule and limiting referendums were also important. The news from Brussels was welcomed by the Slovenian government, with PM Alenka Bratušek labelling it as proof that Slovenia can manage without international aid. Echoing the sentiment in Brussels, Bratušek emphasised that the recent steps by the country were just a beginning as Slovenia still must implement what it has pledged.

A new area targeted by the Commission in its assessment is the justice system, with Slovenia being called on to take measures for shortening court procedures and reducing the backlog in civil and commercial matters, especially in enforcement proceedings. But the focus in Brussels remains on Slovenia’s ailing banking sector. As part of the recommendations, the Commission has called for an independent assessment of the situation at state-owned banks. Slovenia had made additional commitments in this regard in a letter sent by Finance Minister, Uroš Čufer, to Rehn. The letter states Slovenia’s readiness to work with the Commission in providing for bank asset quality reviews. Rehn said that an important step was obtaining “firm and convincing” commitments on system-wide stress tests and asset quality reviews that will enable an effective transfer of impaired assets to the bad bank. Čufer meanwhile assessed that the recommendations issued by the Commission were in line with Slovenia’s expectations, reiterating that the government’s immediate priority was to clean up bank balance sheets. Other reactions in Slovenia to the assessment varied from business officials welcoming the recommendations on reform, to trade unions criticising what they see as pressure for Slovenia to continue on a strict path of austerity. The parliamentary parties all agreed that an extension from Brussels was good news while proceeding to bicker about which government - the current or the previous - deserved more credit for securing this.

The “nine commandments” from Brussels In its assessment, the European Commission issued nine recommendations to the country for cleaning bank balance sheets, carrying out privatisation, promoting deleveraging of the corporate sector, boosting competitiveness and continuing to consolidate public finances. While establishing that the country’s request to have the deadline for reducing the budget deficit to below 3% of GDP extended for two years until 2015 is warranted, the Commission

The parliamentary parties all agreed that an extension from Brussels was good news while proceeding to bicker about which government - the current or the previous - deserved more credit for securing this.

European Union also called for additional measures for fiscal consolidation. To achieve these goals the Commission said that Slovenia would have to implement consolidation measures totalling 1% of GDP this year and 1.5% of GDP in each of the next two years. It also made special mention of long-term sustainability and related growth in age-related expenditure over the medium and long-term, concluding that the country would have to make further adjustments to its pension and social security systems. 

01 Olli Rehn, Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner: “Slovenia is moving in the right direction” Photo: European Commission 02 Alenka Bratušek on a press conference: “It is time to roll up our sleeves and begin building our future” Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA, Source: UKOM

Country specific recommendations (CSRs) to Slovenia to help it improve its economic performance 1. Sustainable public finances

Despite considerable consolidation efforts, Slovenia has not managed to bring its government deficit below the 3% threshold set out in the excessive deficit procedure (EDP). It should therefore reinforce its budgetary strategy to comply with the EDP by 2015, strengthen its fiscal framework, and implement structural reforms, which will have a positive effect on growth.

4. Balance sheet repair and divestment of state-ownership in banks

To address pressures in the banking system, which have led highly indebted banks to rely on the state, Slovenia should arrange an independent review of the entire system, stand ready to re-capitalise further banks, if necessary, and adopt a comprehensive banking sector strategy.

2. Long-term sustainability of pensions and long-term care

5. Regulation of banking sector including supervision

Slovenia is amongst the Member States forecast to sustain the largest proportional rise in pension expenditure and ageing costs in the EU by 2060. Recent pension reforms go in the right direction, but do not address the situation beyond 2020. Costefficiency measures should also be sought in long-term care.

6. Regulated services and business environment

3. Wages and labour market

Slovenia should ensure that wage developments support its external competitiveness and create jobs. It should counter the rise in unemployment by ensuring that recent reforms improve labour market segmentation. The government should also step up active labour market policies and address the skills mismatch, for example, by improving vocational education and training.

Linked to the recommendation above, Slovenia should also review the supervision of the banking sector and act to strengthen its capacity and transparency.

Slovenia has a high number of regulated professional services and it should step up efforts to remove unnecessary restrictions to their entry and practice. Slovenia should improve the business environment, including by ensuring the effective functioning of the new Competition Protection Agency.

which hinders business activity and deters foreign direct investment. Slovenia should make further efforts to address these problems.

8. State-owned enterprises

The size and weakness of Slovenian stateowned enterprises holds back economic development and and contributes to existing imbalances. The government should use its strategy for state-owned enterprises to set out which are core economic assets and takes steps to privatise those which are considered non-core. Ownership of stateowned enterprises should be transferred to the new Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) and both state-owned enterprises and SSH should be transparently and effectively managed.

9. Corporate restructuring Many Slovenian non-financial corporations are over-indebted and face financial distress in current market conditions. Slovenia should remove administrative and legal obstacles to corporate restructuring for viable companies and increase the efficiency of bankruptcy procedures.

7. Judicial proceedings Judicial proceedings in civil and commercial cases are unduly long in Slovenia,

(Source: European Commission)

Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

European Union By Tilen Majnardi, M. Sc. Q The primary topic of this summer will no doubt be Croatia’s accession to the EU. As Slovenian tourists look forward to easier border crossings, economists in particular are expecting better cooperation and a growing volume of exchange. Would you say that Slovenia’s economy and government, in general, is prepared for our southern neighbour’s entry into the EU? A Croatia joining the EU is certainly in the interest of Slovenia; it will make business easier at all levels. Even now Croatia is one of Slovenia’s most important economic partners. I believe it is actually the second biggest investor in Slovenia and in terms of trade, the fourth country after Germany, Austria and Italy. To date, it is the only neighbouring country that has yet to become a member and I think it will definitely be a positive.

Q Do you feel that Slovenia will lose some of its

Photos: Aljaž Hafner

Interview: Karl Erjavec, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Economic diplomacy is one of our main priorities Karl Erjavec is one of the most experienced Slovenian politicians. He is a constant figure in Slovenian governments, whether left or right and he has worked in a variety of capacities including as defence and environment ministers. His current office, as foreign minister in Alenka Bratušek’s government a role he occupied in the previous government of Janez Janša, allows him to provide continuity of work and carry on the key projects of Slovenian foreign policy efficiently.

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

international status when Croatia takes over its role as the “bridge” to the Balkans? A Regarding this “primacy” in the Western Balkans, I don’t see it in that light. I think Slovenia will not lose this position because it is in the interest of all for the others in the region to meet the conditions for EU membership as soon as possible. This can only bring stability which means better opportunities for economic, cultural and scientific collaboration. After all, we have established many contacts of all kinds as republics of the former state, including private ones, so it is in Slovenia’s interest for this part of Europe to become a full member of the EU and without the Western Balkans, the EU does not fully cover the European continent. Clearly we had quite a large number of open issues with Croatia and the thorniest point has been establishing the border, which will now be settled by the arbitration tribunal, as well as the issue of Ljubljana Bank which will be resolved by signing a memorandum. It is definitely in the interest of both countries to address these problems. I would not overlook the fact that people have many well established links. For example, in summer Croatia is visited by over a million Slovenian tourists and, in turn, more than 300,000 Croatian citizens take a winter holiday in Slovenia. Given all this, I believe that Croatia’s accession to the EU will not be a problem in any sense. The Slovenian economy is quite well prepared for it and I also expect an increase in the trade of goods. Finally, this also means greater ease for ordinary people when crossing the border as there will no longer be custom control which, as we know, caused certain difficulties for our citizens who own holiday homes in Croatia. Once Croatia meets the conditions for joining the Schengen Agreement, there will be complete freedom of border crossing.

European Union Q Talking about Schengen, when do you expect

Q In recent months, a lot of dust was raised in

Croatia to meet these conditions? Croatia’s representatives are quite optimistic in their statements and count on membership in 2015 or 2016, but we have also heard that the EU say this is too optimistic considering all the activities still to be carried out by Croatia? A It is good that Croatia is an optimist and expects to be accepted in two or three years. However, to be realistic, these predictions are too optimistic. We should be aware that the Schengen regime requires the fulfilment of strict criteria including the establishment of a suitable information system and an effective regime along the outer border that facilitates the prevention of offences e.g. criminal, terrorism, etc.., knowing that Europe is the target of such acts. I therefore estimate that it will be hard for Croatia to join Schengen in two or three years, but it is in Slovenia’s interest that it should happen as soon as possible. It is also true that they have been certain problems when it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina. I think it will be some time before they reach a border agreement and a model for solving such issues has been tested in the case of the border between Slovenia and Croatia. It probably won’t happen any time soon, but this is strictly my personal opinion.

Slovenia over closing certain diplomatic missions. Do the savings justify the potential problems in terms of the relationship with these countries, the development of economic links etc? A The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shares the same fate as the rest of the ministries. We are all subject to saving. Last year, when we adopted austerity measures, one of the steps taken by the Ministry was to cancel certain diplomatic, consular missions. To clarify this issue we need to look into our history. Slovenia is a young country and our diplomatic network was fitted to the goals we set when forming an independent state, which was first and foremost to join the EU. As a result, our embassies were concentrated in the countries of this union. After we became a member state however, the need for missions in all these countries diminished and so we decided last year to cancel some. Of course, there is no major financial impact from closing three diplomatic consular missions, we save EUR 2.5m a year for example which is clearly a drop in the ocean compared to the government budget, which is a hefty EUR 9bn. What is more important at the moment is to assess whether the existing diplomatic network measures up to the challenges of Slo-

As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I singled out economic diplomacy as one of our main priorities. Given the current difficult economic situation, an important role of Slovenian diplomacy is to open the door for new business opportunities, potential, contracts... venian foreign policy. Namely, the process of globalisation is here, the centres of financial and political power are shifting and new ones are emerging and it is in Slovenia’s interest to be present in these centres. Hence we are no longer thinking of closing missions but rather of reorganising the network. We are seeing a need for new embassies in the Near East, the Gulf, Africa, Central America and Central Asia and we are planning to offset the closure of some of the missions in the EU by opening new ones in these new centres of power. We are about to open an embassy in the Gulf; analy-

Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

European Union Q Is Slovenian economic diplomacy successful?

sis of the most suitable location is underway. At this point I can already say that it would be suitable in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait or Saudi Arabia. This decision will be made in the near future. Regarding Africa, we currently only have a mission in Egypt which means poor coverage. However, a fortunate circumstance for Slovenia is that it will probably acquire a few buildings under succession

proceedings from the former Yugoslavia. This clearly offers an opportunity to use these buildings or to get funds from selling them and investing into new missions, with Central Africa being our priority. I have lately had many meetings with directors and chairmen of boards about the interests of our economy and it turns out that many of their interests lie in Africa, which clearly shows that our policy is sound.

We hear a lot about delegations and visits when they are in progress but, later, less about the actual deals and investments. A As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I singled out economic diplomacy as one of our main priorities. Given the current difficult economic situation, an important role of Slovenian diplomacy is to open the door for new business opportunities, potential, contracts... this is the only thing that can save us from the situation we face. In the past, economic diplomacy didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play such an important role because businesses were mostly focusing on EU markets where industry had good direct links. But when the EU fell into crisis, our businesses were forced to look for new, more propulsive markets. As a result, the interest in more active economic diplomacy is increasingly strong. Our document, International Challenges 2013, identifies specific priorities, since, in our global world, the Slovenian economy is currently not strong enough or able enough to be present everywhere. We therefore agreed that our work should be focused with priority countries, including the Russian Federation which Slovenia has a traditionally close relationship and where some of our companies have been operating for

European Union years, e.g. Iskra and Krka. Then there is Turkey, India, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. From my experience of chairing intergovernmental mixed committees with Turkey and the Russian Federation, I must say that business deals are in fact being made and the effects are definitely there. For example, last year we held a mixed committee between Russia and Slovenia at Brdo where EUR 140m worth of contracts were signed. As another example, I am going to Kazakhstan in early June with 50 industry leaders, many of whom are already working in the market but need support from the government. What we should know is that the way business is conducted in the EU is quite different from in Turkey or Kazakhstan. In the EU there is virtually no need for economic diplomacy because the power structures don’t influence the economy very strongly. The picture is quite different in Russia, Azerbaijan or Turkey, for example, where it is hard to make major deals without formal support from the government. This makes businesses very interested in joining these delegations to present themselves with the formal support from their home country. This is the key thing that has changed and what makes economic diplomacy so important in this new world.

Q How do you see the new organisation of Slovenia’s overall promotion by the SPIRIT agency – is there really progress or just another reorganisation without any improvement of content and quality? A In the past the organisation of the so-called “business internationalisation” was highly fragmented. It was divided between the foreign ministry through economic diplomacy, the Ministry of Economy and then various agencies: the Agency for Promoting Foreign Investment and Entrepreneurship (JAPTI), the Slovenian Tourist Organisation (STO), the Agency of Technology (TIA) and then also many activities outside government institutions, e.g. the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It all took place in a very fragmented, uncoordinated way, so I support the integration of these agencies. A step forward would be to actually bring them all under one roof. In my estimation it could be reasonable for the SPIRIT agency to operate again under economic diplomacy in order to establish a single point of operation and the full coordination of activities. At any rate, I believe that within the integrated agency the work will now be more effective and the use of money more rational. We are on the right path but the problem will be ensuring sufficient resources. It is also true that, as a state, we sometimes don’t know how to seize certain opportunities. For instance, Expo is about to happen close to us, in Milan, and given the proximity, we could go the extra mile because the small distance makes the logistics easier. Another example

was this year’s world championship in Alpine skiing in Schladming where we had our superstar, Tina Maze – but Slovenia was nowhere to be seen. In this area, we are lagging behind other countries that are much better at this.

Q Having mentioned Slovenia’s promotion through various events, we shouldn’t pass over the biggest event in Slovenia this year, the European basketball championship – EuroBasket 2013. Will we know how to take advantage of the promotional, tourist and commercial potential of the event and avoid talking about missed opportunities again? A It was my Schladming experience that prompted me to start preparations in connection with EuroBasket 2013. We are working intensively on which politicians and industry figures to invite. As you know, Bled is hosting the Strategic Forum from 1 - 3 September and the championship begins on 4 September, so we will certainly link the two. We are working intensively with foreign embassies and our managers and directors who have already been told who our guests will be. For example, the championship will very probably be attended by Turkish PM Erdogan and some ministers of important countries. EuroBasket is also promoted during all our major visits abroad. On my last visit to Paris, President Borut Pahor gave French President Hollande and their foreign minister a gift of the Slovenian jersey with their names. We are definitely going to use this event for many business meetings attended by various political representatives, sponsors and industry leaders.

a few years, water will be one of the most precious resources, as is the case now in countries that have natural gas and oil. In terms of water, Slovenia has great potential which should be made use of. Business Bled Strategic Forum will focus on economic perspectives, new business opportunities and potential for more intensive collaboration with the Russian Federation and Central Asia. Young Bled Strategic Forum will once again bring together aspiring young professionals from the diplomatic, academic and business world. This year, it will be extended over a longer period of time with the Challenge Conference already taking place in June when the participants will get a visit from Prince Edward organised by the British Chamber of Commerce. Future leaders from all around the world will discuss the problems that the young generation is facing in the EU, digital revolution and the new tools and rules of doing business. At all the events, we expect many of the highest representatives of states and industry and the forum will have an additional attraction this year; as I said earlier, we will meaningfully link the Bled Strategic Forum to the European basketball championship. 

Q Another major international event in Slovenia is certainly the Strategic Forum in Bled. What are the key highlights of this year’s event? A The title of this year’s forum is “A Changing Europe in a Changing World” and will take place from 1 till 3 September in Bled, Slovenia. The main themes will be the future of the European Monetary Union and Turkey’s accession to the EU which is definitely economic potential that we should not overlook. Attention will also be given to Croatia’s EU membership and what it means for the fate and development of the Western Balkans as a whole. Clearly, an important theme is environmental protection In the light of the UN International Year of water cooperation one round table will be devoted to water supply in the Mediterranean region. We believe that, in Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia

Das Rheingold; Photo: V. Baranovsky

Feel the Cultural Pulse of Ljubljana If you want to feel the true pulse of Ljubljana, you need to take in the voice of its streets, the whispers of its hidden nooks and crannies, the stories told by its squares, the music of its open spaces - in both a literal and figurative sense. You will have a chance to experience much of that - immersed in an abundance of culture and fun - in the coming months when Ljubljana will come alive with rich and varied cultural-social events that offer something for everyone. You can already take a look at the oldest wheel in the world (5,200 years old), which is on display at the City Museum of Ljubljana. Soon you will be able to enjoy the free shows offered as part of the June in Ljubljana Festival at Kongresni trg square, and shortly thereafter the square will come alive for the 61st Ljubljana Festival. Meanwhile, the diverse summer events at Ljubljana Castle invite you to visit and see the magnificent view above the city.

Music Highlights at Kongresni trg Square Organised for the fifth consecutive year, the June in Ljubljana 2013 festival will enrich Ljubljana with a varied programme that has over 30 free events for everyone. It is scheduled for from 7 - 20 June at Kongresni trg square, a space that has been completely renewed in accordance with Jože Plečnik’s designs and is now a spacious central public area that unites Ljubljana’s locals and visitors. In the morning, the square will be filled with children who will be able to enjoy the many dif-

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

ferent puppet and theatre performances, while the afternoons will be reserved for lighter dance and music genres. Every evening there will be first-class theatre and dance performances and concerts. The festival will start with an evening of a world-class ballet called Tango performed by virtuoso ballet dancers of the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor, followed by a ballet for children called “Picko in Packo” by the Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet Ljubljana. For fans of contemporary dance, Gregor Luštek and Rosana Hribar will perform “Korak v dvoje po Pii in Pinu”. Witty dialogues and tongue-in-cheek humour will be the “job”

of actors from the Slovenian National Drama Theatre Ljubljana, who will perform “Nežka se moži”. Those visiting Kongresni trg square to see the excellent stand-up comedians, Vid Valič and Denis Avdić, put on their show “Vid Valič & Denis Avdić, udar po moško!” will be treated to two hours of pure laughter. The June in Ljubljana Festival will conclude with “Gremo vsi!”, a show without actors but not without performers, directed by Mare Bulc and produced by the Maska Institute. At the end, on the date of the summer solstice, Ljubljana will once again join the celebration of World Music Day organised in over 340 cities globally. There will be music and singing all day throughout the various squares and streets. These events will be followed by the 61st Ljubljana Festival from 27 June - 10 September when the biggest stages of the capital will see events by many exceptional artists from around the world. The Festival will open with the musical and visual performance of the year, marked by the 1812 Overture of Tchaikovsky and the participation of the most advanced technological festival in the world, Ars Electronica, followed by 2Cellos, the Béjart Ballet from Lausanne (tickets for the show are always sold out), María Pagés, the queen of flamenco and the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra from St. Petersburg, led by the charismatic Valery Gergiev, which will have as many as three performances this summer. At the end of July they

2Cellos

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia Riccardo Chailly; Photo: Gert Mothes

will hold a concert with pianist Dmitry Mayboroda and in early September, the Orchestra will play Wagner’s operas the Rhine Gold and Valkyrie. Do not miss Grease, the musical with outstanding artists from London’s West End, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra led by one of the most distinguished conductors of our time, Riccardo Chailly, and the finale where we will say goodbye to the 61st Ljubljana Festival until next year with the ballet Brothers Karamazov by genius Russian choreographer, Boris Eifman.

Turn Back Time With a visit to the City Museum of Ljubljana or the Ljubljana Castle you can, for a short while, travel back in time. The Museum is hosting the exhibition “The Wheel - 5,200 Years” from 24 May 2013 to 20 April 2014. The invention of the wheel is one of the foundations of human civilisation and culture. Thousands of years of invention have not created anything to replace the wheel. The wheel encourages progress and creativity. And the oldest wooden wheel, with an axle 5,200 years old, was discovered in Slovenia in the Ljubljana marshes. During summer, this exceptional finding that places Ljubljana and Slovenia on the world map of cultural heritage will be highlighted by a light installation at Ljubljana Castle, “The Wheel, A Symbol of Development - Ljubljana Castle, A Symbol of the Capital” on display in the Ljubljana Castle Casemate from 30 May 15 September. The creator of the exhibition, Irena Šinkovec, presents the story of the wheel from three perspectives. The first section of the exhibition presents the wheel in its primary context – in the space and time of the pile dwellers in the Ljubljana marshes, with particular emphasis

June in Ljubljana 2013 festival – opening; Photo: N. Rovan

Set Width – India; Photo: Arne Hodalič

on the protection and preservation of their rich cultural heritage. The second section of the exhibition presents the wheel as one of the most important technological inventions, focusing on the period of industrialisation and the industrial revolution, which fundamentally changed the economic, scientific, political and broader social development of Western civilisation. The third section presents the wheel at the symbolic level, spinning in different dimensions of time and space. An individual’s desire for knowledge, exploration and creativity is unstoppable and also expands beyond our planet. With its broad concept, the exhibition encourages visitors to engage in their own reflection and exploration while emphasising the inseparable nature of science, art and heritage. For a first-hand experience of life in a piledwelling village, you have the chance to assemble a wooden wheel model, weave some fabric, dress as a pile dweller, smell herbs, grind wheat by stone or start a fire. Experiencing the ancient pile dwelling cultural heritage and the inspiration from the discovery of the wheel will serve as the starting point for numerous accompanying events for kindergartens, schools, families and adult visitors from Slovenia and abroad. The wheel, which has been spinning for 5,200 years, will be included in autumn’s EuroBasket mania with an exclusive programme at Ljubljana Castle which will be offering a EuroBasket ticket for the Viewing Tower and a return ride on the funicular.

a series of exhibitions on the theme of beauty and wonders of nature, culture and people of the world. Arne Hodalič, a Slovenian photographer of international renown will be presenting his photos from India and photos on the mystery of the Ljubljanica. The exhibition will be held in the Estate Hall and in the Palatium from 21 June to 1 September, while the life story of writer, world traveller, explorer and cosmopolitan Alma Karlin through spatial design will be on display in the Pentagonal Tower from 12 June to 1 September.

You will also be able to spin the wheel of history back at the Ljubljana Castle since this mediaeval fortress, the symbol of the Slovenian capital and the most visited cultural and tourist spot in Slovenia with around a million local and foreign visitors per year, is preparing a rich cultural and arts programme for this summer in addition to its attractive tourist offer. The Ljubljana Castle holds a diverse set of events throughout the year and they remain interesting and varied during summer when the castle receives the majority of foreign visitors. Three notable exhibitions go beyond the domestic framework and are sure to attract foreign visitors. After last year’s exhibition of photos by Steve McCurry, this year there will

There will also be some traditional events held under the starry sky in the castle courtyard: Film under the Stars from 25 July - 17 August; the Panč stand-up comedy festival from 21 - 24 August; and Comedy under the Stars from 27 August - 1 September. The many musical events held during the first few months of this year will continue in September. On 10 and 12 September concerts within the cycle Early Music Days, while 11 September will see guitarist Mladen Bucić performing at the third concert of the cycle Sounds of the Classics. Between June and September, every Saturday at 11.30, visitors will be “greeted” from the Viewing Tower by the Castle Pipers, while every Sunday in July and August the castle park will host the Mediaeval Camp. In the summer days between June and September, the Library under the Treetops event will be held under the castle chestnut trees every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, giving you a chance to cool down in the shade. Should you want even deeper shade, you can visit The Penitentiary at Ljubljana Castle. The exhibition follows the development of the Castle during the penitentiary periods that marked its image and life within it. There is no doubt that the rich set of summer cultural events in Ljubljana will not leave you cold. When you are leaving, you might even find that you have fallen in love with Ljubljana. 

Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia

Photos: Matev탑 Paternoster/MGML

The oldest wooden wheel in the world

makes its first public appearance in the City Museum of Ljubljana 26

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

The invention of the wheel is the foundation of civilisation and culture. It set the world in motion and encouraged progress and imagination. Thousands of years of invention have not created anything to replace the wheel and the oldest wooden wheel with an axle 5,200 years old, was discovered in Slovenia in the Ljubljana marshes. The wheel is making its first public appearance in the City Museum of Ljubljana at an exhibition which links ancient heritage and technological and scientific development with culture and art in an original manner and even escapes the limitations of our planet.

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia

On a spring day in 2002, archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology led by Dr Anton Velušček undertook preventive cleaning of a drainage ditch at Stare gmajne near Vrhnika. Not in their wildest dreams did they imagine they would come across such a significant find; a find which eventually came as some sort of a reward for the efforts of the many researchers who have been doing complicated archaeological research in this wet marshy environment since the first discovery of pile dwellings in the Ljubljana Marshes in 1875. The invaluable pile dwellings – villages on piles which in the Ljubljana Marshes date back to the period from the 5th to the 2nd millennium BC, i.e. the time of early farmers – have been preserved because the layers of earth there are permanently waterlogged. It is exactly this water that helped keep the remains of organic materials, including wooden artefacts, remarkably well preserved over several millennia. As the period under consideration has left no written records, our knowledge and understanding of the life of the first permanent inhabitants of the wider Ljubljana region depend on the material remains of abandoned villages. The importance of protecting and preserving such sites has been recognised by UNESCO, which in 2011 confirmed the serial nomination prepared by the Alpine countries (Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, and Switzerland), inscribing pile dwellings on its World Heritage List. Enthusiasm over finding the wheel was soon followed by concerns about its preservation. In general, waterlogged wooden artefacts

The wheel is composed of two ash wood plates that are connected by four oak wedges with a rectangular aperture in the centre, where the axle was mounted. Taking wood contraction and expansion into account, the manner of attachment and joining and other details point to an exceptionally skilled master craftsman and a real connoisseur of various types of wood. The technological perfection of the wheel and the axle, aside from its age, are what places these items at the very pinnacle of world cultural heritage. are considerably degraded. After such items have been lifted from the earth, they are exposed to further rapid disintegration due to oxygen and the accelerated impact of microorganisms. After consultation with numerous experts, both the wheel and the axle were sent to the renowned conservation workshop of the Romano-German Museum in Mainz to be conserved using melamine. Irena Šinkovec, prepared the exhibition which aims to achieve a long-term influence on the safeguarding, preserving and popularising of the cultural and natural heritage of the Ljubljana marshes. In terms of its content, the Wheel – 5,200 Years exhibition is multifaceted. The first section presents the wheel embedded in its original context, i.e. the space and time of pile dwellings on the Ljubljana marshes. The general public has its first opportunity to see the selected, previously unexhibited items found in the Špica pile dwelling located in the very centre of Ljubljana along

with several items discovered in the Ljubljanica River which are part of the collection of the Potočnik family. The second section highlights the wheel as one of the most important technological inventions ever, with a special focus on the period of the industrial revolution which significantly changed the economic, scientific, political and broader social development of Western civilisation. In the third segment, the exhibition focuses on presenting the wheel at a symbolic level, i.e. as an item capable of rotating in different dimensions of both time and space. Man’s quest for knowledge, research and creativity is unstoppable and can therefore reach beyond the planet we live on. 

Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia

Dine with Style

Promenada Gourmet Restaurant

The atelier of culinary artist Bine Volčič If you sit down for lunch or dinner in Bled’s Promenada restaurant you won’t just be having a meal. You’re in for a festival of tastes presented by Slovenia’s most popular chef, Bine Volčič. Promenada is, the name says it already, situated along the promenade of Slovenia’s tourism hot spot Bled. In summer hordes of tourists pass by the restaurant. But inside Promenada you will find a quiet comfortable home-like atmosphere. With a maximum of thirty seats Promenada is still small enough for the chef to interact with his guests. So don’t be surprised if the artist himself serves you one of the courses and gives you an explanation of what’s on your plate.

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

Promenada is a young restaurant owned by Sava Turizem d.d., part of the Sava Hotels & Resorts trademark located in six popular tourist destinations across Slovenia. It opened in 2010 and shares the building with Hotel Park. And that means it has a name to uphold in Bled. It was in 1953 that Hotel Park’s chef Ištvan Lukačević created a special cream cake (kremsnita) recipe which made kremsnita a trademark of Bled. You can find that delicious cream cake almost everywhere in Slovenia, but

only Chefs in Hotel Park are preparing it by the original receipt. Sixty years later it’s chef Volčič who’s making fame in the tourist town. Not in the least because of his appearance in the popular reality television show Restaurant Seeks Chef. Bine, who is still in his early thirties, is the only chef in Slovenia who regularly has to hand out autographs. But, of course, it is his creative work in the kitchen that makes Bine a real star. A visit to Promenada is an experience full of surprises. The first surprise comes when you ask for the menu. Menu’s don’t exist in Promenada. Bine’s culinary inventions are handwritten on a blackboard that hangs on the wall. You either make your choice yourself or Bine will come, have a talk with you and help you choose the perfect meal. The menu changes regularly, depending on the season and the chef’s inspiration. Today the starter is Cromesquis; fried balls of pork. It’s French cuisine but Bine gave it a Slovenian twist. Pork, pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, champignons, parsley. ,,Typical Prekmurje ingredients’’, says Bine. The chef developed his Cromesquis three years ago when one of his tutors, French masterchef Joël Robuchon, came for a visit. ,,I wanted to make something Slovenian for him.’’ It might be clear already, Promenada is not your typical restaurant. ,,We have a different philosophy, it’s a little crazy’’, says Bine with

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia

Three course meal Cromesquis – wine: white Sipon Duo of Lamb – wine: red Stoka carsus Baba with wasabi ice

Prices: 3-course menu €32 4-course menu €38 5-course menu €52 Reservation is recommended. If you can’t get enough of Bine’s culinary tricks, it’s also possible to follow a workshop with him in the kitchen of Promenada. For 150 euro you can spend the whole day in the kitchen and learn about the Promenada kitchen secrets. a smile and a wink. It’s not French cuisine, it’s not Italian, Slovenian or Asian. Bine’s creations have something of all. ,,It’s totally fusion. I really like Asian flavors. They’re fresh, aromatic. I love to combine them with our food.’’ The Cromesquis arrived. On the plate are of two small balls with pork, hidden behind a pyramid of vegetables and bathing in a red sauce. The balls are so perfectly round and smooth that it seems a waste to break them. But once you get over that and take a bite the crust will break easily, releasing the juicy pork meat that’s inside. The creativity behind the dishes show that Bine is as much an artist as a sculpture or a painter is. Promenada’s kitchen is his atelier. He doesn’t color with paint but with tastes. Bine says that ideas for new recipes just come to him, or not. ,,It happens that I don’t have inspiration for two or three months and then suddenly during the night three new recipes appear in my head.’’

Bine, who learned the tricks of the trade from the best in France, has around 250 cookbooks. He often goes through them before he goes to bed so that he can dream of something new. He gets enough inspiration to regularly replace the choices on Promenada’s blackboard. It’s time for the main course; Duo of Lamb with a white bean cassoulet, as Bine suggested. Olives, tomato and mint are some of the other ingredients on the plate. But this dish is all about the meat. And you know it when you put your teeth in it. The meat is amazingly tender with a full and lasting taste. A bite of lamb feels like a kiss. To get the right taste and texture the lamb needs to cook for eighteen hours at exactly 82 degrees, reveals the chef. The best thing of the courses of Promenada is not the moment of actually eating them but the seconds, minutes and sometimes the hours after when your taste buds and brain are still translating the palette of aroma’s that came to you. It’s that time when you sit, relax, talk while the essences linger inside of you. When you read some of Bine’s creations on the blackboard you might wonder if the chef didn’t get a little bit too crazy there. Take the dessert, Baba; a traditional French dessert of yeast cake. The original dessert is with rum but Bine takes Baba to another dimension. Prome-

A visit to Promenada is an experience full of surprises. The first surprise comes when you ask for the menu. Menu’s don’t exist in Promenada. Bine’s culinary inventions are handwritten on a blackboard that hangs on the wall. nada’s Baba is floating in a strawberry soup and in the middle of the cake is wasabi ice. Cake, strawberry, wasabi; now that is a combination. It’s with the first bite of the dessert that you know Promenada brought you another perfect combination. The cake neutralizes most of the burn of the wasabi. The grande finale of the Promenada experience is a sweat treat with a very delicate bite. It’s a taste to remember. Bine in the meantime composed a new symphony of tastes for a small group that just arrived. Right after he had to leave for a few minutes to give his autograph to a group of young girls that were waiting behind the restaurant. He did it with a smile; it’s all part of being a young Slovenian topchef. 

Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia

Visit Koper

and its enchanting surroundings Koper, one of the oldest cities in Slovenia, has developed from a rocky island into an important tourist destination. Together with its hinterland, it offers great opportunities to discover the characteristics of Slovenian Istria. The range of activities offered to visitors could not be more varied and there is definitely something for everyone. Culture lovers will enjoy a visit to the old city centre, hikers will relish one of the thematic walking paths, bikers can choose among different cycling routes and animal experts can expand their knowledge in the nearby nature reserve. Koper is also a perfect destination for families. Children will definitely enjoy a ride on the city train or some time spent at the local beach. After an exciting day outside, a typical Istrian dinner in one of the many restaurants will make everybody’s day just perfect. A plate of “bobiči”, the traditional Istrian corn soup, is a must and so is a glass of excellent local wine. 30

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia Summer events in Koper 5 July: Fešta Kalamarov (Kalamari Festival) Pleasant atmosphere, a full plate of squid, local wines, sunset by the sea and Mediterranean music. This is Fešta Kalamarov. 4 - 10 September: EuroBasket 2013 Koper is one of the host cities of the European Basketball Championship, EuroBasket 2013. The Bonifika Hall will be the venue for the Group D preliminary matches (Finland, Greece, Russia, Italy, Sweden and Turkey). 21 - 22 September: Sweet Istria 2013 For an entire weekend the streets of Koper will be transformed into the biggest venue of deserts and sweet products in Slovenia. Tastings, workshops, lectures and a children’s programme will diversify the rich festival programme.

Tourist information centre Koper Tito Square 3 6000 Koper, Slovenia +386 5 6646 403 tic@koper.si www.koper.si

Experience Koper and Hrastovlje with the combined ticket Visitors can now discover the heart of the city centre of Koper with the purchase of a “combined ticket”. The ticket includes a visit to the renowned city hall – the Praetorian Palace, the magnificent Tito Square and one of the biggest cathedrals in Slovenia, the Cathedral of St. Mary’s Assumption. Experienced guides will present the rich history, geographical features and other interesting facts connected to this friendly Mediterranean city. A visit to the city tower, the highest building of the former island, will astonish everyone with its beautiful panorama over the city and its surroundings. To upgrade the city experience, visitors are invited to discover the authentic Istrian hinterland where a number of small villages are hidden. Among them is Hrastovlje. A trip to this unique village under the Karst edge can become a real experience. The combined

ticket offers guided visits of the village with a presentation of historical, natural and cultural features of the area, visits to the galleries of Jože Pohlen and Viktor Snoj and a visit to the church of the Holy Trinity. Being the only church in Slovenia completely painted with frescos, it is a real jewel among the monuments of Istria. The discovery of the village will not end there as there are two additional experiences ahead. The choice ranges from a visit and tasting at the Trček farm, tastings of its meat delights store, Restaurant Švab, Tourist Farm Škrgat or a visit the collection of old objects and weapons at Grozdan Pohlen. With the purchase of the combined ticket, visitors also receive a postcard of Hrastovlje to remember the charming village. Additional information, schedules and price lists are available at www.koper.si. Welcome to Koper, welcome to Hrastovlje, welcome to Slovenian Istria!

01 Koper – Tito Square 02 Koper; Photo: Jaka Jeraša 03 Hrastovlje – Frescoes 04 Koštabona 05 Črni Kal 06 Sočerga – rock shelter 07 Šavrinka

Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia We offer different types of transfers: OPTI transfers are our unique product by which we try to combine the maximum number of people, traveling in the same direction at similar times, in one van and so achieve the best price. Opti transfers are appropriate for people who are willing to maybe arrive a few hours early or depart a few hours later than desired. The longest possible deviation of desired time we call the “Opti time window” and it is specified for every route. All passengers are picked up and dropped off at a pre-specified location, but for an extra payment, pick up and drop off is possible at a desired location. Due to possible special embarkations and disembarkations it is possible that the total time of transfer is longer than normal. The average waiting time per OPTI passenger in 2012 was only 48 minutes!

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GoOpti -

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The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

The reasons for booking with GoOpti are affordable prices, guaranteed departure and easy online purchase with instant confirmation! Travelling to Slovenia has never been so hassle-free and cheap! GoOpti ensures that the main Slovenian destinations including Ljubljana, Maribor, the Slovenian coast (Portorož, Piran, Izola, Koper) and many others, are easily reachable from nearby airports in Italy, Austria, Germany and Croatia. Within those countries we reach the main nearby cities including Venice, Trieste, Milan, Bergamo, Bologna, Verona, Genoa, Savona, Munich, Salzburg, Graz, Vienna and Zagreb. We strive to reduce costs whilst remaining 100% RELIABLE. All our services are CONFIRMED immediately the purchase is made through the website. You do not have to worry, if you will arrive at the airport or the desired destination at the right time or if the transfer will happen or be cancelled due to lack of bookings. We guarantee that, after payment, you can just sit back and relax - our driver will be waiting for you at the agreed location and at the appointed hour.

VIP transfers are intended for passengers seeking greater comfort or for larger groups. This is the classic transfer where passengers are transferred from their chosen pick up location at a desired time to the required destination. VIP transfers have a very competitive price because they do not allow cancellations as the vehicle is filled with other Opti or VIP passengers. VIPflex transfers are private transfers. The price includes boarding and disembarkation at multiple locations and possible cancellation up to 24 hours before departure with full reimbursement of the purchase price. GoOpti also offers custom made transfers for small or large groups, companies and other customers. We can offer you a transfer by car, minivan for up to 8 people or a bus. You can get the best OPTI PROMO price if you book at least 2 months before departure. Promo prices from/to Ljubljana are: • Venice from €14,00/person; • Bologna from €28,00/person; • Bergamo from €32,00/person; • Trieste from €10,00/person; • Milan from €38,00/person; • Verona from €24,00/person; • Genoa/Savona from €60,00/person; • Munich-Ljubljana from €32,00/person; • Salzburg from €24,00/person; • Ljubljana Airport from €2.20/person. GoOpti ensures you the best price/quality ratio and complete confidence that you will arrive safely and on time. In our fleet we have only the newest vehicles; minivans, cars and buses, which offer maximum comfort. GoOpti service is professional, safe, affordable and above all excellent! 

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia 01 © Krug/Flughafen Graz: Airport Graz 02 © turespaña: Palma de Mallroca 03 © Poelt/Flughafen Graz: Berlin

Scheduled flights

Travel&Logistic

Graz Airport:

Take-off to Summer Serving the needs of tourism, industry and the economy, Graz Airport offers direct connections this summer to about 50 destinations and more than 100 flights a week to major hub airports: Vienna, Munich, Frankfurt, Zurich and Berlin which connect the region to the rest of the world The difficult situation the European aviation industry had to cope with in 2012 was felt mainly at regional airports. At Graz Airport passenger numbers decreased but important steps were taken in 2012 that impact 2013: With a new flight connection to Zurich launched on 14 January, another major transfer hub airport can be reached several times daily. The increase in the number of flights to Berlin also opens new options.

Summer Flight Plan 2013 The new Summer Flight Plan at Graz Airport is remarkably extensive and varied with 50 destinations in 17 countries, numerous holiday flights and a deep network of scheduled air services. “Our summer flight plan this year brings an outstanding mix. Numerous popular holiday destinations can be readily reached, excellent connections to the big hub airports guarantee a perfect network to the world and we also have many special flights to somewhat ‘unusual’ destinations”, stated Mag. Gerhard Widmann, CEO of Graz Airport.

des, Skiathos, Santorini and Zakynthos. Palma de Mallorca will once again have six planned departures a week. In the summer months, the biggest and best loved Balearic Island can be reached daily, except Saturdays, from early June through to the end of September. On offer again this year are the many connecting flights offered by NIKI/airberlin from the Palma de Mallorca hub. Numerous popular destinations on the Iberian Peninsula including Lisbon, Malaga, Madrid and Barcelona are in easy reach with fast and convenient connecting flights. A number of holiday destinations in Turkey, Italy, Egypt, Tunisa, Croatia and Antalya are available, some of them until the end of October. A highly varied special flight provision is on offer this year, the attractive destinations included are Bordeaux, Catania, Glasgow, Lourdes, Marrakech and Tallinn.

The Summer Flight Plan will bring a big boost to the new direct scheduled link with Zurich launched by InterSky in January. Flights are offered three times daily from Mondays to Fridays, with a slightly lower weekend frequency to this major city and hub airport in Switzerland. From early May, airberlin increased flight frequency to the German capital. One direct flight a day will be available from Graz to Berlin on Mondays to Fridays and also on Sundays. From there the journey continues half way around the world. This 20% increase in flight frequency is a big boost for business travellers and tourists. But not only Berlin is on the way up. The new flights from Graz provide outstanding onward connections to the airberlin network and its oneworld® partner airlines, British Airways and Finnair and codeshare partners, Etihad Airways and Air Baltic. In addition to the focus on Scandinavia, this year’s airberlin summer flight schedule also includes three destinations in Poland: Gdansk, Warsaw (new!) and Cracow. “The reinforced Berlin axis opens up many outstanding new air travel possibilities for our passengers” according to Chairman of Holding Graz, Wolfgang Malik and Gerhard Widmann, CEO of Graz Airport. “We have now opened the door to the world from Graz Airport even wider.” Due to the increase of the number of flights to Berlin and Zurich, Graz now offers over 100 flights a week to the big international hub airports: Frankfurt, Vienna, Munich, Zurich and Berlin; a special quality standard not only for business travellers but also for outstanding vacation travel.  03

Holiday flights: Greece is represented with 11 destinations on 10 islands including Crete; Corfu, Naxos, RhoSummer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia Travel&Logistic

Marco Polo Airport, Venice an easy way to reach the world

the success of Venice airport is linked not only to tourism but also to its enlarged catchment area which, depending on the destination of the flight, can expand to more than two hours by car. The mix of over 90 destinations and 45 airlines makes it a highly competitive arena where the myriad of destinations is served by an extensive choice of options. This means convenience for the passenger as fares tend to be more competitive from Venice than from its neighbours. Venice offers a wide array of airlines from low cost, to point to point, to full service carriers, giving our passengers capillary penetration of the world. Marco Polo is one of three recognised intercontinental airports in Italy, linking Venice to five destinations in North America (New York and Atlanta by Delta Air Lines, Philadelphia by US Airways, Montreal and Toronto by Air Transat and most recently Toronto by Air Canada) and two destinations in the Middle East (Dubai by Emirates and Doha by Qatar Airways). Having two home carriers based in Venice (Alitalia/Airone and Volotea) allows service to destinations tailored to the needs of our catchment area. For example, in summer 2013 the new low cost carrier, Volotea, will be serving seven very popular destinations in the Greek islands. As the number of flights and destinations has grown, so has interest broadened for departing from Venice, thus increasing the catchment area to towns further afield. This

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

virtuous cycle by which new flights attract new passengers which in turn attract new flights is a process we try to nourish. It is with this concept in mind that more than a year ago we started our collaboration with GoOpti in Ljubljana which first started as an experiment for both of us and in barely a year has flourished into a strong feeder for the airport. It is a way to help improve passenger numbers on the intercontinental flights where people coming from Ljubljana can be at Venice airport in under two hours with GoOpti’s mini vans to, for example, catch a non-stop flight to New York. It has been somewhat surprising for us to see that GoOpti brings people to Venice airport to embark on non-stop flights to destinations that are not served from airports closer to home. The collaboration with Slovenian territory is just one the number of activities grouped by the programme we have called “Vola Via Venezia” (Fly via Venice). This programme has been designed to increase the number of passengers

flowing through Venice airport to reach their final destination. We like to think that Venice is a convenient, fast and comfortable airport for transit, eliminating the hassle and stress of connecting at major hubs. All this in the name of the virtuous cycle generated between passengers and flights. We, as the airport, strive to be the facilitators of this process. 

We like to think that Venice is a convenient, fast and comfortable airport for transit, eliminating the hassle and stress of connecting at major hubs. All this in the name of the virtuous cycle generated between passengers and flights.

The World by Air France. Together with KLM and our SkyTeam partners, we offer one of the largest networks in the world giving you access to over 1â&#x20AC;&#x2122;000 destinations.

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Making the sky the best place on earth

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia With almost 900,000 passengers per year, the airport is not only a key element economically but also an ideal gateway to a “4-country region” that is extremely attractive for holiday makers and for those who want to discover, in the heart of Europe, how three different cultures (Latin, German and Slavic) have met, interacted and melded for centuries, creating a unique multi-cultural heritage, mirrored by languages, architecture, music, traditions and even food. Strategically located, the airport is quickly and easily accessible due to the excellent road and motorway links and also because of a network of attractive and high-frequency public transport services. The airport is served by a balanced mix of point-to-point low-cost flights and hub-feeding services, thus catering to the needs of any traveller. In the 2013 summer season about 130 weekly direct flights link Trieste with 22 destinations in Italy and Europe, including:

Travel&Logistic

Trieste

“no-borders” Airport

Defining Trieste (Ronchi dei Legionari) International Airport as a real international “no-borders” airport is not hype. As a matter of fact, the vocation of this airport mirrors the characteristics of its region, both Mediterranean and Eastern/Central European: a land that has always been a natural meeting and exchange point of different people and cultures and more recently, a strategic crossroad for international business. Visit us on: WEB www.aeroporto.fvg.it FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/aeroportotrs TWITTER www.twitter.com/aeroportotrs For further information, write to info@aeroporto.fvg.it

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

• Alitalia (www.alitalia.com) serves its Rome (Fiumicino) SkyTeam hub with up to five flights a day, the city-airport of Milan (Linate) twice a day, Naples (and Catania via Naples) daily, Catania up to five flights a week and Olbia, in Sardinia, twice a week. • Lufthansa (www.lufthansa.com) has three flights a day to its world-class Munich hub, opening up a wide range of connections to hundreds of destinations across the world thanks to its extensive Star Alliance network; • Ryanair (www.ryanair.com), the leading European low-cost airline, serves 10 destinations: London (Stansted) daily, Alghero, Bari, Düsseldorf (Weeze), Trapani, and Valencia three times a week and Barcelona (Girona), Birmingham, Brussels (Charleroi) and Cagliari twice a week; • the other low-cost carriers operating at the airport – Volotea (www.volotea.com) and Belleair (www.belleair.eu) – fly, respectively, twice a week to Palermo and up to three times a week to Tirana. • The Italian carrier Mistral Air, selling tickets through the tour operator Balkan Express (www.balkanexpress.it), flies direct to Mostar (BiH) and Niš (Serbia). • For leisure travel, the tour operator from Trieste Julia Viaggi (www.jualiaviaggi.it) organises weekly charter flights to the Greek islands of Kos and Samos. Holidaymakers travelling with Julia Viaggi also enjoy very attractive airport parking rates. With potential capacity of about two million passengers per year, Trieste Airport can meet the needs of both business and leisure travellers, supplying first-class services for the fulfilment of different expectations, always

ensuring a pleasant and hassle-free airport experience with short access times as well as spaces and services of the highest international standards. Airport frequent travellers can join, for free, the FVG Club getting unrestricted access to the airport VIP lounge, discounted parking rates and a dedicated phone check-in service. Slovenian passengers flying from Trieste with Alitalia (or a codeshare partner) on to international flights (AZ code) departing from Rome FCO are entitled to a maximum of one week free parking at the airport. Updated travel and airport information with real-time flights timetables and web check-in services, is available on the official airport website www.aeroporto.fvg.it published in Italian, English and Slovenian. Trieste airport is also present on the main social media platforms, with news, information, travel hints and suggestions, on its official Facebook www.facebook.com/aeroportotrs and Twitter www.twitter.com/aeroportotrs pages. 

Sports By Simon Demšar Q What are your responsibilities as an ambassador?

A I do my best to promote the championship. We work together with the Slovenian Tourist Board and I am responsible for the areas of former Yugoslavia and Russia. Just the other day Slovenia Post issued a postage stamp, its director presented me with the first one and I used it to send a letter to Ranko Žeravica (Daneu’s national team coach in the 1960s). The organising committee is doing a great job and I know that the organisation will be great.

Q Today it is hard to believe that as one of the best players of your era you never played basketball professionally. A Those were different times. After high school I entered the Faculty of Sport, there were no benefits for anyone and you had to regularly attend classes. They presented me with a choice: basketball or study. They changed the rule later but it was already too late for me. As my father had died several years before and my mother was unable to advise me, I decided for basketball and a regular job, but this also came at a price. For example, when I left for the 1968 Olympics in Mexico (where Yugoslavia won a silver medal) I didn’t have a single day of practice behind me because my boss at Zagreb Fair, where I was employed, didn’t let me go. At the club level I only practiced in the afternoon, after work.

Q You also never played abroad or worked as a coach?

A I had an offer from Germany in 1956 but, 01

Interview: Ivo Daneu, Slovenian Basketball Legend

Teamwork is the Key Captaining the Yugoslav basketball team to a World Basketball Championship gold medal, plus winning two WC silver medals, three European Championship silver medals and an Olympic silver medal earned Ivo Daneu a prestigious place in the FIBA Hall of Fame. He was actually one of the 16 inaugural player inductees when the Hall, now including 28 players, was established in 2007. In 1970, Daneu was the Yugoslav Athlete of the Year. With such a pedigree, he is the best person to shed light on the past and present of Slovenian basketball. As an ambassador for the forthcoming European Championship in Slovenia (4 – 22 September), he also has a clear insight into what is going to be probably the biggest sporting event ever organised in Slovenia. 38

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

still fresh from WWII memories, I didn’t want to go. Later, there was an opportunity from Spain but I was already married then and I would have had to emigrate. I briefly coached Olimpija (the leading Slovenian club) in 1970 and 1977 but my other working commitments made it impossible in the long run.

Q What is basketball for you? A For me it was part of my life. Through it I acquired discipline and good work habits for life. For example, I was never late for a meeting. One executive once told me that if he had to choose between two candidates with the same qualifications and one of them is a sportsman, he would pick the sportsman.

Q How has basketball been developing over time from your perspective?

A Basketball has developed like everything else. The players are taller, faster, more skilful. In my time our tallest player was 2.01 metres tall, now the guards are 2.05m. Watching a video of a game in 1970, I had to laugh because

Sports it looked like it was in slow motion. You cannot compare players from different times. I think that in my time we used our heads more. Travelling by a night train to Belgrade, sitting in a compartment (there were no sleeping cars), we were often discussing how to outwit the opponents and their best players. Using the head is one of the things that I miss about today’s players. The head is the player’s strongest weapon. Between 20 to 30 per cent is talent, the rest is physical fitness and the head. Then there is the three-point rule that changed basketball fundamentally. As a result, there is a lot less focus on dribble penetrations and assists and things are often based on those triple-pointers. Coaches are obviously unable to explain this to their players or the latter don’t think about it.

Q What is your prediction for the Slovenian national team at the European Championships?

A It all depends on what team the coach will be able to put together. There are already some indications that Erazem Lorbek might undergo an operation on his knee and Beno Udrih’s situation is still not clear. If the best are there then I hope for the semi-final and then a medal, considering the home court and fan support. But the knock-out system, beginning in the quarter-finals, is very unpredictable and a lot depends on inspiration and daily form.

Q Over the last decade the national team has been unable to produce any outstanding results despite great personal qualities. Is it a lost generation? A Basketball is a team sport and you cannot achieve anything without team spirit, comradeship and cooperation. In the past the players were obviously unable to connect. Individual qualities mean little if you don’t function as a team. I hate the word “chemistry” but whatever it means, the players obviously lacked it and it is

up to them to resolve it. It is absurd for a player to demand a position in the starting lineup or 30 minutes on court. I was scoring 20 points per game but there were times when I only scored six if I felt that another player was in better shape. You have to earn your position and if you are good the coach would be insane not to use you. In my time, the players socialised more also off the court, we went together to the cinema or balls. I don’t know about today but it seems that after practice most of them just lie down and play video games or surf the Internet.

Q Basketball games often go down to the final seconds and dramatic turnarounds are not uncommon. What is your philosophical view of these situations? A Releasing a buzzer-beating shot, you must not think whether you will score or not because if you do, you will surely miss. It is in you or it is not. As simple as that. One coach once told me that he wanted me to be able to decide a game with a basket in the last second. I told him: ‘No, I want to decide the game earlier and avoid nervous ends.’ The fact is that the leading team often starts playing carelessly, again it is about using your head. They start shooting threepointers, losing balls, running and gunning. If it was me, I would rely on free throws to bring a game to a safe ending. I also think that today’s players are afraid of difficult matches; I looked forward to them and my best performances were always against stronger teams, like the USA, Soviet Union or Brazil.

One coach once told me that he wanted me to be able to decide a game with a basket in the last second. I told him: ‘No, I want to decide the game earlier and avoid nervous ends.’ Another factor today is school – you need to be mega successful and finish university quickly to be able to count on any serious opportunities later. We did go to school, but we were not “geeks”, so to speak, and were still able to spend the whole afternoon on the basketball court. The attitude of the public has also changed. In my time, there were 500 people watching us during practice and 3000 would turn up for the game. In the 1960s we were playing outside and the trees were full of kids who couldn’t afford to buy tickets.

Q And your view of Olimpija and the ABA re-

today and in the future?

gional league, without a proper national championship? A Unfortunately the situation is getting worse each year. However, the good thing is that they have brought forward young Slovenian players such as Jaka Blažič, Klemen Prepelič, Alen Omić and others. Olimpija has lost its place in the Euroleague but for the last couple of years it was merely making up the numbers. In my opinion, the ABA league is a good thing for Slovenia as our national championship is just not strong enough. 

strong competition from other sports, and team sports are expensive. In the past, a state official would issue a decree ordering a company to provide funds for a sporting organisation.

01 Photo: KZS/Aleš Fevžer 02 Post of Slovenia issued special Eurobasket 2013 stamp Photo: KZS/Aleš Fevžer 03 Daneu at World Championship 1970 in Ljubljana; Photo: Ivo Daneu personal library

Q What is your view of Slovenian basketball A It is in crisis, like everything else. There is

Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Sports Rich history

Gymnastics

Gymnastics in Slovenia however has deeper roots, extending beyond its sporting nature. A branch of the Sokol movement was founded in Ljubljana as early as 1863, just a year after the organisation was set up in Prague, also part of the then Austro-Hungarian empire. Primarily a fitness training centre, Sokol, through lectures, discussions and group outings provided “physical, moral, and intellectual training for the nation”. It was to be “above politics” but, in Slovenia, Sokol (Falcon) was opposed by the Orel (Eagle), whose idea was to “bring together the Slovenian catholic youth”. It was founded some 40 years after Sokol, with branches throughout Slovenia. Interestingly, Sokol was open to anyone, except members of the Slovene People’s Party. The rivalry between Sokol and Orel was a major feature of social and political life during the pre-WWII era. It was basically about the left-right political spectrum. Leon Štukelj was the first and the last of the top Slovene gymnasts to have anything to do with one of the two organisations. As a member of Sokol he won six Olympic medals between 1924 and 1936. Displaying a clear mind and living a healthy life that ended four days before his 101st birthday, he was living proof of the importance of gymnastics in a person’s life. As a honorary guest he attended the opening ceremony of the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, earning a standing ovation from the crowd, including the then US President, Bill Clinton. Štukelj’s successor, albeit 30 years later, was Miro Cerar. Interestingly, like Štukelj, he was also a successful lawyer. Cerar won two gold medals and one bronze in the Olympic Games in Tokyo (1964) and Mexico City (1968). In 1970, on the wings of Cerar’s success, Ljubljana hosted the World Gymnastics Championship, where Cerar won his last international medal, winning the pommel horse event. In 1999 he was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, joining Leon Štukelj. He remains a prominent figure of Slovenian public life, proving once again that gymnastics, indeed, provides wholesome training for an individual, a philosophy pioneered by the Sokol movement.

Exercise for the Mind and Body

Modern Era After 1970 a dry period followed. There were occasional signs of excellence but not enough for podiums at big international events. This changed in 1990 when Lojze Kolman won a bronze medal at the European Championships in Lausanne, largely thanks to his original Kolman release move. Kolman was succeeded by Aljaž Pegan, whose career spanned 20 years.

When Aljaž Pegan officially retired from competitive gymnastics on June 2nd, on his 39th birthday, he was the last in the line of highly successful Slovene athletes in a sport that has always been more than just sport. Involving the performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, power, agility, coordination and balance, and thus teaching skills that help in any other sport. Gymnastics is a fundamental sport, dating from ancient Egypt, China and Mesopotamia, where it was practised for military reasons. In Slovenia it has never been a mass activity but it has nevertheless been able to produce champions like Leon Štukelj, Miro Cerar, Lojze Kolman, Aljaž Pegan and Mitja Petkovšek, who were more or less passing the torch from one to the next. By Simon Demšar During this time he was World and European champion on the horizontal bar and won four silver and two bronze medals at the World and European Championships. On top of that he finished more than 50 times on the podium in the World Cup. Like Kolman, he invented a skill, later named after him. Despite his outstanding results and ability, he did not qualify for any Olympic Games due to the rules (in force since 2002), which discourage competitors from participating only on individual apparatus. He was denied qualification to the 2008 Beijing Games when the Olympic “wild card” spot was awarded to another gymnast. His contemporary, Mitja Petkovšek, enjoyed similar success on the parallel bars, where he was World Champion (2005, 2007), World Cup Final Champion (2000, 2004) and European Champion (2000, 2007, 2008). Although he never won a medal at the Olympics, his total of 12 World Championship, World Cup Finals and European Championship medals (7 gold) means that he has more parallel bars titles at these levels than any other gymnast in the history of the sport. As the reigning champion he qualified for the Beijing Olympics and he attended the 2000 Sydney Olympics before the rule change, but cracked under pressure. The future of Slovene gymnastics currently rests on the shoulders of Sašo Bertoncelj and Rok Klavora. They have already enjoyed some international success but have yet to achieve legendary status. With such rich history, it sounds unbelievable that the best Slovene gymnasts mainly practice in school gyms, but this is due to change next year. After nine years of negotiation, a new gymnastics hall with training facilities over three levels and a spectators area is to be opened. It will be aptly named “The Cerar, Pegan, Petkovšek Hall”. 

Aljaž Pegan

Miro Cerar, the second Slovenian in the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame

Leon Štukelj – Real legend

Spring Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Culture&Events

Valery Gergiev; Photo: V. Baranovsky

61 Ljubljana Festival: At the Heart of Your Experience

“The 61st Ljubljana Festival will begin on 27 June at the picturesque Kongresni trg square with an event that will unite different artists and art forms. Until 10 September it will host the most remarkable names of classical music, opera, music and ballet. We are quite proud of the fact that we will be able to treat the lovers of quality classical music to as much as three guest appearances of the famous artists from the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg with its unique conductor, Valery Gergiev,” says Darko Brlek, Director and Artistic Director of the Ljubljana Festival and for the third time the newly re-elected President of the European Festival Association.

The new Ljubljana Festival slogan and image put both the festival and capital of Slovenia at the heart of Europe and at the heart of summer experiences. We are well aware of the fact that the Ljubljana Festival’s programme presents an important part of our capital’s tourist offer and thus a part of its image as well. We therefore feel even more responsible to offer our visitors the finest programme, which will hopefully attract the greatest possible number of viewers. Over the years, the Ljubljana Festival has become a popular pastime, a way to spend the summer and holidays, not only for the residents of Ljubljana but also for the rest of Slovenia as well as for the many tourists, visiting our capital and country from abroad. Festivals, in general, create a lively atmosphere in the cities and are their ambassadors. They present an important link not only between the artists but also between the nations, regions and countries.

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

The Ljubljana Festival is the oldest and most important festival in the country and in the wider region. Every year, its programme is selected with the utmost care. It brings to Ljubljana important artists from around the globe. What can we expect this year? The programme of the 61st Ljubljana Festival pays tribute to the 200th anniversary of the birth of the two musical giants, Richard Wagner and Giuseppe Verdi and puts its focus on Russian culture. The festival’s opening at the magnificent Kongresni trg square with a musical and visual performance, includes the famous Austrian Ars Electronica, Purpur Orchestra and the Ivan Goran Kovačić Academic Choir under the baton of Ivan Repušić, will be dedicated also to Wag-

ner’s legacy. This event’s grandeur will also be enhanced by the bells from the churches and the canons from Ljubljana Castle. We are also extremely proud to announce Wagner’s epochmaking production, The Ring of the Nibelung. The first two parts of the famous operatic tetralogy – The Rhine Gold and The Valkyrie – will be performed by the Mariinsky Theatre of St Petersburg under the baton of the Ljubljana Festival’s now regular guest conductor, Valery Gergiev. The other two pieces will be presented within the Ljubljana Festival’s programme next year. As already mentioned, Valery Gergiev and his Mariinsky Theatre of St Petersburg will perform at the Ljubljana Festival three times. The musical connoisseurs will thus enjoy another concert with the Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre that will feature the overture to Wagner’s famous opera, Tannhäuser, amongst others. Russia’s rich heritage will be also presented at the festival by St Petersburg’s Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka Choir, violoncellist Alexander Rudin and St Petersburg’s Boris Eifman State Ballet Theatre, which will appear with its ballet, The Brothers Karamazov, signed by its famous choreographer Boris Eifman. The tribute to Verdi will be his Requiem. The soloists of the Accademia Teatro alla Scala, accompanied by the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, will sing a selection from his renowned operas. We are also very proud that we are able to present to our faithful audience such names as the current most popular duo, 2Cellos; one of the most influential ballet companies, Béjart Ballet; one of the oldest symphony orchestras in the world, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra with Maestro Riccardo Chailly; world famous flamenco star, María Pages; one of the best Bach’s interpreters, Ramin Bahrami; extraordinary musical performers from West End; and many others. 

Darko Brlek – Director of the Ljubljana Festival; Photo: Jakše Jeršič

Culture&Events

Slovenian Pavilion at the th 55 International Art Exhibition,

La Biennale di Venezia The Museums and Galleries of Ljubljana and Škuc Gallery will present the work of Jasmina Cibic at the Slovenian Pavilion, La Biennale di Venezia, the 55th International Art Exhibition. Cibic’s project, For Our Economy and Culture, was commissioned by Blaž Peršin, Director, Museum and Galleries of Ljubljana and curated by Tevž Logar, Artistic Director, Škuc Gallery, Ljubljana. The project can be viewed at the A+A Gallery, the official seat of the Slovenian Pavilion.

Jasmina Cibic Currently based between London and Ljubljana, Jasmina Cibic is one of a new generation of Slovenian artists whose practice, although acutely conscious of a specific national political, cultural and artistic lineage, creates a very distinctive language of its own. Her work is generally site and context specific, performance in nature and employs a range of activity, media and theatrical tactics to redefine or reconsider an existing environment or space.

The project For our Economy and Culture The project For our Economy and Culture continues artists interests and methodologies

and takes the directive of the 55th International Art Exhibition, la Biennale di Venezia, The Encyclopedic Palace as a starting point to further explore systems and hierarchies of knowledge and presentation. Using the architectural specifics of the Slovenian Pavilion, a re-purposed private residence, and referencing state architectural strategies, Cibic created an immersive multi-media installation that appropriates the entire space and explores issues around national representation and framing. Into this context, Cibic places a variety of elements, which further examine modes of exchange, reception and construction of identity. Prior to the opening of the exhibition, the artist presented a special performance, We have known all along it would be hard to put any-

thing on these walls, within the gallery space, that offered the key that unlocks the reading of the whole installation. In the performance, actor Primož Bezjak and dancer Gregor Luštek, enacted the hanging of the artworks, eleven still life paintings from the official art collection of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia which form a central part of Cibic’s project. By utilising these apparently neutral and decorative images, that are otherwise routinely selected to decorate government offices, presenting a particular ideal of state image within the context of her installation, Cibic articulates her interest in art as souvenir, a token of national identity. As a further framing device, the interior of the pavilion is entirely covered with wallpaper carrying obsessively repetitive scientific illustrations of an endemic Slovene beetle, a failed national icon that has almost been completely exorcised solely because of its ideologically charged name, Anophthalmus hitleri. In her installation, Jasmina Cibic also included two films, shot at official state locations, which underwent numerous redesigns concurrent with national cultural and political imperatives. The first, Fruits of Our Land, is a recreation of a 1957 parliamentary debate set up to decide which artworks might be nationally representative enough to decorate the newly built People’s Assembly, work of the architect Vinko Glanz. The second movie, Framing the Space, shows a staged interview between an architect and a journalist. In each film, the re-imagining and re-contextualising of such issues, dramatises not only the power paradigms inherent in systems of authority, but also the explicit contradictions present in the transmutation of national identity from past to present, place to place. 

Photos: Pavilion of Slovenia Author: Jasmina Cibic; Photo: Matevž Paternoster

Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Culture&Events

Kinodvor at the very top of European cinema networks For more than nine decades there has been a cinema in the centre of Ljubljana, not far from the main railway station. Once a movie theatre screening silent films with musical accompaniment, later the Sloga Cinema running erotic and pornographic films, then an art cinema featuring auteur and art films, Kinodvor is today more than just a cinema. With its quality film production and a children’s programme with film education, the city cinema is one of the most vibrant film centres, for all generations, in Slovenia today. When the City of Ljubljana opened a new public institution for film activities in 2008, it seemed that the city cinema would have difficulty competing with the pirated films on the internet and the commercially oriented market but the expectation of at least 50,000 visitors per year were exceeded in Kinodvor’s first year of operation, and after five years it can boast as many as 121,000 viewers each year. Kinodvor has built trust with its careful selection of a quality film programme prepared by Kinodvor’s programmer, Koen Van Daele, in cooperation with Slovenian film distributors. The Belgian-born former Head of the Programme Department at the Slovenian Cinematheque has been working in the Slovenian cultural and artistic fields, particularly in film production, for two decades. The trust in Kinodvor, which fosters the experience of watching films on the big screen, revived the movie-going culture in the city. As opposed to Slovenian and international trends, the Ljubljana city cinema has consistently increased admission numbers with annual growth of 25% – 30%. This is what brought Kinodvor international renown. This success should be credited, in particular, to the quality of the films on offer and the quality of

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

services that the cinema provides in all fields of operation. The technically faultless projection of a good film is accompanied by the viewer’s wellbeing in a sociable environment, offering them a broader range of cultural contact with art through the gallery programme and a specialised offer at the film bookshop. Through its activities, Kinodvor participates in a network of similar institutions operating in Slovenia and abroad. It is highly regarded in Europa Cinemas, the largest cinema network established for the promotion of European cinema, connecting 68 countries, 673 cities, 1,170 cinemas and 3,197 screens, as evidenced by the appointment of Kinodvor’s Director, Nina Peče, to its board at this year’s meeting in Cannes. The comprehensive approach to film education that accompanies its programme of children’s and youth films brought Kinodvor Europa Cinemas’ Best Young Audience Activities Award in 2010. With the award-winning Kinobalon programme, Kinodvor joined another European network – the European Children’s Film Association (ECFA). The aim of ECFA is to bring children in contact with cinema. Children and young people are not only the future of our society but also an important part of it here

and now, with enormous emotional, cultural and of course material needs. ECFA offers a communication panel promoting new ways of co-operation, within Europe, in production, festivals, distribution, exhibition and film education. As of this year, Petra Slatinšek, Head of the Kinobalon programme at Kinodvor, is a board member of ECFA. Thus, the Ljubljana city cinema is represented today on the boards of the two most important international associations promoting European cinema and a culturally diverse offer at cinemas in the EU and the broader region. Several times a year, Kinodvor hosts larger international events, the most prominent being LIFFe, the largest international film festival in Slovenia and Animateka, the most important event for animated films. Festivals and premieres always bring to Ljubljana a lot of international guests who are introduced to the public through talks and lectures as well as relaxed informal socialising. At Kinodvor, films are screened with subtitles, while the Q&A’s with filmmakers generally take place in English, making them interesting for foreigners and international guests also. The most attractive event for Slovenian and foreign viewers is Film Under the Stars, the open-air cinema at Ljubljana Castle. From 25 July to 17 August, a selection of the most resounding films of the past season will be screened in the castle courtyard to be watched under the starry sky. Don’t miss it!  01 Open-air Cinema Film Under the Stars at Ljubljana’s Castle, Photo: Nada Žgank 02 Ana Karić and Radko Polič – Rac at Kinodvor’s premiere of the Croatian film Night Boats, Photo: Domen Pal 03 Cinema Hall in Kinodvor, Photo: Nada Žgank 02

Culture&Events

16 days and 16 nights of

this year hosting legendary jazz trio, Medeski Martin & Wood, Tony Allen, Bill Evans and Manu Catche. Regarded by many as “the rock venue” brings Repetitor, Edo Maajka, Psihomodopop, TBF and many others.

Festival Lent 2013

The Mladina stage is dedicated to the presentation of young, less-established musicians and DJ’s. You can also enjoy the relaxing atmosphere at many events in Maribor’s City Park the street theatre Festival Ana Desetnica or the comedy stage.

Festival Lent is Slovenia’s biggest outdoor event with concerts of jazz, rock, world and classical music, theatre, street theatre, dance and many other recreational activities. This year, from 21 June until 6 July, it will again feature a variety of different shows and stars from all over the world. At the festival’s numerous venues by the Drava River and across the centre of town, a diverse yet harmonious selection of events takes place. In its 21st year, Festival Lent 2013 is proud to present Uriah Heep, one of the greatest UK rock groups of the 1970’s, performing on the main stage, also known as the floating stage, on the Drava River. One of the highlights of the festival is, without doubt, Osibisa, the Ghanaian-British pop band with their everlasting hit song “Sunshine day”. This year we will also witness such performers as the charismatic

Croatian band, Urban&4, Mnozil Brass and Stefanovski & Atanasovski.

At the 25. International Folkart Festival, the fireworks of colour and diversity, we are expecting to see folklore groups from Cyprus, Egypt, Ukraine, Lithuania, Colombia, Romania, Macedonia, Croatia, Mexico, Montenegro, Poland and Slovenia. JazzLent brings together friends of good music and jazz artists from all over the world,

Festival Lent is the vibrant, exciting and colourful side of Maribor. Lent is culture, fun, relaxation and the hustle and bustle of the city. Lent is also one of the largest festivals in Europe, attracting over half a million visitors each year making it the most recognisable cultural event in Slovenia. Find out more at www.festival-lent.si. 01 Festival Lent – main stage on the Drava river 02 Festival Lent – Fireworks 03 Festival Lent 04 Festival Lent – Mapping 05 Festival Lent – Folkart

Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Event Guide popular Egyptian trance duo, Aly & Fila and the Norwegian trance star, Ørjan Nilsen. Late at night, when the main part of the event, held at the Bežigrad Central Stadium is over, partying will continue at several clubs and venues across Ljubljana. Admission to the after parties will be free for those presenting the Red Summer Party ticket stub.

Metal 

Slovenia and Croatia. Before they embarked on a successful pop music career, Luka Šulic and Stjepan Hauser had already made their names in classical music circles. 2Cellos rose to fame with their cover version of Michael Jackson’s hit song Smooth Criminal, whose video has received over 7 million views on YouTube.

Saxon Wed 12 Jun, 8pm, Kino Šiška, Ljubljana, EUR 22–25 Saxon, one of the most respected classic British heavy metal bands, may not be as famous as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest or Black Sabbath but in the eyes of fans and critics alike, their excellent music enjoys the same status as that of their more famous contemporaries. Saxon, founded in the late 1970s, are famous for their energetic live performances and their uncompromising faith to the sound that brought them renown.

Jazz Pop 

Jessie J Thu 27 Jun, 9pm, Stožice Sports Park Arena, Ljubljana, EUR 35–44 Over the last three years, Jessica Ellen Cornish, better known as Jessie J, has become one of the most recognised British pop singers. Jessie J, who first wrote hit songs for Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus, released her debut album in 2011 and became famous around the world. Her second album will see the light of day just before her European tour, part of which will be her Ljubljana concert.

54th Ljubljana Jazz Festival Mon 01 Jul –Sat 06 Jul, various venues, Ljubljana Each year, the Ljubljana Jazz Festival features some of the world’s biggest names in jazz, attracting music lovers from home and abroad. Since 1960, when it was founded as a festival presenting classical jazz bands from the former Yugoslavia, the Ljubljana Jazz Festival has kept pace with international developments in the genre. Today it provides a connoisseur’s choice of music and offers an exciting insight into creativity in contemporary jazz.

Festival

Ljubljana Festival 2013

Electronic 

Thu 27 Jun –Tue10 Sep, various venues, Ljubljana The Ljubljana Festival, with its long history and tradition of presenting premier artistic events, contributes significantly to the cultural life of Ljubljana. Each summer its wide and varied programme of concert, opera and ballet events features a fine selection of renowned artists, including some of the world’s most prestigious names in music and performing arts.

Dance 

Red Summer Party feat. Aura: Classical  Axwell Postcards from Belarus house music event 2Cellos Tue 02 Jul, 8pm, Križanke Summer Theatre, Ljubljana, EUR 19–29 Fri 21 Jun, 5pm, Bežigrad Central Stadium, Ljubljana, EUR 19–43 The world renowned Khoroshki dance compaconcert of fusion, The main star of the Red Summer Party, a ny, led by the choreographer Valentina Gaevaya large house music event traditionally held in pop and classical music and named after a village in the Mogilev disLjubljana in summer, will be Axwell. The lineup will also include a large number of other Slovenian and international DJs such as the

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2013

Fri 28 Jun, 9pm, Kongresni trg square, Ljubljana, EUR 29–34 The famous instrumental pop duo 2Cellos consists of two young cello virtuosos from

trict of Belarus where a special dance known as gusariki was discovered, creates colourful and spectacular music and dance shows based on

Event Guide Festival

Belarusian folk dances. Since its foundation in 1974, the Khoroshki dance company has come to be considered a symbol of Belarus.

Nights in Ljubljana Old Town

Film 

Film under the Stars Rock 

Rock Otočec Fri 05 Jul–Sun 07 Jul, Laguna, Ljubljana, EUR 21–35 Rock Otočec, the best-known open-air rock festival held in Slovenia, has changed its venue. This year, for the first time in its history, it will be held in Ljubljana. Its three-day line-up, headed by the Canadian pop punk band Billy Talent and the American nu-metal band Papa Roach, will feature a large number of Slovenian and international artists.

Thu 25 Jul–Sat 17 Aug, 9.30pm, Ljubljana Castle, EUR 4–5 The open-air cinema set up in the courtyard of Ljubljana Castle as part of Ljubljana’s summer events will feature screenings of the most acclaimed films of the last cinema season. The films are screened in their original languages and subtitled in Slovenian.

Thu 22 Aug–Sat 24 Aug, old city centre, Ljubljana, Free admission Nights in Ljubljana Old Town, a mini festival closing the Summer in Ljubljana Old Town festival and symbolically concluding Ljubljana’s summer event season, traditionally features outdoor concerts accompanied by a diverse mixture of other cultural and entertainment events taking place in the streets and squares of the old part of the city centre.

Festival

Young Lions Fri 23 Aug – Sun 01 Sep, Old Power Plant and other venues, Ljubljana Each year, the Young Lions (Mladi levi) international festival brings together performing groups and solo artists whose work is characterised by original approaches to theatre and dance. The festival is part of the Junge Hunde international network, whose mission is to bring together young artists from across Europe, present their work to international audiences and review innovative practices in European theatre.

Classical 

Gewandhausorchester Leipzig Wed 28 Aug–Thu 29 Aug, 8pm, Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana, EUR 29–114 The Gewandhaus Leipzig Orchestra, one of the oldest symphony orchestras in the world, is well known for its own distinctive sound and fresh renditions of classical pieces. The orchestra is led by Riccardo Chailly, one of the world’s most acclaimed conductors. The programme will include works by Beethoven and Mahler.

Festival  Classical 

Trnfest

José Carreras - concert

Tue 30 Jul–Sun 01 Sep, KUD France Prešeren, Ljubljana, Free admission The Trnfest, an international summer festival founded in 1991, offers a wide and varied programme of events featuring Slovenian and international artists from music, theatre, dance, film, fine art, visual art and photography. At the end of August, the Trnfest festival will be supported by the international street festival under the title of Emona Promenade (Emonska promenada), which traditionally consists of various street performances, creative workshops and a string of other events intended for people of all ages.

Thu 18 Jul, 9pm, Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre, Ljubljana, EUR 69–150 In his Ljubljana concert, José Carreras, the best known tenor of our time, will sing to the accompaniment of the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra. Josep Maria Carreras i Coll, better known as José Carreras, holds a special place in the music world. He was born in Barcelona where he finished his studies and began his professional musical career at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in 1970.

Summer Edition 2013 | The Slovenian Times

Best restaurants in Slovenia and Croatia Introducing the top-rated restaurants selected by leading foreign and domestic evaluators. The study included 1,600 facilities, the guide presents the best 350.

Slovenia

Hiša Franko

(Gault Mileau, Jeunes Restaurateurs d'Europe, Magnar Ben, NeDelo 2010, Mladina 2011, Siol.net 2010, Trip Advisor 4.75)

Croatia Boškinac

(Dobri restorani 2012, Jeunes Restaurateurs d'Europe, Vodič kroz hrvatske gastro ikone, 100 vodećih hrvatskih restorana '04 – '10, Trip Advisor 4.5)

Morgan

(Dobri restorani 2012, Vodič kroz hrvatske gastro ikone, Vodič kroz hrvatske restorane, Mangar Ben, Gault Millau)

Noštromo

(Dobri restorani 2012, Vodič kroz hrvatske gastro ikone, Vodič kroz hrvatske restorane)

Nautika Pri Mari

(NeDelo 2008, Siol.net 2011, Trip Advisor 4.5)

(Dobri restorani 2012, 100 vodećih hrvatskih restorana '02, '05, '07-'10, Vodič kroz hrvatske gastro ikone, Trip Advisor 4.25)

Pepenero

(Dobri restorani 2012, 100 vodećih hrvatskih restorana, Jeunes Restaurateurs d'Europe, Vodič kroz hrvatske restorane, Mangar Ben, Gault Millau 2012, Trip Advisor 4)

San Rocco

(Dobri restorani 2012, Gustoza Đita 2010, Gault Millau 2012, Trip Advisor 4)

Zigante

(Dobri restorani 2012, 100 vodećih hrvatskih restorana '04 – '10, Vodič kroz hrvatske gastro ikone, Mangar Ben, Gault Millau 2012, Trip Advisor 4)

Kanova (/)

+386 31 200 000 (9h-17h) help@restaurantclub.eu www.restaurantclub.eu

***For one-time use only. On arrival at the restaurant give the card to your waiter and enjoy the discount.

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