The Slovenia Times Summer Edition 2014

The Slovenia Times Slovenian Magazine in English Language Summer Edition 2014, Volume 11, EUR 4.90

www.sloveniatimes.com

Interview: Basketball – The Dragić brothers

A Tale of Two Dragons

Slovenia/China: New superpower seeking opportunities in Central Europe

Enormous Potential for Slovenia, Poor Execution of Projects

THE POWER

OF TRUST

1 − 2 September 2014 www.bledstrategicforum.org

C A L L F O R A P P L I C AT I O N S U N T I L 19 S E P T E M B E R 2014

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FAC U LT Y O F E C O N O M I C S I N L J U B L JA N A

Editorial

Wish list

of Slovenian voters Due to the fact that the majority of Slovenian political parties are just competing when telling Slovenian citizens what they will not do and with whom they will not cooperate in the future, I´m sending Slovenian politicians a short list of Slovenian voter wishes which can guide them through the next mandate: 1. I don´t want to pay higher taxes because the government spends more than it collects in the budget.

2. I don´t want to wait for basic medical examinations for two, three or more months or even years, because the health system is acutely disorganised and corrupt.

3. I want clear information about the approximate amount of my pension when I retire.

4. I wish that pupils and students in this country will not pay tuition or school fees to get a proper education.

5. I want to go to the major Slovenian cities, Koper, Nova Gorica, Maribor, Celje, Novo Mesto…. by modern, clean, fast train with standard WiFi connections available and by the way, I wish also that that all cities have standard public WiFi connections.

6. I wish that the capital Ljubljana gets a normal bus and train station with all services of the 21st century.

7. I wish that the Port of Koper will be the leading port of the North Adriatic with up to date infrastructure.

8. I wish that I can fly, directly or with connections, from Ljubljana Airport to all major European and global cities.

9. I wish that all major roads in Slovenia would be in good condition and safe to drive on.

10. I wish that in Slovenia we will continue to breath clean air and drink clear water from the public water supply system.

11. I wish that Slovenia will use its water potential for sustainable development strategies in future years.

12. I wish that in our supermarkets we can buy quality local food.

13. I wish that wood from Slovenia’s forest is not cheaply exported to neighbouring countries and we can use it for a modern wood processing industry in Slovenia.

14. I wish that in Slovenia anybody can establish or buy a company if they fulfil all the basic legal conditions and not have to seek political approval.

15. I wish that managers of companies are selected on the basis of their education, skills and experience and not on a friendly or political basis.

16. I wish that Slovenian courts will bring to trial in reasonable time limits, that the whole legal system treats everybody equally irrespective of their financial status, political alliances, religion ...

17. I wish that officials and institutions that promote Slovenia would understand how beautiful the country and people are in this haven on the sunny side of the Alps and that they are able to promote this globally.

And last but not least: I hope that you understand what you must do in the coming years so that voters will be satisfied. If not, I wish that you go away NOW and stay away from politics forever! 

Summer Edition 2014 www.sloveniatimes.com Published quarterly by Domus, založba in trgovina d.o.o.

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The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2014

Contents SUMMER SEMAPHORE

4 Expecting a good summer of tourism 5 World Championship in Spain: Sporting Peak of the Slovenian Summer 5 Hoping for a stable and effective government

ECONOMY

6 Further lowering of government deficit: a major task for the new government 7 "Happy" ending to Agrokor-Mercator takeover saga or new economic disaster for Slovenia?

8 Slovenia/China | Enormous Potential for Slovenia, Poor Execution of Projects 11 When Chinese and Slovenian culture meet 12 Interview: Professor Jörg Steinbach, Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) 14 Successful trip to the US 16 New President of the Managers Association of Slovenia, Mr. Aleksander Zalaznik 18 Alpe-Adria Region can be Successful with Mid-Sized Companies in the World Economy 20 New Energy Label for vacuum cleaners makes the buying decision easier 22 Real Estate | The light at the end of the tunnel

POLITICS

24 Pre-election hysteria affecting privatisation process 25 Real transformation of Slovenian politics or just new faces with old habits

EUROPEAN UNION

26 Slovenia Welcomes Election of Schulz as EP President, Supports Juncker for EC President

26 Slovenia proposes new convention on the future of Europe 27 Ljubljana: European Green Capital 2016 27 Slovenia waiting for the junction to the High Seas

EXPERIENCE&LIFESTYLE SLOVENIA

28 Slovenian Incoming Workshop 30 GoOpti: new website, more transfers and lower prices 32 Marché® fresh restaurants on your way 34 Golden Apple for the Postojna Cave 36 Urban gallery of wild tastes 38 Orhidelia, the epitome of wellness

SPORTS

40 Marathon Franja: Feel like a pro for a day 42 Basketball – The Dragić brothers | A Tale of Two Dragons

culture&EVENTS

44 Bled Film Festival | New film story 48 Slovenia during WWI: the Isonzo battles 50 If it's old, it doesn't mean it's valuable 52 Schengenfest - A music festival at the border 54 Event Guide Summer Edition 2014 | The Slovenian Times

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Summer Semaphore Economy

Expecting a good summer of tourism After a very solid 2013, Slovenia is hoping for continuing good tourism results. Tourism is the sector of the economy which has not been impacted by the general crisis in recent years. However, tourism companies are struggling for higher income and thus introducing higher value-added services away from mass tourism which is also not “eco friendly”.

The tourism sector is, in fact, very optimistic due to very good winter and spring results.

Tourist facilities have recorded almost 2.2m overnight stays in the first four months of this year, up 1% from the same period in 2013. Furthermore, the number of foreign tourists visit-

Hiking in the Slovenian Alps and thermal resorts are the current “hot spots” of Slovenian tourism; Photos: Marko Pentek (above), Terme Olimia (bellow)

ing Slovenia in April increased 17% compared to last April.

Foreign tourists generated 64% of all overnight stays in Slovenia in April, most of them from Italy, Austria, Germany, Russia, Serbia and Croatia. The Statistics Office attributes the increase in the number of foreign tourists to Easter which fell in April this year, whereas last year it was celebrated in March. Municipalities with thermal resorts recorded around 244,000 overnight stays which was 11% more than last April and coastal municipalities recorded almost 140,000 overnight stays.

Municipalities in the highlands have generated almost 87,000 overnight stays, which was 5% more than April 2013, while the capital of Ljubljana saw almost 74,000 tourists spend the night there. In all, hotels have so far recorded almost 802,000 arrivals generating some 2.18m overnight stays over the first four months of this year. There was a 2% drop in arrivals among Slovenian tourists in the first four months, while the number of arrivals among foreign tourists increased by 7%. Foreign tourists generated almost 1.2m overnight stays from January through to April. 

Sport

World Championship in Spain: Sporting Peak of the Slovenian Summer While most of the world has been preoccupied with the football World Championship in Brazil at the beginning of this summer, for Slovenia the peak of the summer will be in September when the World Basketball Championship will be held in Spain where Slovenia is aiming high.

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The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2014

Summer Semaphore Politics

Hoping for a stable and effective government Slovenian voters are hoping that Slovenia will get a stable and credible government from the early election in July. The old political structure that has led Slovenia since independence in 1991, is clearly without a strategy which would be suitable for the current European and global situation.

The main task for the new government will be to finish stabilising the economy after the deep economic crisis of 2009-2013 and to put together an effective development strategy for the next 10 years.

Will NBA superstar Goran Dragić drive Slovenia to basketball heaven?; Photo: KZS, www.alesfevzer.com

In June, the head coach of the Slovenian national basketball team, Jure Zdovc, announced a preliminary 12-man roster for September, saying at the time that the team, led by NBA star, Goran Dragić, is looking to finish among the top four teams in the tournament. Aside from Dragić, the A team features guards Jaka Blažič, Jaka Klobučar, Klemen Prepelič, Domen Lorbek and Edo Murić, forwards Jure Balažič, Domen Lorbek, Erazem Lorbek and Zoran Dragić and centres Alen Omić, Uroš Slokar and Miha Zupan.

The first team will be joined by up to five players from the second team, which features a total of 15 up and coming players. The team gathered in mid-July for a training camp which included 13 warm-up games. According to Zdovc, the team’s goal at the World Cup, to be played between 30 August and 14 September, is to make it to the final four. “Goals remain high. We have enough talent for this,” he told the press in Ljubljana. He promised fast-paced and aggressive play in Spain. “This team is young. We will try with agility, with those who can also score from a distance. We have a few players who can play both the ‘four’ and ‘five’ position”. This will be Slovenia’s third World Championships in a row, coming after Japan in 2006 and Turkey in 2010. Slovenia will play in Group D in Gran Canaria along with Lithuania, Angola, Australia, South Korea and Mexico. 

It is now widely recognised that Slovenia´s economic crisis was largely generated from the inside, from a political system which just didn´t find the answers for the challenges of the global economic crisis. Instead, politicians implemented solutions which weakened industry and overburdened the social system as they continuously argued about “who was guilty” for the end of the “Slovenian success story” after joining the EU and the eurozone. On top of that, Slovenian politics is morbidly obsessed by questions and issues from the Second World War leading to a continuous ideological battle which is dangerously “polluting” Slovenian society.

For an effective government in the coming years, Slovenia will have to see a “cleaning process” inside the major political parties, especially the leading right party – the Slovenian Democrats (SDS) and also on the left where the Social Democrats must put together a consistent programme instead of numerous populist PR strategies. An important factor, the “scales”, in Slovenia is the Pensioner´s Party which will have to understand that they cannot build their programme by blocking all reforms which could affect pensioners. The liberals will have to merge back into a single party instead of forming numerous small “one man band” parties without a chance to affect mainstream politics.

Fresh ideas from the new faces in Slovenian politics could bring Slovenia back into the core of the successful in the EU in the coming years. The programme of the new government is in fact very clear: final stabilisation of public finances whilst understanding that the country can spend only as much as it collects from taxes; pension reform; health sector reform; the privatisation of non-strategic parts of the economy; commencing strategic infrastructure projects through a combination of EU, private and domestic funds. We just hope that somebody will do it!  Miro Cerar, a new face in Slovenian politics – credible politician or short term PR story?; Source: SMC, Photo: Aljoša Rebolj

Summer Edition 2014 | The Slovenian Times

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Economy

Budget Interest payments (EUR million) 300 250 200 150 100 50 0

1st quarter 2013

1st quarter 2014

Budget Interest payments (EUR million) (Source: SORS)

Photo: Marko Pentek

Public finances

Further lowering of government deficit:

a major task for the new government

By STA, T. M.

The general government deficit was estimated at EUR 465m or 5.5% of Slovenia’s GDP in the first quarter of 2014, down from EUR 856m or 10.5% of GDP for the same period last year, the Statistics Office said.

Slovenia’s public debt stood at 78.7% of GDP at the end of the January to March period.

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The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2014

When excluding expenditure related to the financial crisis, which was EUR 322m in the same period last year, the deficit was down EUR 69m or 1 percentage point year-on-year.

But due to heavy borrowing to cover bank losses in the second half of December 2013, annual interest payments increased in the first quarter of 2014, from EUR 207m or 2.6% of GDP to EUR 279m or 3.3% of GDP or by 35% in nominal terms. The primary deficit (deficit without expenditure related to the financial crisis and interest) was estimated at EUR 186m or 2.2% of GDP in the first quarter, after standing at EUR 327m or 4.0% of GDP in the same period last year.

The consolidated Maastricht gross debt of the general government increased by EUR 2.666bn or 7.5% in the first quarter to EUR 27.973bn or 78.7% of GDP. Andrej Flajs of the Statistics Office told the press that first quarter deficits are usually higher relative to other quarters and that this can also be expected this year. While noting that the situation was much easier this year than at the beginning of 2013, Flajs said that the primary deficit remains a key problem in terms of public finances, while he also pointed to the rising cost of interest payments which have risen from EUR 583m annually in 2010 to EUR 917m last year.

“This year we can expect these costs to increase by more than EUR 200m,” he added, pointing out that this reduces the possibilities for state investments. Furthermore, there have been no crisis-related costs this year but this may happen in the second or third quarter, probably because of the banks, Banka Celje and Abanka Vipa. Flajs said that fresh borrowing is not planned for this year, for now, but it is possible that some of the old debt will be repaid.

“If we are lucky the debt will not exceed 80% of GDP at the end of the year.” 

Economy Retail

"Happy" ending to Agrokor-Mercator takeover saga or new economic disaster for Slovenia?

Croatian food group Agrokor announced, in early July, its intent to publish a takeover bid for the outstanding 47% in Slovenian retailer Mercator that it does not already own. Agrokor will reportedly offer EUR 86 per share, the price of the recent acquisition of a 53% stake from a consortium of sellers.

Agrokor, which needs to publish a takeover bid for the remaining shares within 10-30 days from the announcement, did not disclose any details, saying only it would respect the deadlines and the Slovenian legislation. Mercator’s Croatian rival paid EUR 172m for the 53% stake, while EUR 86 per share for the remaining stake would mean a total of EUR 324m for the entire takeover. It has already transferred EUR 200m to pay down the Slovenian grocer’s debt and EUR 20m for operating capital.

The takeover operations will be managed for Agrokor by Alta Invest, while the announcement also mentioned Agrokor Investments, a firm registered in the Netherlands which is working in coordination with Agrokor but is not a buyer. The biggest owners among the holders of the outstanding 47% stake are Croatian Splitska banka of the Societe Generale group (10.76%) and Unicredit Banka Slovenija (8.01%).Croatian pension funds operating through the Croatian subsidiaries of Societe Generale and Unicredit have also become important owners in recent years.

Slightly over 10% is held by investment firms and mutual funds, while around 13% is in the hands of small shareholders. Through a 62.5%

stake in KLM, a firm that holds 2.2% of Mercator, the President of Positive Slovenia (PS) and former Mercator CEO, Zoran Janković, is also among the shareholders. UniCredit Banka Slovenija told STA it had never hidden its wish to sell the Mercator shares obtained as collateral for loans to Istrabenz, although the bank was not part of the consortium that completed the sale of the majority stake last Friday.

The Slovenian Association of Small Shareholders said that the decision to sell or not is up to individual shareholders, although it can be expected that they will mostly accept the offer since it seems the safer option. The business daily, Finance, recently reported that Croatian pension funds may react negatively to the offer, since they had bought the shares at a price much higher than EUR 86. 

New owner of Mercator denies hostile intentions The owner of Agrokor Group, Ivica Todorić, underlined that he was not going to destroy Mercator. “Nobody loves Mercator more than I do,” he said. However, he did not make any promises regarding layoffs, saying that he much preferred to hire new people.

He also made no assurances regarding Slovenian suppliers but promised they would get on to the shelves of Agrokor’s retail arm, Konzum, in Croatia if they are competitive enough.

He also promised to extend a hand to the new government. He said that he would work for a bigger and better Mercator, adding that Mercator, Konzum and the entire group must continue to grow. Regarding Mercator’s debt, he said that they have two years to repair the situation and that his team would show what they are capable of.

However, there are still many sceptics who doubt that the Croatian rival would indeed strive for what is the best for Mercator. A lot of people and political parties protested against the sale in front of the Mercator Centre in Ljubljana after the takeover was completed.

Mercator is now part of Agrokor Group; Photo: Wikipedia

Ivica Todorić – The “enemy” of Slovenian agricultural and food suppliers or sincere and visionary businessman?; Photo Novilist.hr

Summer Edition 2014 | The Slovenian Times

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Economy

Economy Minister Metod Dragonja visiting China; Photo: MGRT

Bullet train – from Beijing to Shanghai in 5 hours

Scale model of Nanjing; All photos by: Tilen Majnardi

Slovenia/China, New superpower seeking opportunities in Central Europe

Enormous Potential for Slovenia, Poor Execution of Projects

By Tilen Majnardi, M Sc.

China is definitely becoming the centre of the global economy. This huge country, with its enormous domestic market and population, has achieved fantastic economic growth and development in recent years. After jumping to a new level, China now wants to become an important investment partner in EU countries amongst others. Due to some political obstacles in the so-called “Old European” countries, China sees numerous opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe. Maybe this is because these countries can better understand the mentality and internal structure of China and the still formally communist system.

Central Europe: China’s Gateway to Improved Cooperation with the EU The Chinese are trying very hard to present themselves as a modern country. They’ve organised an Olympics, they are organising numerous presentations and visits by different delegations to China, they are presenting their economic achievements, technology, culture…. However, China is still largely unknown and mysterious in the business community in Central Europe and Slovenia is no exception to that. The main obstacles are language, business etiquette, quality standards and distance. Of course, some countries in Western Europe and the US are still very cautious and suspicious about the nature of China´s interest in Europe

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The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2014

and globally. They still treat China as a rigid communist country and find it difficult to politically accept China as a full partner, despite economically doing so every day. It is also wellknown that China has some important issues around human rights and last but not least, they are probably afraid of China´s economic and political global potential.

To boost cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe, China has established a special secretariat which is maybe a little too bureaucratic, but nevertheless incorporates all the important parts of the Chinese system. The Secretariat for Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries is an institution under the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The institution deals with communication and coordinates cooperation between China

and Central and Eastern European countries, preparatory meetings between leaders, preparation of economic and trade forums and the implementation of those outcomes.

The secretary-general, executive secretary and deputy secretary-general roles in the secretariat are respectively held by Deputy Foreign Minister, Wang Chao, Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, Liu Haixing and Deputy Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, Chen Bo. The secretariat consists of 18 member units: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the international liaison department of the Central Committee of the CPC; the National Development and Reform Commission; the Ministry of Education; the Ministry of Science and Technology; the Ministry of Finance; the Ministry of

Economy Transport˝(including the National Railway Administration); the Ministry of Agriculture; the Ministry of Commerce; the Ministry of Culture; the People’s Bank; the General Administration of Press and Publication, Radio, Film and Television; the National Tourism Administration; the Civil Aviation Administration; the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China; the Council for the Promotion of International Trade; and the Development Bank and Export-Import Bank. National coordinators are appointed by the Central and Eastern European countries to be responsible for coordination with the secretariat and to jointly promote China and Central and Eastern European Countries Cooperation.

From underdeveloped to developed in one decade The Chinese development model is definitely unique. They have combined the elements of a free market with a centralised, one party political system. It would be easy to speculate that the progress of this big country was only possible because of the centralised and autocratic system. China is today a country with many different faces. Apart from Beijing and Shanghai which are, in fact, special ”countries” within the country itself, fast but in recent years, controlled development in different provinces and towns can be observed. For example, the town of Shuzhou and in fact the majority of Jiangsu province, could be easily compared to some European towns, the same goes for Nanjing. These are modern towns with sustainable development models, putting a lot of emphasis on ecological issues, education and young people. The towns also provide an attractive business environment for domestic and foreign companies.

Unfortunately China didn´t learn a lot from the mistakes of the West. Ecological and sustainable issues only became important when the environment was almost completely destroyed, the air unbreathable, water undrinkable……. They obviously followed a system of “learning by doing” and not recognising the huge development mistakes in the US and Europe. Now the Chinese government is trying to upgrade “dirty” technologies, to manage the consequences of rapid development. For many areas in China it is probably too late, but better late than never.

Big differences between provinces, different population segments could cause political problems Logically, China as a huge territory could not organise consistently fast development in all

Nanjing city centre

Beijing city centre

Slovenia: Huge opportunities for boosting exports Slovenia plans to double its exports to China over the next five years, Economy Minister Metod Dragonja said as he met Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng at a conference of trade and economy ministers from China and 16 Central and East European countries in Ningbo in June.

The Chinese meanwhile expressed interest in investing in infrastructure and the energy, biomedicine and automotive sectors, while Gao expressed support for Slovenia’s plans and said Slovenia should boost food exports according to the Economy Ministry. Gao also expressed the wish that activities related to the issue of visas and work permits at Slovenia’s embassy in Beijing and the Shanghai consulate be enhanced.

Announced at the November summit of prime ministers of China and 16 CEE countries in Bucharest, the Ningbo conference is the first such event within the scope of enhanced cooperation between China and the CEE region. Dragonja, who was accompanied by a business delegation, also met members of the Slovenian Business Club at the Chinese headquarters of car electronics maker, Letrika, in Taicang, northwest of Shanghai.

The volume of trade between China and Slovenia dropped from EUR 750m in 2012 to EUR 667m in 2013. Slovenia’s exports totalled EUR 127m last year. Investment has been modest at a few million euros, but Chinese investors have been showing considerable interest to invest in Slovenia, primarily logistics. The most recent Chinese investment was the Maribor bus manufacturer, TAM Durabus, but reports suggest China Southern Airlines has made an offer for airport operator, Aerodrom Ljubljana.

Slovenian Chinese trade: Slovenian exports to China is surprisingly low for now 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

2008 Export

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Import (Source: SPIRIT)

Summer Edition 2014 | The Slovenian Times

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Economy

Lanzhou new area, spatial engineering in the middle of desert

Village in central China; waiting for benefits of development

parts of the country. Historically and geographically, the most developed part of the country is in the east, enjoying a good climate, agriculture and geostrategic position. As a consequence, the majority of public domestic investment and foreign investment is concentrated in the east and south east of the country. This can be seen at every step with the modern infrastructure, services available and the consequences of growing consumer spending where, for example, more BMW and Mercedes Benz cars can be seen in Beijing than in Munich or Frankfurt.

The situation is little bit different in central and western China. Cities are not so “shiny”

(yet) and the quality of life is much lower. But the central government has obviously decided to tackle this inequality issue, possibly also because of growing political tensions between different provinces which could result in political instability in the central government. One of the biggest development projects in central China is the Lanzhou New Area (Gansu Province). For Europe it is probably unthinkable the scale of this single development, social and spatial engineering project. This project, located on the Silk Road, aspires to connect the Asia-Pacific and European economic circle.

In fact, this completely new town with a huge

industrial area, covers almost 2000 square kilometres. From north to south it is 50 kilometres and from east to west, 25 kilometres. It is in fact comparable with the whole of central Slovenia. By 2015 the population of the new town will be 300,000, by 2020 - 600,000 and by 2030 - 1 million.

This kind of development concept and social engineering, transforming the country from agricultural to an industrial, high technology society has its consequences. Many people inside the government’s communist structure in China are today extremely rich, a lot of the population is still very poor. Slowly but surely a middle class is forming, in some areas faster and in others, slower. Sooner or later some logical political issues will be opened, the ruling Communist party will have to explain what kind of communism it is if somebody is driving a new BMW worth EUR 100,000 and others a 20 year old bicycle. A huge problem is also the acute corruption inside the government, primarily connected to the numerous public tenders and projects. For now, the central government seems to be stable, recognising the major problems but the question is whether the pace of reform will follow the rapid development of China´s modern society. 

International Business Drink Save the date 16.9.2014 17:00h

City Hotel, Ljubljana t: +386 1 252 88 60 m: ahk@ahkslo.si

Economy and by providing books and materials. New classrooms will also bring new positions and I think the Slovenian government should also take this seriously.

Q CI’s actions have played a significant role in Slovenian economic cooperation with China.

What kind of changes can be noticed in this area?

A I am sure businessmen are aware of the different approach that has to be established when doing business with China. Therefore, a one week business trip to China is organised to expose people to the real environment. We are talking about a 5000 year old culture and little things, like numbers, presents, colours and more, count here. All these details make a successful businessman and this is where we can help. In October 2013, we successfully organized the 1st China-Central and Eastern Europe conference on cross-cultural dialogue, education and business.

Q You offer summer schools for students. What kind of competencies can they achieve there?

Slovenia/China Relations: Confucius Institute spreading its actions

When Chinese and Slovenian culture meet

By Medeja Kenda

The Confucius Institute (CI) is a non-profit organisation that was established at the Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, in 2000. The main purpose of the Institute is to promote Chinese language and culture and to strengthen relations between China and Slovenia. One of 420 CIs globally, the CI in Ljubljana is one of the seven in the world which is business-oriented.

Danijela Voljč, Head of International Relations, told us that the CI makes China less threatening in the eyes of Slovenian community. “We offer different courses, seminars, workshops and celebrations of Chinese holidays. While we learn about them, they get in touch with us. In the University for Languages in Beijing there are already 25 Chinese students learning Slovenian.”

Q Would you define your organisation as socially responsible?

A Yes, we strive for responsibility. Firstly, we spread values that are common among both nations and secondly, we organise special events in retirement homes. Furthermore, we

run summer schools for kids and we also try to identify the less privileged sectors of our society and help them to attend our activities.

Q The CI established Chinese classes in some basic schools in Ljubljana, Maribor and Kranj. How have you found the public response?

A Confucius Classrooms serve like a local crossroad. Volunteer teachers from China operate in conjunction with local sinologists and by implementing each method, they make a special team. Now more than 600 students are learning Chinese. Demand is enormous, above our capability and so we plan to expand also to Nova Gorica, Novo mesto and maybe Celje. The Chinese government supports us financially

A Firstly, students have to take 30 hours of Chinese to get the basic knowledge and in Shanghai, they are taught only by native speakers. In one month they can feel the dynamic of life as China is changing on daily basis. Afterward, many students attend universities there, some even get jobs and some return to Slovenia with good knowledge and experiences.

Q Do you have any plans for your actions in the future?

A Aside from opening an info point in the centre of Ljubljana, we strive to open a Business Academy as well. China taught me there is no small nation. We are small in the physical sense but having our own culture and language in which we can express our thoughts makes us a big nation and therefore even more ambitious. 

“We are small in the physical sense but having our own culture and language in which we can express our thoughts makes us a big nation.”

Summer Edition 2014 | The Slovenian Times

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Economy Interview: Professor Jörg Steinbach, Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin)

The professors are sometimes more focused on their personal interest and reputation and may not give sufficient support to students Prepared by M.Sc., Tina Drolc

Professor Jörg Steinbach has been the President of the Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) since April 2010.

Increasingly developing into a springboard for young entrepreneurs, TU Berlin is one of the leaders in the area of innovation in Europe. The school spins out up to 30 startups from their in-house incubator every year and generates around EUR 1m in revenue from patents and licenses. TU Berlin is also the first German university to operate a campus in Egypt based on the quality criteria of the Federal Republic of Germany.

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Professor Jörg Steinbach, Technical University of Berlin

Technical University of Berlin

We must change the mindset of parents in Europe who discourage young people and students from taking risks.

Q Support for Innovation in Europe is still is a which enables professors to not only guide the

The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2014

challenge, there is a lot of research and good ideas in the academic field however they rarely turns into new products for broader consumption.

Why? A There are several reasons. To some extent the mindset of professors themselves because they are more focused on their personal interest and reputation and may not give sufficient support to students to get their ideas to market. We must therefore find a solution

students with marketing their innovations but also be able to do their research and publish so that both purposes may be served. Secondly, we must change the mindset of parents in Europe who discourage young people and students from taking risks. Why in Silicon Valley do certain things work but not in Berlin or Ljubljana? It is a question of mentality. If you fail in America there is a nice idiom: "Nice try, go for the next attempt". The mindset of Central

Economy Europe is to try a 'safe' career not academia, entering the risky field of our world is not well accepted by the families and thus we are confronted with a lack of freshmen enrolling at our universities; people who regard a university career as the entrance to their personal enterprises.

Q You once said: "The quality of the education we provide determines the quality of life for future generations." What determines the quality of education?

A I think three things. On the basis of my experiences with engineers and natural scientists, we first have to provide students with good fundamentals in the basics of the discipline. We have to work on motivation so that they remain motivated to go through these fundamentals, even though they are not so attractive, and tell them: "At a later stage you will learn that this has been offered for future success". Secondly, we must base the education on methodological approaches. At many universities, new curriculums are very narrow in their field and drill very deep. If one of these topics turns out to be a hype topic, students are not able to adapt to new challenges in the job market because their education is so specialised. If you base education on a more methodological approach, it actually doesn’t matter whether students will later find a job in that or in another area. So universities need to avoid buzzword developments and stick instead to the basis with methodological education to make sure that we do not produce unemployed academics at a later stage.

Professor JĂśrg Steinbach, Technical University of Berlin

enterprise for Moto design that offers test rigs

Q TU Berlin is one of the largest universities for and all the experiments for almost all brands technology and most prestigious institutions in Germany. The school spins out up to 30 startups from the in-house incubator every year and generates around EUR 1m in revenue from patents and licenses. In which field or industry have you contributed the majority of innovations? Were they launched also globally?

A There are three areas with the dominant being Internet based service, which is the case all over the world. It is an area where you can have the biggest success in the shortest time period. A good example is the PayPal system.

They worked for 18 months and then it was sold for EUR 1.5 m. The second area where we are very strong is natural sciences, especially biotechnology. Our young spin-off started with a team of three and today there are 45 people. They have introduced new technology for the manufacture of antibiotics. They patented a new type of synthesis and it is a revolution to the synthesis process of antibiotics. The third area, fortunately on rise, is in the field of automotive systems. This is the biggest success that we can present at TU Berlin. IAV, with 25,000 employees worldwide, is a service

worldwide.

Q From 2012, TU Berlin has had its El Gouna Campus in Egypt. What is the mission of this campus and the field of innovation development?

A First of all is the export of education and secondly the export of innovation. We only provide Masters level, we are not going into basic education. We enroll Bachelor students who have worked for one or more years. They are ambitious to take up additional education in the relevant fields for their region. Energy and water are the basis for setting up good urban development.

Q What were the major reforms that contributed the most to the effectiveness and internationalisation of your education process? Is there also the necessary broader consensus and financial support from the state authorities?

A Some 15 years ago we had a situation where the City of Berlin was hosting three large universities but only had money for two of them.

We had to undergo structural change based on a certain accountability of what we were doing

If you fail in America there is a nice idiom: "Nice try, go for the next attempt". with taxpayer money. That changed a certain attitude and the job of the rectors because we were no longer just signing certificates and opening nice exhibitions and congresses. Suddenly we were responsible for an enterprise!

In terms of my university, I am responsible for 8,000 employees. If I take the sum of basic and research funding and translate it to turnover of an enterprise then I am responsible for EUR 500m per year turnover, which is not a medium size enterprise anymore. That changed the inner perception, we are accountable for taxpayer money and have to justify our work, which means that first we had to learn the strategy within the university and control mechanisms and after that, identify if we meet our targets and on that basis give the justification for the taxpayer money. That changed the inner character of the university and contributed the most to the development. ď ´ Summer Edition 2014 | The Slovenian Times

13

Economy

01

Successful trip to the US In May, representatives of 15 companies participated in a business delegation, organised by AmCham Slovenia and SPIRIT Public Agency, to the United Sates. Over seven days, the delegation visited three cities – Cleveland, Akron and Pittsburgh and met representatives of more than 60 companies.

The delegation was hosted by representatives of the city authorities, business accelerators and visited the global headquarters of Goodyear and Westinghouse. They also informally met with representatives of the Slovene community, among whom there were successful business people who would like to do business and help their homeland.

01 AjĹĄa Vodnik, M. Sc., Executive Director of AmCham Slovenia and Robert Y. Bowman, President of Akron Development Cooperation signing the agreement for economical cooperation 02 Delegation in Convention Center in Cleveland 03 Delegation in front of Westinghouse Building

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The company representatives were extremely satisfied with the trip, particularly the US mentality that everything is possible and because Americans are engaged in business, not politics. The delegates made numerous connections and realised that personal contact and trust are the key to successful business in the US. The first stop on the itinerary was Cleveland, Ohio where the delegation met with the Slovene business community, attended a business breakfast, had a meeting with Mayor Frank G. Jackson and engaged in a number of B2B meetings. Cleveland is home to the largest Slovene diaspora in the US including a number of successful American entrepreneurs with Slovene origins. The general theme of the meetings was that Cleveland would welcome Slovene companies.

In her opening address, Mag. AjĹĄa Vodnik, Director of AmCham Slovenia thanked their hosts stating that "Slovenia must be aware of the extreme potential and richness it has in you, bonds are created, we only need to take better care and improve them through greater economic cooperation."

The state of Ohio has the third lowest tax rate and is the fifth strongest industrial region in the US according to Bernardine R. van Kessel, Director of the International Business Attraction Team, Northeast Ohio who went on to say that the state, covering a market of 11.5 million inhabitants, possesses strong polymer, automobile and aircraft industries.

Economy After hearing presentations from Matej Skočir, M.Sc., Head of internationalisation, SPIRIT Public Agency and Jurček Žmauc, Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland, the delegation moved on to Akron, Ohio for the official signing of an Economic Development Collaboration Agreement between Akron and AmCham Slovenia at a reception hosted by the City of Akron. With the signing of the agreement, the goal of both parties is to mutually enable easier market entry for companies, for Slovene companies entering the US and for American companies entering Slovenia and for those who wish to set up a centre for Central and Eastern Europe in Slovenia. Robert Y Bowman, President, Akron Development Corporation, said that American companies are insufficiently aware of the importance and potential of the 02

03

European market and added that given that he himself has been to Slovenia many times, that Slovenia could be an exceptional base for entering the markets of Central and South Eastern Europe.

After a presentation about the key industries of Akron, the delegation then visited the Akron Global Business Accelerator, one of the most successful entrepreneurial accelerators in that part of the US and met with Dr Anthony Margida, Director of the Accelerator and his team. Those attending had the chance to hear about the experience of companies in the accelerator first hand, especially interesting were the business meetings. The delegation was also fortunate to visit the global headquarters of Goodyear which is significant also for Slovenia, as its regional headquarters and one of their 52 factories are located in Kranj, Slovenia.

The trip finished in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The City of Pittsburgh is fifth in terms of economic growth in the US and it has exceptional business infrastructure, a dynamic environment and a high standard of living. The first stop was at a conference organised together with the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance. Petra Mitchell, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Slovenia and Suzi Pegg, a representative of the Regional Alliance presented the business environment of the Eastern Pennsylvania region and highlighted Pittsburgh’s rich manufacturing tradition with its dynamic business environment which offers many opportunities.

Other presentations addressed the investment opportunities and business environment in Slovenia and American-Slovene business cooperation to more than 30 American business people from major energy, manufacturing, high tech and engineering companies, who also attended B2B meetings.

They stressed that such a conference is an excellent basis to start building trust and therefore new investment opportunities.

Dr Božo Cerar, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the USA welcomed the delegation and highlighted that "delegations certainly prove to our American partners that Slovene entrepreneurs are open, dynamic and ambitious. These business delegations contribute to the economic entry of Slovenia to the USA, show interest in cooperation and establish stronger economic connections between Slovenia and the US." The delegation attended the opening of the honorary consulate, where they were greeted by honorary speakers and emphasised that the next step should be a similar business delegation of American business people in Slovenia. 

Summer Edition 2014 | The Slovenian Times

15

Economy

New President of the Managers Association of Slovenia, Mr. Aleksander Zalaznik:

"Ensuring constant growth is the fundamental responsibility of managers".

On 2 April 2014, members of the general assembly elected the new president of the Managers Association of Slovenia, Aleksander Zalaznik, who is the General Manager of Danfoss Trata and Senior Vice President of the Controls business unit at Danfoss.

In his program, Mr Zalaznik will focus on guiding companies toward increasing their value. He states: "The fundamental responsibility of managers is to ensure constant profit growth and cashflow, which enables new investments and new jobs. We have to strive toward being the best in our respective industries in Europe and around the world."

The turnaround that the new president wishes to achieve is for managers to begin to ask themselves consciously and continuously the question: What are we responsible for?

He continues: "It is us, the managers, who are responsible for the development of the companies we manage. Certainly, it is a task of our association (MAS) to remind the state about what influences (non)competitiveness.

We will continue to do so determinately and persistently. We are against raising the VAT. We will continue to speak in favour of the social cap and other changes to the legislative

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environment suppressing economic development. But the emphasis must be on what we can do ourselves as directors, leaders, managers.

We are the ones who can pull Slovenia out of trouble. If we want to change anything, repay the loans burdening companies, we can only do that by earning true money. We can only obtain the latter by significantly increasing the profitability.

Mr. Zalaznik concludes his vision by saying: "We, the managers, are the ones who must and will inspire a vision, courage and ambition in Slovenia. As the President of MAS, I will en-

"The Managers' Association of Slovenia is the preeminent managers' association in Slovenia, and strives for the protection and progress of the management profession."

deavour to encourage the ambition of Managers – with a capital M – to achieve profitable growth in companies, support sound foreign investments, influence the establishment of a stimulative economic environment, develop our knowledge and perform the duties invested in us professionally in all aspects." ď ´

WHY BECOME A MEMBER? One of the biggest challenges for foreign managers who work and live in Slovenia, is being well informed, which is one of the most important things for doing business.

In Slovenia we have different organisations supporting business but only one brings together nationalities, sectors and branches.

You are welcome to join us at the Managers Association of Slovenia as a member of the Section of Foreign Managers, where you can meet and exchange good practices with more than 1.000 Slovenian and foreign managers.

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IEDC-Bled School of Managament, Postgraduate studies Prešernova cesta 33, 4260 Bled, Slovenia, T: +386 4 5792 500 info@iedc.si www.iedc.si

Economy

Alpe-Adria Region can be Successful with Mid-Sized Companies in the World Economy The 12th annual conference of the European Leadership Centre, taking place at the IEDC-Bled School of Management in June 2014, attended by over 100 managers and leaders, focussed on leadership from a regional perspective. Asking the question, "how can regions make a difference in the global economy", the Alpe-Adria region was used as a model.

Regions are intermediate levels between the state and companies and are therefore very important.

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01

"In December 2013 the European Council invited the European Commission, in cooperation with member states, to elaborate an EU strategy for the Alpine region. The region involves seven countries - Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovenia and Switzerland - and is one of the largest economic and productive regions in Europe with huge potential, particularly in tourism. However, to hold and improve its position, it has to deal with the effects of economic globalisation, demographic trends, climate change, the energy challenge and the specific geographical position as a transit region with unique natural features," highlighted in her opening speech 02

Dr. Danica Purg, President of the European Leadership Centre and of IEDC-Bled School of Management, and added, "I believe that there is a unique opportunity for the Alpe-Adria region to become an important player in this initiative".

"Regions are intermediate levels between the state and companies and are therefore very important. Alpe-Adria is a fantastic example of a cross-border cooperation which can happen in the future. We should see the opportunities and ways of working together. Indeed, this region makes me optimistic not only for the region but for Europe", said Dr. Peter KraljiÄ? who presided over the conference.

Economy positive role in the local and global economy

by Dr. Erhard Busek, Chairman of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe, Austria, Benjamin Wakounig, President of the Slovenian Economic Association of Carinthia, Andrej Šik, Director of the Slovenian Economic Association in Italy, Sandi Češko, founder and co-owner of Studio Moderna, and by other speakers who, themselves, focused on the role of culture, tourism, education and youth in regional economic development today and in the future. 

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The keynote speaker, Dr. Hermann Simon, Chairman of Simon-Kucher & Partners, Germany, started with the observation that "Only strong companies export. The state doesn’t export!" He then further exposed mid-sized companies, hidden champions, as export turbomotors: "Business success globally, especially in exports, does not primarily depend on large corporations but on mid-sized world class companies, so called hidden champions. Innovation, a strong manufacturing base and cost competitiveness are factors of their success".

He concluded with the observation, "The Alpe-Adria region has made huge progress in the last two decades. But the road towards the

globalised world of the future remains long and challenging. The region has the human resources to be successful. Some companies have already become true hidden champions.

If many more entrepreneurs and leaders follow this model, Alpe-Adria has a real chance to become a world class region".

Discussing key leadership endeavours, Dr. Peter Kaiser, Governor of Carinthia and President of the Alpe-Adriatic Alliance, pointed out the need for joint cooperation on a common EU platform and the importance of exchanging best practices within the region.

The conference was further enriched with reflections on regions playing an active and

04

05

"Business success globally, especially in exports, does not primarily depend on large corporations but on mid-sized world class companies, so called hidden champions.

Innovation, a strong manufacturing base and cost competitiveness are factors of their success".

01 Dr. Danica Purg opening the conference 02 Dr. Peter Kraljič moderating the panel discussion 03 Dr. Hermann Simon, keynote speaker 04 Dr. Peter Kaiser, Governor of Carinthia 05 Sandi Češko, Dr. Danica Purg, Dr. Erhard Busek, Dr. Peter Kraljič, Dr. h.c. mult. Hermann Simon

Summer Edition 2014 | The Slovenian Times

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Economy

New Energy Label for vacuum cleaners makes the buying decision easier The EU will be introducing an ‘Energy Label’ for vacuum cleaners from 1 September 2014. The label will provide transparency with regard to important performance features of the appliances and thus be a helpful guide when buying a vacuum cleaner. of the energy label for vacuum cleaners but also opportunities for manufacturers. The energy label will create a high level of transparency for comparing important vacuum cleaner features and therefore act as a helpful guide. The target values for cleaning performance are especially ambitious and are set to increase further in 2017. Vacuum cleaners from Bosch and Siemens use the energy-saving compressor technology for their motors without compromising on cleaning performance. Further innovations can be expected with the introduction of the energy label.

EU Energy Label – key facts at a glance

Every vacuum cleaner placed on the market in the European Union (EU) from 1 September 2014 will carry an energy label offering consumers better guidance in the diverse market for floor care appliances. The information provided on the energy label will enable a quick and simple comparison of the vacuum cleaner features that are personally relevant for consumers when deciding which appliance to buy. With its energy-efficient and powerful vacuum cleaners, BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH and its Bosch and Siemens brands are already well positioned to meet the requirements of the new regulation.

The overall rating of all performance criteria is critical As of September 2014, only vacuum cleaners with a rated input power of less than 1600W may be placed on the market by manufactur-

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The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2014

ers, meaning that the energy consumption of an appliance in energy efficiency class A is below 850W. Energy efficiency represents one of the possible rating criteria however another crucial factor is its cleaning performance which is shown at the bottom of the label – performance on both carpets and hard floors. The sound power level and dust re-emission class, an indicator of clean discharged air, must also meet consumer expectations.

An unobtrusive sound power level is a criteria that is becoming increasingly important for many consumers, with even a few decibels making the difference between very loud and pleasantly quiet. Anyone looking for the right vacuum cleaner will be able to use all the information on the new energy label to make their decision.

New impetus for research and development The Bosch and Siemens brands see not only advantages for consumers with the introduction

• Allows energy efficiency classes, cleaning performance, sound level and dust-re-emission class to be compared at a glance.

• As of 1 September 2014 the label will be found on all vacuum cleaners placed on the market in the EU. • The 75mm x 150mm label must be clearly visible on the appliance.

• All colours and graphics on the label are binding and may not be changed individually.

• The use and sale of vacuum cleaners placed on the market by manufacturers prior to 1 September 2014 and which are still in circulation will still be allowed after the mandatory introduction of the label. However, manufacturers are prohibited from placing appliances without the EU Energy Label on the market thereafter.

• The EU provides for use of the label a few months prior to the binding introduction date.

• The target values are set to increase again in 2017. 

Full power for kitchen professionals.

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www.bosch-home.si

Economy

01

Real Estate

The light at the end of the tunnel

By Jacqueline Stuart

Unfortunately little has changed in the stagnant Slovene real estate market, however there are signs that we will see green shoots of recovery in the next year. The only area that has seen increased activity is office rentals in Ljubljana – an overdevelopment of office space led to a 30% vacancy rate and drops in rents of up to 50% are evident in some buildings.

Slovenia narrowly avoided a bailout in December 2013. Slovenia’s bad bank is now operational and it is hoped that this will contribute to the recovery of the deeply troubled banking system, which continues to worsen with increasing bad debts.

There were only two investment transactions in Slovenia in 2013, the sale of 50% of Spar’s Citypark mall to Allianz, and four strip malls from the Supernova portfolio, sold by Luxembourg based fund Pramerica, to Austrian based real estate investor, Immoeast. It is

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likely that we will see some sale and leaseback activity soon, as overly indebted corporates try to raise cash. It is unlikely that interest will come from domestic investors, more likely from those already active elsewhere in CEE.

Big drop in office rents There is significant movement in the Ljubljana office market due to falling rents and incentives from landlords in an increasingly competitive market. Recent high profile moves include Slo-

venia’s daily financial newspaper, into the city centre’s prime Class A office building. Other occupiers are renegotiating terms, and one large public sector tenant achieved a 40% reduction off the previous rent in the third quarter of 2013.

The pipeline of office space in Ljubljana has all but dried up. Most projects are on hold pending better times. Two exceptions are the extension of the Technological Park, with 3,000m2 of office space due for completion in autumn 2014; and a mixed use scheme in the

Economy central business district, that will offer 530m2 of office.

It is expected that the better quality available space will fill up at the expense of outdated buildings. Rents in new, purpose built developments are expected to drop slightly, rents in older buildings are likely to drop significantly.

prime rents and secondary rents will widen.

There is no vacant space in malls occupied by predominantly international retailers, but malls with mainly domestic brands are struggling in some locations and require tenant engineering in order to recover and achieve full occupancy.

Retail is mainly stable

E-tailing on the rise in Slovenia

The retail real estate market in Slovenia is largely unchanged since the start of the global financial crisis. Problems with availability of debt are affecting the progress of new schemes in Ljubljana, and the sale of portfolios. Quality retail space is still in short supply, although empty retail units are now a reality in secondary locations.

The retail market in Slovenia is saturated everywhere with the exception of Ljubljana.

50% of the retail space in the capital city comprises converted warehouses in the large BTC retail park. This space is poor quality and compromised in terms of parking, depth and frontage. There are opportunities for retail developers, as quality retail space is in short supply, but the four pipeline schemes are making slow progress.

There is little change in rent levels whether in malls or the high street. Vacant stores are starting to appear in secondary high street locations and it is expected that the gap between

Slovenia is well served with broadband and 74% of homes benefit from internet access.

35% of individuals have accessed the internet using a mobile device in the past three months.

There are several successful e-Tailers headquartered in Slovenia, including Studio Moderna and Mimovrste, both expanding fast.

There is no information available on the size of the e-Commerce market in Slovenia but anecdotal evidence suggests that shopping online is both popular and increasing. It is unlikely that owners of retail developments in Slovenia will escape the trends worrying those elsewhere, with e-Commerce taking an increasing share of consumer spend.

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Nascent industrial market The industrial market in Slovenia is very immature, with approximately 70% of property owner-occupied. There have been no speculative developments and no investment transactions.

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Slovenia has however been identified by a number of large retailers as a potential logistics hub, and it is possible that we might see important new market entrants in the coming years. Pan European transport corridors 5 (Venice-Kiev) and 10 (Salzburg – Thessaloniki) intersect in Ljubljana. The container port in Koper is fast becoming the gateway to CEE from Asia and so Slovenia is geopolitically important.

Hotel opportunities abound 2013 saw Rimske Terme Hotel sold out of bankruptcy for EUR 8.5m. A total of 190 creditors reported EUR 36.4m of claims, of which the receiver approved EUR 28m. This is unfortunately not unusual in Slovenia, banks have lent huge amounts to hotel developers which will be very difficult to repay in due term.

It costs approximately EUR 100,000 per key to build a 4-star hotel in Slovenia, but hotels rarely transact at more than EUR 50,000 per key and so it is currently not viable to develop new hotels.

Tourism in Slovenia has grown, arrivals increased from approximately 3 million in 2008 to nearly 3.3 million in 2012. Tourists typically arrive by car from neighbouring Italy, Austria, Germany, Croatia and Serbia. Short breaks are the norm, on average four days, in spa towns, lake and mountain destinations and Slovenia’s short Mediterranean coastline.

We are currently marketing four hotels on the Slovene coast and one on the Croatian coast that are being sold in a debt restructuring process. The hotels were priced realistically and achieved a huge amount of interest with nearly 100 enquiries. There will be more hotels coming up for sale in the near future and these present great opportunities for hotel investors to gain a foothold in Slovenia. 

01 Grand Hotel Metropol 02 Hotel Barbara 03 Hotel Roža 04 Hotel Lucija 05 Aerial view of Portorož 05

Summer Edition 2014 | The Slovenian Times

23

Politics Politically frozen privatisation

Pre-election hysteria

affecting privatisation process By, STA, T. M., A. N.

The outgoing government has decided, just 10 days before the early election, against completing any of the ongoing privatisation procedures or starting new ones before the appointment of a new government, PM Alenka Bratušek stated but added it does not mean privatisation is being halted. Obviously the outgoing prime minister wants to gain some urgently needed support to enter Parliament with her own party.

Mixing government issues and political interest Bratušek told the press that the procedure to sell the designated state-owned companies will continue and that the new government will have the opportunity to make decisions differing from those of the outgoing government.

Among the 15 companies the government put on the priority privatisation list last year, two It was more or less expected that Slovenian politicians will try to influence the Telekom Slovenije privatisation, with or without the “election excuse”

have already been sold (Helios and Fotona), while airport operator Aerodrom Ljubljana and telco Telekom Slovenije have entered the final stages.

Bratušek explained that it is right that privatisation procedures are not carried out during the heated pre-election period. The new government will have to take responsibility for its decision following the 13 July election, she added.

Economy Minister Metod Dragonja also said that the hiatus was justified given the focus on economic and financial issues in the campaign.

But he acknowledged that the government no longer had direct power to influence privatisation. Similarly, Agriculture Minister Dejan Politics again influencing the privatisation process

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The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2014

A disappointed outgoing finance minister Uroš Čufer (on the left) will leave politics.

Economy minister Metod Dragonja (on the right)

Outgoing Finance Minister Uroš Čufer expressed disappointment with the decision.

“I see this as purely pre-election hysteria that the government has fallen into and for which I see no smart reason, let alone an excuse.” Židan, a vocal opponent of across-the-board privatisation, said the government’s move was “correct”. “The decision was adopted due to the suspicion of a lack of transparency in privatisation,” he said, pointing to concerns about the privatisation of sporting goods maker, Elan. The spokesman for EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn meanwhile told STA that the European Commission does not comment on privatisation in Slovenia. “No comment from us on this,” said Simon O’Connor. 

Politics

Miro Cerar; Source: SMC, Photo: Aljoša Rebolj

New faces in Slovenian politics

Real transformation of Slovenian politics or just new faces with old habits

The party of Miro Cerar (SMC) will seek to win the 13 July general election in Slovenia with a pledge to bring change by promoting the rule of law, personal responsibility, human dignity, innovation and sustainable development. Cerar, whose party has been topping public opinion polls since being established in June 2013, said the most important message to voters is that they will bring the changes needed for Slovenia to remain independent and to decide its fate on its own or in partnership with other countries.

If Slovenia makes this change, “we’ll become a normal, healthy society”, which is why the role of the party’s 88 candidates will not be to fight anyone but rather to transform, Cerar said, adding that Slovenia has seen enough of fighting and discord.

Reiterating that the party would be open to cooperation with everyone after the election, Cerar said that despite the pressure the party is bound to face during the campaign they, as representatives of a new political culture, should not succumb to “political primitivism”.

The party’s manifesto cites economic breakthrough as one of the key priorities. Cerar said optimal conditions must be created for business, without unnecessary red tape. The party supports privatisation but does not think all state-owned companies can be privatised.

Cerar suggested the party would also help to promote economic development through an effective justice system, while he regrets that the president of the opposition Democratic Party (SDS), Janez Janša, went to prison at the time of the election campaign.  Igor Šoltes; Source: Wikipedia

By STA, T. M., U. V.

Slovenia has seen quite a lot new faces in politics in recent years. More or less, they are all out of the Slovenian politic map, “new” is obviously not a guarantee for good. Gregor Virant with his Citizen´s List will probably stay out of the Parliament, Igor Šoltes, the “winner” of the European elections (he is now member of European Parliament) has no chance to enter Parliament. The only new face with potential is Miro Cerar. He will probably win the early elections, but again, he is a new face without a clear programme. The future of the Cerar party is also very foggy.

Summer Edition 2014 | The Slovenian Times

25

European Union New EU Leaders

Slovenia Welcomes Election of Schulz as EP President, Supports Juncker for EC President Slovenian MEPs, with the exception of Igor Šoltes (Greens/Believe), welcomed the election of Martin Schulz to another term as President of the European Parliament. Šoltes, who voted for the Greens’ Ulrike Lunacek, said that the party wanted to offer “a real choice” to MEPs with its candidate.

“The president of the European Parliament... should be elected by MEPs in a transparent way.

The parliament should not be simply presented with the choice of the governments of the EU,” Šoltes’s party said. MEP Tanja Fajon (S&D/SD) meanwhile expressed content that “a colleague and a friend will be the face of the European Parliament for another two and a half years”.

“His commitment to European values - solidarity, welfare, a fair society and the fight against tax fraud - is what Europeans need now more than ever”.

The five Slovenian MEPs in the EPP also backed Schulz as part of an agreement between the two biggest European political groupings that Jean-Claude Juncker (EPP) will lead the European Commission and Schulz the parNew EP President Martin Shulz has strong support

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The Slovenian Times | Summer Edition 2014

liament. “I voted for the new-old president, because that was the deal,” MEP Lojze Peterle (EPP/NSi) said, adding that a coalition between EPP and S&D was necessary.

MEP Franc Bogovič (EPP/SLS) similarly noted that “in the European political arena compromises need to be made”, while MEP Milan Zver (EPP/SDS) said that “in politics, deals between those who think differently are necessary”. “In politics, as in life, one needs to be adaptable,” MEP Patricija Šulin (EPP/SDS) added, while MEP Romana Tomc (EPP/SDS) expressed a wish that similar agreements could be struck more often in Slovenia. MEP Ivo Vajgl (Alde/DeSUS), praised the choice of the three candidates, other than Lunacek, stating that ECR’s Sajjad Karim and GUE-NGL’s Pablo Iglesias, as “serious and well founded”, believing that “the experienced Schulz” will be better at promoting the role of the parliament.

Slovenia: Juncker is a good choice for the future of Europe The decision to nominate Jean-Claude Juncker as President of the European Commission is a good one as he is an experienced statesman and politician as well as a good friend of Slovenia’s, stressed outgoing Slovenian Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek. According to her, EU leaders regret that they had to vote on the nomination, as the UK and Hungary were against Juncker.

Talks about appointments of other senior EU positions will be held at an extraordinary meeting, expected on 16 July, with Bratušek saying that at least one should be given to a woman. “I truly wish that we could show that women are capable of leading and taking responsible and important positions in Europe,” said the first Slovenian female prime minister.

Touching on the possibility that Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt becomes the President of the European Council, Bratušek noted that no formal talks had been held but that there were quite a few rumours.

The prime minister noted that the government had decided not to debate the Slovenian candidate for EU commissioner to prevent it from turning into an election topic. Still, she believes that the Slovenian candidate will have to be “a competent individual with experience and knowledge as it opens the door to an important position”.

The prime minister also touched on the signing of the association agreements between the EU and Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, stressing that it was historic. “Not only for the three countries but also for the EU. The path they chose by signing the agreements will surely not be an easy one but it is a decision for European values, democracy and welfare.” She added that this was not a decision against Russia but a decision for a better future. 

President Borut Pahor – We must talk about the future of Europe; Source: UKOM

Future of the EU

Slovenia proposes new convention on the future of Europe President Borut Pahor proposed at the EU summit in Brussels, in late June, the launch of a new convention on the future of Europe.

Pahor proposed that the “Strategic Agenda for the Union in Times of Change”, a draft plan for EU priorities in the coming years which could be finalised at the summit, be amended with the statement that the EU Council, together with the EuropeanParliament, will consider the possibility of a new Convention on the Future of Europe.

The Slovenian president is convinced that it could make the European Council recognise the need for further institutional changes in the EU adding that as each amendment needs unanimous support and given the existing relations between EU leaders, their countries and the European Parliament, it is not expected that such a proposal could be adopted at this time. Still, a debate will be possible once a new European Commission is formed and a new EU Council president appointed, Pahor believes. The Convention on the Future of Europe or the European Convention was a body set up by the European Council in December 2001, established with 102 members and chaired by former French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing, and finished its work in July 2003 with a draft treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. 

European Union Green Europe

Slovenia/Croatia border

Ljubljana: European Green Capital 2016

Slovenia waiting for the junction to the High Seas

Ljubljana was declared the European Green Capital 2016 at an award ceremony held in June in Copenhagen which currently holds the title.

Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković, who accepted the award, said on the occasion that Ljubljana’s sustainability projects can be an example to many in Europe.

Ljubljana received the recognition for raising environmental awareness amongst its citizens, for its sustainability strategy, its implementation of a range of urban green measures and its impressive transport network, the European Commission said in a press release. “As a resident of Ljubljana, it is with immense pride that I congratulate the city on its environmental achievements. I very much look forward to its year as the 2016 European Green Capital,” EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik of Slovenia said upon presenting the award to Janković.

Janković said that he was very much honoured by the title, expressing great pride in all the sustainable achievements that Ljubljana has made. “Not only do we take great care of the most beautiful city in the world, we have also proved that sustainable projects in green Ljubljana can be an example to many in Europe.”

The European Green Capital Award was conceived by the European Commission as an initiative to promote and reward environmental efforts in urban environments. It is conferred annually by a jury of environmental experts. Each year, a capital with the highest environmental standards which is committed to environmentally-oriented goals wins the title for a year. A total of twelve cities presented their candidacies to become the European Green Capital 2016. Ljubljana was short-listed alongside Germany’s Essen, Netherlands’s Nijmegen, Norway’s Oslo and Sweden’s Umea.  Ljubljana; Photo: MOL, A. Rebec

Slovenia’s demand to have direct contact with high seas and Croatia’s insistence to the contrary dominated oral hearings in June held by the arbitration tribunal deliberating on the border dispute between the countries. In the oral hearings, Slovenia maintained that a direct geographical contact to the high seas was vital, while Croatia said that the term “ junction” as stated in the 2009 Arbitration Agreement did not amount to territorial contact.

Croatia: half of Piran Bay is ours Croatia also said that “junction” was limited “exclusively to matters of maritime access and communications”, a summary of the oral hearings which took place between 2 and 13 June indicates. The country also insisted that its vital interests were not limited to EU membership at the time of the signing of the agreement in 2009, as claimed by Slovenia, but primarily entailed the preservation of its territorial integrity, which includes territorial sea. Croatia believes that Piran Bay should be delineated by application of an equidistant line through the Bay of Piran, which the country claims are territorial and not internal waters, as demanded

by Slovenia.

Slovenia: Piran Bay is Slovenian territory Slovenia on the other hand says that “the principle of uti possidetis juris applies and as a result that the whole bay belongs to Slovenia because it was administered by and dependent on, Piran (in Slovenia) for centuries.” The country therefore claims a 12 nautical mile territorial sea and an area of the continental shelf starting at Slovenia’s junction to the high seas down to a latitude of 45 degrees 10 minutes north parallel.

Croatia’s team underlined that first the border must be determined by international law.

Only then the regime and junction of Slovenian

Piran bay – Small sea, big problems; Photo: Marko Pentek

waters may be determined by the application of the principles of good neighbourly relations and equity, which should however not be contrary to international law. Croatia argued that it “never consented to the notion that its territorial sea rights could be determined in any way by reference to equity, good neighbourliness or anything other than the strict application of Article 15 of the 1982 United Nations Law of Sea Convention (UNCLOS)”.

Slovenia, on the other hand, argues that “maritime delineation”, “junction” and “regime” referred to in the Arbitration Agreement were three distinct issues of one task of the arbitration tribunal. The report of the tribunal also says Slovenia claims that its interpretation of “junction” as a line joining the country’s territorial sea to the high seas was “the only one consistent with its ordinary meaning and the drafting history of the Arbitration Agreement.”

Slovenia says that its interpretation of junction was also “compatible with international law, equity and the principle of good neighbourly relations in order to produce a fair and just result.”

The key date for the land borders: situation on 25 June 1991 Regarding the land border, Croatia claims that the situation on 25 June 1991, when the countries declared independence from the former Yugoslavia, should be determined and that the border should run along the borders of cadastral districts. Slovenia meanwhile says that the border along the Mura River and what it calls “the central sector” should be determined according to the root of title (this would mean that the border should be based on the former border between Austria and Hungary in the Hapsburg Monarchy, which has also been demarcated), while the border in Istria should run along the cadastral district borders.

The five-strong arbitration tribunal - Chair Gilbert Guillame and members Vaughan Lowe, Bruno Simma, Jernej Sekolec and Budislav Vukas – withdrew after the oral hearings to deliberate and a decision is expected within a year.  Summer Edition 2014 | The Slovenian Times

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Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia

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The 17th Slovenian Incoming Workshop, SIW 2014, in Nova Gorica produced not only many new business acquaintances and arrangements, but also a multitude of smiles and warm international friendships. 199 representatives from 132 Slovenian tourism companies met with 145 representatives from 111 foreign companies from 31 countries. More than 50% of foreign companies attended SIW for the first time. Slovenia hosted participants from Iran,

Georgia, Azerbaijan and Hong Kong; the most numerous were delegates from the Russian Federation, followed by Italians and Germanspeaking countries, namely Austria and Germany, and the UK. After the business-to-business workshop, representatives of foreign tourist agencies participated in study tours around Slovenia in order to discover the country from the tourist perspective and thus be able to present Slovenia to their customers. 

Slovenian Incoming Workshop the largest business event in the Slovenian tourism industry

03 01 More than 50% of foreign companies attended SIW for the first time.

02 In addition to the business programme, SIW provides time for relaxation and making new acquaintances.

03 The municipality of Nova Gorica, in collaboration with the tourist organization Turistična organizacija Furlanija – Julijska Krajina – FVG, organized a welcome evening ‘’The evening of moving borders’’ at the castle in Gorica.

Photo: Nino Verdnik

GERMAN-SLOVENE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE One-stop-shop for business in Germany and Slovenia - Business entrance to market - Legal advisory - Tax consultancy - Business partner search

t: +386 1 252 88 60 m: ahk@ahkslo.si

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia

GoOpti: new website, more transfers and lower prices GoOpti is a low-cost transport company that offers reliable minibus, bus and private transfers to airports, ports, train stations and other places in Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Germany, Austria and Hungary.

All transfers are carried out in our new and modern vehicles that are regularly cleaned and maintained and driven by skilled drivers who consider safety their number-one priority.

Since our launch in 2011, we have opened five offices in Slovenia and one in Croatia, transported 200,000 passengers with a record of 1,054 passengers in a single day. Our transfers are 100% guaranteed and can be easily booked online. We guarantee to never cancel a booked transfer and so you don’t need to worry about transport. Plus, the booking is confirmed instantly at purchase.

This summer we have launched our new website, renewed our transfer offer, reduced the prices and expanded the number of OPTI routes with several pick-up and drop-off locations. Our novelties await you at www.GoOpti. com.

NEW WEBSITE: Easier booking and even cheaper transfers The new GoOpti website, www.goopti.com, has a fresh look and a user-friendly booking system which enables you to book a transfer from anywhere to everywhere by simply entering your pick-up/drop-off point or choose from numerous standard GoOpti locations offered in a dropdown menu. If you are a group travelling together, you can customise your pick-up and

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drop-off locations for each of the passengers and the system will automatically calculate the final price. We have also introduced new pricing algorithms so transfers are now cheaper, even on routes that are not regular GoOpti routes.

A useful novelty for passengers travelling to and from airports is the new flight verification system integrated into the booking process, which verifies if the pickup/drop-off time has been chosen appropriately with regard to the time of your flight, to ensure you arrive on time to the airport.

The new website also allows you to actively manage your transfer orders: view your bookings, review and change your personal data, add baggage and extras (including child seats, surfing or golf equipment), cancel passengers

To get the lowest price: • Book early (as soon as you book your flight) • Book as a group – Click the Price options button to obtain a cheaper transfer

from a booking or cancel your transfer by a simple click. The website is compatible with mobile web browsers, so you can order transfers on the go, wherever you are.

IMPROVED transfer offer to fit your budget and demands The OPTI transfer is our unique low-cost shared transfer on regular GoOpti routes which combines passengers with similar time requirements to book the same vehicle. It now includes a price reduction feature: a flexibility window, which lets you adjust the transfer price by choosing the option of an earlier or later departure. At the time of booking, the system offers you different transfer options; you select a departure time that corresponds to your time preference and you will receive the exact pick-up time one day before the transfer.

The more flexible you are with your departure time, the lower the price, enabling you to easily determine your time preference and reduce the price considerably. Even if you have limited flexibility, you will still pay much less than for a taxi or other private transport.

We also offer FIX transfers for passengers who enjoy sharing the ride but are limited with their travel times. These scheduled transfers allow you to set the exact pickup time when booking so you can plan your journey ahead, while still paying

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia

an affordable price. If you wish to pay even less, you can choose an alternative transfer at a slightly different time as offered by our system at the time of booking.

Ideal for business travellers, the VIP transfer is a completely private transfer with our best and newest vehicles, our most experienced and attentive drivers and free bottled water in the vehicle. You can choose the exact pick-up/ drop off time and address at the time of booking and enjoy a direct transfer with maximum comfort. You can also opt for a VIP transfer with the possibility of a full refund in case of cancellation.

For bigger groups and special events, such as weddings, conferences or team building, GoOpti offers customised transfers, completely adapted to your wishes and needs. You can set the course of the journey, the vehicle type and any special wishes such as food and drinks or a tourist guide.

towns abroad. In May, we opened an office in Zagreb, run by Panturist d.d., part of the Arriva transport company owned by the transport giant, Deutsche Bahn AG. You can now obtain affordable transfers from Zagreb, Pula, Split, Zadar and Plitvice Lakes to Trieste, Venice, Genoa, Savona, Budapest and Ljubljana as well as direct transport from Munich and Milan to Zagreb and Split. Next season, we will also open new routes between Slovenia and popular Croatian tourist destinations which will suit those travellers who spend their vacations on the sunny Dalmatian or Istrian coasts.

If you need safe and direct transportation that fits your wallet and takes you anywhere you want, GoOpti is the way to go! The only question you need to answer is “Where to?” 

We continue to extend our services beyond the Slovenian borders by opening new offices and introducing new connections with airports and

Salzburg

GERMANY

Vienna

AUSTRIA

24/7: We offer transfers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. You can book our transfers anytime and anywhere and if you have any questions, our call centre staff are always ready to assist.

On Time: We always arrive 15 minutes early to the first pick up location of the journey so as to make sure you we leave on time and you arrive in time at your destination.

Fits Your Budget: We offer different transfer options to fit every budget AND you can lower the transfer price considerably if you are flexible with your departure time.

GoOpti – 94% customer satisfaction – 200,000 passengers transported – Our record: 1,054 passengers in a day • More than 10,000 passengers each month • 38 minibuses, 8 cars, 1 bus • 45 regular OPTI routes • 270 sales partners • 6 offices • 115 employees • 3 transfer options: OPTI, FIX, VIP + customised transfer

GoOpti expands to Croatia

Munich

GoOpti facts

Budapest Graz

Maribor

Brnik

SLOVENIA Ljubljana

Bergamo

Zagreb

Trst

Milano

Rijeka

(Malpensa, Linate)

Venecija

ITALY Genova / Savona

CROATIA

Osijek

(Marco Polo, Treviso)

Plitvice Lakes Bologna Zadar Split

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Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia

Marché® tradition

Marché

®

fresh restaurants on your way The first Marché® restaurant opened in 1983 in Stuttgart, Germany and represented the birth of a completely new dining experience and an inspiration to the entire industry of gastronomy in Central Europe – it is a restaurant based on place like in a market.

The Marché® trademark carries a Swiss quality seal as it provides its customers with comfort and high-quality culinary diversity and freshness. It applies not only to superior quality and fresh products, which reflect seasonal and regional tastes, but also to the friendliness of the staff, quick and quality service, transparency of the offer and the reliability and credibility that Marché® offers its customers.

With you in Slovenia for 9 years Marché International entered the Slovenian market in June 2005 with proven and successful gastronomic forms. The Marché® concept is based on the unique preparation of quality fresh food and pampers its users with a rich culinary offer at the busiest points along highway, thus add value to the existing network of highway rest areas. The Marché® offer is adapted to the needs and wishes of different guests and is always based on freshness and quality, which show that the offer is natural and transparent.

The Marché® trademark: restaurants, bistros, bakeries Marché®, a pioneer of "cooking in front of guests", is a successful global company offer-

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Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia ing "delicious fresh and healthy meals like in a marketplace". Freshness and quality, cooking in front of guests, as well as a relaxed atmosphere such as in a marketplace, meet the high demands of guests who know quality and want healthy food and transparency. The Marché® criteria are freshness, home recipes and careful "à la minute" preparation of seasonal products.

The company prefers to use ingredients delivered daily by regional suppliers.

The offer includes a variety of buffets with fresh salads and vegetables, crunchy specialities, popular Slovenian and foreign traditional meals and pasta prepared fresh in the restaurant. The offer is completed with homemade cakes and desserts, soups made to local recipes with various additions, a variety of daily dishes (such as snacks and lunches at great prices) and grilled food. Delicious fresh sandwiches and freshly squeezed juices from seasonal fruit and oranges are prepared every hour. In the morning, guests can enjoy a healthy breakfast and coffee specialties from the coffee bar. Alternatively, all items on the menu can be prepared to take away.

Marché® Natural Bakery bakes bread and pastries only according to traditional baking methods. The dough is 100% natural, without baking or other additives. The entire process, from making the dough to rising and baking, can be seen by the guests. The offer is available every day and includes different types of fresh bread prepared to Marché® recipes, pastries, pizzas and much more.

Marché® catering Do you wish to impress your guests, business partners or colleagues with excellent snacks and imaginative service? Then Marché® catering is the right choice for you – no matter whether your event takes place at the location of your choice, in a Marché® restaurant, or if you decide to simply take the delights with you.

For additional information, personal advice or a non-binding offer, please do not hesitate to contact them and they will prepare an individual, seasonally customised offer tailored to your wishes.

Marché® also offers a set of additional services to satisfy the diverse needs of users at rest areas, such as an area for baby care, a children’s playground and play corners in the restaurants, conference rooms, free Wi-Fi, pleasant and tidy rest rooms, covered terraces, free parking, tourist information and souvenir shops. 

MARCHE GOSTINSTVO d.o.o.

Notranjska 71, 1370 Logatec T: 01 750 84 34 E: catering-slo@marche-restaurants.com W: marche-restaurants.com/si/catering_si

Conference rooms in Marché Lom I Business corner and Marché Lukovica restaurants in Marché Lom I restaurant An ideal place and fresh supplies, whether for business meetings, private meetings or any other type of event. The conference room in the Marché Lom I restaurant is located on the highway about 28km from Ljubljana (Ljubljana – Koper highway) and can cater for up to 27 people, while the conference room in Marché Lukovica restaurant can accommodate up to 45 people and is located only 18km from Ljubljana (Ljubljana – Maribor highway). The best feature is that you can be pampered with fresh food and drinks during your meeting – if you order food and beverages, the room is free of charge.

This year, part of the restaurant was renovated and converted into a business corner intended for shorter meetings or for arranging business transactions on the road – only about 20 minutes from Ljubljana (Ljubljana – Koper highway).

In addition to the latest equipment, the business corner also provides a multifunctional device for copying, scanning, photocopying and sending documents via fax, which makes it easier for businesspeople to conclude transactions and do other office work. Another business corner is in preparation at Marché Tepanje restaurant on on the Ljubljana – Maribor highway.

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Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia

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Golden Apple for the Postojna Cave The Postojna Cave received a Golden Apple, the highest award of the World Federation of Travel Journalists and Writers (FIJET), for its extraordinary achievements in tourism.

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The award was presented at a ceremony in the Postojna Cave on 15 May, by the President of FIJET, Mr Tijani Haddad, who emphasised that tourism connects different cultures, belongs to the whole world and that it needs to remain responsible to the environment and to people.

The Chairman of the Postojna Cave, Mr Marjan Batagelj, did not hide his joy on receiving the award and in his acceptance speech pointed out, �that the motto of the Postojna Cave management and development is simply to do what is best for the Postojna Cave because it is beyond the limits of human perception of eternity. It is important to show appreciation and awareness that no one can subjugate it because people are its transient part“ Four years after new ownership, the Postojna Cave prides itself on its many services and activities for visitors and its entertaining

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Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia educational programs. The management have introduced the concept of sustainable tourism development to protect it and keep the outstanding natural heritage and attraction for future generations in good or even better condition than it is today - this was also the reason behind the decision to award the Postojna Cave.

Electric lights lit up in the Postojna Cave 130 years ago On 24 May, exactly 130 years had passed since the Postojna Cave got electric lighting.

Before electric lights lit up the cave, it was illuminated by cave guides with oil lamps and by cave lamplighters who lit and put out the wall candles. The scale of the lighting depended on the fee the visitors paid. The guests could choose between only a few candles or ”big lighting“, for which four to five kilograms of candles were needed.

Already in 1878, the managers of the cave became interested in electric lighting in Vienna and Paris. On 15 July 1883, at the celebration of the 600th anniversary of the reunification of Carniola with other Habsburg lands, the Posto09

jna Cave was visited by the Austrian Emperor, Franz Joseph I. At this important event the Great Hall was lit by three electric lights.

The installation was provided by Siemens & Halske Wienna. In addition to the electrical wiring, the cave was illuminated by 16,000 candles and decorated by 600 coloured balloons.

In 1884 the cave was fully lit, illuminated by electricity three years before London.

The Predjama Castle – among the Top 10 unique European castles to visit The editors of the leading tourist site, www. tourism-review.com, have ranked the Predjama Castle among the 10 European castles worth visiting.

The Predjama Castle is the only preserved cave castle in the world. Due to the peculiarities of construction where the natural rock, cave and the castle literally intertwine, it was impossible to determine the boundaries between them.

The stunning exterior of the castle and its closeness to the Postojna Cave means many tourists also visit the castle. This year the audio guide for visitors is available in several languages​​.

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Ice Age Postojna After the winter ice storm the Postojna Cave is back to normal.

In early February 2014, Slovenia was covered by tens of centimeters of thick ice due to a combination of cold and icy rain gathering on all exposed areas and then gravity breaking more than half of Slovenian forests. Among the hardest hit places was Postojna and its surroundings where power outages, transport chaos, energy and communication blackouts were experienced in a short ”ice age”.

Nature has been in its cruelty, incomprehensibly generous with the beauty and some of these moments can be seen at an exhibition in the Postojna Cave park.

The photographer, Iztok Medja, has with the help of long exposure, shown another side of this event: the night beauty of ice studded Postojna. 

01 Marjan Batagelj receives the Golden Apple Award from Tijani Haddad; Photo: Valter Leban 02 The electric light has been lit in the Postojna Cave since 1883; Photo: Rudolf Bruner-Dvořák, 1909, kept at the Museum of Contemporary History in Ljubljana 03 Celebration at the presentation of awards was diversified by a group of majorettes; Photo: Janez Platiše 04 Marjan Batagelj and Katja Dolenc Batagelj accompanied the FIJET president Tijani Haddad to the entry of the Postojna Cave; Photo: Valter Leban 05 Cave guides from the Postojna Cave helped searching for the Golden Apple; Photo: Valter Leban 06 Marjan Batagelj thanked for the award and dedicated it to all former and present employees; Photo Valter Leban 07 Sašo Dravinec, Tijani Haddad, Marjan Batagelj, Katja Dolenc Batagelj and Marjan Hribar, MSc.; Photo: Valter Leban 08 The initiator of the Golden Apple Award to the Postojna Cave was Drago Bulc, the president of FIJET Slovenia, who delivered the first Kristalni Triglav Award to Marjan Batagelj in 2011, but was unable to attend this year.

09 The Postojna Cave, the Beautiful Caves; Photo: Iztok Medja 10 The Postojna Cave, the Beautiful Caves; Photo: Iztok Medja 11 The Postojna Cave, the Dance Hall; Photo: Iztok Medja 12 The Predjamski grad castle; Photo: Iztok Medja 13 The Postojna Cave, the Diamond; Photo: Iztok Medja 14 Ice-age Postojna, February 2014; Photo: Iztok Medja

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Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia wild - local - urban

Urban gallery of wild tastes The Galerija okusov (the Gallery of tastes) is a new experience on the Slovenian culinary map, inviting their guests into the embrace of the unspoiled Baroque park in the Savinja valley. Immediately after opening, the team with chef Jovan was pushed to the very top of culinary options in Slovenia. Lunch or dinner, business or private, wedding or anniversary celebrations, culinary tourism or catering at the location of choice.

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A Baroque park near a hop growing plantation with a mighty mansion from the 18th century – this is the sight that pampers your eyes while driving along the avenue toward Galerija okusov. It is located in the manor house, in the midst of the boundless nature of the Savinja valley. Away from the everyday hustle and bustle, yet close to the motorway, it is an excellent choice for a relaxed pampering of the taste buds.

The story experienced when visiting is real, unsophisticated. At the front of the restaurant proudly stands a mighty Baroque park, one of the few still preserved in Slovenia where merely sitting is a true experience – at the edges there are herbal-vegetable gardens which are intended for visitors to use to spice up their dish to their taste. The "castle town" for children finds its place here and one cannot but stop at the summer kitchen and when the weather is nice, pleasant aromas drift from dishes being roasted from under the bell or on the grill. Behind the restaurant, the path along the hop plantation invites a walk.

Even when entering the interior of Galerija okusov, the connection with nature is not lost; on the contrary, it welcomes you every step

of the way. Small pots filled with fresh herbs, wicker baskets with planted salad vegetables, fresh flowers in test tubes, massive oak furniture and the smell from the kitchen which embraces you in greeting. Everything is local, Slovenian, as is also the setting – simple, without excessive decoration, with crystal glasses from the Steklarna Rogaška Glassworks for the drop of choice and with an enamel Emo bowl for fresh water. Yes, it is different, provocative and wild here.

An overview of the menu convinces you of just that. It is seasonally designed and provides memories of grandmother’s kitchen, yet the tastes are surprising. Surplus – that’s the very first reaction of our little grey cells. The service is elegant but unobtrusive; it is all about a relaxed conversation with the staff and chef, who makes an effort to personally greet every guest and chat with them. Quite often he gives quick tips about how to prepare a selected dish at home – in a way a quick 101 over dinner. Taste buds explode at the very first bite of the homemade bread fresh from the oven.

Just when you think you have experienced everything, you are pleasantly surprised by the service. Plates are swiftly replaced with natural

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia materials such as bark, creek stone, bone and once again a direct connection with nature is made. With every course the significance of the fusion of tastes in wild creations by chef Borut Jovan is unveiled.

Jovan is reluctant to boast but others will tell you that he is excellent. How could he not be when he is entirely devoted to his work? Every stir of the wooden spoon equipped with love can be tasted; every plate created with the precise accuracy of an artistic spirit can be seen; herbs freshly picked from the garden can be smelt and the team is happy to see every guest can be understood by their happy faces when they chat with their guests. This is a complete adventure offered at lunch, dinner, birthday party or business lunch.

Looking over the piano your eyes cannot resist the full shelves of Slovenian delicacies.

Herbal and smoked salts, herbal pesto, jams – also with plum brandy and Refosco wine – home-made pasta, cookies, herbal home-made juices... Products joined under the brand Lojz Lojz. The story behind it is simple, too. All ingredients, as in the kitchen of the Galerija okusov, are home-made, local, Slovenian, made with a touch of distinctiveness striving for the perfect taste, all made in-house, nothing gets out of control. Since all products are homemade, hand-made and calling for attention, they got their name – partly as a joke, partly true – from the prestigious brand Royce Royce, only that the brand of the full flavour was designed by the two Lojzes.

Chef Borut Jovan and designer Gašper Puhan are co-owners of the superior cuisine restaurant which spreads the consciousness of Slovenian traditional cuisine and at the same time breaks down the stereotypes about the impossible in cuisine. As a child, Jovan decided 06

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to become a chef and as a student he made it his goal to open his own restaurant. After being educated in Michelin’s restaurants in Italy, Spain, France and Denmark, after running restaurants across Slovenia, he is now living his dream. With his business partner they designed a restaurant that attracts domestic and foreign guests and the critics place it at the very top. Uroš Menciger, a culinary critic wrote in his review of the absolute 5 suns: "The Galerija okusov is the most wonderful restaurant to happen in Slovenia in 2014! And it is only April." (Nedelo, April 13, 2014). Jovan immersed his soul into the restaurant; his brain, however, is from time to time set free wandering abroad where it can absorb new knowledge again and again.

The Galerija okusov is a simply designed story of success which offers a little extra to its guests. When making a reservation, guests are asked about their wishes, peculiarities and food allergies respectively, and plates are customised for vegetarians, there is also a raw food menu, celiac disease diet... Several halls offer endless possibilities for events – business conferences, celebrations and socialising for private parties, concerts, wedding ceremonies and celebrations. With the catering offer, location is not a problem.

The small but enthusiastic team, with a broad range of personnel profiles, is also special because they organise all events. The offer is supplemented by culinary tourism, as a full adventure for the entire company. You can take a walk through the valley of "the green gold" and taste the refreshing juice of nature. The hop plantations in the Galerija okusov are not an accident – they were brought to the Savinja valley, to Slovenia, by Count Anton Gaisruck who had the mansion Novo Celje built, in the manor house of which the Galerija okusov is located, and inspired by the Viennese Schönbrunn. For a more active tourist adventure you can take the Mega Savinja adventure where the surroundings can be met through an active game of field orientation. You can also broaden your knowledge on a journey of the history from the 12th century starting at Žovnek Castle in Braslovče all the way to the Celje Castle where the last Prince of Celje, Ulrik of Celje, died tragically. Each tourist experience finish08

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es in its own style with the culinary adventure at the Galerija okusov.

Urban and wild, modern and traditional, local and global - this is Galerija okusov. 

01 Round bread with slices of brawn; Photo: Medias kreativ 02 Place settings; Photo: Pia Lubej 03 Table setting; Photo: Medias kreativ 04 Buckwheat rolls; Photo: Pia Lubej 05 Chef Borut Jovan and Gašper Puhan; Photo: Rok Deželak 06 Terrine of piglet meat in a chicken blanket, sprinkled with home-grown parsley, with a side of candied onions; Photo: Medias kreativ 07 Novo Celje Castle; Photo: Medias kreativ 08 Gallery of tastes – the opening; Photo: Matej Gorjup 09 Slovenian culinary gift package Lojz Lojz; Photo: Pia Lubej 10 Serving of soup; Photo: Medias kreativ

Contacts: Galerija okusov Novo Celje 9 3301 Petrovče W: www.galerijaokusov.si E: info@galerijaokusov.si T: +386 (0)31 657 605 Open: Thursday and Friday: 11.00am – 3.00pm and 6.00pm – 10.00 pm Saturday: 11.00am – 10.00pm Reservations are required.

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Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia

Orhidelia,

the epitome of wellness See, feel, smell, taste. A visit to wellness centre, Orhidelia, is a feast for many senses. The wonderfully built resort in PodÄ?etrtek, which opened in 2009, has been voted the best large spa centre in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that a visit to Orhidelia is something special.

Orhidelia is the most prestigious facility at Terme Olimia. In 2009, Orhidelia was shortlisted as one of the 11 finalists of the World Architecture Festival. The architects tried to make the modern building blend in with the surrounding green hills. The result is a complex with grass roofs, jagged glass facades and wooden terraces. The outstanding appearance of Orhidelia resounds in the services of the wellness centre which prides itself on offering

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an innovative concept of wellness tourism that cannot be found in the immediate or distant surroundings.

In Orhidelia you can find the largest sauna world in Slovenia, which is built over two storeys and has a water surface area of 5000m2, with the clearest thermal water in different types of pools. There are pools with underwater music, geysers, whirlpools, themed relaxation areas and a light cave.

Experience&Lifestyle Slovenia

Take a swim The swimming pool complex is designed as a single open space that winds around an open atrium. The indoor pool has a temperature around 32°C. There are massage chairs, geysers, two whirlpools, slow river, light cave, underwater music, concerts and an island which offers complete intimacy. The outdoor pool has a temperature between 30°C and 32°C and here you can find a water bar, massage chairs, geysers and whirlpool. On the nudist terrace there is an outdoor pool with a temperature between 29°C and 32°C.

De-stress The thermal water at Terme Olimia has a beneficial effect on the reduction of negative influences on health and the consequences of stress which have become the companion of the modern way of life. Thermal baths relax muscle tension and increase the blood flow in the tissues, invigorating and strengthening the body’s defence mechanism.

For business guests, Wellness Orhidelia has developed Wellcorp – a preventive, anti-stress wellness programme.

Healing heath Wellness Orhidelia is the place to be for sauna lovers. The huge sauna complex of Orhidelia is divided into three parts: Finnish saunas, steam baths and a themed relaxation area. All this is embraced by an outdoor terrace with a swimming pool for nudists.

At Orhidelia, there is a Finnish section where the northern way of life doesn’t only resound in the sauna but also in the use of wood and natural materials outside. There are relaxation areas and a cold pool. Get a foot massage by walking over the special ‘massage path’.

The Turkish steambaths give a little taste of the pleasures of the Islamic world. The design of this area is borrowed from the design principles of the Islamic word. In contrast to the more reserved Finnish section, the spaces here are more open and intended for socializing. In addition to the spacious steam baths there are heated loungers and a large whirlpool.

The temperatures in the steambaths are lower than in the Finnish sauna and the air is, of course, more humid. The high humidity in the Turkish saunas and the inhalation of healing aromas of natural essential oils has a positive impact on the respiratory system (aromatherapy).

The pastry chefs of Pomun prepare daily delicious deserts such as pies, seductive cakes and excellent homemade ice-cream.

In the bar, Amita, guests can enjoy freshly made cocktails and have a drink whilst in the pool. Amita has nine bar stools in the water.

Inside Wellness Orhidelia there is Spa Amala which offers individual services. Stop here for a massage, a soft pack wrap or body care. Guests can choose for Thai or Indian massages. A special tip from Wellness Orhidelia: choose a service for two and let your relationship be reborn.

Miraculous flower The name Orhidelia comes from the orchid flower. In the classical era, people believed in the miraculous power of its roots. The Kozjansko Regional Park has over forty varieties of orchids, among which the black orchidis the most beautiful and precious. 

Healthy Eating Orhidelia’s restaurant, Pomun, serves a collection of healthy and tasteful food. Orhidelia’s philosophy is that good physical and psychological wellbeing starts with a healthy diet. Food, rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre and low in fat with a high glycaemic index, yet of high quality – is food especially intended for the guests.

Pomun has a colourful selection of light meals and refreshing drinks. Begin your day with a large breakfast and top it off with one of the refreshing drinks. Have a snack from a wok or grill or simply choose from the variety of salad plates.

Terme Olimia, d.d., Podčetrtek Zdraviliška cesta 24, SI-3254 Podčetrtek T: 03 829 70 00 E: info@terme-olimia.com W: www.terme-olimia.si

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Sports Marathon Franja: cycling fest in a shopping centre

Feel like a pro for a day

By Mark Koghee

At the end of August, the best amateur cyclists in the world will compete in and around Ljubljana in the World Cycling Championships for Amateurs.

The championship will be held on the route of Marathon Franja, the biggest and most popular cycling event in the country traditionally held at the beginning of June.

Maraton Franja BTC City; Photo: Maj Pavček

This June, a record number of 7,600 cyclists participated in the three day cycling event which is based in Ljubljana’s BTC City shopping centre.

It’s 8.30 in the morning on Sunday, June 8 and the shopping centre, BTC City, is crowded as if there were sales. There are no shoppers, there are cyclists. There are thousands of them and they are swarming the streets in all directions. They are warming up, they do a final adjustment to the bike, then to the start. Just before 9am almost all of them are lined up in the starting area. While some cyclists are still nervously fiddling with their bikes the countdown begins; ...3, 2, 1. The circus then starts moving through the streets of Ljubljana for the 156 km Marathon Franja.

Marathon Franja has, for 33 years, been one of the biggest sporting events in Slovenia. Two cyclists from cycling club Rog, from Ljubljana,

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decided to organise the first Marathon Franja in the 1970s when the popularity of cycling was growing. They named it after Doctor Franja who, in World War II, led a secret hospital for the Partisans in the mountains close to the route.

From the beginning, Franja has always been the biggest cycling event in the country. Years later, a 97 km ride was added to the program, a 25 km family ride on a Saturday and more recently a time trial on the Friday. Franja is ridden on closed roads and the number of policemen and traffic controllers that accompany the enormous field of cyclists is comparable to the biggest professional cycling races.

Accompanied by police, motorcyclists and official cars, the cyclists leave BTC City in big groups. People watch from the edges of the closed roads. The parade heads to the centre of Ljubljana where the cyclists cross the Three Bridges and ride through Čopova ulica. The passage through the centre is a unique experience.

Among the large group of riders are both young and old cyclists, men and women, professionals and amateurs. Professional, Luka Mezgec, who won the last stage of the Tour of Italy the week before, rode in a group with riders who had hardly any cycling experience. In Franja, all participants can feel like a pro.

Franja is part of the World Cycling Tour of the International Cycling Union (UCI) which means that cyclists can qualify for the World Cycling Championships for Amateurs. After the championships in South-Africa and Italy, the races for the rainbow jerseys will this year be in Ljubljana. Marathon Franja was thus more international than ever. The organisers counted 26 different nationalities at the time trails on the Friday and on the Sunday there were racers from many countries, some as exotic as Costa Rica, Taipei and Turkey.

After the big group of riders of Marathon Franja left the City of Ljubljana, they rode to Vrnhika where they met their first challenge; a 4.6 km climb. Although the climb was not steep

Maraton Franja BTC City; Photo: Maj Pavček

Program World Championships for Amateurs Wednesday, 27.08.2014 18.00: Time trial route inspection Thursday, 28.08.2014 10.30: Time trial Friday, 29.08.2014 19.30: Team relay in the city centre Opening Ceremony Award Ceremony for the Time Trial and Team Relay Saturday, 30.08.2014 Day off Sunday, 31.08.2014 9.00: Neutral start, 157 km 9.45: Neutral start, 97 km it does make a difference, the big groups break into smaller groups. After the climb, the road gently rises for around 20 km after which the riders make a long and twisty descent into the town of Idrija. After another 20 km they climb Kladje; 7 km uphill with an average gradient of 6.3%. It is the toughest obstacle of the day.

After Kladje, a long descent brings the riders to Gorenja Vas and via Škofja Loka and Medvode, the cyclists reach Ljubljana where they make half a circle around the city to arrive back at BTC City. On Ameriska ulica, Italian Guiseppe Di Salvo, beat two fellow escapees to win the Marathon Franja in 3 hours, 30 minutes and 51 seconds. Over the next few hours cyclists will finish their marathon. In the end, 1,778 cyclists finished the 156 km ride with the last rider crossing the line after 7 hours, 47 minutes and 27 seconds.

In the evening things are quiet again at the shopping centre until the first shoppers arrive on Monday morning.

BTC City’s involvement with cycling started with Marathon Franja. This year they became the main sponsor of the first professional women’s cycling team in Slovenia and with the municipality of Ljubljana, BTC City is working on improving safe cycling measures with routes, warnings and education. Later this year there will be three new stations in the shopping centre for Ljubljana’s free bike rental system, Bicikelj. 

Sports Q What did you notice first in terms of everyday life and organisation when you joined your first international club?

A Goran: The biggest difference is that, in the US, every detail is taken care of and you can really focus on playing basketball. With regard to the way of life, you can see that compared to Europe everything goes a little faster but at the same time also with a bit less personality.

Zoran: The club is organisationally at a higher level, which is normal because the club itself is bigger. The quality of competition is also different – we play in the strongest European national championship plus the EuroLeague.

Life in Spain is different at first sight and especially as it has the seaside and it is a little more laid-back.

Q Let’s picture a game where you are the Man of the Match or maybe even scored the decisive points. What do you think privately after such a game, at home?

A Goran: It is a fact that such a game stays in your mind a little longer but, in principle, I try to forget each game as soon as possible and concentrate on the next one. Playing up to five games in a week, the schedule in the NBA is hectic and so we can’t actually afford to think too much about past games.

Zoran: I rewind the play. I might watch it in the replay but in the next moment my mind is focused on the next game.

Q How long after an important game, in front

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Basketball – The Dragić brothers

A Tale of Two Dragons

By Simon Demšar

Goran and Zoran Dragić are, without doubt, the best known Slovene brothers. They fully earned their celebrity status (although they hate the tag) during the 2013 EuroBasket when they regularly had the fans out of their seats. Goran went on to become the “Most Improved Player” in the NBA with his Phoenix Suns team, while Zoran became a regular member of the starting five for his Spanish team, Unicaja Malaga, which finished fourth in the national championship. We caught up with them to hear their opinions.

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of a large number of spectators, do you still feel the adrenaline rush? Can you fall into a peaceful sleep one hour after such a game?

A Goran: No, you cannot fall asleep that fast.

In fact, I need about that much time to recover after a game, then there is also dinner and only then, time for sleep.

Zoran: It happens sometimes that you cannot drift to sleep until the wee hours, especially after an important or emotional game. The adrenaline rush lingers on long after a game.

Sometimes I can manage it sooner.

Q Particularly in Europe, it often seems that fans and players take basketball very emotionally. Are we forgetting that it is just a game? How did you recover after the shocking defeat against France at EuroBasket?

A Goran: It is exactly the fans emotions that make sport, including basketball, what it is.

There might be a little less of it in the US; there is not such dedicated and enthusiastic support, especially during the regular season. It changes in the play-offs, but it still cannot compare to the atmosphere that Slovene fans, for example, created during the games at EuroBasket last year. I still get goose bumps when I think of the packed Golovec or Stožice halls. Regarding the game against France, it is a fact that they were

Sports

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Q Is it possible to mentally prepare for the nerv-

words. My family is my best relaxation; I also like getting back to nature with things such as my inaugural basketball camp later this summer. Working on this project is also a kind of relaxation.

Zoran: I’m far from being a star and even if I make it to the NBA one day, I will still be Zoki.

It is true that the life of a professional basketball player is rather stressful and the pressure to perform is high in Europe. I relax best in the company of my family.

ous last seconds so characteristic of basketball?

A Goran: Sure. There are some aspects of your Q Apart from family and friends, why do you

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better in that game and I can only hope that we have learned something from the experience.

Zoran: In Europe, especially in Greece or Belgrade, the atmosphere can sometimes be really crazy. I enjoy such games; I truly love playing them. But of course, the Slovenes are still the best supporters and when we lost against France, I felt more sorry for them than ourselves. We just yearned to present them with a medal at the home championship.

Q In basketball, the margin narrows in the final minutes. What is going on in the minds of the players of both the leading and the trailing team?

A Goran: The trailing team is usually at an advantage in these situations, but one single move – a triple pointer, a steal, whatever – by an individual can also decide the outcome. Such moments reveal the character of the team, the chemistry among the players.

Zoran: If you are coming back after trailing you are sort of gathering momentum, but if you are leading you usually sort of freeze. In any case, you should be concentrating for the final seconds and stick to the team decisions.

own mental preparation, but overall it is usually down to your ability, the team preparation and the number of similar situations that you as an individual or the team as a whole, has experienced.

Zoran: In these situations I try hard to follow the coach’s instructions and be fully concentrated and focused on what is happening on the court. I wouldn’t know how much you can practise for these situations – the more often you play them the better your reaction to them.

Q Life in the glamorous world of material benefits has its traps. How do you avoid them and keep your head cool?

A Goran: Of course there are traps, but as far as I am concerned there are no significant changes in my way of life. I think the key factor in this respect is your upbringing.

Zoran: I am still far from any enormous material benefits and this is not my main objective anyway; I just genuinely enjoy playing basketball at the highest possible level. In this and other areas, the experiences and advice of my brother Goran are invaluable.

like coming back to Slovenia for the summer?

What “rituals” do you enjoy during the summer break?

A Goran: Slovenia will always be my home and this in itself is reason enough to look forward to going back every summer. First, I visit my family and then my friends. I try to take a good break from a difficult season. I spend a lot of time with my brother, which I cannot do during the season. I love eating good homemade food, I go on trips around Slovenia and similar.

Zoran: Of course I want to stay in Spain as long as possible because it means that my club is still in contention for the national title. But at the same time I can’t wait to get back to Slovenia. This year I have a special reason – to see for the first time my nephew Mateo who I wasn’t able to see during the season. 

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Photo: KZS, www.alesfevzer.com Photo: Sportelement Photo: KZS, www.alesfevzer.com Photo: KZS, www.alesfevzer.com

Q Which aspects of the glamorous life do you like and which not? How do you counterbalance the psychological pressure that you are exposed to as a top athlete?

A Goran: Like everything in life, this status – which I wouldn’t call celebrity – has its advantages and disadvantages. The main sign of being a little more famous is that people tug at your sleeve more often and want a photograph taken with you or at least exchange a few Summer Edition 2014 | The Slovenian Times

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Culture&Events

Bled Film Festival

New film story

Aleksandra Balzamović – host of the closing ceremony; Photos by: Črt Slavec, Klemen Jeke, Filip Djurić, Anže Kacin

By Vesna Milek (for Delo de Facto and The Slovenia Times)

"In the beginning there was the word. Idea. It seemed unbelievable and impossible. It always seems impossible until it is done. And now here we are, with the help of moving images for a better world. We did it."

Actress Aleksandra Balmazović used these words (in Slovenian and English) to address guests gathered for a socially engaged film festival in Bled at the closing ceremony.

Closing Ceremony – Magical scene of Lake Bled

The award ceremony Wishing Bell, named after the wishing bell in the church on the Bled Island, is a symbolic place on the island, where all invited were transported by illuminated Pletna boats operated by the Pletna oarsmen.

As repeatedly pointed out by honoured guest of the festival and ambassador of the White Flag Armand Assante,

"Bled is a remarkable part of the world where a perfect marriage of two ideas can happen, film and water, social engagement and the arts."

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The guests were first greeted by BFF director Branko Djurić, who stressed the importance of friendships forged at the festival and thanked the European Film Academy (EFA), whose members include Rade Šerbedžija, Čedomir Kolar and himself, for their support; ceremonial meeting of members of EFA (the majority of committee members came to Bled) took place a few hours before the award ceremony.

16 films competed for Wishing Bell awards; 8 films dedicated to water; documentary films selector Rada Šešić (also Sarajevo Film Festival and Rotterdam Film Festival selector), and 8 feature films selected by Noah Charneyja (internationally acclaimed columnist, writer).

The Best Actress awarded by feature films jury, chaired by Italian actress Caterina Murino (the other members included Boris Cavazza and Ante Novakovic), was Viviana Leo. She starred

Culture&Events in The White Alligator, which questions the reality shows and unique racism prevailing in the entertainment industry. Viviana Leo, who was given the prize by Boris Cavazza, visibly excited said, "I have spent five of the most exciting days of my life in Bled and made friendships, which will surely create a new film story." The Best Actor award, presented by Danijel Utješanović and Marko Gajić, BFF founders, went to Benoit Poelvoordee for the role of a football agent in the Belgian-French film Scouting for Zebras.

Wishing Bell 2014 for Best Film was won

by Austrian film The Dark Valley, directed

by Andreas Prochaska, feature film 28 by Sri Lankan director Prasanna Jayakodyja, and a documentary film My Name is Salt written by Farid Pasha, received special mention of the jury. Audience Award, presented by a member of the Committee Tanja Ribič, went to an award-winning Iranian director Šakram Mokri for Fish&Cat, a psychological thriller with a taste of cannibalism.

Documentary film jury including Hanka Kasteličova, members Lučka Kajfež Bogataj and Claudio Corbelli, awarded Last Call at the Oases, written by Jessica Yu, who stresses that, "water is main problem facing humanity of 21st century", the Best Documentary Film award.

Jessica Yu greeted the guests and thanked the festival for supporting documentaries preaching "inconvenient truth about the water crisis" from New York. Wishing Bell for Best Documentary was presented by BFF Chairman of the Board Rade Šerbedžija, who has already repeatedly stressed the importance of ecological notes of the festival:

"Disasters related to water, such as the recent floods in this part of the world, are the results of past continuous injustice of this civilization, which is unable to deal with nature. These are the things we need to talk about publicly all the time. And not only talk, but make a small step.

We can all do it. To begin with, stop using plastic bottles, as suggested at the roundtable

by Nobel Prize Winner Lučka Kajfež Bogataj."

The party after the awards ceremony had the effect of champagne bottle opening. The "element of surprise" Vlado Kreslin helped, when he appeared shortly before the end with his guitar and sang Spominčice. When you walked through the crowd, one could hear at least seven languages​​ , new and old friends met (Vlado Kreslin with his wife Eva and Šerbedžija with Lenka Udovički), Iranian director Šahram Mokri, New York director and Keith Harvey assistant Ante Novakovic, Indian star Nimrat Kaur, who starred in last year’s international blockbuster The Lunchbox/Dabba, producer of blockbusters No Man’s Land Čedomir Kolar, Swiss documentary filmmaker Ars Schnel (Bottled life), Armand Assante, guest of honour, Italian star Caterina Murino (Casino Royale), Dragan Bjelogrlić, Nikola Kojo, Boris Cavazza with Ksenija Benedetti, Tanja Ribic, Elma Tataragić, Sarajevo film Festival selector, with her husband, Ulay, also "an ambassador and explorer of water" and Lena Pislak, Matjaz Javšnik. Undoubtedly, Slovenian filmmakers and actors, including two members of the Board BFF, Radko Polič and Milena Zupančič were greatly missed.

The guests were entertained by Cycle band and Denis Beganović-Kiki, official BFF jingle writer, tasted traditional Slovenian cake, wines and other products. "Pletna boats, the island, the church, … were all featured in BFF as we wanted to maintain the originality of this part of the world and tradition in harmony with the local community," said the new BFF executive producer Milan Gregorn and "director" of the event. Putting aside difficult circumstances, the team, which was formed just three weeks before the event, came together and carried out mission impossible. According to given conditions, everyone, who worked on this festival a year earlier, also contributed to a miracle.

Armand Assante cleaning up Lake Bled

"The fact that this corner of the world gathered part of the film world with a clear idea – to preserve clean water, is the greatest reward. Round table of experts with Lučka Kajfež Bogataj, cleaning of Lake Bled, President’s speech ... These are the highlights of our efforts.

The highlight is the birth of this festival; Marko and I dared to follow our dream, stepped over the edge – and won", said visibly moved BFF Executive Director, Daniel Utješanović. The parish priest Janez Ferkolj was also content saying, "to reach out to a film festival with such a noble idea; in the future I would like the island to become an island for meetings, for culture." Together with the Director of Bled Tourism Eva Štravs Podlogar, who also emphasized that they will continue to assist the festival with all their strength, they decided (for the first time in the recent decades) to make an exception and lend the island for the celebration of the new birth of the new film festival. The only drawback was the first festival audience, who did not attend the film projections in such a number as one would expect for such a festival. The fact being, as also mentioned by Rade Šerbedžija, that the first steps are difficult for each festival. Even the famous Sundance Independent Film Festival in Utah, began in 1978 as an attempt to lure some of the A-category stars to attract tourists in mountainous Park City. In 1981 when Robert Redford systematically began to alter the platform for undiscovered film talents, it gained force and became one of the most important independent film festivals in the world.

Rade Šerbedžija and Vesna Milek – interview with the view

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Culture&Events

President of Slovenia Borut Pahor with Director BFF Branko Djurić and BFF Board president Rade Šerbedžija

Director BFF Branko Djurić and Executive producer Milan Gregorn

Armand Assante and Bond girl Caterina Murino "Water is Life" roundtable: Lučka Kajfež Bogataj, EU Commissioner Janez Potočnik and Rade Šerbedžija

Winners and organizers of BFF at closing ceremony

Clearly, BFF festival is still evolving, yet growing stronger every single minute. There is a possibility that it will not happen next year.

There is a possibility it will be even better next year, more influential, more visited. There is a possibility it will be supported by Slovenian filmmakers if key people of the festival committee endure until the end; our filmmakers and media will then have no choice but to drive to Bled. If they are interested in a taste of the (film) world. Where else can young Slovenian filmmakers, producers, actors sit down and relax with Armand Assante or Ante Novakovic, a young director who as Keith Harvey’s personal assistant experienced at least 40s film sets (Resevoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Blue in the Face etc..). Where else can young people talk to producer Čedomir Kolar, who made successful art films and knows the functioning of the mechanisms of European festivals, or producer Claudio Corbelli, Kathleen Chopin, Casting

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Director from New York, who has worked with Michael Douglas, multi award-winning director Šakram Mokrijem, ...? I do not think we are not interested. However, it also applies to films: First there was the idea. And the idea is likely to happen in interaction with another, when two collide over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and create a new story. This time, the international guests had a lot of time for any young Slovenian film authors, actors, writers, who could thus get a much-needed platform for their ideas. In addition, international artists, Armand Assante, Noah Charney, Caterina Murino, are aware of the secret mechanism: to try and support the idea of someone else, even if you gain nothing from it means that someone, somewhere, might do the same for you, connect you with the right person, read your script, … . Or as Rade Šerbedžija put it nicely in Interview with a View: "I cannot do anything more. Now, it is up to you. Your creativity, your intellectual elite. The festival happens if the Slovenian intellectuals, young filmmakers, actors and actresses, producers, writers, philosophers come here and support an outstanding idea. The idea of art associated with caring for water preservation."

BFF Business director Marko Gajić estimated that the first BFF exceeded all expectations: "We managed to bring major film stars, agreed on further cooperation and BFF development. The result of this will be seen in 2015. I think Slovenia has won yet another channel through which film culture can be placed on a higher level and get the possibility of entering the global film industry. BFF has potential and the first step in this direction was

made this year". Even Noah Charney remarked: "I was hugely impressed with the first incarnation of the festival. By far the hardest thing is to do it the first time. We had a limited budget for the first year but I do not think that this reflected in the way the festival turned out, which was really quite magical. It manifested itself in the fact that quite a lot of major Hollywood stars actually said that they would come, but only if their very expensive expenses were paid. We got surprising amount of international press, tensions in the Wall Street Journal. And all of the guests who did come, most of whom have been to many film festivals including Cannes, remarked at how great they thought our festival was, how much we made them feel at home, and how magical the setting was. The final award ceremony, at night on the bled Island, was especially magical. We got compliments from the president of the European film commission as well as from stars from a variety of countries. I could not have been happier or prouder of being a part of this first festival. Now the hard part, doing it the first year, is passed us. It will only get easier and bigger."

Interestingly, the most attended BFF films were documentaries about water by selector Rada Šešić: Bottled Life, which is about thriving business of Nestlé bottled water and multinational ruthlessness to local population; poetic documentary Knights of the Lagoon, which shows the possibility of coexistence of man and nature – water through the eyes of fishermen, Watermark, a Canadian documentary about the history and use of water, and others. This year, BFF hosted a round table on the topic of water protection, which is also the fil rouge of the festival, as half of the festival films were documentary films on water and related issues. Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, Lučka Kajfež Bogataj, climatologist and Nobel Peace Laureate and BFF Chairman of the Board BFF Rade Šerbedžija all participated at the round table. The overall message was that the time for debate on ecology and water is finally running out and we need to act immediately.

Head of the Ecological Development Programme Tilen Majnardi stressed, "It is important to raise awareness on the issue of water as this will also be the main mission of BFF in the coming years. Even the current economic theory and development policy will have to take into account that our planet has limited natural resources and cannot be a victim of endless economic exploitation leading to destruction".

"Celebrities, opinion leaders and stars who came to BFF can raise the emphasis of BFF, i.e. environmental issues, all over the world," said BFF director Branko Djurić. "So I really can say that I believe in the motto of the festival, which is that moving images can help change the world." 

Culture&Events War that shaped the Slovenian history

Slovenia during WWI: the Isonzo battles

By David Tiefenthaler We are in the year 1915 and Europe is at war:

In the second part of our series about World War I, we take a close look at the happenings that affected the Slovenian population and the territory of present day Slovenia: the battles at the Isonzo or in Slovene, SoÄ?a. These 11 battles involved a lot of Slovenes fighting on AustroHungarian soil against their Italian neighbours, a tragedy which cost thousands of lives and devastated a whole region.

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After the deadly shots Gavrilo Princip fired at the heir to the Habsburg throne, Franz Ferdinand, a chain reaction of war treaties and pacts divided Europe into two opposing blocks fighting each other. The two basic axes were the so-called Central Powers consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, the Ottoman Empire and on the other side the Entente uniting Great Britain, France, Italy (from 1915 onwards), Russia and the USA in one alliance. Fuelled by nationalism and blinded by propaganda, Europe stumbled into a war that expanded across the world and cost millions of lives and unimaginable amounts of money.

Today’s Slovene territory was then part of Austria-Hungary, a multinational state which showed the first cracks, caused by rising nationalism and social instability, at the beginning of the 20th century. When mobilisation for the war began, about 80,000 young men between the ages of 21 and 35 were drawn into the army and sent to Serbia and East Galicia, where the biggest number of Slovene soldiers fell. But the war also took place on ethnic Slovene territory, changing a whole region and dividing its inhabitants: on the Isonzo front, the Soťka front in Slovene language.

Culture&Events Over a 93 kilometre front along the river Isonzo, the Austro-Hungarian and the Italian armies clashed in 12 offensives from the end of May 1915 to October 1917. The AustroHungarian army defended their territory along a line: Rombon-Bovec-Tolmin-Sabotin-GoricaKras-Devin and were commanded by General Svetozar Borojević von Bojna. Geographically seen, the Isonzo valley is a narrow corridor, widening at its southern part near Gorica. Military operations and battles were therefore very different from other battlefields at that time; the war took place in the mountains, on steep slopes, with no roads for supply lines and under extreme weather conditions, especially in the winter. Despite the huge effort and resources poured into the continuing Isonzo struggle the results were invariably disappointing and without real tactical merit, particularly given the geographical difficulties that were inherent in the campaign.

It therefore happened that after 11 Italian offensives from 23 June 1915 to 12 September 1917, the front line did not change dramatically and the Italian advance was numbered in metres. The territory that the Italian army gained was then lost with one last attack by the Austro-Hungarian side and the Italians had to retreat to the River Piave.

The fighting took a heavy toll in terms of human lives and equipment and destroyed villages and landscapes. The amount of ammunition, grenades and bombs used in this small region was greater than in every other battlefield of World War I. Cumulative casualties of the numerous battles of the Isonzo were enormous, it is estimated that during the Isonzo battles more than 250,000 soldiers died from each side.

The population of the region also had to pay a high price: hundreds of thousands Slovene ci-

vilians from the Gorizia and Gradišča regions suffered through resettlement, partly in Italian refugee camps, where Slovene refugees were treated as state enemies and several thousands of them died of malnutrition and starvation there. Women and children who were not resettled had to cope with extreme food shortages at home, most of them also working in military workshops, producing weapons and ammunition.

The battles at the Isonzo front were, to a certain extent, material battles. The more cannons, hand grenades and weapons an army could move to the impassable terrain, the bigger were its advantages. Soldiers built countless roads in the mountains in those years, many of them still exist today such as the Vršič pass from Kranjska Gora into the Soča valley. Also, many mountain paths – today a place for hikers and alpinists – have their origins in the days of the war. Traces of World War I can be found across the whole valley, abandoned fortresses and bunkers are situated all over the region.

While the brutality of modern warfare was present on battlefields all over Europe, for example the trench war in Verdun, Slovenians were directly affected by the war in their homeland, seeing their fathers and brothers going to war and a big part of them never returning. The

battles at the Isonzo River showed the absurdity of the war: fighting back and forth for a few metres of soil with an incredibly high number of casualties not only due to fighting but also because of the rough weather conditions and the terrain, while women and children were working to produce even more arms and military equipment.  This article was written in cooperation with the National Museum of Contemporary History in Ljubljana, which also provided the photos.

Cumulative casualties of the numerous battles of the Isonzo were enormous, it is estimated that during the Isonzo battles more than 250,000 soldiers died from each side.

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Antiques

If it's old, it doesn't mean it's valuable

By Tomi Gračanin

Ljubljana could be an interesting destination for antique collectors, with the popular weekly Antique Flea Market on the embankment of the Ljubljanica River. In these times of economic crisis, people are selling more antiques than usual. But which antiques are the easiest to sell for a good price? According to the experts, rare military memorabilia and vintage wristwatches.

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In recent years, dozens of small businesses buying gold have opened their doors in the Slovenian capital. Signs in bright red and yellow announce "cash for gold" and "best prices".

Due to the high price of gold on the one hand and less income in the pockets of locals on the other, this is now a lucrative business. But not everybody is happy that their late aunt’s necklace is worth ‘only its weight in gold’, despite needing the cash.

"Now, with the economic crisis, there are many people trying to sell their antiques.

When the price of gold was high, Slovenians found they could get good value for it, so there were many gold items on the market but generally they were nothing special... There are a lot of things which are old but have no real price on the antique market. People often sell jewellery they inherit but the market for some items, for instance pocket watches, is slow at the moment,“ explained Boštjan Ilnikar, junior partner at Ritter Antiques in Ljubljana’s old town, just under the castle hill.

Vintage Ray Bans beat rustic furniture ”The antique market has changed a lot in the last ten years. At the beginning of the century there was a great offer of antiques, demand was even higher and the prices were high for both local artists and for antiques. Now demand has declined and prices have fallen. Once there was more demand for antiques in the traditional sense, old furniture and rustic objects such as paintings on glass and beehive panels. Today,

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it is easier to sell vintage Ray Ban glasses than a rustic chest. The tastes of buyers and demand changed, it has become less predictable.“ says Ilnikar.

On the other bank of Ljubljanica River, every Sunday, the antique flea market seems more predictable. Cheap items, priced between EUR 10 and EUR 20 are the most sold. Vintage postcards and medals of the Yugoslav army sell well. There are also old cameras, books, furniture, toys, records and even portraits of the late Yugoslav president, Tito, on sale. A gentleman selling a super 8mm film projector explains that his daughter has transferred their family films onto DVD. Nearby there is a portable black and white TV in orange plastic housing on sale – a popular item in Yugoslavia some 30 or 40 years ago.

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But to be a professional takes a bit more: “Experience shows that a shop must have some souvenirs that cost EUR 10 or EUR 20, but there are also customers who spend a few thousand euros. For instance, we sold some diamond jewellery worth more than EUR 5,000. Some rare wristwatches may be sold for more than EUR 5,000,” Ilnikar explained of their business model. I spent less than an hour in the shop and met two buyers. The first was a middleaged gentleman from a small Slovenian town.

He was obviously happy he wasn't accompanied by his wife and so he could spend a little something on antiques. After he told his story of the good times he had in the Yugoslav army, he bought a medal for EUR 20 from the same army for the sake of old times. A few minutes later a bunch of Italian speaking ladies entered the shop, apparently they had visited the shop before. One of them was interested in a ring with a huge precious stone. I considerately left the shop but I concluded that the price was a few hundred euros.

is a circle of local collectors, but there are not that many as there used to be. The generation of serious collectors is getting older, most are over 60. “ according to Mr Ilnikar. Now I was interested, what of my family heritage could be the source for a fortune.

"Rarity is one of the factors for a high price, the other is costly material such as gold, platinum or precious stones. The price also depends on demand; something could be rare but if there is no demand, the price can't be high. You can have a really rare old Singer sewing machine for instance, but it's almost impossible to sell it for a high price,“ he disappointed me.

And what could make me rich? "Rare military memorabilia and vintage wristwatches are the things you can sell quickly and for a good price,” he added. 

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Vintage postcards, books and furniture are sold on the bank of Ljubljanica river.

2 Boštjan Ilnikar among the antiques in the shop.

3, 8 Ritter Antiques in Ljubljana old town.

4, 5 A lot of people visit the antiques flea market on sundays.

6 Hot items: military memorabilia...

7 and vintage wristwatches.

Photo: Tomi Gračanin

Hard to sell a sewing machine "Buyers are locals and foreign tourists, I could say the buyers are random. They come by the shop and see something they like. There are tourists who want a special souvenir, not just something available on every corner. There Summer Edition 2014 | The Slovenian Times

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Culture&Events

Schengenfest -

A music festival at the border Slovenia’s biggest music festival will, from 1 - 3 August, again offer a decent portion of international acts packed into three days of joy and music.

Together with known local artists, the line-up featuring the famous SouthAfrican rap-rave duo, Die Antwoord and Finnish metal/goth band, HIM, secures a unique festival experience.

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Vinica is a small village in the south east of Slovenia, just a few steps away from the river Kolpa by the border between Slovenia and Croatia, just one out of hundreds of villages consisting of only a few houses in the Bela krajina region. But for a few days every year, Vinica is the epicentre of the Slovene music scene, a hot spot for international and local artists and bands and thousands of music lovers, enjoying a few days of concerts and a great atmosphere.

The sixth Schengenfest, named best Slovenian summer festival in 2013, presents different scenes of music in a unique place - the Schengen border. Although economic and social borders still exist, the organisers of the festival try to cross musical borders by giving international acts an appropriate venue to play.

The focus is to present the evolving young music scene in Slovenia with well-known bands from the Balkans and international artists.

After last year´s Skunk Anansie, Plavi Orchestar and Pendulum, this year´s headline acts will be Die Antwoord, HIM and 2Cellos.

The first day of Schengenfest will have some major highlights for visitors: the South-African avant-garde rap-rave duo, Die Antwoord , Slovenia’s most successful music export, Laibach and young local electro/hip-hop band, Moveknowledgement, will all play gigs on this day.

Saturday and Sunday are packed with highclass concerts from artists from all around the world: Slovenian-Croatian duo, 2Cellos, Ljubljana rockers, Čao Portorož, Finnish metal/goth allstars, HIM and Morcheeba out of the UK. From blues to funk, metal, rock and hip-hop, the Schengenfest line-up will please diverse tastes in music.

Aside from the main stage, there will also be a special stage for fans of electronic music with lesser known but not less interesting artists showing their skills. Loadstar and Klangkarussel, a young Austrian EDM duo, deserve particular mention as young and upcoming musicians in the electronic music circus.

Like every decent music festival, Schengenfest 2014 will host its visitors on a massive campsite near the festival. While some people say that spending three days in a sea of dust (or mud), with thousands of other people sleeping in tents pitched back to back and with only basic sanitary conditions is hell on earth, there is a certain kind of magic surrounding these gatherings. 

Event Guide

Exhibition

Festival

Josef Koudelka - Vestiges Schengenfest Jakopič Gallery, Ljubljana, until 20 September Josef Koudelka, a member of the photographic agency Magnum and globally known photographer for over 45 years is now also exhibiting in Ljubljana! The exhibit in Jakopič Gallery consists of a selection of photos from Koudelka’s Vestiges project, for which he visited all 19 countries bordering the Mediterranean and captured over 200 archaeological sites. His panoramic black and white pictures enable visitors to get a small glimpse of ancient Greek and Roman culture, of sunken civilization and its place in today’s world.

Exhibition

World War I National Museum of Contemporary History, Ljubljana, summer The centenary of the beginning of World War I also marks the start of numerous commemoration activities around World War I. Since Slovenia, or more precisely the Soča valley, was one of the main battlefields, 2014 offers a rich selection of possibilities to learn more about the war. The National Museum of Contemporary History opens its doors to its new exhibition to the public on 21 June during Museum Night.

The year long exhibition focuses on approaching the war from different perspectives to put together a picture of the war for people today.

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Vinica, 1 -3. August, 3 day camping passes approx. EUR 60 Named best Slovenian summer festival in 2013, Schengenfest is one of biggest, if not the biggest music event in Slovenia. Every year, globally known bands make their way to Slovenia and meet with heroes of the local music scene to put together a unique concert experience. This year’s headliners will be SouthAfrican rap-rave duo, Die Antwoord and Finnish metal and goth band, HIM. Groups with Slovene origin playing this year will include Laibach, Moveknowledgement, Čao Portorož and many more. It won’t really get much better, don’t miss this possibility for three days filled with amazing music, camping and partying!

Exhibition

Brain – The Inside Story Gospodarsko razstavišče, Ljubljana, until 24 August, Tickets EUR 10 –EUR 15 After travelling the globe, the exhibition makes a stop in Ljubljana for a few months and invites visitors to make a journey inside their brain.

Curated by the American Museum of Natural History, the exhibit gives a detailed insight into what goes on in our heads while thinking, feeling and acting and should give the audience a deeper understanding of exactly what happens when memory or feelings are created. The exhibition is designed to touch all your senses, including dazzling light installations and larger-than life brains to walk in. See for yourself!

Festival

Ljubljana Jazz Festival Cankarjev dom/Križanke, Ljubljana, 2-5 July, Tickets from EUR 15- EUR 30 The 55th Ljubljana Jazz Festival offers jazz lovers a very special experience. Over four days, the city will host some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz, with various concerts being played in venues in Cankarjev dom and Križanke. This year’s focus is the renaissance of the piano and Norwegian jazz. If you are familiar with names like Joachim Kühn (German master piano player) or Jaga Jazzist from Norway, this festival is a must. Enriching the two genres is the most distinctive singer blending jazz and soul who hasn’t been heard for years, Gregory Porter, this year’s Grammy Award winner.

Movies

Cinema under the Stars Ljubljana castle, 24 July – 16.August Every year, cinema-goers look forward to the Cinema under the Stars at the famous Ljubljana castle. The special atmosphere, the big screen and sky above make for a unique experience. The event is organised by Kinodvor, the 90 year old city cinema and visitors will be able to watch movies, mostly released in 2014, some of which have not yet been seen in Slovenia. After seeing the great success in recent years, the story of Cinema under the Stars will continue to attract cinema enthusiasts from all over the country.

Event Guide

Exhibition

Light as Colour

Market

ARTish market Old town centre Ljubljana, last Saturday of every summer month Bringing together artists and people fascinated by handcrafted goods is the aim of the ARTish market in the old town centre of Ljubljana. In an age where we buy mostly mass produced goods, it can be refreshing to do the opposite and establish a dialogue with the artist who designed and made the product by hand. It goes without saying that these products have a totally different worth in our world of globalisation and overseas products. The ARTish market happens the last Saturday of the summer months and brings together artists from across Slovenia, presenting their goods and skills to an interested public.

Concert

Deep Purple and Gibonni Kongresni trg, Ljubljana, 16 July, 8pm, Tickets EUR 45 – EUR 60 Deep Purple which has been one of the most famous rock bands on the planet since the 1970s, are still out there playing shows for their innumerable fans bringing some of their most successful hits: Child in Time, Smoke on the Water or Black Night, who doesn’t know these songs?

Together with Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, they coined the hard rock sound of the 1970s and 1980s. They will be supported by Gibonni, the most popular Croatian pop-rock singer and musician. Gibonni’s popularity comes from his innovative pop-rock approaches to Dalmatian pop, which has a considerable following also outside Croatia.

Museum of Architecture and Design, Ljubljana, until 17 August The exhibition "Light as Colour" offers the first review of coloured and colour photographic production on Slovenian soil from its origins in the mid-19th century until 1945. Before the first colour photography techniques emerged in the early 20th century, photographs were coloured and toned after the developing process.

The Museum of Architecture and Design also showcases the different process with which photographers work to make their shots colourful. In cooperation with various Slovene museums including the Museum of Gorenjska in Kranj, the Museum of Modern Art and the National Museum of Contemporary History, the curators of the Museum of Architecture and Designs have put together an outright collection of early colour photography in Slovenia.

Concert Festival

Ljubljana Festival various venues, 21 June - 1 September The 62nd Ljubljana Festival will again be “the” cultural event the summer. Stretching from the end of June until the beginning of September, the festival will fill the summer with exciting concerts, dance performances and exhibitions.

The festival has become a way of life for both tourists and locals during the summer months, the free events still bring together a good mix of classical concerts, opera performances and musicals. Some highlights this year will be the concert of Vlado Kreslin, the opera Carmina Burana and a concert with famous conductor Riccardo Muti.

Gramatik live Kino Šiška, 5 September, 9pm, Tickets EUR 20 Hailing from Portorož, Slovenia, travelling the world and back on 5 September, electronic music artist Gramatik is a phenomenon himself.

Currently living and working in New York City, he made his first stage appearance in 2009 and distributed his music in an uncommon way filesharing, meaning people had free digital access to his work, with no need to buy a physical copy. The audience thanked him by attending his concerts en masse. Gramatik extends the borders of EDM (Electronic Dance Music), bends it and manages to give his tracks his very personal signature. The gig in Kino Šiška will see him playing tracks from his recent release, The Age of Reason.

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In 2011, the government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the programme Pokolpje with development measures for strengthening and developing entrepreneurship. In addition to these measures, Pokolpje region is the priority area of Slovenian development policies in the period 2011–2016.

1. Public tenders for the Pokolpje region: th

4 public tender is expected to be published at the end of 2014 and will apply for investments planned in 2015 -2016. It´s objective is to reduce initial costs for investors whose investment will have favourable effects on employment, technological development programmes or on promoting development of entrepreneurship or tourism. The public tender is open to foreign companies, however, the recipient of funds can only be a company registered in the Republic of Slovenia. The amount of co-financing cannot exceed 50 % of the value of eligible costs for small enterprises, 40 % of the value of eligible costs for medium-sized enterprises and 30 % of the value of eligible costs for big enterprises. Max. subsidy per company is 500,000 €, min. subsidy per company is 15,000 €.

2. Reimbursement of employer's social security contributions: In Pokolpje region, an employer who employs an unemployed person from vulnerable groups shall receive an one-off aid in the form of the reimbursement of social security contributions paid for this worker for a period of one year. An employer who employs a disabled worker shall receive the reimbursement of social security contributions for the entire period from 2011 to 2016, if the worker remains employed. Employer´s social security contribution in Slovenia is 16,10 % of gross salary per month. The reimbursement of social security contributions is valid for new, additional employment and not for replacing previous employees.

The reimbursement is meant for vulnerable groups: • persons without regular employment for the last 6 months, • elderly persons (more than 50 years old), • persons without upper secondary level of education or vocational training, • ethnical groups, • disabled persons.

3. Tax reliefs for hiring and investing: Employers in Pokolpje region may claim reduction of the tax base for 70 % of costs for the worker from vulnerable groups (gross salary and mandatory employer's social security contributions). They are valid for new, additional employment and not for replacing previous employees. The reliefs can be used only for first 12 months after employment and can be used per employee only once. Tax reliefs for hiring can´t exceed 50 % of gross salary per employee.

Companies in Pokolpje region may claim reduction of the tax base for investments up to 70 % of invested amount for new initial investments in equipment and intangible assets, but only for investments in the Pokolpje region and only up to the amount of tax base and up to the highest allowed amount according to the rules of state aid.

Invest in the Pokolpje region!

www.pokolpje.si

17 September 2014 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 2014 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.

www.sloveniatimes.com

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