pr! a perfect rendezvous
For everybody ready to be surprised.
Honest and Idyllic
Ljubljana Wins Superbrand Status
Ljubljana is the world’s most honest city according to a social experiment conducted by reporters of the American magazine Reader’s Digest. For the list of the world’s ten most honest cities, visit the website at www.tourism-review.com. On the American magazine Forbes’s top ten list of Europe’s most idyllic places to live, published on www.forbes.com, Ljubljana ranks fifth.
The Tourist Destination of Ljubljana was awarded the Slovenia Superbrands 2008 status. The city brand, launched less than a year ago, is the youngest of all the SB 2008. The initial assessment of brands to enter the selection process was made by a council of experts in the fields of marketing and media. The final selection was made from a list of 800 Slovenian and international brands present in Slovenia. Only five percent of brands from the list were awarded, which gives the Ljubljana Tourist Board as the organization managing the Tourist Destination of Ljubljana and its brand every reason to be proud www.superbrands.si.
Superbrands Seal Gold
Explore Ljubljana Using Ljubljana Card Ljubljana is a vibrant city full of interesting sights and cosy places to explore. Hosting around 10,000 events each year, it is a place where culture and entertainment are something of a way of life. This year will be no exception. Ljubljana is set to host several well-established international festivals and thousands of other attractive events. Shopping opportunities are wide and varied too, ranging from international brands to local fine art. The city’s restaurants serve a wide range of cuisines, but one should not miss the opportunity to experience traditional Slovenian food. With its unique atmosphere and entertainment opportunities, Ljubljana is a city made to the measure of entertainment seekers of all ages. The city and its attractions can easily be explored using the Ljubljana Card tourist pass, which offers numerous privileges, including free or discount tickets to a large number of museums and galleries, free travel on city
buses, free admission to trade fairs and exhibitions, lower prices of sightseeing tours and souvenirs, discounts on accommodation rates at a number of hotels, discounts on taxi fares and car rental rates, savings on restaurant, night club and bar bills and shopping discounts, among others. The Card, priced at €12.52 and valid for three days (72 hours from the time of purchase), is a helpful tool for saving time and money while seeing more. It can be used across a network of 80 Ljubljana Card partner establishments offering tourism or tourism-related services and products. Coming with discount coupons and a free Ljubljana guidebook, packed with useful information (opening hours, transport information, contact details and
more), it is a useful collection of tips for experiencing the best of Ljubljana. No matter whether you plan your visit in advance or are a last-minute visitor, you can always get your Ljubljana Card. The Card can be ordered over the internet and delivered to your home. If you submit the address of your hotel, hostel or other accommodation in Ljubljana, your Ljubljana Card will be waiting for you on check-in. Last-minute visitors can purchase the Card from a large number of sales outlets across the city, including the centrally located Tourist Information Centres. All the outlets are marked with ‘Ljubljana Card Sales Outlet’ stickers. www.visitljubljana.si/ ljubljana_card/ Ljubljana Card
Ljubljana Tourist Board member of ICCA
Visit Citypark
The Ljubljana Tourist Board has recently joined ICCA, the International Congress and Convention Association, which comprises more than 850 member companies and organisations in 85 countries worldwide. ICCA is both a commercial resource, and an international business community.
the city of dreams come true
Meeting planners can rely on the ICCA network to find solutions, top quality products and services for all their event objectives, including destination and venue selection, technical advice and full convention planning. ICCA members
More than 45.000 m2 of shopping area, more than 109 stores, different types of cousine, over 1700 parking places, events for entire family.
represent the top destinations worldwide, and the most experienced specialist suppliers.
sectors, and the Ljubljana Tourist Board with its Convention Bureau is classified into the Destination Marketing one. www.iccaworld.com
The Association’s structure is represented by five broader industry
A Perfect Rendezvous, newsletter for travel trade professionals Publisher: Ljubljana Tourist Board, Krekov trg 10, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Phone: +386 1 306 45 83. Fax: +386 1 306 45 94. E-mail: info@visitljubljana.si, www.visitljubljana.si.
Opening hours:
Shopping mall, Šmartinska 152 g, 1000 Ljubljana www.citypark.si, info: 00386 1 587 30 50
Monday to Friday Saturday Sunday
09.00 – 21.00 08.00 – 21.00 09.00 – 15.00
Editorial board: Petra Stušek, Tatjana Radovič, Barbara Vajda, Meta Stvarnik. Translation: Patricija Fajon (all editorial pages except page 12), Tatjana Radovič (page 12) Production: Mediamix, Maribor. Head of advertising: Tadeja Mlinar, Mediamix, tel.: +386 2 235 05 56, e-mail: tadeja.mlinar@mediamix.si. Cover photo: S. Jeršič Printed by: Schwarz d.o.o., Ob progi 4, SI-1360 Vrhnika. Spring/summer 2009.
Common Snowdrop of Ljubljana
Photo: J. Bavcon
In early spring, the city’s gardens and parks, its surrounding hills, Ljubljana Marshes and the banks of the Sava river are covered by a sea of white common snowdrops, including those of the new Galanthus nivalis ‘Ljubljana’ variety, described in the book Common Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis L.) and Its Diversity in Slovenia. The outer perianth segments of the new variety are intensely bluishgreen from the tips to almost one half of the segments. From there, the coloration continues in the form of bluish-green lines fading into white. The pattern of inner perianth segments is of the same colour and extends to one half of the segments.
200th Anniversary of the Ljubljana Botanic Garden
Medal for Design A gold medal for best industrial design awarded by the BIO 21 industrial design biennial last October went to the Ljubljana Castle Funicular, designed by the Ambient design studio. In its report, the jury said that “the funicular’s unobtrusive contemporary design adds to the traditional cultural identity of Ljubljana Castle and contributes to the dialogue between the old and the new”.
The Ljubljana Botanic Garden, founded in 1810, is recognized as Slovenia’s oldest running cultural, scientific and educational institution. The Garden contains over 4,500 plant species, subspecies and varieties, a third of which are native to Slovenia and the
rest introduced from various parts of Europe and other continents. The Garden is involved in scientific research
and educational activities and collaboration with more than 300 botanic gardens from around the world. It plays an important role in the cultivation and protection of Slovenia’s endemic and endangered plant species. One of its most valued treasures is Fleischmann’s parsnip (Pastinaca sativa var. fleischmanni), a Slovenian endemic species extinct in the wild. Throughout botanical literature, the Ljubljana Botanic
Botanical Garden, Photo: J. Bavcon
The Ljubljana Zoo is a modern zoo breeding native species and a few non-native amphibian, reptile, bird and mammal species. It is situated within a nature park, on the slopes of Ljubljana’s Rožnik hill. It covers an area of 19.6 hectares and has a network of 6.5 kilometres of paths. experiences, from stroking animals to observing them at feeding time. The upper part of the Zoo is home to animals of native species including a deer, an owl and several domestic carnivores: a wildcat, a lynx, and a wolf and a brown bear family. Other interesting species include insects, spiders, reptiles and amphibians. Photo-safaris are organized once in each of the four seasons. Night tours are run and overnight camping is allowed on Thursdays and Ljubljana Zoo, Photo: D. Wedam
Saturdays in July and August. The Zoo also organizes memorable birthday parties. A significant day in its calendar is Midsummer’s Night, when,
Late-Hours Hunger
What is special about eating out in Ljubljana is that a lot of upscale restaurants serve reasonably priced lunchtime menus. The choice of restaurants serving international cuisines is growing and traditional Slovenian “gostilna” restaurants are plentiful. Recent openings include Harfa (Koprska ulica 98), which serves international cuisine, Taco Time Mexico (Dalmatinova ulica 2), the Asian restaurant Shambala (Križevniška ulica 12) and the “gostilna” restaurants Stari Tišler (Kolodvorska ulica 8) and Pri Vodniku (Vodnikova cesta 65a). The latter two also provide Photo: Pri Vodniku Archive accommodation. www.visitljubljana.si/experience
For those with a hunger for late night food and fun, Grand Casino Ljubljana is the right place to go. Its a la carte restaurant, open from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., serves a fine selection of dishes to both gambling and non-gambling guests. The menu changes seasonally, but Mediterranean tastes and fresh Neapolitan pasta are always there. Special menus can be arranged for larger groups. www.casino-lj.si
Ljubljana Market, Photo: B. Jakše Jeršič
Garden is considered to be its only remaining habitat. The Ljubljana Botanic Garden is one of the world’s foremost botanic gardens described in text and pictures in the book Botanic Gardens: A Living History, published in 2007 by the Black Dog Publishing Ltd. in London. Due to its green surroundings, the Garden is a pleasant place for a walk or relaxation in the shade of trees. Its appearance changes seasonally and to experience its entire wealth of flora it is well worth visiting at different times of the year. Admission is free. At a charge, guided tours of the Garden can be arranged for groups of plant lovers and pupils and students at all levels of education. www.botanicni-vrt.si, www.visitljubljana.si
60th Anniversary of the Ljubljana Zoo A visit to the zoo is an exciting experience for children and adults alike. The Ljubljana Zoo offers a diverse variety of animal
New Restaurants
according to an old superstition, animal speech is understood by those who have a fern seed in their shoe and do not know about it. www.zoo-ljubljana.si
Natural Science Day for the Blind Each year in September, the Ljubljana Zoo organizes a natural science day for the blind and visually impaired. This year on 24 September, animals will be available for stroking and holding at five points in the Zoo. Some species will be presented with the aid of taxidermy animals, bones, skulls, horns, feathers and fur. Strings of various lengths, bags of different weights, fur samples, reliefs and footprints will be used as aids in creating mental pictures.
Ljubljana Specialty on Your Plate In this section, each issue of the magazine will present a dish which constitutes an important part of the culinary cultural heritage and present-day culture of the Slovenian capital and its surrounding areas. Ljubljana is situated at the confluence of four Slovenian regions. For this reason, a diverse range of dishes are served both in modern and traditional “gostilna” restaurants across the city and its surrounding areas. The choice of cuisines is vast. Restaurants offer dishes from around the world and traditional Slovenian fare is well represented.
Všenat zele Particularly in Ljubljana’s surrounding areas, “všenat zele”, i.e. sauerkraut with millet groats, was a typical lunch dish in the past. It was often served for lunch at haymaking, also when hay was harvested from the meadows located within the city. The word “všenat” is
derived from the dialectal word “všen(o)”, which means the same as the proper Slovenian word “pšeno”: husked millet grain or millet groats. The making of sauerkraut and sauerrüben (grated and fermented cabbages and turnips) has a long tradition in Ljubljana and its surrounding areas. In the suburbs of Trnovo and Krakovo it can be traced back to the 19th century, but particularly the lower classes were familiar with it already back in the 17th century. The sauerkraut from the suburb of Trnovo had a widespread reputation and was appreciated even in Vienna. Legend has it that on a visit to Ljubljana’s Slon hotel, Emperor »Všenat zele«, Photo: T. Jeseničnik
Franz Joseph of Austria ordered “Eisbein mit Sauerkraut”, i.e. boiled knuckle of pork with sauerkraut. As the German word “Eisbein” means “frozen leg” in direct translation, the hotel’s chef was surprised when he heard what the emperor had ordered. “Are our gracious Emperor’s teeth good enough to deal with a frozen knuckle of pork,” he asked the emperor’s cook, who quickly explained that “Eisbein” was the German word for boiled knuckle of pork, which was called “frozen leg” in German because pork calf
bones were used in making children’s ice skates. Sauerkraut stands are still a common sight at Ljubljana’s Central Market and an important part of its identity. Numerous locals make it a habit to drink sauerkraut water, a by-product in cabbage fermentation referred to as “zeljnica” in Slovenian, for its beneficial effects on digestion and stomach conditions. Some of those who tend to have a glass too many, drink it to relieve hangover. Janez Bogataj PhD
Všenat zele 500 g millet groats, 1000 g sauerkraut, salt, water, cracklings, lard 1. Rinse sauerkraut in cold water and drain. Place in a casserole. 2. Add millet groats washed in cold water and enough water to cover both ingredients. 3. Cook until thick. While cooking, add water as necessary. 4. Before serving, sprinkle with melted lard with cracklings. As an optional ingredient, dried meat cut into small pieces may be added to the recipe. The cooking method described above can also be used to prepare “všenata repa”, a similar dish in which sauerkraut is replaced by sauerrüben (grated and fermented turnips). In preparing larger amounts of the dish, make sure to maintain the millet groats to sauerkraut/sauerrüben ratio of 1:2.
Boutique Hotels
Antiq, Photo: Ž. Koritnik
Spring 2008 saw the opening of the Ahotel Ljubljana. Due to its pleasant ambience, quality modern furnishings and location on a main approach road to Ljubljana, only two kilometres from the city centre, it provides a pleasant stay even for the most discerning guests, including business travellers. www.ahotel.si Another charming boutique hotel, located in a historic building in the heart of the old city centre, is the Antiq Hotel. Its stylish, comfortable rooms, some with terraces or furnished to reduce allergy risk, make for a unique city experience. www.antiqhotel.si
Metelkova Mesto, Photo: A. Pavan
World’s Hippest Hostel According to the Lonely Planet Bluelist 2006, Ljubljana boasts “the hippest hostel in the world”. The famous hostel, which celebrates its 5th anniversary this year, is an artfully converted military prison known as Hostel Celica. Its rooms, former prison cells decorated by young artists, still have barred doors and windows reminiscent of the building’s past. Rough Guides listed Hostel Celica among the world’s 25 ultimate places to stay. www.hostelcelica.com
Pub Crawl Experience Experience a night out in Ljubljana as a VIP guest, without having to line up in front of entrances. Take part in an organized pub crawl including a selection of three pubs and a nightclub. At each of the places you will be served a complimentary drink. www.visitljubljana.si
Feeling at Home at a Club
If in the 1990s you despaired of nightlife in Ljubljana, today, a good decade later, you will be pleasantly surprised. When day turns into night and all shops, museums and galleries close, the city does not fall asleep, but becomes alive once again. The range of what Ljubljana has to offer is wide and varied and, most importantly, of good quality. Every night, no matter how wild, begins with an evening, the time to visit places like the Cankarjev dom cultural and congress centre, Slovenia’s largest cultural institution /www.cd-cc.si/, the Slovenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre /www.opera.si/, architect Plečnik’s Križanke summer theatre or the lesser known Old Power Station /www.bunker.si/stara-elektrarna. Each of them offers a quality programme of concerts, dance and theatre performances, and much more. Those wishing to observe the sunset can do so while chatting over a glass of fine wine at one of the city’s numerous bars and pubs located on the romantic embankments of the Ljubljanica river and in the city’s parks and
hidden nooks and crannies. Others may prefer a vibrant pub evening over a beer with sports programmes on TV or maybe an active night out with their dance buddies. At least once a week, several city venues host dance events, the most popular being salsa, swing and tango nights. Several casinos cater for those with a sweet tooth for fun and gaming. “Night has might,” says a Slovenian proverb and Ljubljana, comparable to big cities in its diverse range of late-night entertainment, definitely illustrates it. As a bonus, it comes with a friendly and intimate atmosphere. New club openings include Zlati zob /www.myspace. com/etnoklubzlatizob/, the only “ethno club” in the wider city area, whose music policy focuses on Balkan and other folk musics, the centrally located Flex Club for the lovers of jazz, and Roxly bar /www.roxly.si/ for fans of hard rock rhythms. Proof of the diversity of the city’s club offerings is the newly
opened Hard Core Cafe, intended, according to its owners, for “socializing and pleasure without prejudice”. Well established clubs for music lovers include the highly acclaimed Jazz Club Gajo /www.jazzclubgajo.com/ and Franci na Balanci /www.nabalanci.si/, something of a peculiarity in Ljubljana, which makes sure that the locals do not forget the Slovenian turbofolk and popular folk music. There are also a range of classical nightclub options. The city’s vibrant student scene is centred around the Klub KMŠ club /www.klub-kms.si/. For mainstream clubbing, visit the state-of-the-art nightclub Ultra /www.ultra-club.si/, the well established Bachus
/www.bachus-center.com/ or Hvala za rože, situated under the famous Central Market Colonnade. More demanding party goers can choose from the legendary Klub SubSub /subsub.si/, Cvetličarna /www.cvetlicarna.eu/, where disco lights flash on Fridays, the newly revamped Inbox /www.inbox-club.si/ and, last but not least, Klub K4 /www.klubk4.org/, the foremost club in Ljubljana promoting quality contemporary urban music. /www.klubk4.org/. A very special venue for club events is the Metelkova mesto alternative culture centre /www.metelkova.org/, housed in a former barracks complex refurbished in a unique way by young artists and well known across Europe. Its numerous venues provide soul food for anyone with a hunger for quality underground music. The range of musical genres represented is almost endless. Tjaša Janovljak
Want to know where the locals dine, shop, relax, enjoy music and more? Wish to experience the city “the local way”? If yes, you might be interested in a series of European city blogs entitled Spotted by Locals. To check out updated recommendations posted by Ljubljanians, visit the website at www.spottedbylocals.com/ljubljana.
Ljubljana Cavalier
Renovated Souvenir Shop
From this summer, Ljubljana Cavalier will be riding in his electric vehicle seating five passengers around the Central Market and the rest of the city centre’s pedestrian area to help shoppers with their bags. His assistance will be available all year round, free of charge – a gesture of goodwill from the City of Ljubljana to residents and visitors Photo: T. Jeseničnik
Pick a City Tour of Your Choice
Ljubljana boasts an extraordinarily large number of sights, picturesque areas and pleasant nooks and crannies so the choice of guided city tours is wide and varied. Tours range from regularly scheduled walking and boat tours, some including tourist road train and funicular rides, to cycle, balloon and special experience and themed walking tours, available by prior arrangement. From 1 May, when reconstruction works on the Ljubljanica river’s Špica embankment and its new footbridge will be completed, a new city tour will be available in addition to the existing 22.
The tour will include a walk of the old city centre and Ljubljana Castle, an expert guided tour of the Ljubljana Botanic Garden and a tourist boat ride from the Špica embankment to the starting point, the Triple Bridge. One of the more interesting city tours, known as The Dragon Code tour and available by appointment from June to September, is an adventure tour taking participants to the
A new souvenir shop has opened at the Tourist Information Centre in Stritarjeva ulica. Daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., visitors can choose from souvenirs reflecting the typical features of Ljubljana by combining traditional arts and crafts with contemporary design. The souvenirs which, according to an expert jury, best reflect Ljubljana are branded as Souvenir of Ljubljana. Particularly notable are the T-shirts, hats and cups from the Ljubljana Is a Beautiful City collection, also because anyone who has visited Ljubljana agrees with the statement. www.visitljubljana.si
mysterious world of imagination and symbolism, on a mission to lift the veil of mystery hanging over an ancient piece of wisdom passed on through centuries by a secret brotherhood called Kazamate. Experience-based learning about the city’s art, architecture, sights and ancient legends brings participants to the heart and soul of Ljubljana, making them switch from the role of mere observers to the role of active participants. Unveiling the secrets behind the city’s façades and actively reviving stories from the past, they get a completely new perspective on the city. Once all the tasks are completed, the mystery of the Dragon Code is revealed, making participants realise that Ljubljana has most to offer to those who look with their hearts.
Tour in Old Town, Photo: D. Wedam
Matevž Lenarčič’s Exhibition, Photo: M. Lenarčič
Ljubljana Bike
Tivoli Park’s Open-Air Gallery Throughout spring and summer, the Tivoli park’s Jakopičevo sprehajališče walk will be hosting open-air photographic exhibitions. The first one, on view from 16 April to 16 June, is Matevž Lenarčič’s The Alps as Seen by Birds. 120 photographs measuring 180 by 120 centimetres are dedicated to the Alps to mark Slovenia’s two-year presidency of the
Alpine Convention, which began in March. In addition, a monograph entitled The Alps will be published in Slovenian and English. The next exhibition, From Earth to Space, set up by UNESCO
to mark the International Year of Astronomy, will bring together photographs taken by professional observatories, the Hubble space telescope and amateur astronomers, including Slovenian ones.
On a warm day, riding a bicycle is one of the most pleasant ways of getting around Ljubljana city centre. Each year from April till the end of October (if weather permits), an 80-strong fleet of Ljubljana Bikes can be hired by both tourists and residents from the Slovenian Tourist Information Centre and other locations across the city. Bicycles are available daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in April, May and October, and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. from June to September.
Library under Trees
Photo: D. Wedam
Literary Readings
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in July, August and September, a so called Library under Trees is set up on the riverside stairs next to the Trnovski pristan embankment. Several hundreds of books and foreign-language newspapers and magazines can be borrowed free of charge from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Books range from fiction, poetry and children’s books to reference literature, manuals and guidebooks. The Library runs a programme of events, including debates on new book releases, story hours for children and concerts. The reading is done on the banks of the Ljubljanica river.
June this year will see the 16th Live Literature festival of literature and music, run by the ŠKUC organization for the promotion of non-profit cultural and artistic activity www.skuc.org. Literary readings will also be part of the Dream Festival, held in the Zvezda park in summer, which will focus on quality music, literature, and entertainment and educational events for children www.festivalsanje.net.
Madrid ni več španska vas. Adria Airways predstavlja novo redno destinacijo, mesto strasti, temperamenta in sonca, špansko prestolnico, v kateri je mogoče vse. Poletite z nami. No reason for Madrid being Greek to us. Adria Airways presents a new regular destination, the city of passion, temperament and sun, the Spanish capital where anything is possible. Fly with us.
Uroš Grilc PhD, Photo: M. Fras Mladinska Knjiga Bookstore Konzorcij, Photo D.Wedam
World Book Capital City
From 23 April 2010 to 23 April 2011, Ljubljana will be the tenth city to hold the prestigious title World Book Capital City, awarded by UNESCO. The first city to be designated as the World Book Capital City was Madrid in 2001. The winning programme on the basis on which Ljubljana was selected from seven candidate cities to become the World Book Capital City 2010 has been discussed with Uroš Grilc PhD, Head of the City of Ljubljana’s Department of Culture. Could you describe the programme with which Ljubljana convinced the jury. Uroš Grilc: The jury was convinced by Ljubljana’s well-conceived vision and programme for the promotion of books and the culture of reading. Our application included a segment-by-segment description of the promotional programme. Each segment foresaw different projects for the promotion of literature, intercultural dialogue and the culture of reading, improved access to books for all age and
www.adria.si • www.adria-airways.com
social groups, establishment of connections between literature and other forms of culture, revival of the old city centre by introducing new quality bookshops, increase in library visits, and publication of a new cultural newspaper. Are there any projects currently underway? U.G.: The projects currently underway are the opening of the Trubar House of Literature in the Ribji trg square and the erection of a monument to the Reformation movement in Slovenia next to the Evangelical Church. The Trubar House, located in the old city centre, will be a central gathering point for book lovers, which is definitely what Ljubljana needs.
will include two large events which will undoubtedly attract considerable numbers of visitors from abroad. One of them will be a world congress entitled Books as a Motor of Human Development, participated by distinguished experts and researchers in the field of books, and the other a literary festival entitled Literatures of the World’s Continents, participated by authors from all continents. The rich programme of events to be held in Ljubljana next year is expected to boost visits also because it will not be limited to books and literature but will also involve other forms of art. A lot of quality events will be held in outdoor public spaces and the whole city will breathe with books and culture.
Are there any interesting programmes expected to boost the numbers of visitors from Slovenia and abroad? U.G.: The World Book Capital City 2010 programme of events
Have any special events been planned for this year in addition to next year’s cultural activities? U.G.: Ljubljana is a city of culture, well known for its abundance and variety of
cultural events. Its numerous book fairs and literary festivals are proof of its rich literary tradition. What we’ve been missing are large open-air events held in the heart of the city. We have therefore made an arrangement with the Ljubljana Tourist Board to build a big stage for free concerts, ballet performances and musicals in the Prešernov trg square in June. Ljubljana’s rich cultural activity will be moved as close as possible to the people, which is the goal of the World Book Capital City. What would you like to say to end this interview? U.G.: The World Book Capital City 2010 title is undoubtedly a great opportunity for Ljubljana to present itself to the world as a creative and cosmopolitan city. For us as those who prepare the programme of activities it is important that quite a few gains made during next year will permanently enrich the cultural life of Ljubljana and benefit residents and visitors alike. Meta Stvarnik
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50th Ljubljana Jazz Festival From 29 June to 4 July, the Križanke summer theatre, Cankarjev dom’s Klub CD club and the Metelkova mesto alternative culture centre will host some of the biggest names in jazz as part of the 50th Ljubljana Jazz Festival. The opening night will feature John Zorn, one of the most distinguished musicians and composers of the last three decades, who has never before appeared at the Festival. Accompanying events will include an exhibition of jazz photographs and posters and screenings of films themed on jazz. Klub CD and its café will be open for socializing throughout the day. www.ljubljanajazz.si
Madonna Concert
Source: Dancing Bear
On 20 August, the Queen of Pop, Madonna, will make an appearance at Ljubljana’s Hipodrom Stožice hippodrome. Her concert will be part of her much talked-about concert tour “Sticky & Sweet”, promoting her latest album Hard Candy. Last year, the Sticky & Sweet concerts, noted for spectacular visual effects and choreography, were attended by more than 2.35 million Madonna fans.
Museum Summer Night The 7th Museum Summer Night, set to be held on 20 June, will turn several centrally located squares, street corners and courtyards into inviting islands of light. The Museum Summer Night is a joint open day held by Slovenia’s museums, galleries and other exhibition venues. No tickets are required to view collected treasures or take part in a programme of workshops, demonstrations, film screenings, presentations, guided tours, lectures, literary readings and performances culminating in midnight concerts and social gatherings.
Ana Desetnica Festival, Photo: D. Wedam
Art Cafe Tivoli
Photo: Kaval Group
Art Cafe Tivoli has recently opened at the International Centre of Graphic Arts. Fragrant coffee and sweet delights can be enjoyed along with art, soothing music and maybe a book on Ljubljana. The area in front of the café, rising above the Tivoli park’s tree-lined Jakopičev drevored walk and offering one of the most beautiful views of Ljubljana, is a venue for summer events.
Betsabeé Romero, Cities That Leave, 4 engraved tires printed on various household fabrics, 2004 Photo:
28th Biennial of Graphic Arts In a Whirl of Culture and Fun
A lively programme of cultural events for all ages is in store for Ljubljana this summer The most daring item on the programme will be the staging of the ballet Swan Lake on an open-air stage in the Prešernov trg square in June. The creators of this four-act show have added a Slovenian parallel to the story about Prince Siegfried, Odette/ Odille and Rothbard, using the tragic life story of France Prešeren, a giant of Slovenian poetry, as the ballet’s central theme. The ballet depicts Prešeren’s unrequited love for Julija Primic, his turbulent and tiresome relationship with Ana Jelovšek, the mother of his three children, and his personal distress, which led to a devastating alcohol addiction, melancholy and eventually death. Despite the changes to the story, the audiences will still be able to enjoy the classic elements of Swan Lake, including the famous pas de deux, big and small swans, and characteristic chorus scenes.
In early July, the streets and squares of Ljubljana will host the 14th Ana Desetnica international street theatre festival. Events will include anything from simple street theatre performances to multimedia spectacles involving acting, live music and visuals. Throughout August, the Trnfest 09 festival will be held at the KUD France Prešeren arts and cultural centre. Its mixed programme of music, theatre, dance, film, fine art and photography will feature artists from home and abroad. More than 30 days and nights of free entertainment are in store for young, old and the youngest alike. In the end of August, the old city centre’s streets and squares will host concerts and other events as part of the Night in Ljubljana Old Town festival, which traditionally
rounds off the Summer in Ljubljana Old Town festival and marks the conclusion of the
The Ljubljana International Biennial of Graphic Arts, founded in 1955, is Slovenia’s longest running exhibition event and one of the world’s oldest print biennials.
Night in Ljubljana Old Town, Photo: LTB Archive
summer event season. www.visitljubljana.si
Ljubljana Festival 2009 From 6 July to 27 August, the Križanke summer theatre, Ljubljana Castle, Cankarjev dom cultural and congress centre, Slovenian Philharmonic Hall and several other venues will host the 57th Ljubljana Festival. Festival highlights will include Bolshoi Theatre’s production of the opera Eugene Onegin, two concerts by the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival Orchestra and Choir, a concert by London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Valery Gergiev, a performance by Russian Cossacks, Tomaž Pandur’s reworking of Shakespeare’s Hamlet performed by Madrid’s Teatro Español, an evening of flamenco, and a traditional concert by Vlado Kreslin. In order to pay homage to Ljubljana’s rich musical heritage, one of the festival evenings will be dedicated to the famous composer Gustav Mahler, who began his creative career in Ljubljana. A full programme of events is available from the website at www.ljubljanafestival.si.
It treats printmaking, and reproducible art in general, as an important tool of art and civilisation which not only reflects but also changes artistic, political, economic and ideological systems. Complex in its conception, it consists of several exhibitions and an artists’ book salon. The 28th edition of the Biennial will take place from
1 September to 25 October. The main exhibition, Matrix: An Unstable Reality, will present a selection of prints, artists’ books, art newspapers and other works by international artists selected in collaboration with Ljubljana’s art galleries to reflect both traditional printmaking techniques and contemporary reproduction methods. Exhibited works will
be on view at the International Centre of Graphic Arts, several galleries and in public media spaces. An exhibition of works by the South Korean artist Jeon Joonho, the grand prize winner at the 27th Biennial, will be on view at the Cankarjev dom cultural and congress centre under the title Korea Fantasy 99°C. The Slovene Ethnographic
Museum will host an exhibition of comic books and prints by comic book artists entitled Greetings from Cartoonia. The Pionirski dom children’s cultural centre, which has been involved in children’s printmaking for many years, will set up an exhibition of children’s prints entitled Impressions. www.mglc-lj.si
Triennial of Ceramic Art
Unicum 09, the first Ljubljana international triennial of ceramic art, will be held from mid-May to September at various venues across Slovenia. The main events will take place in Ljubljana. The Unicum triennial aims at popularizing ceramic art and encouraging the recognition of it as an art discipline in its own right, both in Slovenia and abroad. Along with a series of accompanying events, it will be a framework for presenting traditional
pottery and ceramics, the technological development of the art of making unique handmade ceramic objects and the achievements of both established and emerging young artists from Slovenia and abroad. The main exhibition will
feature works by 76 artists from 29 countries selected from 133 applicants by an international jury. It will be held at the new premises of the National Museum of Slovenia in the Metelkova ulica street, which will also host an exhibition of ceramic art by art school
students. Another exhibition, held at Ljubljana Castle’s Casemate, will bring together works by seven renowned Slovenian ceramic artists. The Galerija ZDSLU gallery will host a retrospective of ceramic works by Miha Maleš. www.unicum.si
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A Successful Premiere of the Conventa Show. Bookmark the Date in 2010!
Photo: LTB Archive
The 1st Meetings and Incentive Travel Show for South East Europe had a successful debut in Ljubljana in 2009. The Conventa Show was held at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre on 22 and 23 Jan 2009. This business event brought together for its premiere 82 suppliers of meetings and incentive travel services from Slovenia and six other countries of the region (Croatia, BosniaHerzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Romania) and over 150 hosted buyers
from Slovenia and abroad. The 80 foreign meeting planners came from 18 European countries, and a few even from the USA. Conventa was organized by the Slovenian Convention Bureau in collaboration with the Slovenian Tourist Board, Ljubljana Tourist Board, Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre, the Kongres magazine, and three distinguished international trade associations/ companies, MPI (Meeting Professionals International), SITE (Society of Incentive Travel Executives) and HelmsBriscoe. Notable international partners also included EIBTM - Reed Travel Exhibitions. The next Conventa Show will be held at the same venue from 21 to 22 Jan 2010. www.conventa.info
Slon BW Conference Room, Photo: Slon BW Archive
GH Union Show Room, Photo: GH Union Archive
Hot Hotel News A fresh look for the Lev Hotel
The 5-star Lev Hotel is turning 45 this year. The anniversary was regarded as an excellent opportunity to freshen up its look and start developing new products. Until May 2009 its largest conference room − Karantanija Hall, which provides flexible setups and a maximum plenary seating for 380 delegates theatre-style, will be revamped. At the same time, Glam − a higher end à la carte restaurant, will be opened at the ground floor level. Its menu is to present modernised Mediterranean cuisine. Other important novelties are announced to be completed by autumn 2009. The entire 10th floor is to be transformed into superior suites, including several presidential ones, while the 9th, 8th and 7th floor will feature executive suites. The remaining guest rooms in the lower floors will undergo a soft refurbishment later on, most probably in 2010. The estimated value of the refurbishment carried out in
2009 amounts to € 1.5 million. A last item of this investment plan is to add amenities for the relaxation and well-being of guests. In one year from now, a new fitness, spa & wellness centre will be developed within the property. www.hotel-lev.si
three that existed earlier, which were fitted to welcome up to 120 guests. The modernisation also features new technical equipment, including largeformat projection screens. www.hotelslon.com
Meeting facilities at the Slon Best Western Premier Hotel are doubling in size
The largest convention hotel in Ljubljana, known for its elegant and historic Grand Union Hall, is announcing a gradual refurbishment of the entire property (327 rooms in total). The Grand Hotel Union consists of two interconnected buildings: the Executive (the original hotel building from 1905), and the Business, which is of a more recent period. As of Jul 2009, the GH Union Business will undergo a major refurbishment, comprising the guestrooms and the public areas, the fitness and sauna facilities, plus the largest restaurant. Works will be proceeding in two stages, and their finalisation is expected in Jan 2009. Some new amenities, reflecting an attention to the
The Slon Hotel, a 4-star property with an excellent downtown location, is continuing a dynamic investment cycle. Most of its guest rooms and public areas were restyled in 2008, and now the focus is on the meeting facilities. The enlargement and upgrading of the function areas currently underway will be finished in May 2009. With this, the property will acquire stylish, flexible and multi-functional conference space with a maximum plenary capacity for 200 delegates in theatre-style seating. Two somewhat larger meeting rooms are being added to the
The Grand Hotel Union will soon receive a facelift
needs of their predominantly business guests, are massage chairs (in executive rooms only), laptop-size safe deposit boxes and laptop mats for comfortable computing. Shortly after, in autumn 2009, the soft refurbishment of the GH Union Executive will follow, and the project is to be completed by Dec 2009. The estimated investment value of 4 million euro is aimed at enhancing the overall quality, style and comfort of the property’s accommodation facilities. www.gh-union.si
New at the Hotel Park
The recently refurbished Hotel Park, located close to Ljubljana’s major sights and convention centres, has increased the number of its comfort rooms. The hotel’s 201 guest rooms now include 86 comfort and 115 standard rooms. The hotel restaurant has expanded the choice of desserts and hot drinks, now serving a new house dessert, the Spark chocolate cake, among others. www.hotelpark.si
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Record Breaking Dance Event The Secondary School Graduates’ Parade, an annual event featuring a quadrille dance performed by secondary school graduates in the streets of different cities in Slovenia and its neighbouring countries, entered several editions of the Guinness Book of Records as a world-record-breaking synchronous dance. In 2008, the dance was performed simultaneously by 27,040 graduates in 44 cities in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 2009 event will take place on 15 May at 12 noon. Photo: D. Wedam
Green Ring around Ljubljana
Photo: ZTL Archive
World Travel Award At the end of 2008, Austria Trend Hotel, one of the city’s major business and conference hotels, won a World Travel Award for Slovenia’s Leading Spa Resort, voted by travel professionals. World Travel Awards, referred to by the Wall Street Journal as the “Oscars of the travel industry”, are awarded across tourism product categories by continent and country. www.austria-trend.at/lju
River Heritage
Culinary Arts Centre
An archaeological exhibition dedicated to the river Ljubljanica will be on view at the National Museum of Slovenia until 27 September. Bringing together over 900 artefacts, including a replica dugout boat, and several pieces of film footage, it depicts life along the river from prehistory to modern times. Free entrance for Ljubljana Card holders. www.narmuz-lj.si
Photo: D. Arrigler
In March this year, the Taste Slovenia Culinary Arts Centre opened at the Dvor Jezeršek 1768 hotel in the village of Zgornji Brnik near Ljubljana. The Centre is dedicated to promoting Slovenian gastronomy as part of Slovenian cultural heritage and presenting modern-day interpretations of traditional Slovenian cuisine. It is located at an over 240-year old historical homestead converted into a modern hotel with 18 guest rooms, two restaurants (one being a traditional “gostilna”), a wine cellar, and a conference room housed in what used to be a barn. www.dvor-jezersek.si
Ljubljana is encircled by a well-maintained gravelpaved recreational footpath known as the Path of Remembrance and Comradeship or the Green Ring. Crossing both urban areas and suburban forests and meadows, the 33-kilometre Path runs along the course of the barbed wire fence which surrounded Ljubljana during World War II (from 1942 onwards) to prevent contacts between the city and its hinterland. The Path
is marked with signboards showing its course and round steel markers built into the ground. Each year around 9 May, it is the venue for the so called Ljubljana March, a recreational event marking the anniversary of the liberation of Ljubljana in World War II, a red-
Threesomes Run
In recent years, running has become very popular in Slovenia and the number of running events is growing every year. One of the longest-running events is the “Threesomes Run”, which has a proud and enviable tradition of 50 years. What is special about it is that it is a team race for male, female and mixed threesomes and that the members of each
team must cross the finish line together. Running is normally an individual sport; even members of relay teams run one after another. In the Threesomes Run, running takes on a completely different character: it is not competitiveness that comes to
Lipizzaner Horses Photo: B. Kladnik
letter day in the city’s calendar. On other days of the year, the Path is a popular walking and jogging route. Cycling
the fore, but co-operation, and it is not the individual that counts, but the team. It is therefore not unusual to see the weakest member of a threesome being helped by his team mates on the hilliest parts of the route, where the greatest effort is required. Let us only add that the 12 and 28-kilometre routes of the Threesomes Run lead through the old city centre, the city’s northeastern part and along the idyllic forest paths running along the ridge of
is permitted with standard wheels and on condition that pedestrians are not endangered. www.visitljubljana.si
The 2009 Threesomes Run and Ljubljana March along the Path of Remembrance and Comradeship are set to take place on Saturday 9 May.
the Golovec hill, and we have probably said enough about this test of comradeship set against the backdrop of the beautiful Slovenian capital. www.pohod.si
Franja BTC City Cycle Marathon When the first Franja Marathon was organized 28 years ago, its founding fathers, Tone Fornezzi and Zvone Zanoškar, probably could not even imagine the event’s present size and popularity. The Marathon’s unbroken tradition has contributed to its renown abroad and the number of participants is growing every year. The event passed with flying colours when inspected by the International Cycling
Union in 2007. A year later it recorded a record-breaking 3,400 registered participants, a 15 percent increase over 2007 despite the cold and rain, both on the long (160km) and the short (100km) route. The figures clearly illustrate the growing popularity of cycling as a mass-participation recreational activity in Slovenia. In recent years, the Franja BTC City Marathon, a joint effort of over 1,300 individuals
involved in its organization, has received extensive press coverage abroad. Its organizers are particularly proud of the articles published in the major cycling magazine Procycling, which featured a six-page report on the Marathon in 2007. This year will be the second time that part of the Franja Marathon route will run through the old centre of Ljubljana. In 2009, the Franja BTC City Marathon remains to be part of
the Alpe Adria Tour series of six international marathon events. Last year, it was participated by over 300 cyclists taking part in the Alpe Adria Tour series. www.franja.org
The 2009 Franja BTC City Marathon will be held on the weekend of 13 and 14 June.
Golf in Lipica, Photo: A. Fevžer
White Lipizzaner Mystery
An hour’s drive from Ljubljana, rights next to the Slovenian-Italian border, lies the Lipica Stud Farm, the cradle of all Lipizzaner horses. The Lipica Stud Farm, founded in 1580, is set in scenic karst surroundings of the Kras region, in the middle of a green oasis under the blue Mediterranean sky, shaded by century-old linden and oak trees. It is one of the world’s oldest stud farms and a unique, internationally significant cultural monument providing home to around 400 Lipizzaners. These noble horses are at their most beautiful when they move; it is their proud carriage and graceful gait that makes them famous. The Lipica Stud Farm has been carrying on the tradition of selecting and breeding thoroughbred horses for over four hundred years. Being a characteristic feature of Slovenia, the Lipizzaner horse is depicted on the Slovenian 20-cent euro coin. Lipica makes for unique experiences. You can take horse riding lessons in the saddle of marvellous Lipizzaners, go for a pleasant horse carriage ride around Lipica’s park, take a tour of one of the world’s oldest stud farms, visit an art exhibition at Lipica’s Avgust
Černigoj Gallery and attend a classical dressage show and marvel at the incredible dance manoeuvres performed to the rhythm of music by the noble Lipizzaner beauties. Lipica is a world renowned recreational centre with an air of tradition where unforgettable moments of relaxation can be enjoyed. Apart from Lipizzaners, it boasts two hotels, Maestoso and Klub, a casino, several tennis courts, a mini golf course, sauna and fitness facilities, a swimming pool and a 9-hole golf course, open all year round. Tours of the Lipica Stud Farm are run on weekdays every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from April to October every hour on the hour from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. except at 12 noon. Classical dressage shows take place at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays from April to October. Once in Lipica, you can also visit the nearby Postojna or Škocjan Caves and explore
Elizabeta II 05, Photo: S. Slejko
Since October last year, a 16-year old Lipizzaner named 085 Favory Canissa XXII has been owned by the British Queen Elizabeth II. The stallion, symbolically presented to the Queen on her visit to Lipica, is the Slovenian dressage champion and one of the best amongst the world’s dressage elite. Despite being owned by the Queen, it stays in the care of the Lipica Stud Farm.
the karst underground world or take a ride to some of the picturesque villages in Lipica’s surrounding area, where you can taste the Kras prosciutto, dried in the local bora wind, and the Teran wine, indigenous to the region of Kras.
You can also go for a cycle ride along the quiet local roads, village cart tracks and forest roads. Cycle routes are waymarked to prevent you from losing your way in the maze of dry-stone walls typical of the area.
A Walk along the Ljubljanica River
Begin your Saturday morning with a walk along the Ljubljanica river embankments, a coffee with friends and a shopping trip for fresh vegetables. Give yourself over to a vibrant morning in the bosom of architect Plečnik’s Ljubljana
Art Market, Photo: M. Tančič
I like to begin my Saturday walk downtown on the Špica embankment /www. spottedbylocals.com/spica/ where the river Ljubljanica splits into two arms, one forming the Gruberjev kanal drainage channel, built around 230 years ago, and the other the most recognizable feature of Ljubljana. From Špica to the area of Krakovo, the river embankments are green and landscaped with benches. On sunny days they attract young and old, on summer evenings they resound with strumming guitar sounds. The most beautiful is the recently reconstructed Trnovski pristan embankment, landscaped with weeping willows and multilevel walks by Jože Plečnik /www.ljubljana.si/plecnik/. The architect’s masterful creation
extends up the Gradaščica channel, a small tributary flowing into the Ljubljanica at this point. Just a few metres up the channel is a small, intimate theatre which turns into a vibrant venue for events such as the Eipprova ulica street’s annual street party and Krakov trn jazz festival. Leaving behind the green areas of Trnovo and Krakvo, once the garden of Ljubljana, I approach the old city centre. Streets are densely built here. I am literally surrounded by architectural monuments. On my way to the Prešernov trg square I meet some acquaintances sitting at one of the embankment’s bars over a leisurely cup of coffee in the afternoon sun. The Ljubljanica embankments, since ever a popular gathering place for
the locals, are at their most vibrant on weekends. Saturday mornings beckon admirers of arts and crafts to browse the stalls of the Art Market / www.visitljubljana.si//events/, and Sunday mornings antique lovers to visit the Antique Flea Market. The area, popularly referred to as Ljubljana’s “beach”, is the place to be visited for local arts and crafts and stories from the past. I’m just about to meet a friend – where else than in the Prešernov trg square – so I carry on, making sure not to miss the views of a new exhibition mounted on embankment walls. My friend is already there, waiting for me on the Triple Bridge, another creation by the famous Jože Plečnik. Recently, the Bridge has been closed to motor traffic, which makes this very central part of
Ljubljana Cafe Scene, Photo: S. Rancov
Ljubljana even more attractive. Being true Ljubljanians, my friend and I head for the Central Market, yet another Plečnik’s work /www.visitljubljana.si/ experiences /. Once we’ve got fruits, vegetables, cheese, fresh fish maybe and herbs, we cross Dragon Bridge and walk down the Petkovškovo nabrežje embankment, which has recently developed into a popular place to hang out. Sipping on cups of coffee, taking breaks from work and meeting friends are the area’s most popular activities. Extremely welcome is the new lookout box above the river, offering views of the market and Ljubljana Castle. It is almost lunchtime so my friend and I go our separate ways, with a promise to meet again next Saturday. Tjaša Janovljak
Flowery Parks and Greens
At the foot of the Kamnik Alps, not far from Ljubljana, lies the Volčji Potok Arboretum. Each year between March and December, it is a sea of blooming flowers. The Volčji Potok Arboretum covers an area of 33 hectares and supports about 2,500 deciduous and coniferous tree species and varieties, some 300 herbaceous species growing wild, and a varying number of annual and perennial species. It consists of a French and an English park, a rose garden, little lakes, a forest path and an art gallery. Throughout the growing season it runs
thematic exhibitions. The first one this year was an orchid show accompanied by a Minimundus exhibition of miniature Tuscan buildings. The next thing to see will be the sea of yellow daffodils in April. At the beginning of May, over two million tulips will begin to flower, and throughout the month rhododendrons will be in bloom. An exhibition on Darwin and another one on
the world of butterflies will still be on view in June, when roses will be at the centre of attention. July will be dedicated to summer perennials and flowering balcony container gardens, August to dahlias, and September and October to pumpkins. More exhibitions and a programme of guided tours, workshops and gardening fairs will be run during the year. www.arboretum-vp.si
Arboretum, Photo: D. Wedam