The Alternative Slovenia
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Contents |
BASIC FACTS
COUNTRY PROFILE
HISTORY
POLITICS
CULTURE
KURENTOVANJE IN PTUJ: At the beginning of February , the Kurenti, who jump, wear sheepskin coats, hold wooden clubs with a hedgehog skin attached at one end called “ježevke”, and wear cowbells tied around their waist, began making a noise. In this way, Kurenti announce that winter is saying goodbye and that spring is coming.
On the territory of Slovenia, the most Shrovetide characters and masks have been preserved on the Drava plain, in Haloze and Slovenske gorice. For 50 years, they have been an invincible foundation of all Shrovetide carnivals, such as Kurentovanje in Ptuj. Kurentovanje is the biggest Shrovetide carnival of public interest in Slovenia. This year, Kurentovanje in Ptuj is taking place for the 48th time. The purpose of such events is to preserve and develop a unique cultural heritage and ethnographic tradition. Kurentovanje adds a touch of mysticism, and is one of the most important traditional events in Slovenia and middle Europe. Jasmina Grabrijan
Slovenian language is a unique language; it is the only language that uses the dual grammatical number in addition to the singular and the plural. So, we can be more precise in the discussion among two people. We are also very proud that our language, along with our culture, has been preserved through the centuries even without national sovereignty.
COMMUNICATION
We are honest, hardworking, disciplined and industrious nation. Our working habits are well established. In this respect we are similar to the Germans, but much more individualistic in our industriousness as Germans, they are more oriented to the community and collectivism.
Other known characteristics of Slovenes, on which we are not proud, are envy and jealousy. We always compare ourselves with the others, for example, our neighbour has a new car, and we also have to have a new one, bigger and better, if it is possible. The same story is with one of the more popular Slovenian hobbies the urban gardening, my garden should be nicer then my neighbour's. However, the good side of this bad characteristic is that we have beautiful, fancy gardens which affects on the whole image of the country. Many Slovenes dream about having a quiet house with a garden.
We are also among more introverted and a bit over-serious nation, next to Central-European and Scandinavian nations, but towards foreigners still very open, kind and hospitable. Their experience is mostly positive. Many of Slovenes thing that we are a submissive nation, maybe because of our history, but studies show that compared to other nations we do not appear to be a particularly submissive nation, and on top of that we are blessed with adventurism and ambition.
Even though we Slovenes like to describe ourselves as calm and reserved, we will quickly open up to good food and drink, and good company, and even start to sing. We should also mention the prime wines produced in the wine-bearing hills found across Slovenia. Almost every Slovenian region has its own indigenous local wine varieties.
TRAVEL and TOURISM
Slovenia is a really small, sweet country with picturesque landscape. For foreigners is very fascinated that in good weather conditions you can ski at least till noon in one of the mountains ski centre, but in the same day in the afternoon you can already lie on one of the Slovene beaches. In a few hours you can travel from the north east to the south west of the country. That is our advantage. The whole country is as big as a slightly larger European city. This is the reason we often joke that everybody knows everybody in this country, this is the reason we like to sing songs and the reason we are such extremists and individualists. We are one great big family and it is no rare coincidence that you might know the president personally or some of the well-known personality from the world of music, theatre, sports.
Our national sport is skiing and nowadays also boarding. Almost every Slovene knows how to ski or board. Very important way of spending our free time is mountaineering. There is a saying that you're not a true Slovene if you have never yet climbed Slovenia's highest mountain, Mount Triglav (elevation 2,864 meters or 9396 feet). Sandra Lamut
You can explore the underground world of grottoes, walk in the clean mountain air of the Triglav National Park, climb the peaks of the Julian Alps, admire medieval treasures of old cities and towns and enjoy their museums, concerts, international festivals, fairs, and events, or play on spectacular golf courses. Try your luck in casinos, enjoy the culinary arts and wines of Slovenia. The mysterious Postojna Cave world is the part of Slovnia which has been carved, shaped and created by water, deep within these world-famous caves hide the most precious beauty created through millions of years, drop afrer drop, year after year ... More then 26 millions people from all over the world have admired the stalagmites and stalactites of the Postojna cave in 175 years of organized tourism. However, ancient signatures in the entrance passages prove that the cave wasfirst visited in the 13th cen.
The 20-kilometre long underworld system is a miracle in itself, but one gets truly is astounded at the look of the mysterious human fish (Proteus anguinus), wondering at the strange form of life preserved in the underground kingdom. Another mystery of the underground.
Alenka
