»For Friends« — »Za Prijatelje”. To a delighted audience, Andrej Šifrer concluded his performance with his most famous hit from a long career as one of Slovenia’s leading singers. It was an apt choice for the British Slovene Society’s annual Prešeren Evening at the Ambassadors Bloomsbury hotel in London on 8^th March. Friendship between our two peoples – that is the mission of our Society.

Ninety grown-ups and a baby enjoyed a Drinks Reception, a fine meal, an exciting tombola and a rousing concert by our visiting performer. Our new Trustee, life-coach Michael Žmahar led the proceedings with great elan. They included a recital of Prešeren’s poem Vrba and a rendition of »Kam« beautifully sung by Shirlie Roden. She dedicated it to our late Chairman, David Lloyd, who sadly died last year.

Andrej Ogovorec and Ana Stanič ran a tombola which raised a record £1,325 for Barka, the charity for people with special needs we support in Slovenia. Our new Chairwoman, Evelina Ferrar, welcomed guests for the first time, and led the singing and dancing to conclude the evening.

Our thanks go to the Slovenian Embassy in London for giving Slovenian wine, and to Istenič for supplying sparkling wines. Adriamobil contributed a caravan trip around Britain as a tombola prize, while Riko contributed a weekend in the Škrabčeva domačija Agriturismo in Slovenia and Rapido contributed subscriptions to their new internet platform.  We also gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Slovenian Government’s Office for Slovenians Abroad.

All these kind supporters helped us celebrate the greatest Slovene poet in style, and together with Šifrer come together as true »Prijatelji«.

                   

                                                                 

We have extended the deadline for applying to attend the Prešeren Evening on Saturday 8th March. By agreement with the hotel, there is still time to get in your application. But do sign up now!

It will be a fine evening – with a series of extra generous tombola prizes, and a great new Master of Ceremonies ‘- Michael Žmahar – expect a few surprises from him. As the highlight of the evening, the Slovene singer and songwriter Andrej Šifrer will perform for us, together with his English friends Dave Cooke (guitar player in pianist) and Bill Thorp (violinist).

• Saturday 8th March 2025. Drinks from 5:45, Dinner at 6:50 pm.
• Ambassadors Bloomsbury Hotel, 12 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0HX (undergrounds Euston, Euston Square, King’s Cross, Russell Square)

Despite inflation, we are keeping rates low:

– Paid up BSS Members £64, non-Members £79, students and under-18s £41

For that you will enjoy a drinks reception, a three-course dinner with wine, Andrej Šifrer’s concert and a tombola with all sorts of attractive prizes.

Note: if you become a Member now, you benefit from the Member’s lower rate. Membership costs £25 per year, and £40 for families. You can pay for membership and the event together.

Reserve your places using the online Application form

If you wish to make up your own party, you can indicate this in the Application Form. You can also advise any special dietary requirements.

The tombola will benefit Barka, the charity for people with special needs that we support in Slovenia.

We look forward to welcoming you!

We are grateful to the Slovenian Government Office for Slovenians Abroad and the Slovenian Embassy in the UK for supporting this event.

The ANTON JANŠA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in Radovlica invites applications for an international competitition to produce children’s paintings illustrating bees.

The school is named after a Slovene teacher at the Viennese royal court who contributed greatly to the significance of beekeeping. The U.N. has designated his brthday on 20 May as World Bee Day. You are invited to create diverse beehive panels reflecting the culture and creativitye of different parts of Europe.

 

 

INTRODUCTION

We will commemorate Anton Janša, a teacher at the Viennese royal court, who econtributed in Slovene culture. Our school, the Anton Janša Elementary School, is proud to bear his name.

The beehive panels on Anton Janša’s own beehive are standardized, measuring 27 cm x 16 cm. These painted wooden panels are characteristic of Slovenian beekeeping. They are often decorated with religious motifs, historical scenes, and stories of everyday life.

For this competition, you will create beehive panels using the modern technique of collage, with the theme being the bee. There are no restrictions on the materials you use for making the collage, just ensure they are well glued.

COMPETITION RULES:

WHO:

• students aged 12 to 18
• for elementary schools with special needs programs up to 26 years old

THEME:

• the bee

TECHNIQUE:

• collage

FORMAT:

• dimensions 27 cm x 16 cm, landscape orientation

BASE:

• sturdy cardboard

Each school can participate with three pupils.

Each submitted work should be labeled with the following information:

• name and surname of the author, age,
• name and surname of the mentor,
• mentor’s email address,
• exact name and address of the educational institution.

All participating students and mentors will receive certificates.

The awarded works will be selected by a three-member commission:

• Urša Toman – self-employed in the field of sculpture
• Mihael Rudl – academic painter
• Matej Bizovičar – visual artist

Please confirm your participation by February 28th, 2025, to prepare the certificates, at the email:

tadeja.rozman@os-antonajanse.si

We are also available at this address for any additional questions and information.

 Send the works to the following address, no later than April 30th, 2025:

OŠ ANTONA JANŠE

KRANJSKA CESTA 27 A

4240 RADOVLJICA

SLOVENIA

Works submitted will be exhibited at the Beekeeping Center in Lesce. The opening will be on May 20, 2025, and you will receive an invitation via email.

If you are unable to attend the opening, we will send you a recording of the opening and the exibited works.

Best regards from Radovljica!

The publisher Istros Books has informed us of two events presenting Slovenian authors Marko Pogačnik and Evald Flisar:

The Wisdom of Fairy Tales

Thursday 27 February 7pm – 8.30pm

Talk and book launch with Marko Pogacnik

Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London, NW1 6XT | T: +44 (0) 20 7723 4400

Join us for this rare visit from Marko and the launch of his new book which will take place after the talk, Grimm’s Fairy Tales Decoded: precious messages from the past for the future (ISTROS, Feb 2025).

MARKO POGAČNIK is a Slovenian artist and author of international renown. Since 2005, he has dedicated much of his work to creating Geopuncture Circles, a world-wide lithopuncture project to enhance communication with the Earth consciousness that he creates together with his international colleagues. He has written a number of books on spirituality and earth healing, including Sacred Geography (2007) and Gaia’s Quantum Leap (2011). In 2016, he was appointed UNESCO Artist for Peace and is a member of the TRANS-4-M Global Wisdom Council.

Entrance £8 / £5 concession. To book a place please ring Rudolf Steiner Bookshop on 020 7724 7699 or buy a ticket on the night in the bookshop.

 

In Conversation with author Evald Flisar

Barbican Library, Barbican Centre Level 2, Silk Street, London WC2Y 8DS 

Thursday, March 13, 6PM till 7:30

Join author Evald Flisar in conversation with Susan Curtis of Istros Books as he discusses his most recently published book in English, My Kingdom is Dying. 

Both Evald and Susan will also be taking part in the London Book Fair 2025, with Istros Books and Sodobnost International Cultural Society (KUD Sodobnost). Evald and Susan will discuss My Kingdom is Dying, before taking audience questions, followed by a book signing. Copies of the book will be available to purchase on the night.

Booking via Eventbrite:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-conversation-with-author-evald-flisar-tickets-1146858587909

2025 Annual General Meeting

For members of the British-Slovene Society only:

Notice is hereby given that The Annual General Meeting of the British-Slovene Society will be held at 6 pm (UK Time) on Thursday 27^th February online via Zoom.

Any member may join the Meeting.

AGENDA

Ordinary Business

• To receive and adopt the Report of the Trustees and Accounts for the year ended 31^st December 2024
• To re-elect the following as Trustees, who retire by rotation and are offered for re-election: Shirlie Roden, Ana Stanič
• To appoint a Secretary for the forthcoming year. Miha Košak has indicated his willingness to continue in office.
• To appoint a Treasurer for the forthcoming year. Andrej Ogorevc has indicated his willingness to continue in office.
• To appoint a Chairwoman for the forthcoming year. Evelina Ferrar has indicated her willingness to continue in office.
• To approve the Minutes of the AGM held on 14 June 2024.
• Any Other Business.

Please confirm your attendance by email to: miha.kosak@britishslovenesociety.org  by close of business on Friday 21^st February, 2025.  You will then be sent an invitation to join the Zoom session together with instructions. You may also receive BSS Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024 and the Chairwoman’s Statement.

In case you cannot attend the AGM and wish to vote, please use the Form of Proxy: 2025 BSS-AGM-Form-of-proxy

Evelina Ferrar, Chairwoman

The Office for Slovenians Abroad has sent the information about grants for Slovene language courses:

• Afternoon Course of Slovene Language, Spring 2025 – deadline: 1 February 2025

• Morning Course of Slovene Language, Spring 2025  – deadline: 1 February 2025

• Summer School of Slovene Language in Ljubljana 2025  – deadline: 15 May 2025

• Autumn School of Slovene Language 2025  – deadline: 15 May 2025

• Winter School of Slovene Language 2026  – deadline: 31 August 2025

• Spring School of Slovene Language 2026  – deadline: 31 August 2025

You can find more information about the courses and grants at https://centerslo.si/en/courses-for-adults/scholarships

Dear Members and Supporters,

We wish you all a Happy New Year! The time has come around to renew your membership to the British-Slovene Society. Annual payments are now due, and we would much appreciate if you would arrange this promptly. To those who have already done so, many thanks.

We remind you that, as notified on 13^th December, new rates apply:

INDIVIDUAL £25
FAMILY (maximum 5) £40
STUDENT £15
CORPORATE £150

If you are not yet a Member, and have British or Slovene connections, do consider joining! You would be most welcome. Among the advantages you will enjoy is a reduced price for our payable events, including the 2025 Prešeren Evening with Andrej Šifrer in London on March 8^th. Through membership you will be supporting a vibrant community promoting friendship, with activities taking place throughout the year.

You have a choice of three means of payment:

1. By direct electronic transfer to The British-Slovene Society’s bank account with Natwest, Sort Code 60-20-36, Account Number 51197685, IBAN: GB67NWBK60203651197685, BIC: NWBKGB2L. Put your name in the reference field. Please consider setting up a Standing Order. This will save you time and trouble next year.
2. Or you can pay by PayPal by going to www.britishslovenesociety.org/membership/ and following the instructions. This is also where you can apply to become a Member.
3. Or by cheque made out to The British-Slovene Society and sent to the Treasurer, Andrej Ogorevc, 10 Rogers Court, 5 Premiere Place, London E14 8SF, e-mail: treasurer@britishslovenesociety.org.

If you already pay by Standing Order, please ensure you have adjusted it to take into account the new rates.

The sudden loss of our Chairman, David Lloyd, has saddened us all, but we look back on a year in which we have continued to celebrate and nurture our friendship.

In March, Vlado Kreslin, one of Slovenia’s top performers, enthralled us at our annual Prešeren dinner in London. In July, a Slovenian folklore group sang and danced at our picnic in Henley, where we have erected a traditional Slovenian kozolec (hayrack).  And last week, members packed St. Martin Ludgate Church in London for our annual carol service.

Michael Žmahar and James Walker have joined as new Trustees, and have already proved their worth. Next year, we can look forward to a Prešeren evening with Andrej Šifrer (8^th March), picnic in Henley (6^th July), and carol service (5^th December). PLUS a new event: entertainment by Slovene standup comic Tin Vodopivec in London (23^rd October).

Members are invited to attend our online AGM on 27 February. Our financial year now ends on 31^st December instead of 30^th September.

Membership dues have remained unchanged since the Society’s earliest years. The Board of Trustees have now reluctantly decided we must raise them to take into account the rising costs of our activities. As Trustees, we strive to keep spending under strict control, and we serve without remuneration.

From 2025 the annual rates for individuals will be £25, for families up to five £40, full-time students £15, and corporates £150.

If you have a Standing Order, please adjust it accordingly. By your membership, you help the British-Slovene Society continue to flourish in its mission of fostering friendship and mutual support.

Our community consists of everybody who feels connected with Slovenia or Slovenes. Do come and join our events, become members and continue to  support each other and our Society. Every individual matters!

On behalf of our Board of Trustees, I send you warm wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

Evelina Ferrar