The Chairwoman of the British-Slovene Society gave an interview on TV Veseljak in Ljubljana.
Slovenian friends make song and dance in field
AN accordionist played traditional music at a gathering hosted by the British-Slovene Society.
The picnic, which is held annually, took place in Gillotts Corner Field last Saturday.
A gazebo was set up next to the Slovenian hayrack, which was donated to Henley by the society in 2022 in celebration of Henley’s twinning with the lakeside town of Bled.
The hayrack, which is known as a “kozolec”, is a familiar sight in the Slovenian countryside and they are traditionally used to dry crops and hay.
Despite a brief rain shower, guests enjoyed sunshine and warm temperatures.
Nina Kralj, who works as an economic attaché for the Slovenian Embassy in London, played several tunes on the accordion.
Ms Kralj said she had been playing the instrument for about 20 years but it would be one of the first outings for her accordion, which was brand new. Ms Kralj said: “For me, it brings people together and everybody always knows one song to sing along to. Some of the folk songs are passed down from generation to generation.”
Evelina Ferrar, who chairs the British-Slovene Society, explained that music could be categorised as Oberkrain music, which is a lively genre of folk music originating from the Oberkrain region of Slovenia but is now popular in Austria and Germany.
Ana and Joe Carr travelled from Oxford to see the hayrack. The couple met at university and got married last year in Slovenia where Ana grew up.
Mrs Carr, who is from Ljubljana, said: “It’s nice to see one that is nicely kept, as it’s newer in Slovenia they are often not kept as nicely.
“When you are in Slovenia, you don’t really notice them, you only notice it’s not there when you are somewhere else.”
Mr Carr described Slovenia as one of the most beautiful countries. “It’s just got a bit of everything,” he said.
Slovenian friends make song and dance in field – Henley Standard
After Work pijača in druženje na tržnici Mercato Metropolitano v Londonu
Četrtek, 17. julij 2025, ob 18.30 Lokacija: Mercato Metropolitano, London
Lokalni odbor Društva VTIS Velika Britanija vabi na sproščeno večerno druženje in pijačo. Dobimo se na Mercato Metropolitano – sodobnem kulinaričnem in kulturnem prostoru z več kot 40 ponudniki hrane in pijače z vsega sveta.
Dogodek je brezplačen, vendar je zaradi lažje organizacije obvezna prijava : VTIS Velika Britanija: After Work druženje Tickets, Thu, Jul 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM | Eventbrite
Once again, members of the British-Slovene Society and friends and family gathered around the kozolec (Slovene hayrack) at Henley-on-Thames for our annual picnic on 6th July. Nina Kralj from the Slovenian Embassy came down from London to entertain us with her accordeon. The sun shone plentifully, although once or twice big black clouds dumped sharp showers. After the great heat of recent weeks, temperatures were thankfully ideal for a picnic. Balls, frisbees and little dogs flew in all directions.
Our kozolec starts becoming popular with the people of Henley too. The ranger who looks after Gillotts Field told us that locals often gather for their own picnics around the kozolec, so he keeps the grass there cut all the time.
The lime tree which was planted near the kozolec by Ambassador Simona Leskovar is flourishing. It commemorates Henley’s twinning with Bled in Slovenia, both being great rowing venues.
The British-Slovene Society will hold its Annual Picnic on Sunday 6th July beside the kozolec (Slovene hayrack) on Gillotts Field, Greys Road, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1RZ. Slovenes and friends of Slovenia are warmly invited to come with families. It’s an ideal location for children – and dogs – to play games and run about. Bring food and drink – and share around.
A traditional Slovene spirit is assured: we will have at least one accordeonist to entertain us, and possibly two! Henley is a lovely town to visit and its Regatta will still be on. Henley is twinned with Bled in Slovenia – they are both rowing venues.
In recent years we have mostly had luck with the sun. We’re keeping our fingers crossed, but the event goes ahead whatever the weather. If the rain pays a visit, we have plenty of cover under gazebos.
We look forward to seeing you! From midday onwards or earlier if you wish.
We have received the following information about summer language camps in Slovenia:
V okviru projekta Mednarodni poletni jezikovni tabori (www.poletni-tabori.si) otroci spoznavajo slovensko podeželsko tradicijo in slovenski jezik skozi vsakdanje aktivnosti in vodene jezikovne delavnice v naravi.
Vsako poletje organiziramo tematsko raznolike in vsebinsko bogate jezikovne tabore na slovenskem podeželju.
Delavnice potekajo VEČJEZIČNO – predvsem v slovenščini in angleščini. Možnost individualnega UČENJA SLOVENŠČINE, prilagojeno starosti in predznanju.
7. – 12. 7. 2025 V Kozjanskem raju z Guzajem (ANG, NEM, SLO); Prevorje na Kozjanskem (od 7 do 11 let)
14-18. 7. 2025: Jezikovne počitnice v Arboretumu (ANG, NEM, SLO); Arboretum Volčji Potok (od 5 do 9 let), dnevno varstvo.
26. 7. – 2. 8. 2025: Foto-športni tabor na Kozjanskem (ANG z maternim govorcem, NEM, SLO); Prevorje (od 10 do 15 let)
17 – 22. 8. 2025: Foto-športni tabor na Krvavcu (ANG z maternim govorcem, SLO); Hotel Krvavec (od 10 do 14 let)
Aktivnosti na taborih s poučno-zabavno vsebino: spoznavanje življenja na kmetiji in v naravi, glasbene, naravoslovne in ustvarjalne delavnice, raziskovanje okolja in spoznavanje živali, hranjenje damjakov in zajčkov, košnja trave, opazovanje nočnega neba skozi teleskop, noč na seniku, srečanje z razbojnikom Guzajem, učenje fotografiranja in snemanja filma (v angleščini), snemanje vlogov, pisanje pesmi v angleščini, rolanje in druge športne aktivnosti, petje ob tabornem ognju, učenje na prostem … in še mnogo več.
Ob vsem tem bodo otroci nadgrajevali svoje znanje angleščine, nemščine ali slovenščine ter se neizmerno zabavali.
Prednost naših taborov na Kozjanskem in na Krvavcu je, da na posamezni tabor sprejmemo največ 16 otrok, da so otroci in učitelji dejansko sami na lokaciji in da večina dejavnosti poteka zunaj, v neokrnjeni naravi, obiskujejo tudi okoliške kmetije in spoznavajo zanimivosti okolja. Tabori v Arboretumu Volčji potok pa so namenjeni raziskovanju različnih ekosistemov v senci krošenj mogočnih starih dreves in učenju v naravi.
Vabimo vas, da vašim otrokom spet omogočite brezskrbne in aktivne jezikovne počitnice v objemu neokrnjene narave Kozjanskega, Krvavaca ali Arboretuma.
Podrobni programi in PRIJAVE na www.poletni-tabori.si in informacije na info@poletni-tabori.si +386 41 763 031 in +386 40 256 171.
The Sedbergh Singers from the UK sang at the Prešeren memorial in the centre of Ljubljana on 28 May. They were in Slovenia to celebrate 20 years of twinning between Sedbergh and Zreče.
James Walker, Trustee of the British-Slovene Society, was there to meet them.
James reports: “The performance in Prešernov trg was a triumph. British Ambassador Victoria Harrison was there and she said some warm words. Previously a saxophone quartet from the Royal Regiment of Scotland had played. I met David Burbidge who indeed is a wonderful force of nature. The choir were great and the audience loved it. They have enjoyed a super Slovenian visit.”
Invitation from the Slovenian Embassy in London:
You’re warmly invited to a special outdoor literary gathering celebrating six of Europe’s most exciting emerging authors, as part of the LLIF European Writers in London residency programme. Set in the leafy surrounds of St. James’s Square, this informal morning brings together writers Tina Perić (Slovenia), Kristin Höller (Germany), Ligija Purinaša (Latvia), Mónika Rusvai (Hungary), Kim Simonsen (Faroe Islands) and Syds Wiersma (Friesland, Netherlands) to mark the conclusion of their residency at Tŷ Newydd in Wales.
Sunday 1 June 2025 from 11am till 1pm
St. James’s Square Park, London SW1Y
In case of rain, the event will move indoors to
Cyprus House, 13 St. James’s Square, SW1Y 4LB
The British-Slovene Society will hold its Annual Picnic on Sunday 6th July beside the kozolec (Slovene hayrack) on Gillotts Field, Greys Road, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1RZ. Slovenes and friends of Slovenia are warmly invited to come with families. It’s an ideal location for children – and dogs – to play games and run about. Bring food and drink – and share around.
A traditional Slovene spirit is assured: we will have at least one accordeonist to entertain us, and possibly two! Henley is a lovely town to visit and its Regatta will still be on. Henley is twinned with Bled in Slovenia – they are both rowing venues.
In recent years we have mostly had luck with the sun. We’re keeping our fingers crossed, but the event goes ahead whatever the weather. If the rain pays a visit, we have plenty of cover under gazebos.
We look forward to seeing you! From midday onwards or earlier if you wish.
Sedbergh in North-West England is celebrating 20 years of town twinning with Zreče in Slovenia. The charter was signed by their two mayors on May 27 2005, and on that day later this month there will be a big celebration in Zreče with singers from Sedbergh and Zreče.
On May 29, Slovenian and British singers will celebrate UK Slovenia Friendship Day with a concert in Prešeren Square in Ljubljana.
Sedbergh singers are travelling to Slovenia by train. Before leaving Britain, they will give a departure concert by the public piano at St Pancras Station in London, outside the Eurostar office, at 09:45 am on Tuesday May 20. If you feel like joining the singers either in Britain or in Slovenia, you are most welcome.
Later, Sedbergh will celebrate Slovenia’s Statehood Day on Wednesday June 25 at 18:00 in the Friends Meeting House at Brigflatts near Sedbergh. There will be a concert with Slovenian songs and poetry, and also a Slovenian meal. For more information contact David Burbidge on davidburbidge@hotmail.com