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Matej Klemen, lecturer in Slavonic studies at the University of Nottingham, brought visiting Slovene poet Katja Perat to a reading in Oxford. The audience mostly consisted of the Slovene students in Oxford who recently established The Oxford Slovene Society. We enjoyed the interesting discussion about art and the matters of the world.

This is Matej’s report:

V petek, 28. februarja, sva s Katjo odpotovala v Oxford na literarni večer. Prostor sta prijazno odstopila Evelina in Marus Ferrar. Večera se je udeležilo 15 obiskovalcev, med njimi so bili večinoma slovenski študentje, člani pred nedavnim ustanovljene The Oxford Slovene Society. Če je literarni večer čas za lepo besedo, pametna vprašanja publike in odgovore na mestu, potem smo imeli pravi literarni večer. Klepet se je nadaljeval ob obloženi mizi, večer pa je zaokrožila Chopinova Balada št. 1, ki nam jo je na klavir zaigral doktorski študent fizike Sašo Grozdanov.

Simona Bennett, a Trustee of the British-Slovene Society is opening the door of her home to celebrate the International Women’s Day with other women. Bring a dish from your country and feel free to bring friends.

More information and RSVP: simona.bennett@btinternet.com.

The British-Slovene Society co-organises a literary evening with the Slovene poet Katja Perat on Friday 28th February 2014 at 7 p.m. at Evelina and Marcus Ferrar’s House, 7 Capel Close, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7LA

The evening will be in Slovene and English. Free entry.

RSVP: matej.klemen@nottingham.ac.uk

Katja Perat, photo by Tihomir Pintar

Katja Perat, born 1988, is a Slovene poet and literary critic. Her first collection of poetry, Najboljši so padli (The Best Have Fallen) was warmly received by readers and critically acclaimed, receiving several awards including for the best debut of 2011. Perat’s poems are sharp, ironic and to the point.

Come and celebrate a pust in Camden Centre in London on 8th March – the traditional Slovene carnival chasing the winter away. Five kurents (masked figures) and a devil will come over to join the chase. With live music by Zoran Predin, No Name Blues Band and DJ Spook with international repertoire of music, best costume awards, Slovenian food and drink. Everybody gets a proper Slovene doughnut!

Come wearing a costume – at midnight the best mask/costume will be awarded with a weekend package for two in Spa and Hotel Primus in Ptuj – price provided by the Slovenian Tourist Board and Sava Hotel.

Members of the British-Slovene Society will receive a free coupon for a drink.

Tickets available from the following websites:

https://www.seetickets.com/Event/first-slovenian-carnival-pust-in-london/camden-centre/767653

or

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carnival-pust-fasching-slovenian-way-tickets-10506365823

The British-Slovene Society’s annual Prešeren dinner in London on 8 February was livelier than ever. Over 110 people participated, many of them students and young professionals. Shirlie Roden and Zoran Predin created a lovely atmosphere with their singing, and Prešeren’s poems were recited with great passion and drama.

The Slovene actress Barbara Predin, who flew in specially for the occasion, gave a magical recitation of  Prešeren’s The Water Man.

With the sale of raffle tickets, we collected £343 for the Barka charity we support. The first prize, a washing machine donated by Gorenje, went to Lisa (left, below). She was very happy. For more pictures see Gallery.

We kindly invite you to our Annual Dinner at which we honour the great Slovene poet FRANCE  PREŠEREN on Saturday 8th February 2014 at HOTEL RUSSELL, Russell Square, London WC1B 5BE (Nearest stations Russell Square, Holborn, Euston). Drinks from 6.30 pm, dinner at 7.20 pm.

We are delighted that Shirlie Roden and the Slovenia’s leading singer and song writer Zoran Predin and his actress wife Barbara Predin will be performing for us.

M E N U     

 Starter

Chicken liver parfait, red onion jam, sourdough bread

Vegetarian alternative

Main Course

Braised pork shank, creamed potato and wholegrain mustard sauce

Vegetarian alternative

Dessert

Fruit mess

Potica

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Tea/coffee and Chocolate Mints

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Half a bottle of wine per person (courtesy of the Slovenian Embassy)

Price (including welcome drink):  £37 for members, £45 for non-members, £25 for fulltime students. Free for members over 80 (a donation would be welcomed).

Capacity is restricted – by reservation only. If you wish to make up your own party, please nominate a host who will book the table in his/her name. Please advise if you have any dietary requirements. In order to avoid disappointment, please complete the attached application form and return it to the address below no later than Saturday, 1st February 2013 and make your payment. We cannot guarantee places for applications received after this date. You should assume that paid-for places have been reserved for you unless you hear from us to the contrary. No tickets will be issued.

A tombola will be held and the proceeds donated to Barka charity.

Please print out and fill in the Application form for Annual Dinner 8 February 2014, and return it either by post or email.

If you wish, you can pay through PayPal below.