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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

MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

 

   

The British-Slovene Society will hold its Annual Picnic on Sunday 6^th 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

      

»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