114 people took part in the British-Slovene Society’s annual Prešeren Evening with singer-songwriter Vlado Kreslin at the Ambassadors Hotel in London on 2nd March. This was more than ever before in the three decades of our existence.
After a Drinks Reception, we sang the Slovenian national anthem Zdravljica and dinner was served with Slovenian wines. BSS Chairman David Lloyd spoke words of greeting, followed by Slovenian Ambassador Simona Leskovar. Then Kaja Pečnik and John Dawton recited a poem, the Slovenian Choir in the UK directed by Kaja sang, and Slovenian violinist Nikola Pajanović gave a short recital. Finally Vlado Kreslin brought the evening to a climax in his inimitable way.
Meanwhile a tombola organised by Andrej Ogorevc and Mateja Šömen raised a record £1,062 for Barka, the charity for people with special needs which we support in Slovenia. This is more than twice as much as ever before. For the tombola, Elan donated a pair of skis, Trimo gave a voucher for travel worth €500, and Riko donated a weekend stay at Škrabčeva domačija in Slovenia.
We acknowledge with thanks a grant from the Slovenian Government’s Office for Slovenians Abroad to help us stage events.
Photographs kindly taken by Anthony Dawton.