STA, February 21, 2018 – Although quite a distance from the Korean peninsula, Slovenia appears to have made a small contribution to the apparent thaw in relations between the North and the South.
As part of a project promoting peace and harmony on the Korean peninsula, two cuttings of the world's oldest vine from Maribor were planted in Seoul and Pyongyang at the end of last year.
According to the Association of the Slovenian-Korean Friendship, which initiated the project last October, the plants are now growing very well.
The Old Vine is estimated to have been planted on the left bank of the Drava river in Slovenia's second largest city more than 400 years ago. It is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest grape vine.
The vine produces 35-55 kilograms of grapes annually, with the wine used by the city for ceremonial purposes and gifted to senior officials.
In Seoul, the plant grows in front of a city-owned hostel, in Pyongyang it was planted in a greenhouse.
The association hopes that the vine will bear the first grapes as early as this year. It was agreed that a Korean wine will be made from the grapes from both countries, mixed with those from Maribor.
The wine will symbolise the desire for peace and cooperation in the Korean peninsula, the association said.
