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A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar - Pope Francis visited Akamasoa, a village founded by the Slovenian missionary Pedro Opeka in Madagascar, making it one of the main stops on his south African tour. The Pope was received by Opeka and several other Church dignitaries along with several thousand people in a sports hall that doubles as a place of worship in Akamasoa.
Thousands gather for 150th anniversary of firefighting in Slovenia
METLIKA - Several thousand firefighters and other visitors gathered to celebrate the 150th anniversary of firefighting in Slovenia, marking the day in 1869 when the first volunteer fire brigade was founded in Metlika. Delivering the keynote, Prime Minister Marjan Šarec, himself a volunteer firefighter in his home town of Kamnik, stressed that the umbrella Firefighters' Union was the biggest humanitarian organisation in the country.
Ceremony, mass mark little known post-war labour camp
PODLESJE - A mass and commemoration were held on the site of a short-lived forced-labour camp at which post-war Communist authorities interned women. The camp was erected at Podlesje (then known as Ferdreng), a village in Kočevje area. It was in operation from July 1949 and October the same year and held 800 women and girls, either suspected of having been associated with the anti-Communist Home Guards or deemed politically dangerous.
Vinarium goes from pie in the sky to pillar of tourism
LENDAVA - When it was built four years ago, the Vinarium observation tower was seen by many as a pipe dream. Now, it is a major draw for the region. A 53.5-metre tower with views of four countries, it was meant to attract 30,000-40,000 visitors annually. Since it launched, however, it has attracted around 375,000 people, with a single-day record of 2121 visitors set on 1 May.
Foreign companies create 27% of Slovenia's value added
LJUBLJANA - Foreign companies accounted for 5.6% of all companies in Slovenia in 2017 but created over 27% of value added, roughly on a par with 2016. These companies employed almost 26% of all workers, and allocated 39% of their expenses in Slovenia for R&D, the latest Statistics Office data shows.
Ljubljanske Mlekarne ups net profit by a third
LJUBLJANA - Ljubljanske Mlekarne, Slovenia's largest dairy, increased sales revenue by 0.6% last year to EUR 168.6 million, while net profit was up by 33.3% to EUR 6.7 million, according to the annual report filed with the AJPES agency for public records. While net profit was up by a third, operating profit increased by 15.9% to EUR 7.9 million.
Increased use of wood good for Ledinek Engineering bottom line
HOČE - Ledinek Engineering, a maker of machinery and production lines for the wood processing industry, saw sales increase by 28% in 2018 to EUR 43 million. Net profit was up 175% to EUR 1.47 million, shows the company's annual report. The company, which exports 96% of its production, attributes the spike to the increased use of wood as a building material around the world and the resulting investments.
Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here
If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here
STA, 8 September 2019 - Several thousand firefighters and other visitors gathered in Metlika on Sunday to celebrate the 150th anniversary of firefighting in Slovenia, marking the day in 1869 when the first volunteer fire brigade was founded in Metlika.
The first fire brigade on Slovenian territory was established on 19 September at the proposal of landowner Josip Savinšek. The following year fire brigades started cropping up in other places, including Laško, Ljubljana and Ptuj.
A century and a half later, Slovenia boasts what is seen as one of the best networks of volunteer fire brigades in the world, with over 1,300 local volunteer fire brigades bringing together 162,000 firefighters, almost a tenth of the country's population.
There are also 700 professional firefighters in 13 professional fire brigades.
Delivering the keynote at the ceremony in Metlika, Prime Minister Marjan Šarec, himself a volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Kamnik, stressed that the umbrella Firefighters' Union was the biggest humanitarian organisation in Slovenia.
"Being a firefighter is an honour, but it is also a responsibility ... when all others give up, leave or become scared, the firefighter stays," he said, describing Slovenian firefighters as the envy of the world.
STA, 8 September 2019 - Foreign companies accounted for 5.6% of all companies in Slovenia in 2017 but created over 27% of value added, roughly on a par with 2016.
These companies employed almost 26% of all workers, and allocated 39% of their expenses in Slovenia for R&D, the latest Statistics Office data shows.
A foreign company, or a foreign inward affiliate, is according to the statisticians an enterprise which is resident in Slovenia but controlled by an institutional unit outside Slovenia.
Source: SURS
There were a total of 8,018 such companies in Slovenia in 2017.
A third of all value added and a third of all investments by these companies was generated by companies controlled from Germany and Austria.
The largest share of R&D spending, a third, was generated by companies controlled from Switzerland.
Together with Germany-affiliated ones, they generated almost 60% of all R&D expenditure by foreign companies in Slovenia.
More than half of the entire value added generated by foreign companies was attributable to companies in industry.
Foreign inward affiliates in Slovenia were controlled from 106 countries, but in more than 90% of the cases from Europe. Approximately half of them had their controlling company in the EU.
The majority, or almost two-thirds of them, were controlled from Italy, Serbia, Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Austria, Croatia and Germany.
The Statistics Office says that economically the most important foreign affiliates were controlled from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The bad weather that has plagued and cancelled long-planned events the last few days has claimed another victim - Kamnik's Days of National Costumes & Clothing Heritage. The main parade was due to take place Sunday afternoon (8 September, 2019), but will now not go ahead to fear of rain and what such conditions could do to the outfits and carriages that are the focus of the festival. There are no plans to reschedule the parade, although the children's programme will go ahead, moved to the Kamnik culture home
BRDO PRI KRANJU - Senior coalition officials are scheduled to meet to debate the budget bills for 2020 and 2021. LJUBLJANA - Latvian Parliamentary Speaker Inara Murniece will start a two-day official visit. LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor will host the latest in a series of talks with party leaders and constitutional jurists on changes to electoral law. PORTOROŽ - The start of Nuclear Energy for New Europe, an international conference; until 12 September. LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian national football team will play Israel in the qualifying for the Euro 2020. LJUBLJANA - The Statistics Office will release foreign trade data for July.
TUESDAY, 10 September MOSCOW, Russia - Prime Minister Marjan Šarec will start a two-day visit to Russia. He is scheduled to meet with counterpart Dmitry Medvedev and unveil a monument to Slovenians victims of both world wars on Russian soil. BRUSSELS, Belgium - As the new European Commission is presented, it will be announced which portfolio Slovenia's commissioner-designate Janez Lenarčič will get. LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Economy Committee will debate the bill on recourse for junior creditors wiped out in the 2013 bank bailout. LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Infrastructure Committee will debate amendments to the housing act. LJUBLJANA - The international literary festival Vilenica will get under way. LJUBLJANA - Cankarjev Dom will present the highlights of its new season. LJUBLJANA - The programme of the Festival of Slovenian Film (17-22 September) will be presented. CELJE - The opening of the International Trade Fair (MOS). LJUBLJANA - The Statistics Office will release industrial output data for July. MOJSTRANA - Mine victims from Bosnia-Herzegovina will climb Mount Triglav to raise awareness about the danger of mines.
WEDNESDAY, 11 September LJUBLJANA - Montenegrin Economy Minister Dragica Sekulić will pay an official visit. LJUBLJANA - Yang Chuantang, one of the vice chairmen of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, will start a multi-day visit at the invitation of National Council President Alojz Kovšca. LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Defence Committee will debate the draft of the new National Security Strategy.
THURSDAY, 12 September LJUBLJANA - Weekly government session. LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Defence Committee will debate arms purchases at the request of the Left. LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Economy Committee will debate amendments to the copyright act. BRNIK - A new logistics centre operated by Cargo-partner will be launched. LJUBLJANA - The Men's European Volleyball Championship will start, with Group C being hosted by Slovenia.
FRIDAY, 13 September LJUBLJANA - Finland's EU presidency priorities will be presented at a joint session of the parliamentary EU and foreign policy committees. LJUBLJANA - Slovenian MEPs will speak to the press about current EU issues and challenges. LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Commission for the Oversight of Intelligence and Security Services will examine a report on border arbitration compiled by intelligence services. LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Justice Committee will examine the annual report of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption. LJUBLJANA - NATO chiefs-of-staff will get together for a conference; until 15 September. PIVKA - The Park of Military History will host the annual Festival of Military History; until 15 September.
SATURDAY, 14 September LJUBLJANA - The opposition New Slovenia (NSi) will hold a conference to adopt a new platform in its attempt to shift to the centre. LIPICA - The international literary festival Vilenica will wrap up with an award ceremony. AJDOVŠČINA - Prime Minister Marjan Šarec will be keynote speaker at a ceremony marking the reunification with Primorska region. IZOLA - Diplomats will gather for the traditional annual Diplomatic Regatta.
SUNDAY, 15 September LJUBLJANA - Indian President Ram Nath Kovind will start a multi-day official visit to Slovenia. RATEČE - Mayors from Slovenia, Austria and Italy will meet in the three-border area. BOHINJ - Cow Ball, an ethnographic event marking the end of the grazing season at high-altitude pastures.
If you're not in town for the week of this guide (9 - 15 September, 2019) then you can see all the editions here, and if there's event or activity you want to promote in a future edition of What's on in Ljubljana please get in touch with me at flanner(at)total-slovenia-news.com or try and find me on Facebook.
In town and want to follow the news? Check out our regular morning headlines for Sloveniahere.
With the summer at an end you might need a jacket, but you should also be able to get a seat at your preferred café, bar or restaurant, and hear more Slovenian spoken. There’s also a fair amount to see and do in town, on every day and night of the week and for various ages and tastes, with a few highlights below before going on to the regular listings.after the following selection. If you want something a little different and easy to print, then a comprehensive PDF of events for the next seven days, as prepared by Ljubljana Tourism, is here.
Starting Monday and running until Wednesday, September 11, the Vilenica International Literary Festival, a gathering of poets, prose writers, dramatists and essayists, is organised by the Slovene Writers' Association in collaboration with the Cultural Centre Vilenica from Sežana. Details here.
Tuesday marks the anniversary of the day when the Prešeren Monument was unveiled, on 10 September 1905. We have some pictures of before, during and after the process, here, while below you can see the square before the statue and Triple Bridge - today's Lekarna can be seen behind two buildings that have now disappeared.
Source: Wikimedia
Wednesday there’s the start of Indigo, a festival platform combining contemporary currents in art, culture, media, music, film, theatre, design, and so on. The fourth edition, 11 – 13 September, will explore topics of indifference and insensitivity towards problems that surround us, fueled by constant media battle for attention and everyday indignation over pressing issues. Lots of strange and wonderful things are planned around town, with the full programme here
Wednesday also marks the opening of the Spider Festival, which promises colourful evenings filled with performances, conversations, musical performances, educational and social events. The action lasts until Sunday at various locations around town, and the schedule can be found here.
Wednesday and Friday Dr. Jorge Bucay will be appearing at Cankerjev dom (details)
The 2019 Men's European Volleyball Championship will be held in Stožice Sports Park Arena from Thursday 12 – 29 September, with 24 national teams playing. Most games are played in the evening, and you can get tickets here.
The only new movie this week at the multiplexes opens Thursday and is Hustlers, starring Jennifer Lopez as the leader of a group of strippers who decide to get revenge for the financial crisis by getting Wall Street bankers drunk and robbing them. See more trailers in the Film & Cinema section, below, and note that cartoons are usually dubbed and Good Boys isn’t a kids movie.
Thursday also sees the start of Kino Šiška’s 10th Anniversary, giving you a great excuse to go slightly out of town, easily reachable by bike, bus or taxi, to visit a fine centre of alternative culture in the city that serves up live music, performances, exhibitions, talks, movies, specialist markets and more, and is a meeting place for many the city’s cultural workers. The schedule is below, along with a video of Saturday night’s local hero, the now New York based producer Gramatik, who always puts on a good show for the home crowd.
While the Old Town is quaint, and full of music, where does Ljubljana really shop? One popular answer is BTC City, a vast complex of malls, entertainment facilities and more, including more than 70 different food vendors, offering everything from Slovenian to Thai, Indian to Italian, Mexican to Chinese. Check out my recent visit here.
Looking for something different to eat? Trubajeva cesta, running right by Dragon Bridge, has the greatest concentration of "ethnic food" places in Ljubljana, and thus perhaps the country. Check out our walk through guide as of June 2019.
You can read about all the cinemas in town here, while a selection of what’s playing this week is below, and note that kids' movies tend to be shown in dubbed versions, while non-English language movies for older viewers will have Slovenian subtitles.Parents should also pay attention to Kinobalon, which is Kinodvor's regular weekend series of film screenings and events for children, from babies on up, with special parent/child events, "first time in a cinema" screenings, and babysitting. Learn more about it here, and see the current schedule here.
Note - most children's films will be dubbed (sinhronizirano) - for subtitles look for 'podnapisi'.
Kinodvor –This is an arts cinema, not far from the train station, that shows new features as well as hosting the occassional festival.
Kinoteka – And not far from Kinodvor you can find this revival cinema, which shows art house classics along with some deep dives in the archives.
Kino Bežigrad - A relatively small theatre, but one which usually has the biggest of the new releases.
Kolosej -The multiplex out at BTC City Mall shows all the big movies, with well over a dozen titles on the schedule, although note that there are far more movies than screens, so some of the older ones mayonly be playing once or twice a week.
Komuna – The cinema in a basement behind Nama department store shows two or three different features a week, usually including the biggest titles.
Looking for a souvenir you'll really enjoy? Take a look at Broken Bones Gin, the first gin made in Ljubljana (learn more here, and try it at the Central Market or selected downtown bars).
Clubbing
Compared to some European capitals it can seem that nightlife in Ljubljana ends rather early, especially along the river, but there are still bars that stay open late and clubs were you can dance until dawn, and perhaps the best place to stumble across something interesting is the legendary Metelkova. Be aware it's a grungy kind of place and not for all tastes, but also that there's considerable variety to found within the various clubs there, from death metal to electropop, gay cabaret to art noise. You can read "the rules" of the place here. And if you're curious about how the place started then read our story, and look at some pictures, about last year's 25th anniversary.
Božidar - DJ events aren't too common here, but when they happen they often have a big name.
Channel Zero – DJs shows here include regular dub nights as well as electronic music.
Gala Hala – Another Metelkova venue, you can sometimes hear bhangra and Bollywood here, but more often funk, hip hop, breakbeat and so on.
Klub Cirkus – The more commercial end of clubland, and a venue that aims to serve the student party scene. Expect house, anthems, and bangers.
Klub K4 – The home of techno, old and new, along with various other electronic genres,
Koncertna Dvorana Rog– There are irregular DJ sets at this underground (not literally) venue at the far end of Trubarjeva cesta, and they range from techno to goa to drum'n'bass.
Orto Bar– 80s and 90s throwback nights can often be found here, along with rock-based DJ sets.
Cankerjev dom- The main arts venue in the country always has something of interest going on.
Gledališče IGLU - IGLU Theatre – Saturday night this group is usually putting on an English improv show somewhere in town, but it’s generally promoted after this is written, so check the Facebook before putting on your shoes.
Kino Šiška – One of the top live venues in the city also hosts some dance performance, often of the more experimental variety.
Mini Teater Ljubljana –The English schedule of varied performances, for adults and children, for the month is here.
Ljubljana Puppet Theatre - Puppetry has a long and noble tradition in Slovenia, and you can see performances for children and adults (including non-puppet shows) drawing from the Theatre's rich repetoire as well as new productons.
SNG Opera and Ballet - As the name suggests, here you'll find the best of opera and ballet in the country.
Španski borci - The home ofcontemporary dance(and the EnKnapGroup) in Slovenia.
Pocket Teater Studio– There are regular flamenco evenings at perhaps the smallest venue town, but note that the number of seats is very limited, and thus you should make a reservation via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 070 325 522.
Drogart is an organization that aims to minimise harm on the party scene, and offers drug-testing services and reports on their webpage. It’s in Slovene, but you can Google translate it or work things out yourself, and our story on the group is here.You can find the latest warnings on fake drugs and high strength pills and powders (in Slovene) here. However, be aware that all the usual drugs are illegal in Slovenia.CBD is legal, though, and our retailer of choice can be found on Trubarjeva cesta - read more about Sena Florahere.
You can find our Top 12 list of things to do with kids in Ljubljana here. If want to read more about the philosophy behind the wonderful House of Experiments look here, while our trip to the Museum of Illusions is documented here, and there’s always riverside walks, pizza and ice cream. With regard to the latter, take a look at our guide tosix places that serve good ice cream in winter, and thus are serious about the dessert.
Mini Teater Ljubljana – The season sees a lot of puppet performances for children, in Slovene, at this theatre not far from Križanke. The English schedule for the month is here.
Ljubljana Puppet Theatre - The puppet theatre near the Central Market and next to the Castle funicular has a full programme or shows, for children and adults, with the schedule here.
Vice meets Žižek in Ljubljana. If you want to see more of the most successful writer who lives in Ljubljana, click here
LGBT+ Ljubljana
If you're looking for more general links on "gay Slovenia", including a history of the scene and various projects, then you can find that here, while our stories about the community can be found here.
Klub Monokel– This lesbian bar in Metelkova is open every Friday, although sometimes there are other events
Klub Tiffany –And the gay bar next door is also open on Fridays. Other things coulds also be planned, so click on the name to find out.
Pritličje – This seems to be the only "always open" LGBT-friendly cafe / bar / events space in town, and perhaps the country, so it's a good thing it's such a good one, open from morning to night, and with fliers and posters letting you know what's happening outside the narrow confines of, say, a general interest online what's on... guide.
Screenshot from Google Maps, showing the location of the Castle vineyard
Ljubljana Castle
The city’s main attraction is said to be the top tourist draw in the country overall, and to my mind it earns a spot near the top just for the history and views. But beyond that the current owners, the City of Ljubljana, have laid out a varied, interesting and enjoyable programme of events, one that rewards regular revisits. On until 17 November Mighty Guardians of the Past: Castles in the Slovenian Lands, a presentation that delivers on the promise of its title.
I try and get up there every Saturday morning to clear my head and move my feet on the trails, and never tire of that end of the hill. At the other end, where the Castle sits, there’s a lot more than fresh air on offer. There are guided tours, restaurants, a café, Castle museum, puppet museum, a Watchtower you can climb to the highest point in the city, art shows, dances, live music, movies under the stars, festival days and more – enough to reward multiple trips up the hill through the year. All of these activities and events can be found on the Castle website, while on TSN you can see “25 things to know about Ljubljana Castle” here, and “Ten Ways to Enjoy Ljubljana Castle” here.
Plečnik’s House is worth a visit if you want to learn more about the architect who gave Ljubljana much of its character, and it's also in a really nice part of town, Trnovo, just a short walk or cycle upriver. Read about our guided tour here.
Balassi Institute – The Hungarian culture centre is next to a Spar and Hofer, and not far from Dragon Bridge, and always has something interesting going on. Learn more here.
City Museum – The Museum in French Revolution Square an interesting permanent exhibition on the history of Ljubljana, from prehistoric times to the present day, with many artefacts, models and so on that bring the story alive.You can read about my visit here. On until 25 September is Treasures from Russian Museums, an exhibition showcasing more than 80 Russian icons from leading Russian museums. Also on until 15 September can see the results of the archaeological research of Gosposvetska cesta, Slovenska cesta, Prešernova cesta, Erjavčeva cesta, Tribuna, Križanke, Dalmatinova ulica, Vegova ulica (KGBL) and the area of the University of Ljubljana. Especially interesting for those who know the city.
The Faces of Ljubljana in the City Museum. Photo: JL Flanner
International Centre of Graphic Art – The33rd Biennial of Graphic Arts runs until 29 September. It's called Crack Up – Crack Down, and is curated by the collective Slavs and Tartars, with a focus satire and the graphic arts. Learn more here.
Jakopič Gallery – Until 29 September you can see the photographs of Lucien Hervé in a show called Geometry of Light
MAO – The Museum of Architecture and Design has much of what you'd expect, along with some temporary shows and a good cafe. On until 19 September is a show called Creators, on contemporary Slovenian fashion and textile design, which is being promoted with the following image.
Photo: Urša Premik
Moderna galerija – The main branch of this gallery, to be found near the entrance to Tivoli Park, has a good collection of modern art, as well a nice café in the basement. Opening Thursday, April 25th, 20:00, TheVisual Arts in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, 1929–1941, which then runs until September 15th 2019. This offers “an overview of painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, photography, and film from the time the king's dictatorship was set up (6 January 1929) to the beginning of World War II on Yugoslav soil (April 1941)” - you can read more about it here. The museum's Metelkova branch also has a big new show, runing until at least September 2019, an the art of the Non-Aligned Movement, with an example shown below. Until September 15 you can also enjoy Maja Hodošček, a video artist you “explores social relations through the politics of exchange and collaboration; in particular, she is interested in speculative models of representation in relation to the documentary.”
Rafikun Nabi: Poet, 1980, print, 96.5 x 110 cm. Courtesy of the Contemporary Art Center of Montenegro. On display at the Metelova branch of the Moderna galerija
Alan Ford at the National Gallery
National Gallery – The country’s main gallery has “the best” of what’s on offer from the Middle Ages to non-contemporary modern visual arts, and is in a great location for exploring other areas, just by Tivoli Park and opposite the main branch of the Moderna galerija. You can read about our visit to the room containing sacred art from the Middle Ageshere. There’s also a big show on Alan Ford, one of the great comic books of the Yugoslav era, on until 13 October.
JL Flanner
The real Robba Fountain can be found in the entrance to the National Gallery - the one you see in the Old Town is a genuine fake, as seen below and reported here.
Photo: JL Flanner
National Museum of Slovenia – There’s plenty to see in the permanent collection here, from Roman times, Egypt and more. Running until 3 November is Roma Aeterna: Masterpieces of Classical Sculpture. With sculptures from the collection of the Santarelli family in Rome, ranging from the age of the Roman Empire to that of neoclassicism. Meanwhile, the museum's Metelkova branch, located between one branch of the Moderna galerija and the Ethnographic Museum has some rooms on Church art, furniture and weapons, with the latter including more guns than you'll see anywhere else in town, and quite a thrill if coming from a nation where such objects are not household items.
Natural History Museum – On until the end of December 2019 is Our Little Big Sea, which takes a look at the oceans.
Roma Aeterna: Masterpieces of Classical Sculpture - see below
National Museum of Contemporary History - Tucked away in park Tivoli, in addition to its permanent collection and until 29 September there also a retrospective on the photographer Edi Šelhaus, which is being promoted with the following image.
Union is "the Ljubljana beer", but now both it and Laško are owned by Heineken. There are many local brews on offer around town, though, if you want to explore IPAs, stouts, wheatbeers, sours and so on Photo: JL Flanner
Union Experience – The Ljubljana-based brewer has a museum showing the history of the company, with the ticket also including access to part of the factory and a few samples of the product. You can read about our visit here.
Vžigalica Gallery – If you’re curious about the man who commissioned that Melania Trump sculpture, then you can see more of activities here, in a show called Brad Downey: This Echo.
Volčji Potok Arboretum - Running until 3 November you can see a large collection of cacti here.
It's not a formal museum, but if you're interested in "Yugo-stalgia" then you'll enjoy a trip to Verba, a small, privately run space that's crammed with objects and pop culture items from the era, and is conveniently located at the start of one of the short walks to the castle. It's also a great place to take pictures, if you leave a donation, and you can read more about it here.
Verba. Photo: JL Flanner
Alternative Ljubljana isn't a museum or gallery, as such, but instead turns the city streets into a museum and gallery. Learn more about their tours of street art, history and LGBT Ljubljanahere.
If you like the city's architecture then check out this great book, Let’s See the City - Ljubljana: Architectural Walks & Tours, with our review here and a page from the book shown above. We took a walk with one of the authors who showed us how much there is to learn and enjoy if you slow down and pay attention - read about that here.
Open Kitchen brings market stalls selling food and drink from some of the best restaurants in town every Friday, from 11am to 11pm, in the square between the cathedral and the river - just follow your nose and the crowds. Read more about it here.
Photo: Open Kitchen
Ljubljana has some beautiful buildings from the early 20th century, in the Secessionist style, like the one below. Learn where to find them here.
Some view of the city you can only get from the river. If you'd like to take a boat ride then read about my experience here. If you prefer to get in the water rather than on it, then here's a guide to the various open air pools in Ljubljana. Note that it was written last year and so the prices and times may have changed, so do click the links and check.
If you'd like to spend an evening painting with others, then take a look at Design with Wine, which organises painting parties on Trubarjeva cesta,
If you want to see some antiques, then check out the wonderful Antika Carniola, as discussed here. The man behind it, Jaka Prijatelj, has a fine eye for life on this street, as you can see on his Facebook account.
Photo: JL Flanner
If you’re in town and want to go jogging or walking in nature, why not take another look at the Castle, with a brief guide to the trails here. If you want something bigger, head to Tivoli Park.
And if you're bored with the Old Town, why not take a walk, cycle or boat ride to nearby Špica and enjoy the riverside life. Learn more about that here.
Prefer to have someone else stretch you? The check out the totally legit massages you can get from Sense Wellness - either in one of their spas or in you home, office or hotel. (And - to repeat - these are legit and non-sexual in nature)
If you want to get a Ljubljana Tourist Card, which gives you travel on the city buses and entry to a lot of attractions, then you can read more about that here, and if you want to use the bike share system, as useful for visitors as it is for residents, then you can learn more by clicking this. Visitors with reduced mobility will be pleased to find that downtown Ljubljana is generally rated as good with regard to accessibility, and that there’s a free, city-sponsored app called Ljubljana by Wheelchair highlighting cafés, attractions and so on with ramps, disabled bathrooms and Eurokey facilities, which you can read about and download here. Manual wheelchair users can also borrow, for free, an attachment that will motorise their equipment, as reported here.
Screenshot from a Twitter video
If you’re driving into town and don’t know where to park, our guide to how to park in Ljubljana is here.
Ljubljana is a small and relatively safe city, but if need to contact the police then there’s a special number for foreigners, and that’s 113.
Photo: JL Flanner
There aren't many places to eat after midnight, and most of them are by the train station, as reported here.
Want / need cigarettes but the stores have closed? Here's an incomplete list of bars downtown that will satisfy your craving for the demon weed. While if you’re having trouble with the ATMs then here’s a guide to the Slovene you’ll see on screen. If you get a hangover then find out where to get paracetamol (and prescription drugs) in Ljubljana here, while details on emergency birth control can be found here.
STA, 6 September 2019 - Slovenia proved to be a cycling tour superpower on Friday as Tadej Pogačar won the 13th stage of the Vuelta ahead of Primož Roglič, who increased the overall lead in the race of Spain.
The 166-kilometre stage between Bilbao and Los Machucos finished with a short (6.8km) but hellishly steep climb, where the Slovenian pair soon broke away to make Slovenia's biggest success ever.
In the all-Slovenian finish, Pogačar, the 20-year-old UAE Emirates rider, won his second stage victory to advance to the 2nd spot overall, putting on the best young rider's white jersey.
Wearing the race leader's red jersey, Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) only increased his overall lead ahead of Spain's Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) to two minutes and 25 seconds.
Pogačar, in his debut appearance at the Vuelta, lags three minutes and a second behind.
Coming in third in the 13th stage, France's Pierre Latour (AG2R La Mondiale) finished as many as 27 seconds behind the Slovenian riders today.
"I'm happy about today's achievement but the Vuelta is not over yet," Roglič commented after the race.
Pogačar was in disbelief: "I was told by the radio link that no one was behind us, I felt I'was looking at a good chance. I'm overwhelmed."
STA, 7 September 2019 - The Slovenian national football team beat the favoured Poland at home on Friday evening 2:0 to keep hopes alive for qualifying to the 2020 Euro. The win is a huge boost for the team which will host Israel on Monday, with which it is tied for the third place in the qualifying group.
Hosting the Group G leaders Poland in the sold-out Stožice Stadium, Slovenia needed a win to remain in play for the first two spots in the group that lead to the final tournament, and were given boost by more than 15,000 spectators in Ljubljana.
Slovenia displayed one of their best performances in recent years and were the first to score a goal against Poland in these qualifiers, with Aljaž Struna scoring in the 35th minute after an assist by Josip Iličić for Slovenia's 1:0 advantage.
Iličić was also the assist man in the 65th minute, when he sent the ball deep in Poland's territory to engage Andraž Šporar, who scored for 2:0 to the delight of the Slovenian crowd and the disappointment of some 2,000 Poles who came to watch the match.
It was only a second win for Slovenia in seven tries against Poland, a much-needed boost ahead of Monday's match in the same qualifiers against Israel, with which Slovenia shares the third place in the group with eight points each.
Slovenia's head coach Matjaž Kek said it was a "real game, and good atmosphere. When you beat the leading team in the group, it can be a great plus and impetus at that moment. Congratulations to the lads and let the Stožice Stadium be full also on Monday."
Šporar admitted that the team is a little bit euphoric after the win, but was quick to note that the "win needs to be confirmed on Monday with another three points. If we fail to do this, this win will mean nothing," he added.
Poland are still at the top of Group G with 12 points midway through the qualifiers, followed by Austria with nine. The last two teams in the standings are North Macedonia (5) and Latvia with no points.
STA, 6 September 2019 - Slovenian carrier Adria Airways has reached an agreement with pilots that averts a series of strikes that were due to begin on Sunday and threatened to severely disrupt air traffic in Slovenia.
"Adria Airways will carry out scheduled and charter flights according to the planned flight schedule," the company said in a brief press release on Friday without revealing the details of the agreement.
Marko Kastelic, a representative of the pilots' trade union, said that the reason the strike was called off was that they adopted a draft of a new collective bargaining agreement.
The draft will now be put to a vote to the trade union's membership. "Once it is endorsed, which is what we expect will happen, we'll also cancel the other two strikes," said Kastelic.
The trade union of pilots had threatened to start striking in order to force a change of the collective bargaining agreement, which formally expired on 1 September.
The pilots sought to improve what they said were "unbearable working conditions", urging the management to "stop violating the existent collective bargaining agreement".
Adria pilots complained about the bad working conditions before and after the sale of this state-owned company to the German fund 4K Invest was completed in early 2016.
Since months beset by delays, flight cancellations and unannounced mergers of flights, the airline has had financial trouble for a while and is currently looking for a strategic partner.
Despite its problems, Adria accounts for roughly half the traffic at the Jože Pučnik International Airport in Ljubljana.
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Lenarčič meets Von der Leyen, no comments on portfolio yet
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Janez Lenarčič, Slovenia's candidate for the new European Commission, had an official meeting with the Commission's President-elect Ursula von der Leyen, the permanent representation of Slovenia to the EU announced. Lenarčič was informed by Von der Leyen that he had been put on the list of official candidates. "I'm happy that the newly-elected president of the Commission confirmed my candidacy for her list of the future college of commissioners," said Slovenia's current ambassador to the EU.
Debate condemns pressures on judiciary, pending Constitutional Court rulings
LJUBLJANA - Representatives of all three branches of power discussing the state of the rule of law in Slovenia agreed that the separation of powers was very important for the implementation of the rule of law. Judges were critical of interferences with the judiciary and non-implementation of Constitutional Court rulings, with Supreme Court president Damijan Florjančič, saying that it was crucial that all those who are "talking about the rule of law on a daily basis know what we are talking about". Justice Minister Andreja Katič said it was the state who must create the conditions for an efficient and fair judicial system.
NLB reports 10% lower half-year profit
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's largest banking group, NLB saw its half-year-net profit fall by 10% year-on-year to EUR 94.3 million despite higher interest and non-interest income. Profit before impairments and provisions was up 13% to EUR 116 million, according to the bank's interim report. Net interest income rose by 5% to EUR 159 million, and net non-interest revenue increased by 8% to EUR 98.3 million. The parent bank generated EUR 122.6 million in profit, which compares to EUR 103.3 million a year ago.
Deal reached to avert pilot strike at Adria Airways
LJUBLJANA - The German-owned Slovenian carrier Adria Airways reached a deal with pilots that averts a series of strikes that were due to begin on Sunday. "Adria Airways will carry out scheduled and charter flights according to the planned flight schedule," the company said. Marko Kastelic, a representative of the pilots' trade union, said the sides agreed a draft of a new collective bargaining agreement, which now needs to be endorsed by the union members. Adria had to cancel a flight from Ljubljana to Vienna and back on Thursday as an enforcement agent sought to seize its plane over a EUR 250 debt.
Minister under pressure over alleged attempt to sack energy CEO
LJUBLJANA - Infrastructure Minister Alenka Bratušek has come under pressure following a media allegation that she personally interfered in a procedure to appoint the CEO of SODO, the state-owned electricity distribution system operator. Denying the charge, the minister vowed to fight tooth and nail against energy lobbies. The minister also defended the government's decision on 14 August to change the SODO articles of association to the effect that the supervisory board needs the government's consent to appoint or dismiss the CEO.
IT problems jeopardising cohesion funds apparently fixed
LJUBLJANA - Major flaws in the Slovenian IT system used for disbursing EU cohesion funds that threatened to lead to a suspension of payments from the EU budget have been fixed, according to the Budget Supervision Office. "The auditing body has found that significant improvements have been achieved in this area and believes that conditions for a temporary suspension of payments to Slovenia ... no longer exist," the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy said.
Steel group SIJ reports higher profit on lower sales
LJUBLJANA - SIJ, the Ljubljana-based steel group in majority Russian ownership, reported EUR 81.2 million in net profit for the first half of the year, a 4.3-fold increase over the same period a year ago. The sales revenue decreased by 2.1% to EUR 417.2 million. Almost 85% of the sales were generated in foreign markets. The higher bottom line reflects the sale of the food division, the poultry group Perutnina Ptuj, the Ukranian group MHP. The proceeds were used to reduce SIJ's financial debt.
Slovenia dominate 13th stage of the Vuelta
BILBAO, Spain - Slovenia proved a cycling tour superpower as Tadej Pogačar won the 13th stage of the Vuelta ahead of Primož Roglič, who increased the overall lead. In the all-Slovenian finish on the hellishly steep final climb, Pogačar, the 20-year-old UAE Emirates rider, won his second stage victory to advance to the 2nd spot overall and put on the best young rider's white jersey. Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) increased his overall lead ahead of Spain's Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) to two minutes and 25 seconds.
Slovenian Philharmonic's new season gets under way
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra will open its 2019-2020 season in the Cankarjev Dom today with a concert conducted by Charles Dutoit, a Swiss internationally-acclaimed conductor. Honouring the 120th anniversary of Škerjanc's birth, the new season will feature works of the Slovenian late-Romantic era composer. The Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra will provide 24 programmes of symphonic, choir and vocal-instrumental music in the new season.
Kogoj Days particularly festive this year
KANAL - Kogoj Days, an international festival of Slovenian contemporary classical music, will start today, marking its 40th anniversary with 12 concerts and eight brand-new pieces of music. The festival will pay tribute to four late greats of the Slovenian art scene. The conductor Anton Nanut (1932-2017) and composer Marijan Gabrijelčič (1940-1998), the festival's founders, will be honoured alongside poet Ciril Zlobec (1925-2018) and composer Štefan Mauri (1931-2014).
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The covers and editorials from leading weeklies of the Left and Right for the work-week ending Friday, 06 September
Mladina: Health insurance a difficult problem
STA, 6 September 2019 - The left-leaning weekly Mladina argues in its latest editorial that the system of top-up health insurance in Slovenia is an example of systematic corruption par excellence. It is clear that the lobbies and politicians involved will not give up this money easily, the paper says.
Editor-in-chief Grega Repovž is very sceptical of the message coming from the coalition and the Left - that they have found common ground on abolishing top-up health insurance by folding it into mandatory health insurance.
It is not that their intentions are not sincere, it is simply that health insurance is very much an ideological issue, linked with the opposition New Slovenia (NSi) and its predecessors, SKD and SLS, and the opposition Democrats (SDS), he notes.
Since its introduction the top-up health insurance has been an "additional contribution or tax for healthcare" and health insurers have been acting as "some kind of private tax administration collecting only this tax".
Citizens can seemingly choose which insurer they want - initially there were just two insurers, Adriatic Slovenica and Vzajemna, Triglav entered the marked much later. Adriatic Slovenica was initially let into the game only to disguise the true nature of Vzajemna.
The system, conceived by long-term head of the ZZZS national public health insurance fund, Franc Košir, has subsequently turned out to be one of the worst cases of privatisation of public money ever.
"Vzajemna seemed like the best idea in the world. Its founding was overseen by ZZZS itself." It was conceived as a company whose manager and shareholder becomes anyone who pays the insurance and thus becomes a member. And formally, this still holds true today. "Can anyone even object to this concept?"
But in fact, the legislation was amended already when Vzajemna was founded to allow a group of people manage a part of public funds and it has remained so until this day.
"Vzajemna is controlled by the same lobbies today only the people who run things are different."
Its powers expand beyond any political borders today and stretch into the business world, with the former CEO of poultry producer Perutnina Ptuj, Roman Glaser, holding a great deal of power.
Vzajemna also has some EUR 100 million of reserves in deposits and other financial investments and can invest them in line with the wishes of those who have power.
"It is therefore clear that all these lobbies and lobbyists, hired consultants and also politicians and public office holders work against any government that attempts to sort out this issue. It has been so for the last sixteen years. It is such easy money that nobody will give it up easily," Repovž says under the headline It's Systemic Corruption.
Reporter: Gov’t staffing scandal deserves a closer look
STA, 2 September 2019 - Looking at the downfall of Brane Kralj, the secretary general of the ruling Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ), the right-leaning weekly Reporter says that this is Šarec's first serious mistake since taking office and a signal from networks of power that he should not be too single-minded.
"Nobody is innocent in the political drama that unfolded last week. But it appears this was a carefully planned skirmish involving networks that control state property, whereby Šarec received a rap on the knuckles for the first time," the paper says in Final Warning.
The scandal shows that the government is engaged in the same sort of political staffing as its predecessors. "Prime Minister Šarec cannot say any longer that he is different, that such things do not happen under his watch."
Delving into the details of the fateful call Kralj made to the chief supervisor of the Official Gazette, Irena Prijović, Reporter says DeSUS president Karl Erjavec soliciting the call is less likely than the theory that the chief supervisor of Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH), Karmen Dieter, told Kralj to contact Prijović directly.
"Irena Prijović is not a woman that would falter as soon as she gets a call from the secretary general of a ruling party, and neither is she a flawless Virgin Mary. Her statements about 'brutal pressure' have to be taken with a dollop of salt: Prijović is considered the right hand of Borut Jamnik, the greying wonder boy of the (para)state sector, the nephew of the once influential SocDem politician Breda Pečan."
The commentator describes Jamnik and Prijović as having "literally kidnapped corporate governance", weaving a web of power that has political backing from the SocDems. "They are both political appointees and for years they have been wandering from one post in state-owned companies to the other."
"Since Jamnik has grown over politicians' heads, they have clipped his wings and now he is striking back. The Official Gazette scandal is probably revenge for loss of influence at Telekom Slovenije," Reporter says.
Looking at the uncertainty in autumn, with the looming passage of the budget bills and the Left making its support for the minority government conditional on health insurance reform, the paper says the Official Gazette scandal was "a warning of sorts to the prime minister that networks will bring down his government if he is too single-minded".
