TOURIST INFORMATION FROM SLOVENIA – May 2008
www.slovenia.info
1. Tourism statistics for March 2008
2. Visits to selected tourist sights,
museums and galleries,
swimming facilities, casinos and gaming salons
3. Important news for drivers in Slovenia
4. Implementation of Schengen order completed
5. Beauty and experiences of Slovenian Carinthia
6. Festival of Avsenik hits and other folklore festivals
7. Golfing event of the year in Ptuj – Dobro jutro golf open
8. Pivo in cvetje tourist event, Laško
9. Postojna cave celebrates its 190th anniversary
10. Erasmus knights' tournament, Predjama, July
11. Summer festivals in Slovenia
1. TOURISM STATISTICS MARCH 2008
Tourist accommodation facilities in Slovenia registered 63,589 domestic and
102,546 international tourist arrivals in March 2008, equalling the same level of
total tourist arrivals as of March 2007. A slight downturn (2%) was recorded in
overnight stays, with 216,606 domestic and 274,328 internation tourist nights.
Nonetheless, visitor numbers in the first three months of 2008 were higher than in
the same period last year, with tourist arrivals and overnight stays up by 2 and 1%,
respectively.
International visitors accounted for 52% of the 1,482,139 overnight stays recorded
in the first three months of 2008. 70% of all international overnight stays were
accounted for by visitors from the following six countries: Italy (22%), Croatia
(16%), Austria (14%), the United Kingdom (7%), Germany (7%) and Hungary (4%).
2. VISITS TO SELECTED TOURIST SITES, MUSEUMS, GALLERIES,
SWIMMING FACILITIES, CASINOS AND GAMING SALONS
The Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia published 2007 fourth quarter
visitor statistics to selected natural, cultural and historical tourist attractions in
Slovenia. The survey included 147 locations: 23 natural, cultural and historical
sites, 33 museums and galleries, 24 thermal baths, 21 other swimming facilities
and 46 casinos and gaming salons.
– In the fourth quarter of 2007, 424,215 people visited a selection of natural,
cultural and historical tourism sites in Slovenia; 33.8% of them were
international visitors.
– Most visits were recorded to the Zoological Garden (67,142), Postojna Cave
(66,512), Bled Castle Museum (32,866), and the Virtual Museum & Viewing
Tower at Ljubljana Castle (27,219).
– 1,274,611 visits to swimming facilities were recorded, of these 958,273 to
thermal baths.
– Of the 1,187,058 visitors to casinos and gambling salons; 69.2% were
international visitors.
3. IMPORTANT NEWS FOR DRIVERS IN SLOVENIA
The National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia adopted an amendment to the
Road Safety Act. Due to be enforced at the beginning of May 2008, Slovenia is
introducing road toll stickers (vignettes) effective as of 1 July 2008.
The amendment to the Road Safety Act, aimed at reducing the number of fatal
accidents on Slovenian roads, brings higher fines for a number of traffic offences,
and a jail sentence and vehicle confiscation for major offences. Special focus is
given to speeding, notably in populated areas, and driving under the influence of
alcohol, which are the two most common causes of severe accidents on Slovenian
roads. Another new feature is the right of the court to revoke an offender's driving
licence for individual motor vehicle categories and suspend issuing a new driving
licence for a period of one to five years. The new law will be enforced by the police
and city traffic officers. Here is an overview of the new fines and penalties:
Speeding in a populated area:
up to 10 kph: EUR 80
10–20 kph: EUR 250 and 3 penalty points
over 20 kph: EUR 500 and 5 penalty points
over 30 kph: EUR 1,000 and 9 penalty points
Speeding by more than 50 kph on a motorway: EUR 300 and 9 penalty points
Driving under the influence of alcohol: penalty depending on alcohol level (blood
alcohol level of 0.38–0.52 mg: EUR 900 and 10 penalty points
Improper overtaking: EUR 500 and 11 penalty points
Improper merging into traffic: EUR 300
Driving past a stationary vehicle at a pedestrian crossing: EUR 500 and 7 penalty
points
Failure to adjust speed to traffic and road conditions: EUR 460 and 7 penalty
points
Not wearing a safety belt: EUR 120
For more information, write to spv.drsc@gov.si.
Drive safely, and remember – you can never be too careful!
Introduction of Road Toll Vignettes on Motorways
Effective 1 July 2008, Slovenia is introducing a vignette road toll system in a bid to
ensure better traffic flow and reduce harmful emissions. As of 1 July 2008, special
toll stickers, or vignettes, will be mandatory for all motorcycles, cars and vans not
exceeding 3,500 kg maximum laden weight on Slovenian motorways and
expressways over a total length of nearly 470 kilometres. The use of vignettes on
Slovenian toll roads will be mandatory for all domestic and foreign vehicles and
will be charged at the same price. As the vignette toll system is due to be
introduced in the second half of 2008, only half-year vignettes will be available in
2008; one-year vignettes for 2009 will be available for purchase starting December
2008. Vignettes will be sold at petrol stations in Slovenia and neighbouring
countries, in branch offices of the national and foreign automobile clubs, and post
offices across Slovenia. The one-year vignette for the current year will be valid
from 1 December of the previous year to 31 January of the next year (14 months);
the price will be EUR 55 for motor vehicles not exceeding 3,500 kg maximum
laden weight, and EUR 27.50 for motorcycles. The half-year vignette will be valid
for six consecutive months from the date of purchase; the price will be EUR 35 for
motor vehicles and EUR 17.50 for motorcycles. The sticker (vignette) will be nontransferable and affixed on the inside of the windscreen; passing through the
existing toll stations will be free of charge. In the initial period, vehicles will pass at
a reduced speed through toll stations with open gates and later central tollbooths
will be removed.
Trucks, buses, coaches and other vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes maximum laden
weight will be using the conventional toll payment methods at tollbooths until the
second half of 2009, when a satellite-based electronic toll collection system is
expected to be put in place.
Drivers will be fined EUR 300 to EUR 800 for using toll roads without a valid and
properly displayed vignette. Vignette checks will be carried out by the police, the
traffic inspectorate customs administration and toll inspectors.
More information: http://www.cestnina.si/Default.aspx?lang=2.
4. IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHENGEN ORDER COMPLETED
The enlargement of the Schengen area (without borders) from 15 to 24 Member
States was completed on Sunday, 30 March 2008, when air border controls in
the enlarged Schengen area were lifted at midnight. Slovenia and other new
Member States had already abolished passport checks at internal inland border
crossings and in ports on 21 December 2007. More information:
http://www.mnz.gov.si/en/schengen/.
The elimination of airport border controls coincided with the six monthly
publication of flight schedules. On 30 March, the Slovenian national air carrier,
Adria Airways, introduced a new flight schedule valid until 25 October 2008. The
changes were accompanied by new flight service connections and an increase in
the number of flights on existing routes. New to the summer schedule, Adria
Airways has introduced four new regular flight connections: from Ljubljana to
Athens, Bucharest, Oslo and Stockholm. Adria Airways operates 245 flights a week
from Ljubljana to 27 destinations. In cooperation with tour operators, Adria will be
operating more charter flights in the summer season, connecting Ljubljana with a
number of holiday destinations, notably in the Mediterranean. More information:
www.adria.si/en/index.cp2.
Rural airfields benefitted from the lifting of internal borders too, and a window of
opportunity for the development of tourism air access has opened up. The Bovec
airfield, one of the most beautiful in the Alps, is open to light aircraft not exceeding
3,000 kg maximum laden weight. At 483 m above sea level, it is open at weekends
and by prior arrangement and in July to August a 24/7 on-call service will be
introduced to handle expected higher passenger numbers. Passengers will now be
able to avoid major airports, where they were previously required to land before
heading to their desired destination.
With its hotels, self-catering units, private rooms, campsites, tourist farms and
mountain huts, Bovec and its surroundings can accommodate over 3,000 people at
a time. The widest range of accommodation and tourism activities can be found in
Bovec. The region spans from Mt Trigav, Slovenia's highest peak, to the banks of
the Soča River, the most attractive river in Slovenia; from Vršič, the highest
mountain pass reachable by car, to Mt Mangart, the mountain with the highest
road in Slovenia and from the secluded Zadnja Trenta valley to the remarkable
Srpenica Gorge. More information: www.bovec.si.
5. SLOVENIAN CARINTHIA
EXPERIENCES
–
A
BLEND
OF
BEAUTY
AND
Slovenian Carinthia, or Koroška, is one of the smallest regions in Slovenia, but
according to the locals it is one of the biggest in terms of its ambiance,
hospitality, and its wide ranging tourism experiences. One day and multi-day
trips are promoted under the banner “Na Koroškem je fajn!” (“In Koroška it's
really fine!”)
Slovenian Carinthia stretches across three valleys: Mežica, Drava and Mislinja and
is situated in the northern part of Slovenia bordering on Austria. It is one of the
oldest industrial regions in Slovenia and in centuries past mining, iron and wood
industries developed here. Today the work of miners, farmers, charcoal makers,
rafters, carpenters and blacksmiths is used to give a vivid and authentic account of
the important Carinthian heritage. The countryside has retained its authentic
character and a large portion of its original beauty. Every season visitors are
welcomed by its alluring and unspoilt nature, its heavily wooded hills and the
occasional torrents from the many water sources at the foot of the Pohorje Hills
and Uršlja Gora.
Hikers can take the Slovenian Mountain Trail across Pohorje, which boasts vast
forests, sun-lit clearings and plains, as well as high-lying peat moors with stunning
lakes such as the Black Lake (Črno jezero), Lovrenc Lakes (Lovrenška jezera) and
Ribnica Lake (Ribniško jezero) and old Pohorje huts and the remains of glass-
making workshops (glažuta). The trail runs 1100 metres above sea level passing
many mountain huts and cottages on the way.
A cycle trail runs along the ridges of Pohorje, linking the eastern part with the
western and incorporating other cycle trails from the major centres around
Pohorje. The international Drava Cycle Trail is part of the European cycle trail
network. In Slovenia it runs from Dravograd towards Maribor, winding through
rolling countryside and along the Drava River across the old market square of the
town of Dravograd to join local roads and routes along the river and finally
through the lush forests of Pohorje it crosses the international border at Radlje to
link up with cycling trails across Austrian Styria. Of specific interest are the
Mountain Cycling Park and the Koroš-Jamnica tourist farm, who specialise in
mountain biking and other adventure sports. They offer guided and theme tours,
host competitions, cycle rental and run a bike shuttle service. Take a guided cycling
tour and pack a headlamp to experience an unforgettable 5-km-plus mountain bike
adventure in the underground world of Mt Peca traversing from one valley to the
other.
More information: http://www.mtbpark.com/index2_e.htm.
The annual Divja Jaga Downhill 2008 mountain bike race will be held on 25 June
in Črna na Koroškem including the first-ever descent into a mine. “Divja Jaga” is a
mythological creature that rowdily rambles through the forests of King Matjaž
Park, and is at its noisiest in June when it makes a spectacular and vivid
appearance during the downhill competition. For further details call ++386 2 870
30 60, Mountain Cycling Park.
A special offer for tourists of all ages includes a visit to King Matjaž Park and a ride
in an original transport cart to a mine in the heart of Mt Peca. Mežica is home to an
interesting mining museum with a genuine miner's cottage dating back 70 years.
More information: www.podzemljepece.com.
River fans can go canoeing or rafting with traditional Carinthian rafters down the
Drava River. More information: www.splavarjenje.com.
Flying enthusiasts can take a panoramic flight over Slovenian Carinthia from
Slovenj Gradec airfield where one of the oldest aeroplanes in Europe is on display.
Also available is bungalow style lodging and accommodation at the Aerodrom
Hotel, which is surrounded by forests. More information: www.aerodrom-sg.si.
When in Carinthia, be sure not to miss the local Relax Brewery which uses natural
brewing techniques to produce the pale Matjaž beer and the dark Flosar beer. To
accompany that you are served Carinthian rye bread and cracklings in lard with
garlic and onions. Taste delicious homemade salami and cider at the Klančnik
tourist farm, or board a tourist train to see the Hrastnik Grove with 130 deer and
mouflons. More information: www.nakoroskem.si.
Rich cultural and ethnic heritage is on display in the Carinthian Regional Museum
in the ancient town of Slovenj Gradec where the town hall houses the Graphic Art
Gallery (Karel Pečko) with a fine collection of modern art. Numerous international
events and exhibitions, some of which are sponsored by the UN, have left an
indelible mark on Slovenj Gradec as a town of peace and international
communication, which was further enhanced by the title of “Herald of Peace”,
bestowed upon the town by the then UN Secretary-General in 1989. To feel the
true pulse of Carinthia and experience its rich offerings in full, do not miss the 53 rd
Carinthian Tourism Week, this year taking place from 9–17 August.
6. FOLKLORE FESTIVALS AND THE MUSIC FESTIVAL OF AVSENIK
Folk music, dance, customs and tradition form an interesting part of the
Slovenian life and this is woven into numerous local and international events
taking place throughout the summer.
The Avsenik Festival 2008 will take place in Bled and Begunje na Gorenjskem
from 20–24 August. The world famous Avsenik Ensemble, this year celebrating
their 55th anniversary, are a popular Slovenian folk ensemble. For the occasion, the
ensemble has organised the Music Festival of Avsenik. Day one is dedicated to
Gorenjska, or the Upper Carniola region, and the Pri Jožovcu Inn in Begunje will
host a party, featuring a number of musical guests from Gorenjska who will be
singing songs about the beauty and richness of the region. Day two is dedicated to
the youth and modern trends within popular folk music today, and day three to the
Avsenik Ensemble who will playing with and featuring guests from abroad. The
singing and dancing on Saturday will be accompanied by Avsenik music performed
by a philharmonic orchestra, big band, opera singers, a choir, and the Mojca
Horvat dance group. Sunday, the last day of the festival, will be dedicated to
Slovenia; its national costumes, customs and dances. Guests from all over Slovenia
will join to create a lively atmosphere and sing the famous Slovenian songs
Slovenija, od kod lepote tvoje and Na Golici, one of the most played melodies in
the world. Throughout the festival, the main events will be supported by
interesting workshops for children, a handicraft and cottage industry market, as
well as tours to popular places of interest in the surrounding area, hot-air balloon
flights and superb cuisine. For details visit www.avsenik.com. Presale tickets are
available online at www.eventim.si and www.vstopnice.com.
Preceding the August festivities in Gorenjska, the 6th MIFF, Mediterranean
International Folklore Festival 2008, will take place in Piran, Portorož, Izola,
Koper and Croatian Umag, from 3–7 July. Organised by the Piran-based VAL
Folklore Association, this festival is a tribute to the music, dance, song and cultural
diversity of the Mediterranean countries. The old town centres of the coastal
region are a perfect place for music and dance to link the past with the present.
Also expected to join in is the Italian city of Trieste. More information:
www.drustvo-val.si and www.miff.si.
In the opposite part of Slovenia, in Beltinci, the 38th International Folklore
Festival will take place from 19–27 July. Slovenia's oldest folklore festival, it has
retained its original format and features performances of the customs and
traditions of different nations from around the world. In the past it has not just
hosted groups from Europe but also from Mongolia and Canada. Taking place at
the end of harvest time - traditionally a time of joy in the region along the Mura
River - the festival is a song and dance celebration of the crop harvest. Held in the
beautiful setting of Beltinci Castle and surrounding park it offers rich culinary
experiences, handicraft demonstrations and art and craft workshops such as
pottery and straw-shaping. One day will be dedicated to tamboura bands, the
tamboura being the iconic musical instrument of the region. Sunday is the day to
celebrate Slovenian folklore with folklore groups that have been selected at
regional contests around Slovenia. KUD Beltinci: ++386 (0) 2 542 23 60 GSM:
++386 (0)41 841 947, e-mail: kud.beltinci@guest.arnes.si.
7. GOLFING EVENT OF THE YEAR – DOBRO JUTRO GOLF OPEN,
PTUJ
A professional golf tournament, with a prize fund of EUR 45,000, will be held
from 25–28 June at the Ptuj Golf Course. Slovenia is again host to a high-profile
golfing event following the 1999 Bled Challenge Tournament.
The Ptuj Golf Course has won the coveted title of “Best Kept Golf Course” several
times beating among 10 other golf courses in Slovenia. It is notorious for its
hazards, notably the water ones at almost every hole, which is why accuracy is
preferred to strength when it comes to securing a good score. Golfers are perplexed
by the 14th hole insisting that the ball must land on an island to ensure a par 3.
Because of its configuration, the course is suitable for recreational golfers and
there's no need to be in top physical shape so that golfers can focus on their game
as well as the rich flora and fauna that borders the course. Special attention is
given to the birdlife on the course and there are information boards with
descriptions of resident species located at most tees.
The PRO AM professional tournament will start on 25 June involving teams made
up of one professional and three amateur golfers. In this way, golf fans will be able
to take on 30 top professional golfers. In the following two days a list of the 40 best
golfers for the finals will be compiled. A total of 132 golfers will compete at Ptuj. As
for Slovenian golfers, two have secured their place already in the tournament:
young Grega Slabe and 26-year-old Matjaž Gojčič, from Ptuj, the Slovenia’s best
golfer in recent years. The event is organised by the Dobro Jutro newspaper. For
more information: Mr Andrej Bauman, tel.: ++386 41 379 785, and
http://www.golfslovenia.net/
The event is also an opportunity for visitors to experience the rich tourism,
sporting and cultural offerings of Ptuj and its surrounding areas whilst enjoying
the luxury of the new Primus Grand Hotel, part of the Ptuj Thermal Spa and
directly adjacent to the golf course. More information: http://www.termeptuj.si/home.php
8. PIVO IN CVETJE TOURIST EVENT, LAŠKO
Attracting more than 120,000 visitors to the town of Laško, with a population of
3,600, the five-day Pivo in cvetje is the largest tourism event in Slovenia. This
year's 44th annual event will take place from 9–13 July.
Situated in the heart of Slovenia, the Savinja River flows through Laško where the
old town centre provides wonderful views of the nearby Hum, and Šmihel and
Malič create a stunning backdrop for the newer part of town. In its immediate
surroundings idyllic villages lie where numerous old traditions have been
preserved to this day. Laško is also famous for its health resort and the all-new
Laško Thermal Centre Wellness Park.
During the Pivo in cvetje event, the town centre transforms into a vibrant hub of 21
life music spots where visitors can enjoy the tunes of large numbers of bands from
Slovenia and abroad and enjoy a taste of food and wine. Many activitiess,
exhibitions and sporting events are staged, and cold Laško beer is sold on
practically every street corner and at the lowest price in Slovenia! Special attention
is paid to the traditional wedding, or ohcet, which takes place exactly as it did in
the old days. The event climaxes on Saturday night, when a spectacular 20-minute
fireworks display with more than a thousand rockets is set off from Tabor Castle to
creating a magical atmosphere. Children are well provided for with an amusement
park, creative children's workshops on the Trubar riverbank and children's parties
on Friday and Saturday.
During the event, the town of Laško is carpeted with flowers; on bridges, on
streets, in shop windows and outdoor spaces and at a flower exhibition with over a
hundred floral arrangements organised by the local Horticultural Society in
collaboration with local florists. The event’s crowning glory is a parade of over 50
carriages, showcasing the practices of brewing and floristry with the traditions and
customs of the locals. The parade is accompanied by four marching bands from
both Slovenia and overseas.
http://www.pivocvetje.com/slo/pivo_cvetje.php
Turistično Društvo Laško, ++386 3 733 89 50; turisticno.drustvo.lasko@siol.net;
www.turisticnodrustvo-lasko.si
9. POSTOJNA CAVE CELEBRATES ITS 190TH ANNIVERSARY
Postojna Cave, Slovenia's most visited tourist attraction, with over 32 million
visitors to date, celebrates 190 years since its discovery this year.
Even though the entrance to the cave had been known for centuries to many, based
on directions dating back to the 13th century, a new opportunity to showcase this
subterranean world was opened up for the local population of Postojna in 1818,
when Luka Čeč, preparing for a visit by Emperor Franz I, discovered previously
unknown parts of the cave. The cave opened to the public in the following year and
rare cave formations attracted new visitors, who took guided candle and torch-lit
tours into the cave. With 8,000 registered caves out of an estimated 30,000,
Postojna Cave is just one of the many Karst caves in Slovenia. The Postojna Cave
system today covers a total of 21 km, the most famous being the Postojna, Otok,
Pivka, Črna and Planina caves. While dry sections of the caves are open to visitors
in most parts, underwater sections are not as easily accessible and are in places
impassable. The largest amongst the Karst caves, Postojna Cave can be explored by
either an electric train ride or a walking tour.
Postojna Cave is today recognised as the cradle of ‘speleobiology’ - the branch of
biological sciences concerned with subterranean animals. The most widely known
is the olm, or Proteus anguinus. The new Proteus building features multimedia
presentations of the Karst and its subterranean life forms, and the cave's
morphology and history. Another feature is the special centre which provides an
interpretation of the animals found in the underground world of the Karst and
highlights the continuing danger they are under due to human intervention in the
natural environment. The centre also houses a speleobiological research laboratory
and an aquarium. To learn more visit www.postojnska-jama.si.
Postojna Cave has been a source of inspiration to past and present writers. Among
famous visitors who included descriptions of the cave in their writing was Janez
Vajkard Valvasor, whose Slava vojvodine Kranjske (1689) portrayed Postojna
Cave with characterful Baroque-style embellishments. It wasn't until the 18th
century that a faithful and realistic description of the cave was given by natural
scientist Baltazar Hacquet in his work Oryctographia Carniolica (1778–1789). In
recent years, a Slovene-English monograph Postojna at the Turn of the Century
was published, with a four-language companion book of old postcards entitled A
Century of Greetings (Stoletje pozdravov), written and compiled by Andreja Čuk
(in 2006); after 30 years, a new contemporary Postojna Cave guidebook was
published last year, in eight languages, written by Dr Andrej Kranjc of the Karst
Research Institute at ZRC SAZU and historian Sergeja Kariž; in March 2008, the
Postojnska jama – Immensum ad antrum aditus monograph by Alenka Čuk and
photographer Miha Krivic was published, with 112 pages and 150 photographs,
providing readers with an insight into the history of the tourism and technical
development of Postojna Cave, listing famous visitors to the cave throughout
history and describing the unique beauty of the subterranean world.
10.
THE ERASMUS KNIGHTS' TOURNAMENT, PREDJAMA, JULY
Predjama Castle, not far from Postojna Cave, is a visitor attraction for those
interested in the medieval legend of the rogue baron Erasmus. The Erasmus
Knights' Tournament - a medieval event inspired by the legend - will take place
this year on 27 July in Predjama.
One of the most distinctive and memorable events of its type in Slovenia, this
medieval event illustrates the way of life in and around the castle in olden days.
This year's event will feature around 400 participants, individuals and groups of
knights from Italy, Serbia and Slovenia. The main event will be the knights'
tournament with horsemen and swordsmen. Sideshows will also be held at seven
different venues, and a special focus will be the children's programme. For details
visit http://www.postojnska-jama.si/?cat=7&lang=si.
Looking for a special wedding venue? Predjama Castle and the Jamski Dvorec
mansion in Postojna offer delightful wedding receptions in a private atmosphere
and historic setting, complemented by a top-class culinary offering. Add a unique
flavour to your wedding day by choosing a medieval wedding feast, served in the
traditional way. For more information and arrangements contact:
Turizem, KRAS d. d., Jamska cesta 30, 6230 Postojna
Telephone: ++386 (0)5 7000 100, Fax: ++386 (0)5 7000 130
E-mail: sales.dpt@postojnska-jama.si
11. SUMMER FESTIVALS IN SLOVENIA
Summer is marked by a host of cultural events—some with a long tradition, some
offering fresh experiences—throughout Slovenian towns, cities and squares.

Lent Festival 2008, an international multicultural festival, will take place in
Maribor between 27 June and 12 July. With over 400 different events and half
a million visitors, the Lent Festival ranks among one of the biggest festivals of
its kind in Europe. The International Festival and Events Association, or IFEA,
which covers more than 2500 festivals from around the globe, has presented
numerous awards to this multicultural festival, which evolved from the Folkart
folklore festival 15 years ago. Some thirty festival venues will host concerts of
classical, jazz, pop and ethnic music, evenings with singer-songwriters and
‘chanson’ evenings, theatre and dance performances, concerts, plays and
puppet shows, creative workshops for children and sporting events. As in
previous years, the Lent Festival will also include the international Folkart
folklore festival, the Jazzlent festival and a street theatre festival. To learn more
visit www.localfestivities.com and http://lent.slovenija.net/

The Ljubljana Festival, operating since 1953, are the organisers of the
summer festival 2008, which will take place between 19 June and 14
September at Križanke, Ljubljana Castle (accessible by funicular railway and
Cankarjev Dom). The opening of the summer festival will be marked by the
London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra playing pieces by Dvorak and
Schumann. The festival will also include opera, classical and modern music,
chamber music, stage musicals, outdoor cinema at Ljubljana Castle, and the
11th international painting exhibition. The final stages of the festival in
September will be marked by world-famous Slovenian theatre director Tomaž
Pandur's performance entitled Barok. Presale tickets at 10% off are available
until 1 June. To learn more, visit www.ljubljanafestival.si.

One of the oldest jazz traditions in Europe, the Ljubljana Jazz Festival, will
celebrate its 49th year this year and feature some of the world's biggest jazz
names. Held between 30 June and 4 July 2008 jazz artists from South Africa,
France, Tunisia, the U.S.A., Cuba and Slovenia will play to jazz fans from
home and abroad in different venues throughout Ljubljana. For details visit
www.ljubljana-tourism.si/en/events/festivals/default.html and
www.ljubljanajazz.si/english.php.

The 11th international Ana Desetnica street theatre festival will take place in
Ljubljana from 3–6 July. Along with renowned artists, the festival will also
involve unknown aspiring young artists and high-school and university
students. Music and dance performers, comedians, poets, street performers
and artists will be entertaining the public at different spots throughout the
city both day and night. Information: www.anadesetnica.org, tel.: ++386 (0)1
439 38 90; ana.monro@kud-fp.si.

Rock Otočec 2008, nicknamed ‘Europe’s small-scale Woodstock’ amongst its
fans, will be held between 11–13 July in Otočec near Novo Mesto, midway
between Ljubljana and the Croatian capital Zagreb. Rock fans gather to hear
music , participate in sports events, bathe in the Krka River attend creative
workshops (literature, journalism, balloon art and body painting), watch
documentary screenings and attend lectures, etc. Of particular appeal are the
mud-related side events – mud games, mud football and, of course, the
unmissable Miss Mud Contest all this accompanied by copious amounts of
beer, of course. The following bands are expected to appear: Pankrti, Njet and
Siddharta from Slovenia, Croatian Hard time, popular world punk dinosaurs
Sham 69, and others. What is new at this year's festival is that the winning
bands from eight preliminary regional contests in Slovenia, Croatia and
Austria win the right to play on centre stage at Rock Otočec 2008. In 2007,
Rock Otočec welcomed 183,504 visitors.To learn more, visit www.rockotocec.com.

The 26th festival of traditional music, Seviqc Brežice 2008, will be held from
4–23 July at different historic locations including castles and churches all
over Slovenia, and across the border in Italy. This year's partner country is
France. The festival programme will focus special attention on the 500th
anniversary of the birth of Primož Trubar and the Jacobus Gallus Carniolus
project. As in recent years, the programme will involve the most prominent
artists and young talent. For more information visit www.festivalbrezice.com.
.
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The Bled Festival, an international music festival, is traditionally held in the
last days of June and the first two weeks of July at different venues in Bled
and its surrounding areas. Evening concerts feature leading violinists from
around the world, with different chamber orchestras and the highest degree
of virtuosity, delighting experts and the general public alike. With concert
halls packed to capacity, the violinists make history as they perform debut
pieces by modern composers also attending the festival. Throughout the
festival, master violin and viola courses are taught by internationally
acclaimed experts, and Bled becomes the meeting place for local and
international musicians. The festival will also feature the first international
Slovenian competition for young violinists and violists. More information at
www.festivalbled.com.
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The 18th Okarina Ethno Festival in Bled (August 2008) will host the most
original and appealing musical groups from around the world. During the
festival, the Okarina Restaurant will serve unique and distinctive culinary
delicacies. To learn, more visit www.okarina.com.
For more information:
Brina Čehovin
Marketing & Communications Director
Slovenska turistična organizacija/Slovenian Tourist Board
Dunajska 156, 1000 Ljubljana
Tel.: +386 1 5891 843, Fax.: +386 1 5891 841
http://www.slovenia.info
e-mail: brina.cehovin@slovenia.info