To mark the recent centenary of his birth, this issue of our newsletter presents the work of the Slovene writer Edvard Kocbek. It also features the much anticipated opening of the Črni kal viaduct, now being the main motorway link to the Slovene coast. Its construction was extremely difficult and demanding due to the unique terrain it was built upon. You can also read about other current events and developments concerning Slovenia.
The eight-kilometre-long section of the motorway from Klanec, where the A1 motorway from Ljubljana to Koper currently ends, to the junction at Črni Kal was opened on 23 September. When the 6.9-kilometre-long section from Črni Kal to the Ankaran junction is opened in a little over a month's time, the first leg of the Slovene motorway cross will be completed. We talked to Janez Božič, Chairman of the Board of DARS. More »
After incident on the left bank of the Dragonja River last Wednesday the Slovene government passed several decisions regarding relations with the Republic of Croatia. More »
The Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs has presented the national action programme of employment for 2005. Some 21 billion tolars will be allocated to the active employment policy programmes, of which 3.4 billion tolars shall be channelled from the EU social fund. More »
The second international Modern Army (Sodobna vojska) fair was held at the Pomurje fairground in Gornja Radgona, this year under the “Stronger – For Peace” slogan. More »
Eurostat reports that last year Slovenia registered a budgetary deficit at 2% of the gross domestic product, which is the lowest budgetary deficit recorded since 2000. More »
Slovene President Janez Drnovšek recently delivered a speech on a fairer globalisation process and on the battle against terrorism by means of international law at the 59th session of the UN General Assembly. More »
On September 27th the poet, writer, translator and politician Edvard Kocbek would have celebrated his hundredth birthday. Celebrations were held in honour of his anniversary all over Slovenia, from Sv. Jurij ob Ščavnici – the town where he was born – to Ljubljana, where that day a solemn celebration was organised at the Drama Theatre in Ljubljana. A statue of the poet by sculptor Boštjan Drinovec was unveiled at the centre of Tivoli park. More »
Elections on Sunday are without doubt the top event of the week. More »
Slovenia News - 21 September 2004
Editorial
Last week brought the news that Slovenia will also be receiving EU funds in the next EU financial perspective. A sample ballot on which Slovenes will cast their votes in October elections has been published. Like elsewhere in Europe, Slovenia too celebrates European Mobility Week which wraps up with a day without cars. Art lovers will surely be gratified by an exhibition of photographs featuring Neue Slowenische Kunst and by some interesting stage productions as well.
The Bank of Slovenia has given approval for the consolidation of the second-largest Slovenian bank, the New Credit Bank of Maribor (NKBM) and the twelfth-largest bank, the Postal Bank of Slovenia (PBS); the planned merger was confirmed by NKBM’s owners at a recent shareholders meeting. More »
Slovenia's gross domestic product, measured at constant 2000 prices, increased by 4.6 percent in the second quarter of this year, up from 3.8 percent in Q1. More »
Slovenia will partake in the European mobility week activities, encouraging city dwellers to use environmentally-friendly modes of transportation. More »
An exhibition of photographs by Jože Suhadolnik featuring the Neue Slowenische Kunst (NSK) group is to open in the Fotografija photo gallery of Ljubljana. More »
This Autumn, Maribor will be dominated by a traditional event entitled "In the Embrace of the Old Vine" (V objemu stare trte), celebrated from 22nd to 25th September. More »
On this week's schedule: President Janez Drnovšek attending United Nations General Assembly, Boat Show in Izola and children's festival. More »
Slovenia News - 13 September 2004
Editorial
This time around, the Bulletin is publishing summaries of the public opinion polls by different media houses conducted prior to the upcoming elections. In addition, we reviewed the summer tourist season, what the Government discussed at its latest session, where the literary people have been meeting, as well as Slovenia’s sporting achievements over the past week. Finally, please find a preview of the coming week.
In an interview, the director of Slovenia's Tourist Board, Mr Bojan Meden, talks about the summer tourist season and the attributes of Slovenian tourism. More »
Recent public opinion polls indicate that the Liberal Democracy of Slovenia party would garner the most votes if the election were held today, followed by the Slovenian democrats. More »
The government has adopted a proposal to allocate funds in the government budget to finance the operations of the Centre of Support for Accession to the European Union in 2005. More »
At its session on Thursday, the government adopted the information on the stance of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia towards the first package of legal proposals regarding the next EU financial perspective. More »
Adria Airways, which has achieved solid operations results this year and currently operates a fleet of nine aircraft, has become a member of the Star Alliance, an elite association of airline companies. More »
According to the Statistical Office, the at-risk-of-poverty rate and the number of people living in poverty in Slovenia have fallen substantially over the past years. More »
The Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, a central national institution for the implementation and coordination of statistical research, celebrates its 60th anniversary of establishment. More »
Slovenia’s traditional Vilenica literature award was presented this past Saturday evening in the Vilenica cave. This year the award was bestowed upon German writer Briggite Kronauer. More »
Slovenian basketball has been well represented with two victories in the qualification rounds of the European Cup championships, while Slovenia’s footballers drew even with Scotland in the qualifications for the world championship in Glasgow. More »
Slovenia has much to expect in the area of tourism, as the number of foreign tourists visiting Slovenia so far this year has proved encouraging. More »
Official visit of Austrian President Heinz Fischler, meeting of the United Nations General Assembly and ministerial conference at Brdo pri Kranju will mark the following week. More »
Slovenia News - 7 September 2004
Editorial
After a short break we are back with news from Slovenia, which only last week was still marked by athletes who successfully represented the colours of Slovenia at the Olympic games in Athens. The beginning of the election campaign promises an eventful month of September in the area of internal affairs. A harsh battle for seats in parliament looms on the horizon, which will be decided by voters in the general elections of 3rd October. We shall keep you informed of all developments.
Slovene media refer to athlete Jolanda Čeplak as the first lady of Slovene sports. At the Olympic games in Athens she was considered one of Slovenia’s big favourites and fulfilled expectations with her bronze medal in the 800-metre run. More »
On Thursday’s session, government discussed development strategy of the state administration on the Iinternet, translation of legislation and preparations for the adoption of the euro. More »
At the Olympic Games in Athens, Slovene athletes have made a favourable impression, and the Games will be remembered thanks to the four medals awarded to Slovenes thus far. More »