NEWSLETTERAPRIL 6, 2012, VOLUME 8, NUMBER 14

Ljubljana Teamin JessupCompetitionpage 4 >

Slovenian Filmat ClevelandFestivalpage 5 >

EasterinSloveniapage 6 & 7 >

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Slovenia Celebrates 20 Years of International Recognition by USA On April 7, 2012 we celebrate 20 years since the United States of America recognized Slovenian independence. This was a turning point in the process which culminated with the country’s full recognition as a member of the international community on May 22, 1992, when it became the 176th member of the United Nations. Many Slovenes and their friends helped in the process of recognition of Slovenian independence. On July 1, 1991 the organization United

Americans for Slovenia (UAS) was created in the USA. UAS appealed to President George H. W. Bush and administration’s offi cials to recognize Slovenia as an independent and democratic state. For the fi rst time since World War II, Slovenians across the United States joined to assist the homeland. For the next nine months, leaders of Slovenian-American

organizations, representing 659 lodges, societies, parishes and cultural centers across the country, met regularly as the United Americans for Slovenia to plan communication strategies and events to call attention to Slovenia’s independence. The UAS printed petitions and 50,000 postcards addressed to President Bush to request his recognition of Slovenia. Two of the most effective

Ambassador Kirn presenting his introductory remarks at the round table discus-sion at German Marshall Fund on Friday, April 6, 2012. On his left Ambassador Jackovich.

APRIL 6, 2012, PAGE 2

Minnesota, Mr. Victor Jackovich, former US Ambassador to Slovenia and Mr. Roman Kirn, Slovenian Ambassador to the US. The anniversary is a good oppportunity to asses the past, but also to openly look at the present and the future. The panelists at today’s round table shared some fond memories of the time of the recognition and expressed numerous praises and commendations for the achievements of such a small nation in such a brief period of time.They remembered the events leading to the decision by the US to recognize independent Slovenia and outlined the areas

where Slovenia has especially a lot to contribute to the international community. The main point of the discussion was defi nitely the role Slovenia does and can play in its immediate neighborhood of the Western Balkans, assisting and encouraging other states in the region on their way to the Euro – Atlantic integration, such as the European Union and NATO. Slovenia has a lot of experience in establishing a democratic system and its institutions - such knowledge is important to many states that are transforming into democracies, such as the Arab Spring countries. In the past 20 years in addition to regular diplomatic relations, numerous top-level visits on both sides have strengthened bilateral dialogue and contributed to deepening relations. President Bill Clinton made his fi rst visit to Slovenia in 1999. President George W. Bush fi rst visited Slovenia in June 2001 where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also met then the Slovenian President Milan Kučan and then Prime Minister Janez Drnovšek. President Bush also visited Slovenia in 2008, in the time when Slovenia chaired the Council of the

UAS strategies were phone-ins to the White House and an open letter to President Bush in the Washington Post. Government leaders, such as Ohio Senator John Glenn and Ohio Congressman Dennis Eckart, met with the UAS to discuss U. S. recognition. Visiting offi cials from the new government of Slovenia, including Ernest Petrič (as fi rst Ambassador of Slovenia to the U.S.), Dimitrij Rupel, Lojze Peterle and Janez Dular acknowledged the efforts of the UAS and thanked the representatives of the group’s member organizations. So on April 7, 1992, the United States recognized Slovenia as an independent nation. The United Americans for Slovenia called a press conference to raise the fl ag of the United States and Slovenia. To commemorate this anniversary The German Marshall Fund of the US, one of the leading think tanks based in Washington D.C., organized a round table discussion entitled “Slovenia, The New Ally: 20 years later.” The panelists at the discussion were Ms. Marie Yovanovitch, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the State Department, James Oberstar, former Congressman of

From left: Congressman James Oberstar, Ivan Vejvoda of GMF and Marie Yovanovitch of U.S. department of State.

Round table at German Marshall Fund.

APRIL 6, 2012, PAGE 3

(The following statement was released by the White House Offi ce of the Press Secretary, Washington, DC, April 7, 1992.)

The United States recognizes Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia as sovereign and independent states and will begin immediately consultations to establish full diplomatic relations. The United States accepts the pre-crisis republic borders as the legitimate international borders of Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia. We take this step because we are satisfi ed that these states meet the requisite criteria for recognition. We acknowledge the peaceful and democratic expression of the will of citizens of these states for sovereignty. We will continue to work intensively with the European Community [EC] and its member states to resolve expeditiously the outstanding issues between Greece and the republic of Macedonia, thus enabling the United States to recognize formally the independence of that republic as well. The United

States will also discuss with the governments of Serbia and Montenegro their interest in remaining in a common state known as Yugoslavia. In light of our decisions on recognition, the United States will lift economic sanctions from Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, and Slovenia. Sanctions were applied to Yugoslavia on December 6, 1991. We will lift sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro contingent on Belgrade’s lifting the economic blockades directed against Bosnia-Hercegovina and Macedonia. The UN arms embargo remains in effect. It has been US policy throughout the Yugoslav crisis to accept any resolution arrived at peacefully, democratically, and by negotiation. The United States strongly supports the UN peace-keeping plan as worked out by Cyrus Vance and the full deployment of the UN peace-keeping force. We continue to support the EC peace conference as the indispensable forum for the parties to reach a peaceful settlement of their dispute and

to establish the basis for future relations. US recognition is without prejudice to any future association Yugoslav successor states might agree to establish. The United States views the demonstrated commitment of the emerging states to respect borders and to protect all Yugoslav nationalities as an essential element in establishing full diplomatic relations. Equally, we view such a commitment by Serbia and Montenegro as essential to proceed in discussions on their future status. The deployment of the UN peace-keeping force, the continuation of the EC peace conference, and the process of international recognition offer all of the former Yugoslav republics a historic opportunity to reject decisively the tragic violence which has marked this crisis. Continued commitment to peaceful dialogue should lead toward reconciliation, toward integration within Europe, and toward cordial and productive relations with the United States. The United States will continue to work to achieve these goals.

U.S. recognition of former Yugoslav republics - statement by the White House

EU, to attend EU - U.S. Summit, which took place in Slovenia. The highest level visit between the states took places in 2006, when President Bush welcomed the Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša to the White House. His successor Prime Minister Borut Pahor was while visiting Washington in February last year welcomed in the White House by President Obama and

Vice President Biden.The visits confi rmed a mutual interest in strengthening bilateral political, economic, cultural and scientifi c cooperation and the countries’ strategic partnership within the Transatlantic Alliance. Sincere thank you to all those readers of our Newsletter that so actively supported the recognition of the independent and sovereign Slovenia by the USA. Hvala!

APRIL 6, 2012, PAGE 4

Ljubljana Law Student Team in Jessup Competition

VISIT

On Friday 30, 2012, the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Law team, participating in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition visited the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Washington. The students, Marjana Garzarolli, Jakob Ivančič, Petra Komel, Svit Senković, and their mentor, Asst. Professor Dr. Vasilka Sancin, were participating in the largest and most prestigious moot-court competition in the world, in competition with 600 teams from more than 80 countries. The competition is a simulation of proceedings before the International Court of Justice in The Hague and touches upon important questions of international law, this year, the use of force in international relations, the destruction of cultural heritage

in armed confl ict, and state immunity from jurisdiction. The team from Ljubljana placed sixth overall after the preliminary rounds of the competition. In the advanced

rounds, they reached the octofi nals, making them one of the most successful nonnative-English speaking teams in the world. This result placed the Slovenian team somewhere between 8th and 16th place (offi cial results will be known by the end of the month). The competition was fi nally won by Moscow State University, defeating Columbia Law School in the fi nals. Jessup competition is not only about international law, but also an opportunity for law students from all over the world to meet each other in many side events. One of the events during the competition is the “Go National Ball,” where participants present traditional outfi ts from their respective countries. The Slovenian traditional costume was provided by the Embassy.

Slovenian team with Asst. professor Dr. Vasilka Sancin fi rst on the rightat the back.

APRIL 6, 2012, PAGE 5

A fi rst fi lm by a young Slovenian director received special mention at the 36th Cleveland International Film Festival. The jurors for the Festival’s Central and Eastern European fi lm competition recognized “A Trip” (Izlet), by 26-year-old Nejc Gazvoda, as “a confi dent and promising debut with a refreshing tone and visual style.” The special mention was presented at the Festival’s closing ceremony at Tower City in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sunday, April 1, before a crowd of 2,000. “A Trip” follows three friends as they reunite for a road trip across Slovenia a few years out of high school. The fi lm received best actor and actress honors at the 2011 Slovenian

Film Festival and has been nominated for awards at several international festivals. Since 2003, the Cleveland festival has recognized fi lms from Central and Eastern Europe with a special competition. The category pays tribute to the

city’s communities with roots in those European countries. The Cleveland International Film Festival’s winning entry in the category was “Best Intentions,” a fi lm from Romania, directed by Adrian Sitaru. Jurors awarded the fi lmmaker a $10,000 prize. This year’s jurors were Sandra Hebron, former artistic director of the BFI London Film Festival; Roland Rust, director of the Cottbus Film Festival in Germany; and Joe Valencic, a Cleveland-based writer and fi lmmaker. The category is presented with the support of George Gund III and Iara Lee. This year’s Cleveland International Film Festival broke attendance records, hosting 85,000 viewers over eleven days. The Festival was founded in 1977, and on Monday, March 26, its one-millionth visitor was announced. More than 160 feature fi lms and 160 short subjects from sixty countries were screened. The closing ceremony featured singer and songwriter Paul Williams, the subject of a documentary.

Slovenian Film at Cleveland Festival

CULTURE

Scene from a movie “A Trip” .

APRIL 6, 2012, PAGE 6

Easter in Slovenia TRADITIONS

Easter in Slovenia features many colorful traditions and customs dating centuries into the past. It has been an important feast for the people of Slovenia. The biggest Christian holy day brings about the end of a long fast, which starts on Ash Wednesday, and, at Easter, the table of the average inhabitant of Slovenia is laden as on no other occasion. The essential foods -- ham, bread, horseradish, and a special Slovenian potica, are at this time of the year accompanied by colorful decorated eggs, in Slovenia called pirhi, pisanice, pisanke, remenice, or remenke. On Palm Sunday, at the beginning of the Holy Week, bundles of spring greenery are blessed. The Christian custom of plaiting such bundles dates to the 9th century, and probably derives from a custom known throughout pagan medieval Europe. These bundles, of different shapes and sizes, are known by different names

in different parts of Slovenia. The most special of all bundles are the ‘Ljubljana Bundles’. They are renowned abroad for being the only bundles of their kind. The easiest way to acquire them is to go to Ljubljana’s fl ower market, near the Cathedral. Good Friday remains a day of strict fasting. In some areas, the fast continues on Saturday. Until recently, a special ‘fast dish’ was consumed on Holy Saturday, which was intended to remind people of the times of severe hunger that plagued Carniola in 1529. This dish is called “aleluja” and is prepared from turnip peels. On Holy Saturday, in most Slovenian towns and villages people bring their Easter foods to church to be blessed.An important part of Easter celebrations in Slovenia is the making of “pirhi” (decorated Easter eggs), which are considered one of the most beautiful forms of Slovenian folk

art. Records suggest that the decoration of eggs in Slovenia during Easter dates back to the 17th century. The original Slovenian “pirhi” are red in color, as they are colored with the dye of red onions. Their color gives them their name - from the Hungarian word piros, meaning red - while eggs are a symbol of eternity and Christ’s resurrection. Coloring Easter eggs has developed into a form of folk art, in which eggs are decorated with a variety of multicolored designs. In their painting, special wooden instruments are used. Their design and name varies from region to region. In the Krajina region called pisanice or pisanke, they are among the most beautiful in Europe. Pisanice and remenice, typical of Slovenia’s eastern parts are characterized by their geometrical and stylized forms. On the other hand, Easter eggs in the Primorska and Gorenjska regions feature

APRIL 6, 2012, PAGE 7

mostly nature motifs, usually fl owers and plants. In Ljubljana and its surroundings, Štajerska and Gorenjska, oil is the preferred substance, while in Dolenjsko patterns carved by knife dominate. Among the best known types are also “lesene pisanice” from Ribnica and the lace-like “slovenske pisanice” from Idrija - ornated with over a thousand holes

in the shape of a fl ower. Over time, Easter egg-making became even more elaborate and imaginative. Many Slovenians take the pirhi to their local church to be blessed along with other traditional Easter foods. On Sunday, Easter processions followed by celebratory masses are held all around the country. While Easter Sunday is a

day for solemn contemplation and time for staying at home, Easter Monday is celebrated with a traditional Easter breakfast and family gatherings. On this day of relaxation, it is customary to go visiting, hiking, or celebrating. Changing the old wardrobe for a new one on Easter Monday is also an old custom.

The Egg Artistry of Franc Grom TRADITIONS

Franc Grom, Slovenian artist from Stara Vrhnika, modifi ed old Slovenian tradition by carving the eggs instead of coloring them. He uses different carving techniques which help him to achieve breath-taking patterns. By drilling small holes in the eggshell (there are between 2,000 and 3,000 small holes in every eggshell) Mr. Grom outlines some of the most famous Slovenian symbols. On the other hand some of the eggs are more contemporary decorated and are known to be masterpieces. The other

technique that is also used is called drsanka. It is a distinctive, lightly scratched delicate design into surfaces of colored eggs. Now 72, Grom has been carving for 18 years, and works at his craft year-round. Before he starts drilling into the eggs or starts scratching them he has to prepare the empty eggshell that is suitable for such artistic work. Firstly he cleans the eggs, pokes holes in the top and bottom of the shell, and blows out the liquid. When the eggs are prepared his only limitation is his own imagination. Due to

that fact you can be sure that the motives and designs are splendid, beautiful and diverse.

APRIL 6, 2012, PAGE 8

EU Open House - Volunteers Needed ANNOUNCEMENTS

On May 12, 2012, diplomatic representations of Member States of the E.U. and the E.U. Delegation in the United States in Washington, DC, will celebrate Europe Day by organizing the sixth annual E.U. Open House day. Embassies of all 27 member-countries and the E.U. Delegation will open their doors, from 10 am to 4 pm, showcasing their art, culture, and food, and introducing the European Union to the public. Experience the best of Europe without a jet lag. Join us for a day of family fun, music, dancing, kids‘entertainment, exhibitions, vacation planning, and more.

Last year, over 2500 people visited the Slovenian Embassy, and this year even more people are expected. The event has gained extreme popularity and success, and we

would like to offer anybody the opportunity to do his part. If you would like to volunteer at the Slovenian Embassy, please send an e-mail to: nuska.zakrajsek@gov.si.

TO DO LIST

Photo Exhibition Afhganistan (Un)Ordinary LivesThe photo exhibition is a collection of Manca Juvan’s work on Afghanistan and presents a more nuanced image of the country, one which tells more than just the news coming from reporters. The photos were taken on several trips to Afghanistan between 2003 and 2009.When: Ongoing - April 2012Where: Embassy of The Republic of Slovenia, 2410 California Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

Wine Tour of leading Slovenian wineriesA tour is scheduled just after Vievinum, an international wine festival in Vienna. The program is being offered by Unique Slovenia in partnership with former Honorary Consul General of Slovenia Mark Ryavec.When: June 5-9, 2012More information: http://www.unique-slovenia.si/si/novice/101/22/vec/slovenia-wine-tour/

Easter Blessing of FoodThe event is jointly sponsored by the Bishop Baraga Society, Lodge No. 257 of the KSKJ (Kranjsko Slovenska Katoliška Jednota - American Slovenian Catholic Union), and the local Slovenian Union of America (formerly the Slovenian Women’s Union of America). The blessing is open to members, friends and the public. Fathers Raymond Wadas and Peter Rožič, S.J., will bless the food. When: Saturday, April 7, 2012, at 3:00 pmWhere: Slovenian Chapel of Our Lady of Brezje, located on the lower level of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 4th Street and Michigan Avenue, Northeast, in Washington, DC.

APRIL 6, 2012, PAGE 9

The weekly Embassy Newsletter, produced by the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington, is available on: www.washington.embassy.si.Send us your comments or request for a subscription on: vwa@gov.si,

Editor: Nuška Zakrajšek

Concert by Marjan Zgonc and Tomaž VrhovnikA special two-hour performance with a 30-minute intermission. The fi rst hour will be a vocal performance and the second hour will be a musical performance. After the concert, there will be music for dancing. Admission fee is $10.When: Friday, April 27, 2012 at 7:00 pmWhere: Slovenian Catholic/Cultural Center, 14252 Main Street, Lemont, IL 60439More information: www.slovenian-center.org

EUYO – European Youth Orchestra: 27 countries - 1 languageConductor: Vladimir Ashkenazy. Slovenian members of the orchestra: Irena Rovtar (fl ute), Klemen Glas (French horn), Jože Rošer (French horn).Where: Chapel Hill, NC: Memorial Hall, University of North CarolinaWhen: Friday, April 13, 2012 at 8:00 pmWhere: Washington, DC: Kennedy Center for the Performing ArtsWhen: Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 4:00 pm When: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 8:00pmWhere: New York, NY: Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall When: Friday, April 20, 2012 at 8:00 pm Where: Boston, MA: Symphony Hall When: Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 7:00pmWhere: Bloomington, IN: Indiana University AuditoriumWhen: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 7:30pm Where: Evanston, IL: Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern UniversityMore information: www.euyo.org.uk

Small and Smart: Contemporary Slovenian Architecture in FilmIn conjunction with The Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO), Ljubljana, Slovenia, and the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Washington, the DAC -- District Architecture Center announces its next event -- Small and Smart; six recent Slovenian architectural projects, each (re)presented by a fi ve-minute fi lm. The Small-and-Smart fi lm series was screened at MAO, Ljubljana, as part of Designing the Republic, a comprehensive exhibition of architecture and design in Slovenia, 1991-2011. When: Wednedsay, April 18, 7:30 pm - 10:00 pmWhere: DAC – District Architecture Center, 421 7th Street NW, Washington, DCTo register go to: http://www.cvent.com/d/ccqpv5

Lučka Koščak: Angels “The sculpture of Lučka Koščak is defi nitely something special inside the Slovenian Art space (and in general), because we can’t defi ne it within the context of either traditional or even less of modernistic or postmodernistic sculpture… The peace that the sculptures express is not meant to be for them, but for us. The calmness that they shine with is not the calmness of timelessness, but the calmness of this very moment that we live in…” (Mojca Grmek, Art Critic) Where: St. Cyril’s Gallery, 62 Saint Mark’s Place, New York, NY 10003 When: Wednesday, April 27, 2012 at 7:00 pm Where: Embassy of Slovenia, 2410 California Street, NW, Washington, DCWhen: Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 11:00 am