PR! Issue #5 (Autumn 2010/Winter 2011)

20 10 /W in te r2 01 1 A ut um n

pr! a perfect rendezvous

OPENING HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 09.00 - 21.00 SATURDAY 08.00 - 21.00, SUNDAY 09.00 - 15.00 THE SHOPPING CENTER, Šmartinska c. 152 g, 1000 Ljubljana; Phone 01 587 30 50, www.citypark.si

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Share Your Visit to Ljubljana The My Visit planner has been upgraded. From now on you can accompany the programmes for your visits to Ljubljana with descriptions of your experiences and links to your photo albums and share them with your friends on Facebook, Twitter or Google Buzz. www.visitljubljana.si/myvisit

Urbana – Ljubljana Tourist Card

Ljubljana through iTunes A useful tool for visitors to Ljubljana is the Ljubljana In Your Pocket App, a free tourist guide application working in conjunction with iTunes. The application, intended for the users of mobile phones, multimedia players and notebooks designed and marketed by Apple, has been created by the Slovenian franchise of the In Your Pocket city guide publisher in collaboration with local partners and is available in English. Using its handy maps, descriptions and videos, you can get thoroughly acquainted with Ljubljana and its offerings and obtain the latest information on weather, transport, shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, and cultural and sporting events. The entire content is supported by maps showing locations. www.visitljubljana.si/news

The new Urbana – Ljubljana Tourist Card is a combined ticket to Ljubljana’s major sights enabling cardholders to explore the city in a comfortable way and at the lowest price available.

Urbana – Ljubljana Tourist Card is conceived as a smart card containing a chip for card validation and free admission.

Within the card validity period, the holders of the 24, 48 or 72hour Urbana card are entitled to unlimited free travel on city buses, a free ride on the tourist boat, tourist train and Ljubljana Castle funicular, a two-hour guided city tour, and one free admission to most of the city’s museums, galleries and other tourist attractions, including Ljubljana Castle and its Virtual Museum, Outlook Tower and new permanent exhibition on Slovenian history, respectively.

The Urbana – Ljubljana Tourist Card can be purchased in advance as it only gets activated when it is used for the first time. It is available from Ljubljana’s Tourist

Information Centres and hotels.

The easiest and most comfortable way to get the card, however, is to purchase it online, using the order form available on the website at www.visitljubljana.si/ljubljanatourist-card.

On the Map of European City Cards

City cards are a basic means for exploring cities.

They are easy to use and offer a lot for a reasonable price. The city cards available in 35 cities in 21 European countries are presented on the EuropeanCityCards website, allowing travellers to do research on destinations around Europe and plan their European trip in advance by simply making a few clicks.

Part of a European city

trip planned this way can also be Ljubljana, whose Urbana – Ljubljana Tourist Card is included among the city cards presented on the EuropeanCityCards website, along with the city cards of Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bruges, Brussels, Copenhagen, Cordoba,

Dijon, Dublin, Dubrovnik, Geneva, Gijón, Gothenburg, Innsbruck, Krakow, Lisbon, London, Lyon, Nice, Nuremberg, Olomuc, Oslo, Prague, Reykjavik, San Sebastian, Split, Stockholm, Tallinn, Tarragona, Turin, Turku, Valencia, Vicenza, Zagreb and Zaragoza. www.europeancitycards.com

A New Ljubljana Dragon Souvenir To make it possible for you to take a little something of Ljubljana home with you, the TIC Ljubljana shop offers a varied choice of souvenirs and small works of art reflecting the spirit of Ljubljana by combining the city’s arts and crafts tradition

with modern design. Since October, the range of souvenirs available has been extended to include a new assortment of Ljubljana Dragon souvenirs, depicting the adventures of a little dragon named Ljubo. You can choose from a Ljubo-themed

magnet, shopping bag, and short or long-sleeved T-shirts for men, women and children. The added value of the products is their neat packaging including a short summary of the legend about the Ljubljana Dragon. www.visitljubljana.si

A Perfect Rendezvous, newsletter for travel trade professionals Publisher: Ljubljana Tourism, Krekov trg 10, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Phone: +386 (0)1 306 45 83. Fax +386 (0)1 306 45 94. Email: info@visitljubljana.si, www.visitljubljana.si Editorial board: Petra Stušek, Tatjana Radovič, Barbara Vajda.

Production: Mediamix, Maribor. Head of advertising: Maja Miličevič, Mediamix. Phone: +386 (0)2 235 05 56. Email: majam@mediamix.si.

Printed by: Littera picta d.o.o., Rožna dolina, Cesta IV 32, 1000 Ljubljana Autumn 2010/Winter 2011 • Committed to caring for the environment, we print on recycled paper.

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New Outdoor Gallery Exhibition

Photo: M. Kambic

Throughout the autumn, those taking a walk along Tivoli Park’s Jakopič Promenade, the site of Ljubljana’s Outdoor Gallery, open day and night, can view an exhibition of largeformat photographs taken by the Belgian photographer Jim Sumkay in Ljubljana and Belgrade.

Depicting everyday street scenes in the two capitals, Sumkay’s photographs reveal the similarities and differences between the two cities and illustrate the relationships existing between them. www.visitljubljana.si

Online Tour Booking The website at www.visitljubljana.si offers visitors to Ljubljana an opportunity to order guided city tours and excursions to places across Slovenia in advance. As the tours are available both to individual travellers and groups, online ordering is also recommended to tour operators organizing visits to Ljubljana.

Ljubljana Dragon: a Legendary Creature The Ljubljana Dragon, the symbol dominating Ljubljana’s coat of arms, is a mythological creature whose existence has never been either proved or disproved. Dragons can also be found on the Dragon Bridge, but don’t be surprised if you meet one in the city streets.

The Live City Guardian at the Castle; Photo: D. Wedam

Those who have visited Ljubljana and not encountered a dragon can hardly say they have experienced the city’s culture.

What today is the Ljubljana Dragon was once a monster that came across the ancient Greek hero Jason, who, on his quest for the Golden Fleece, followed the rivers from the Black Sea to the present Ljubljana Marshes.

A struggle took place between Jason and the monster and ended badly for the latter: it was beaten by the Greek. It is assumed that in the memory of this event the people of Ljubljana later depicted the monster as a dragon on the city’s coat of arms.

Dragons can now be seen practically anywhere in the city.

You can hardly miss the four bronze dragons guarding the famous Art Nouveau Jubilee Bridge, later named what else but the Dragon Bridge. Sixteen other dragons, smaller ones, are hiding somewhere on the bridge, but even the locals have difficulty finding them.

Today, Ljubljana’s legendary dragons have company. A lovely little dragon helps provide information to visitors to various trade exhibitions around the world, while in the streets of Ljubljana he helps out tourists.

Due to his kindness and lively manners he gives competition to the city’s other dragons, including the famous four on the Dragon Bridge. Špela Golčer

Slovenian History Experience at Ljubljana Castle

A good way to round off a visit to Ljubljana Castle is to take a walk through Slovenian history. Since the summer of 2010, Ljubljana Castle has been housing a new permanent exhibition entitled Slovenian History – visible also to visually impaired people.

The exhibition offers a concise overview of the history of Slovenian inhabited areas from the earliest settlement to the present time. Slovenian territory, lying at the junction of natural routes between the Alps, the Adriatic Sea and the Pannonian Plain, has been the point of convergence of different peoples and cultures since prehistory.

The exhibition, set up in a compelling way against the

backdrop of the castle interior, takes a chronological look at Slovenian history. Its six sections cover prehistory and the Roman period, the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period, the 19th century and the First World War, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Second World War, and the independent Slovenia.

The exhibition is housed in the renovated south wing of the castle, covering an

area of about 300 square metres over three floors. It includes multimedia content and animations for children.

What is special about it is that exhibits are adapted for visually impaired people. With all this and more it contributes significantly to Ljubljana Castle’s reputation as one of the city’s premier cultural sights and tourist attractions. www.mestnimuzej.si Špela Golčer

The Millefiori Goblet, Roman Period, Photo: M. Paternoster

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Taste of Fusion

Photo: Salon Restaurant Archive

Sophisticated cuisine and unique cocktails are the main attributes of the new restaurant in town. The recently opened Salon Restaurant & Lounge Bar serves a harmonious fusion of world cuisines. Choose between Mediterranean, Mexican, Japanese or traditionally Slovenian cuisine. www.salon.si

Special Award for Ljubljana The Old Town of Ljubljana, which is mostly a pedestrian zone, has additionally been brought to life by integrating the Ljubljanica River into everyday life. By arranging the banks, building bridges and renovating buildings, the wider area of the city center is getting more and more popular among locals and tourists. Thanks to the successful revitalization project of the area along Ljubljanica, a special award, Presežek leta 2010 (The Excellence of 2010), has been given to Ljubljana by the Tourist Association of Slovenia.

Ljubljana Wine Route

Although conditions for vine cultivation in Ljubljana basin are not favorable, Ljubljana is the home of many wine lovers. That is why it is also named The City of Vine and Wine.

Ljubljana is an important meeting point of all three Slovenian wine regions, which proudly present their wines to the citizens of Ljubljana on the St. Martin’s Saturday, this year on 6 November.

For winegrowers, autumn is the most important time of the year. The whole family and friends gather to pick grapes, which are then pressed and stored in the barrels. “When must turns into wine” on St.

Martin’s Day, which is next to the harvest the second most important wine festival, numerous celebrations take place also in Ljubljana. The Old Town and the banks of Ljubljanica River change into the Ljubljana Wine Route.

Accompanied by dance and music performed by numerous cultural associations and folklore groups traditional delicacies and wines from different parts of Slovenia are served.

Visitors can taste excellent wines from glasses with especially for this occasion engraved emblems. Vintage wine deserves to be served with good food; that is why in addition to winemakers, streets are overflowed with providers of culinary delights.

Typical Slovenian homemade products, such as cheese, dried meats, oils and different spreads, will accompany fine foods and delicacies from different Slovenian regions.

Among numerous other dishes, bogrács from the northeastern part of Slovenia, jota, a typical stew from the littoral part, and goulash with polenta will be served. To spice up the offer, visitors will also have an opportunity to try some dishes and wines from abroad.

The official opening of the event will be marked by the A Glimpse of the Ljubljana Wine Route; Photo: D. Wedam

Open-Air Wine Stands Photo: D. Wedam

blessing of the must which at that point turns into wine.

Afterwards the stands, which provide an excellent insight into the culture and customs of Podravje, Posavje and Primorska wine regions, will open and pamper the visitors throughout the whole day. www.radost.si Tjaša Janovljak

Among the World’s 100 Best Restaurants The JB restaurant in Ljubljana is a magnet for gourmets who appreciate good quality and originally prepared superb food.

This year the restaurant hosted a special academy of internationally renowned chefs, restaurant representatives, gourmets and critics who ranked it on the S. Pellegrino World’s 100 Best Restaurants list, annually published by the British Restaurant Magazine.

The JB Restaurant is situated in a magnificent building at Miklošičeva street 17, which was constructed

by the greatest Slovenian architect, Jože Plečnik. The motto of the owner, Chef Jože Bratovž, trained in the best European and Slovenian restaurants, is “pure and sophisticated”. Guests will be pampered by the best fusion of Mediterranean and international cuisine, with French and Slovenian traditional cuisine adding the final delectable touch. www.jb-slo.com Špela Golčer JB, a Ljubljana Culinary Legend Photo: JB Restaurant Archive

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Centre of Urban Culture

One of Top 10 Prison Tours The Celica Hostel, proclaimed to be “the hippest hostel in the world” has become also a major tourist attraction.

Next to the famous Alcatraz prison it has been listed among the world’s 10 top prison tours. Guided tours through Photo: Celica Hostel the hostel are given daily at 2 p.m.

Archive www.tourism-review.com

Photo: M. Majcen

The Kino Šiška Centre of Urban Culture is a new centre for contemporary creativity in Ljubljana. It is a meeting point for all generations of artists and lovers of contemporary performing arts. Next to organizing music, theatre, dance and experimental events, its aim is also to provide conditions for artistic production.

Thanks to the size and high-tech equipment the Kino Šiška Centre of Urban Culture is one of Europe’s largest centres of this kind. www.kinosiska.si

A Stroll Along the Sunday Flea Market If you think that Ljubljana sleeps on Sundays, you can not be more wrong. Every Sunday morning the recently reconstructed banks of the Ljubljanica River attract numerous visitors.

A Typical Flea Market Scene Photo: D. Wedam

The written records of Breg, the area along the Ljubljanica River in the Old Town of Ljubljana, date from the 14th century, when Breg was a lively bustling port and the main transport point of the town. After the advent of the rail, the area was forsaken until recently. Last summer it underwent major construction works and as a result the flea market moved from the Cankar Embankment and the nearby

Cobbler’s Bridge to Breg. This brought the area back to life.

The flea market takes place on the street. When the majority of stores in town are closed, the street trading awakes. It attracts numerous professional and amateur antiquarians who proudly exhibit their antiques. One can get an impression that they almost compete with each other on whose antiques will fascinate and surprise more.

They are more than proud to show them to the passersby. Right here on the street numerous history enthusiasts gather, to get an opportunity for an insight into the almost forgotten history. Exhibited items attract curious eyes of the passers-by and dozens of questions arise in their minds: “How old is this? What is this?

How can you use this?” And so forth.

Even if visiting the flea market out of idle curiosity, the majority of visitors leaves with a souvenir or two, let it be from their own youth or from the stories they had listened as children. Souvenirs from socialist times attract especially tourists from abroad, who shyly ask if there is anything to buy that belonged to Tito. But regardless of

whether you fancy antiques or you find everything kitschy, the Sunday flea market is an ideal opportunity to meet old friends or just sit in the sun and watch the hustle and bustle of the Sunday market place. www.visitljubljana.si Tjaša Janovljak

Along Ljubljanica River, under the Castle Photo: D. Wedam

New Parking Spaces for Tourist Buses

Reconstruction works at the Kongresni trg square began in early January 2009 and will have been finished by the spring of 2011. During this period tourist buses can no longer park at the Kongresni trg square, that is why alternative parking spaces are available in the Streliška ulica street, at the foot of the Ljubljana Castle Hill.

The Kongresni trg square reconstruction project has been undertaken in order to build an underground parking garage underneath the Kongresni trg square and

reconstruct and landscape the square, including the Zvezda Park. The project began with archaeological excavations as the site used to be one of the central parts of

the Roman city Emona.

During reconstruction, the Vegova ulica Street is closed for the traffic on the side where it meets the square. Once the reconstruction works are over,

the Kongresni trg square will be a pedestrian zone. Access to the streets near the square will be limited to delivery vehicles. www.ljubljana.si

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15th Ljubljana Marathon

Photo: Timing Ljubljana Archive

Ljubljana Marathon is getting more popular every year and the number of participants is on the increase. Competitors are running a classical marathon (42km), a half marathon (21km) or shorter (10km) recreational race. All the races are held within the wider city centre area. On the last Sunday in October, when the streets of Ljubljana and its surrounding areas are flooded with more than 18,000 runners from 35 countries, the patter of running feet and the sound of deep breathing replace the hum of traffic noise and the smell of exhaust gasses. www.ljubljanskimaraton.si

New Air Routes In December 2010, the low-fare airline EasyJet will launch flights connecting Ljubljana to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Flights will be three times a week. www.easyjet.com The Slovenian airline Adria Airways has introduced a new service between Ljubljana and Marseille. Two flights a day are operated on Wednesdays and Sundays. www.adria.si

December 2010 in Ljubljana

Like a young girl paying attention to every detail of her appearance while getting ready for an evening date, Missy Ljubljana puts on a gala dress and looks perfect at the end of the year. Her dates come from near and far, from home and abroad to admire her breathtaking beauty.

Ljubljana’s Cosmic Light Design; Photo: D. Wedam

December festivities in Ljubljana begin on 3 December in the Prešernov trg square, where an event entitled People, Let’s Turn on the Light! introduces the switching on of festive lights across the city, which then sparkles with thousands of lights for over a month. 3 December will also see the opening of the Festive Fair, this year set to be held

on the recently renovated and beautifully illuminated Breg embankment. The stalls at the fair will be selling all kinds of small and larger gifts, providing a fine choice for those wanting to show their affection to their loved ones. As December is a cold month, the stalls will be wrapped in the scents of mulled wine, fragrant tea and hot mead.

On 5 December, the good old

man St. Nicholas, accompanied by angels and devils, will lead a procession through the streets of Ljubljana. According to local tradition, good children have every reason to look forward to receiving presents from him while naughty ones are impatiently awaited by devils.

Grandpa Frost, another good old man arriving in Ljubljana in December, will be walking around the city centre on three festive afternoons. Accompanied by white Lipizzaner horses and all kinds of fairy-tale creatures, he will be giving away sweets to children, who will also be able to enjoy puppet, dance and magician shows held in the Prešernov trg square.

The festively decorated squares of Ljubljana will also

host various music concerts, one of the highlights being the magical Christmas Concert held in the Prešernov trg square on 24 December. The festivities will culminate in the New Year’s Eve celebrations in three centrally located squares and a fireworks display launched from Ljubljana Castle. www.visitljubljana.si Tjaša Janovljak

Fairy-Tale December Illumination; Photo: D. Wedam

Winter Sightseeing Tours of Ljubljana

Guided tours of Ljubljana are run throughout the year, regardless of the season and weather conditions. A very special, almost fairy tale-like experience are guided walking tours through the festively decorated Ljubljana.

The regularly scheduled winter tour of Ljubljana takes visitors past the old city centre’s major sights and on a funicular ride to Ljubljana Castle. The two-hour tour is run at 11 a.m. daily until 1 April.

On Saturdays at 1 p.m., it is possible to view Ljubljana’s Town Hall, including some of its rooms which are normally not open to the public. The tour is led by a guide wearing

the traditional costume of Ljubljana.

Your guide on a winter tour of Ljubljana can also be Father Christmas. In a special festive tour he will show you his favourite spots hidden in between, in front of or inside the old city centre’s most important sights. The tour will be run at 5 p.m. daily from 15 December and 2 January.

Another festive tour

including a walk through magically illuminated Ljubljana will be run daily at 6 p.m. from 20 December to 2 January except on 31 December. At the end of the tour, visitors will be served a glass of sparkling wine at Ljubljana Castle. www.visitljubljana.si/events Špela Golčer Santa is Your Guide Photo: D. Wedam

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Two of Ljubljana’s Architectural Jewels Revived At the heart of the old town the prestigious Galerija Emporium department store has been opened recently. The interior is patterned after major stores, such as Galeries Lafayette in Paris and Harrods in London. Fashion accessories, handbag and footwear department is located on the ground floor. Among other major brands also the footwear and handbag collection by Lara Bohinc can be found. A part of the second floor is dedicated to young Slovenian fashion designers. Overlooking the castle, the top floor is not only an ideal meeting place, but also a center of culinary delights. www.galerijaemporium.si At the top of the Nebotičnik skyscraper, one of the symbols of Ljubljana, a café, a day and night club and a restaurant have been revived.

The skyscraper, which was built in 1933 and at that time the tallest building in this part of Europe, boast the terrace with magnificent view of Ljubljana Castle and old town part. www.neboticnik.si

Nebotičnik Skyscraper Photo: D. Wedam

Galerija Emporium Photo: Magistrat Int. Archive

Ljubljana – World Book Capital 2010

Half a year has passed since Ljubljana was designated by UNESCO as the World Book Capital. Over 250 events, which enrich the city and create a special atmosphere, have already taken place; many others are yet to come.

Urban Chair Project; Photo: S. Perar

The KIOSK shop and reading room is located in the Kino Šiška Center of Urban Culture. It offers a carefully selected range of Slovenian and foreign publications in the fields of art and culture, hosts prominent authors and organizes lectures, round-table discussions, workshops and exhibitions. Especially fans of comics will be thrilled since the center provides access to domestic and foreign production of the ninth art. www.kinosiska.si/en The Northern Park of Ljubljana, once named Navje, boasts new multimedia portals, which provide access to

digital library offering books from different cultures and in different languages. The park has become a popular meeting place with modern playground equipment, where one can read, learn, create, contemplate or relax.

Dr. Martin Žnideršič donated his collection of over 3000 miniature books, which are not larger than 76 millimeters, from more than 53 countries and in many world languages, to the Ljubljana City Library.

This is the largest collection in Central Europe. Comparable collections can be found in Germany, the USA and

Russia. Žnideršič’s collection comprises also currently the smallest book in the world, Chekhov’s Chameleon, which measures 0.9 x 0.9 mm.

The World Book Summit 2011, the Congress entitled Books as Promoters of Human Development, will be held at the Cankarjev dom Cultural and Congress Center from 31 March to 1 April 2011. The main topics at the congress will be Globalization of Book and Digital Reading Era and Publishing and Translating Books from World’s Major

Languages and vice versa.

Participating experts, who play key roles in global literature, will provide an insight into current events in fields of literature and present broader understanding of the processes in cultural and social context. At the congress, the Ljubljana resolution on the book being a promoter of human development will be adopted and conference volume will be published.

Welcome to Ljubljana - the World Book Capital 2010 www.ljubljanaworldbookcapital Meta Stvarnik

Light Guerilla Project; Photo: M. Fras

Trubar Literature House

In September 2010 Ljubljana acquired its own literature house and joined numerous European cities such as Munich, Vienna, Hamburg, Salzburg, Cologne and Copenhagen.

The Trubar literature house located in the heart of the city at Stritarjeva ulica Street 7 is a special venue reserved for literature and books. Numerous events throughout the year contribute greatly to the lively cultural and urban beat of

Ljubljana. The mission of the Trubar literature house is to become a reference point for literature, books and sociocritical reflection in broader sense. In terms of the program the new house of literature combines two fundamental

aspects: literary-artistic and critically reflective. The Trubar literature house is also the headquarters of the new book club, a web portal on books and literature and exhibition space.

Literary events taking place

on the premises are free of charge and also free WiFi is available. Guided tours and presentations of the program are conducted also in English. en.ljubljanasvetovnaprestolnic aknjige.si Meta Stvarnik

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Photo: Bio Archive

Fresh Design Trends

Tobačna 001 Cultural Centre

The Museum of Architecture and Design at Fužine Castle is opening its doors to the 22nd Biennial of Industrial Design (BIO), a widely acclaimed international exhibition showcasing the latest trends in contemporary industrial design by presenting a fine selection of design products with a particular emphasis on quality, originality and inventiveness. Design works from 24 countries, selected by an international panel of judges, will be on view from 7 October to 7 November. www.bio.si

A new cultural centre has opened as a part of the Tobačna mesto centre for urban culture at Ljubljana’s former tobacco factory. Its premises have been renovated in accordance with traditional standards applying to the urban planning and architecture of the area as part of the city’s cultural heritage. From early 2011, the centre will be running a gallery and house the Tobacco Museum’s revised collection. www.mestnimuzej.si

A Green Labyrinth of Art

Since November 2010, a new park has been landscaped on the outskirts of Ljubljana, near the Museum of Architecture and Design, to a carefully conceived design in the shape of a labyrinth. From April 2011, the park will be offering an all-new space for bringing together nature and the city, books and readers, and art and its consumers.

The Labyrinth of Art project combines the concepts of creating new green spaces within urban environment, the culture of book reading, and walking as art. The park’s maze will consist of 287 yew trees lining a winding path leading to the centre of the maze. 50 slabs bearing inscriptions about art, books, walking and life will be placed alongside the path for visitors to read and consider while advancing through the maze. A wooden bench with various kinds of books will be placed in the heart of the maze.

The Labyrinth of Art has been conceived by the Bulgarian visual artist, set designer and

professor of digital art Venelin Shurelov as a work of art changing with time. To get a better idea about the charms of this work of sustainable art, view the animation at www.labirintumetnosti.si.

On your way to the Labyrinth of Art, you can stop at the nearby Fužine Castle, a picturesque Renaissance mansion by the river Ljubljanica housing the Museum of Architecture and Design.

To get there, take the city bus service no. 20 to Fužine and get off at the final stop. You can also easily reach the Labyrinth by bicycle, either on your own or in a group, accompanied by a qualified guide who will make

Fužine Castle, Home of Museum of Architecture and Design Photo: M. A. D. Archive

sure that you feel safe enjoying wind in your hair while riding across old and new bridges and footbridges spanning the Ljubljanica and past two monuments of technical history, the Ljubljanica River Sluice Gate by the architect Jože Plečnik and a historical iron-smelting works. www.aml.si/history-of-fuzinecastle Meta Stvarnik

Month of Design 2010 The 2010 Design Month, held from 21 October to 21 November, will be the region’s largest and most diverse design festival, showcasing the greatest achievements of Slovenian and

international design. Apart from a 30-day series of attractive design-related events held at various clearly marked street locations under the title Design in the City, it will include an

exhibition titled All Design Expo and held from 21 to 22 October at the Viba film studios, which will provide an interactive space for showcasing awarded design products. A selection of awarded design products from around the world will also be on view in an attractive open-air exhibition held at the Breg embankment by the Ljubljanica river until the last day of the festival. Each year, the Design Month is centred around a particular theme related to the role of design in Conference within the Month of Design Photo: Zavod Big Archive

Culinary Design Photo: Zavod Big Archive

the creative industry, business world or cultural and social practices. This year’s theme is “Transformation”. www.monthofdesign.com Meta Stvarnik

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The Conventa 2011 Show The 3rd edition of the Meetings and Incentive Travel Show for South East Europe takes place on 19 and 20 January 2011 at the GR - Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre. By October 2010, over 70 exhibitors have confirmed their participation, to network with mainly European meeting planners who wish to learn more about this very diverse region. Conventa 2010 attracted 100 suppliers of M&IT services from Slovenia and seven other countries (Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Romania) and over 150 hosted buyers from Slovenia and abroad (18 countries). The organiser of the event is the Slovenian Convention Bureau, www.conventa.info and Ljubljana Tourism is one of the main partners.

The Alpe Adria Show revived Block the dates for the Alpe Adria: Tourism and Leisure Show: 27 to 30 Jan 2011 at the GR, which primarily showcases the tourism offer of 11 geographical regions in Slovenia and its neighbouring countries.

The event gives a unique opportunity to discover the surprising array of experiences presented in 27 product categories, tailored for different interest groups, or tribes. These are, respectively, the Holiday-, Active-, Excursion- and Traveller tribe, meaning that everyone can find attractive contents and travel motives. By uniting the diverse and exciting offer with a focus on the Alps Adriatic region, this show has a unique concept. www.gr-sejem.si

Venues on the Rocks Two prime locations: extra large and high above Happy 30, Cankarjev dom!

Cankarjev dom Cultural and Congress Centre, the largest purpose-built convention centre in Slovenia, is concluding its 30th anniversary celebration with an eye to the future.

Instead of a grand party, new refurbishment plans have been given priority.

Cankarjev dom, featuring altogether 21 function rooms, the largest of which is a

2,000-seater auditorium, now hosts over 2,000 events and 600,000 visitors yearly. The numbers attained over the past three decades are quite impressive: over 11,000,000 visitors at 33,000 cultural, scientific, trade and other events. Starting the fourth decade of its operation, the major part of the Centre has undergone at least a soft

Grand Reception Hall; Photo: D. Arrigler

The GoodLife Castle Lounge Club The Ljubljana cafe scene has recently welcomed a special venue for socialising that is … solid as a rock! And also the highest in terms of altitude, since the Ljubljana Castle stands 70 metres above the city. The so-called Rock Hall has come back to life wearing a trendier lounge attire and a new name.

The GoodLife Castle Lounge Club’s concept features live music events and other attractive programmes from Wednesday to Saturday till wee hours, while during the rest

of the week the schedules are not that extended. During the warmer months, a shadowy & green outdoor section spreading towards the ancient moat provides a cool alternative.

The Club can be privatised for social functions, with selected catering being available on the spot. Swift access to the castle is provided by the funicular railway running from the Old Town. www.kaval-group.si Goodlife Castle Lounge Club; Photo: Kaval Group Archive

Small Gallery; Photo: D. Arrigler

renovation, while certain sections have been functionally redesigned following extensive refurbishment.

The main focus during the last summer was the demanding renovation of the Grand Reception Hall which is, so as the entire building, listed as a protected architectural heritage and hence needed special attention. This project was performed as the first stage of the 2010-2013 investment cycle.

The related value is estimated at 6.5 million euro, while only the hall’s renovation was worth one million. This included, among other, the placement of over 70 km of new cables, 2,000

electricity sockets and lights, practically all hidden under the ceiling, which is composed of 40,000 metal particles. The air condition and sound system, the support to IT and multimedia are among other upgrades. All the technical improvements will provide lower energy consumption and an even better environment for large gatherings staged there.

The renovation was carried out while Cankarjev dom was fully operational and two larger congresses were taking place, without any inconveniences to organisers or delegates alike – a best practice case. www.cd-cc.si

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Ljubljana Climbs Again on the ICCA Chart The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), which collects statistical data on international association congresses and trends, has published the 2009 Statistics Report. Ljubljana was ranked 64th on the global scale, five places higher than a year earlier, and 35th among the top European convention cities.

According to ICCA criteria only events which have at least 50 delegates, rotate among a minimum of three destinations and are organised on a regular basis (one-

time events are not considered) can be included into the database. Ljubljana hosted 26 such events, sharing its ranking with Brisbane, Florence and New Delhi.

Organizers of international meetings favour Ljubljana not only due to its safety and attractiveness but also due to the well-developed infrastructure: two flexible convention centres, with maximum plenary seating for 2,000 people each, plus hotel and academic venues, provide an array of options for holding meetings. www.iccaworld.com

New Entries on the Hotel Scene Bijou & Boutique – the Antiq Palace The Antiq Palace is a delightful novelty in Ljubljana’s hotel portfolio. The owners of the first “hotel de charme” in the Old Town – the Antiq, have created a second stylish property, uniting modern amenities with a distinct historic flair. The hotel’s unique central location, at the edge of the ancient wall once surrounding the Roman city of Emona, is complemented by the building’s history, as it was first mentioned in written records in the early 1500’s. As a

past residence of several noble families, it is an indelible part of Ljubljana’s cultural heritage.

The continuous alterations and metamorphosis, from baroque to classicistic style, are still reflected in its architectural traits. The ideas and inspiration for the renovation of the Antiq Palace were taken from the building’s original features, such as the walls, staircases, windows and frescoes, which also became the centrepieces for the interior design. The use of natural materials, including

Antiq Palace, Reception Area; Photo: Ž. Koritnik

A Business-Oriented Aparthotel The recently opened 3-star Aparthotel Birokrat, mostly intended for the business traveller, offers a total of 6 elegantly appointed rooms and 12 suites. It boasts a convenient location just a short way from the Ljubljana ring road, the new Stadium and multipurpose arena as well as Dunajska cesta Street, one of the main thoroughfares leading to the city centre, which is 4 km away. The property also provides attractive offers

for those planning a longer business stay in Ljubljana, with packages including the use of lecture rooms and even tax consultancy services, on top of business facilitation and secretarial support.

Being close to the Laguna Resort, a large recreational and sports centre, the Aparthotel Birokrat offers its guests negotiated rates for relaxation in the sauna, fitness, swimming pool and other sports activities. www.birokrathotel.si

Antiq Palace, Living Room in Suite; Photo: Ž. Koritnik

stone, wood and lime, allows the walls to “breathe”, thus stimulating the natural air circulation and pleasant air temperatures.

The Antiq Palace offers 13 boutique suites and exclusive residential apartments, each equipped with a master bedroom, living room, kitchen, dining area and a spacious bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub.

It also features a number of facilities that are available for the guests’ convenience, such as 24-hour concierge service, luxury spa, leisure facilities

with 3 different kinds of sauna, executive business centre, one conference (max 60 guests) and two boardroom suites (10 guests), several reading and relaxation areas, three lounge bars, a private garden and a courtyard.

The Antiq Palace has joined the renowned collection of the Historic Hotels of Europe and Schlosshotels & Herrenhauser, and its authentic design has been captured in the upcoming issue of the »500 Very Special Hotels of the World«. www.antiqpalace.com

Aparthotel Birokrat; Photo: Birokrat Archive

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Slovenia’s Top Ski Resort

Krvavec Ski Resort Photo: RTC Krvavec Archive

Of all Slovenian ski resorts, the nearest to Ljubljana is Krvavec, located 25 kilometres from the city. Lying only seven kilometres away from Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, it is also the nearest of all ski resorts in Europe to an international airport. In the last four ski seasons Krvavec has been voted “Slovenia’s Top Ski Resort” in the Good Morning, Ljubljana poll, which included responses from skiers from across the country. Its pistes, lying at altitudes between 1450 and 1971 metres and totalling 35 kilometres in length, are varied enough to satisfy both recreational and competitive skiers. Ski lessons and equipment hire and service are available, as well as a piste equipped with an electronic time measurement device, a safe-skiing practice course, a children’s magic carpet and activity field with play facilities, and a merry-go-round. One of the big attractions is Igloo Village. A free ski bus service from Ljubljana is available during the ski season. Due to a pleasant atmosphere, friendly service and plenty of entertainment events, skiers leave Krvavec happy and eager to return. www.rtc-krvavec.si

The Kolpa. Touch a Tale.

The river Kolpa connects two countries, Slovenia and Croatia. It is an exceptional river set in peaceful scenic surroundings whose diverse natural vegetation and wildlife have hardly been disturbed. Its section from Stari trg to Dragoši is part of the Kolpa Nature Park.

Idyllic Countryside, surrounded by Vineyards, Fields and Forests.

Photo: TD Vigred Archive

Murmur of nature

Down the Kolpa, up the hill!

The river Kolpa is one of Slovenia’s warmest rivers, suitable for various sports and recreational activities such as bathing, boating, rafting, canoeing and fishing. Possibilities are countless as the river flows both through flat plains and a canyon. Being a clean and safe river, it is perfect for family holidays. The river area is crisscrossed with hiking routes, many of them also suitable for cyclists.

Kolpa Valley tales

The Kolpa river area is well known for its traditional manners and customs and numerous mythological characters, such as the bearer of spring Zeleni Jurij, the Kolpjanke river nymphs, the Devil of Bilpa, and the legendary folk hero Peter Klepec. The area is home to five different ethnic groups (Slovenians, Croats, Uskoks, Gottschee Germans and the Romani) and three different churches (Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic and Orthodox).

The Kolpa Valley’s scenic

countryside offers an opportunity for a perfect mixture of outdoor activities and cultural tourism.

Visitors can learn about traditional arts and crafts, including the making of the pisanice decorated Easter eggs and napkins of Bela Krajina, pottery, paper flowers, and wicker baskets. The locals are eager to tell visitors about the life in the valley.

Exciting explorations of the Kolpa Valley can be rounded off perfectly by sampling local delicacies and wines, served by friendly and welcoming locals. The area’s typical foods include the belokranjska pogača flat bread, the kostelski želodec stuffed pig’s stomach, and the žitna klobasa pork and millet sausage, the latter mainly served in spring and autumn. To quench their thirst, visitors are offered homemade apple juice and the locally bottled water marketed as Costella.

Belokranjska Pogača Flat Bread Photo: A. Robert Kokol

The Kolpa river is well known for its extraordinary biodiversity.

It provides home to over 30 different fish species, including nine endangered ones, as well as otters, beavers, pond terrapins, endemic black olms and many other animals. The river area is inhabited by numerous rare bird and big game species, including bears, lynx and wolves. In order to protect the local biodiversity and natural beauty, the river area between the settlements of Stari trg and Dragoši has been protected as a nature park.

The tourism product of the Kolpa Valley, marketed under the slogan “The Kolpa. Touch a Tale.”, has been conceived to provide several days of holiday activities for romantic couples and families with children. Guided explorations of the area are available to groups. www.kolpariver.eu

Rich Biodiversity, »Vinomerski Stelniki«; Photo: TD Vigred Archive

How to get there

If you travel from Ljubljana, the upper reaches of the Kolpa river (the villages of Osilnica, Kostel and Kočevsko) can be reached via Kočevje and Petrina, and the middle and lower riches of the river (the Bela Krajina area) either via Žužemberk, Črnomelj and Vinica or Novo Mesto and Metlika.

Ljubljana’s New Landmarks: The Crater and The Shell Since August 2010, Ljubljana has had two new landmarks, a football stadium and a multi-purpose arena, located right next to the city’s ring road. The two fascinating monumental buildings, nicknamed The Shell and The Crater, are equipped to host anything from sporting events to business meetings.

The Shell and The Crater are part of the new Stožice Sports Park, eagerly awaited by the city’s sports fans. Following many years of planning, the sports park so far consists of a multi-purpose arena for 12,000 spectators and a football stadium, which can accommodate 16,000 people.

The stadium is sunken into the ground so that only its roof, reminiscent of the football goal net, rises above the level of the park. Visually it suggests the crater of a volcano whose flanks

are covered with grass – hence the nickname The Crater. Along with the new multi-purpose arena, called The Shell due to its shell-like shape, it forms a stunning new architectural landmark of Ljubljana and an icon of Slovenian sport.

The Stožice Sports Hall and Stadium opened with sold-out matches between the national basketball teams of Slovenia and Spain and the national football teams of Slovenia and Australia, which were soon followed by

»The Crater« Stožice Stadium; Photo Zavod Tivoli Archive

a boxing match in which the Slovenian boxing hero Dejan Zavec defended his IBF Welterweight World Champion title.

The Stožice Sports Park also serves as a concert venue. By »The Shell« Stožice Sports Hall Photo Zavod Tivoli Archive

the end of November it will have hosted such big names in music as Jose Carreras, Leonard Cohen, Joe Cocker, and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees. The multipurpose Arena is also available as a venue for business events and conferences.

Tjaša Janovljak

Bridges over Quiet Water

In terms of the number of bridges, Ljubljana could almost compete with Venice. Two new city centre bridges were completed a few months ago, which takes the number of bridges in Ljubljana to 66.

Bridges have always been seen as a symbol of freedom and collaboration. They overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and connect opposite sides. And each of the 66 bridges in Ljubljana has a story of its own.

Right on the spot where one of the first medieval bridges in Ljubljana once stood is the Triple Bridge, one of the city’s landmarks.

The present one, created in 1931, was designed by Ljubljana’s

famous architect Jože Plečnik, who added a pedestrian bridge to each side of an existing 19th century bridge, now the widest of the three. This is where many people stop, seat on a colourful bench for a while, and absorb the vibrancy of the traffic-free area around Prešernov trg square.

Ljubljana’s most photographed bridge is the Dragon Bridge, Decorated with four impressive dragon statues

The new Butchers’ Bridge; Photo D. Wedam

and sixteen smaller dragons symbolic of Ljubljana, it is one of the most authentic examples of the city’s Art Nouveau architecture. Almost a century ago, Plečnik prepared designs for a bridge by the Central market to be named after butchers.

Only this summer a bridge of this name was built to a modern design by the architect Jurij Kobe. Intended for pedestrians, the wide Butchers’ Bridge has a strip of glass paving along its sides. It is decorated with bronze sculptures by the contemporary sculptor Jakov Brdar. Depicting Adam and Eve, a satyr, the wounded Prometheus, and all kinds of creatures, the sculptures make you feel as if passing through a fairy-tale while crossing it. The Butchers’ Bridge also attracts lovers with a balustrade where they can attach padlocks and drop the keys into the river as a symbol of their timeless

commitment.

A little further down the river stands Ljubljana’s youngest bridge, the Grain Bridge, named after the former name of the square next to it. Being a pedestrian bridge wider in the middle than at the ends, it provides space for a lookout point with benches.

Other bridges located within a ten-minute walk from the Old Town, or in it, include the Cobblers’ Bridge, which is remarkable for its balustrade with tall pillars, St. James’s Bridge, and the Prule Bridge. The latter, connecting the sunny Prule area and Špica embankment with Opekarska ulica (Brick Street), is brick-paved.

Whichever bridge you may choose to cross the Ljubljanica river, there will be a smile on your face when you reach the other bank.

Tjaša Janovljak