Fun and festivities in Slovenia - celebrations, festivals and cultural events

In Slovenia, the traditions of ancient Europe and modern culture are intertwined in a unique way. Many Slovenian holidays have their roots deep in ancient times. Most of Slovenes profess Catholicism, so a whole series of religious holidays are widely celebrated in the country. Traditions and customs that have been formed over the centuries still have a serious influence on all kinds of holidays, giving them a distinctive, authentic flavor. Regardless of the season, tourists visiting Slovenia have every chance to witness national celebrations, public holidays or one of the numerous festivals.

The New Year in Slovenia is not much different from its celebration in other countries. Mass celebrations take place throughout the country, relatives and friends gather around the holiday table. But only in Slovenia, there is a tradition, according to which one should put 12 different items into a bag on New Year's Eve. Guests must pull out any item three times without looking inside. Their life in the new year will depend on what they take out of the bag. If you get a coin, there will be wealth, a ring - there's a wedding ahead, a doll means the birth of children. On February 8, the country celebrates Prešeren Day officially known as the Slovene Cultural Holiday. France Prešeren is a poet who is wildly popular in Slovenia. With his creativity, he has managed to dispel myths about the roughness and tongue-tie of the Slovenian language for poetry. Lines of the country's national anthem issued from France Prešeren's pen.

Easter is widely celebrated in March or at the end of April in Slovenia. The chicken has become its symbol, therefore the image of a small feathered bird accompanies and adorns all the gifts. May 1 is Labor Day in the country. On the same day, there is a tradition to decorate a May tree, which is an ordinary wooden pole with a wheel decorated with flowers and colorful ribbons fixed on its top. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

According to pagan beliefs, the May tree is the axis of the world around which the universe revolves. Vinska Vigred Slovenian Music Festival takes place in the third decade of May in the city of Metlika. Stages from which poets and musicians perform in front of the crowd are set on three adjacent city squares. Also, during the festival, you can visit art exhibitions or enjoy national dishes and wines.

In the summer, Slovenia hosts a great variety of festivals. Every year in June a wine fair is organized in Ljubljana where you can enjoy products of local winemakers and take part in all kinds of fun competitions. In the same period, the country's second largest city of Maribor has the Lent Music Festival, which has become one of the largest on the European continent. Its program includes performances of various musical groups playing in different genres, from rock to national folk. Festival guests will see a variety of theatrical productions and all sorts of show. Also in the summer, the Ana Monroe Theater organizes an international street theater festival in major Slovenian cities. As part of the festival, actors from all over the world perform on the streets, offering the audience to watch various interpretations of the works by world-famous authors for all tastes.

The Old Vine Festival has become the main autumn event in Slovenia. It is traditionally held in the city of Maribor. A 450 years old vine grows in the very heart of the city. The vine is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest on the planet. The area around this attraction became the venue for the festival where you can attend wine tastings, go on a tour and watch various exhibitions on the theme of the festival. On the last day of the Old Vine begins the Harvest Festival. In the center of Maribor is a fun demonstration with the participation of both local residents and city guests. City squares become venues for street parties with feasts and all sorts of concerts and performances. Slovenia’s revered religious holiday is the feast day of the Assumption of Mary celebrated on August 15th. During its celebration, believers ascend a mountain rising over Gorica to receive the blessing of the Virgin.