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.TV Guide to Slovenia

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Stanley:
Good info. from the official site on Slovenia. Looking forward to the local beer :lickin


THE GEOGRAPHICAL BIT:

*   Slovenia is a small country of just 2 million inhabitants. It is considered to be the 'green heart' of Central Europe, nestling below Austria, to the east of Italy, to the west of Hungary and north of Croatia, and the other constituent parts of former Yugoslavia. With snowy alps, rolling hills, extensive forests, and Mediterranean vineyards and coastline, it has just about everything you could want. The map of the country looks remarkably like a running chicken, with its capital Ljubljana, lying at its heart.

*   Ljubljana lies in a basin below the towering alps of the Gorenjska region. Approximately the size of Bath, with 275,000 inhabitants, Ljubljana is sufficiently large to sustain interest, but small enough to make a short visit very manageable and enjoyable. The city has a charming Baroque old town quarter nestling below the Castle Hill, and alongside the steeply banked Ljubljanica river, spanned by a series of beautiful bridges, and lined with bars and cafes.

THE HISTORICAL BIT:

*   According to legend, Ljubljana was founded by Jason, together with his intrepid Argonauts and their stolen Golden Fleece. Having survived crossing the Black Sea, navigated the Danube and Sava rivers and then the Ljubljanica as far as the site of the city, they encountered (as you do) a huge Dragon, which Jason succeeded in killing. The 'Ljubljana Dragon' now forms part of the City coat of arms and also makes an impressive appearance on one of the bridges.

*   Slovenia was until June 25th 1991, part of Yugoslavia, and prior to that part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. Slovenia's decision to become independent became the catalyst for theeventual breakdown of Yugoslavia, and whilst a very brief war ensued in Slovenia, it soon became a peaceful country, largely untouched by the terrible events that took place further south. Easily the most affluent and economically secure of the former Yugoslavian nations, Slovenia will join the European Union in May 2004.

THE CULTURAL BIT:

*   Slovenes are very hospitable and friendly, and delighted to welcome visitors to their country. If you show the simple of courtesy of distinguishing them from Slovakia (a mistake so common as to be a kind of cultural joke) and make the effort to say a few simple words of Slovene, you could have a friend for life!

*   Food and drink is definitely a delight: Slovenia makes superb wine (vino), rarely tasted outside the country. Look out for 'Teran', a strong, almost red-black wine, and the amazing red champagne ('Penina'). Beer (called 'Pivo') is represented by two main breweries who remain arch rivals and divide drinkers with their loyalties, so try them both and decide if you favour the red and white 'Union' or the green and white 'Lasko'!
Strong, fiery grappa is another national speciality not to be missed, often with hand-picked herbs and berries in the bottles to add flavour. The food is excellent and largely of a quality superior to anything back home. On the way to the match look out for the 'Hot Horse' burger bar near Tivoli park - yes that's a horse-burger! Utterly superb. In fact horse is much loved meat in Slovenia and once tasted -especially the sausages ('Klobase'), will soon win you over!


*   Where to eat and drink? The Ljubljanica river is lined with bars and cafes, perfect places to sit out in the (largely) hospitable climate. All are delightful places to sit and many provide superb food. The surrounding town has many others to choose from: Try Joe Penas on Cankarjeva 6, or the TriGlav on Mala Ulica 5. Rememberthat you will be served at your table - no need to stand at the bar and shout for "two pints of pivi and a packet of chips ('crisps') prosim"!

*   Music - want some local sounds to get you in the mood for the game? Check out Big Bang Music - owned by Olimpija Ljubljana's chairman, and see what you can find: If you like your music dark, heavy and challenging? Try 'Laibach'; formed in 1988 as part of the Neue Slovenische Kunst movement, they use and subvert Nazi and Totalitarian imagery to powerful effect. Their complete re-working of the Beatle's 'Let it be' album is a revelation!

Easier on the ear, upbeat and fun, are 'Terra Folk'. A great fusion of Klezmer, Eastern European folk and gypsy music, all played with high energy - see if you can find 'Jumper of love' (Pulover Ljubezni). Football songs are thankfully largely unknown, but a concentrated dose can be obtained on the "Kdor ne skace ni Sloven'c" compilation of 24 fairly relentless Euro-House tracks, including 'You'll never walk alone'. Sadly sung in English.

*   Kremsnita; Don't miss the tall, square confection of flaky pastry, confectioners custard and cream...well something like that. The exact recipe is probably argued about by different confectioners! In Lake Bled, they claim they have the best ones, but we reckon those sold at Kavarna Zvezda on Kongresni Trg give them a fair challenge.

THE FOOTBALL BIT:

*   Yugoslavia was justifiably famous for its formidable footballing talent, largely made up of Croatian players, although all the other component regions contributed to making the likes of Red Star Belgrade a side that gave Shankly's Liverpool a thrashing in 1972. After independence, Slovenia had to rediscover football ('nogomet') and its infant National side was formed only in 1991. However they made a decent impression on the 2002 World Cup and even had star player, Zlatko Zahovic do a 'Roy Keane' and stomp out as well! Slovenia are second only to France in their qualifying group for the European Championships, and have nothing to apologise for. The Si-Mobil National league is rarely discussed in the UK, and the funds available for any of the teams are severely limited. Maribor are the star side, although Olimpija Ljubljana have had their share of domestic success. Slovenes are learning to love football, but many follow a multitude of sports, especially Basketball, Handball, Ice hockey, skiing and track and field events. The wearing of replica shirts is a phenomenon that has not really taken hold of Slovenia (and thankfully the blue Lacoste trackkie is a sight unseen).


*   The Centralni Stadion is a short walk from the city centre/train station, along the wide and busy Dunajska Cesta, located in the Bezigrad area. Designed by Slovenia's most celebrated architect Jozef Plecnik, it was originally used for Religious rallies and athletics meetings. Now a national monument, it is charming, but rather basic in its facilities, but has recently hosted both Israel and France national sides.

SPEAKING THE LINGO:

*   Most people speak some English - certainly in bars. That's lucky, as Slovene is certainly one of the more challenging European languages, with 5 cases, the delightful but complex 'duality' and a strictly phonetic pronunciation, that still does not seem to help! However, a few simple words go a very long way: do try to use them, the Slovenes will love you for making the effort.

Yes = Ja (ya) No = Ne (ney) Please = Prosim (pro-seem) Thank you = hvala (hva-la) No thanks = ne hvala Hello = dober dan Good evening = Dober vercer (do-ber ver-chair) I would like a beer please? = Rad bi eno pivo, prosim? (rad be eno pee-vo pro-seem). You'll never walk alone = Nikoli ne bos hodil sam = (nick-oli ney bosh hodee-u sum)

Feeling confident? Try this little tongue twister'. Riba rece raci rep, Perica rece raci rep! It's all about a fish andthen a fisherwoman pulling the Duck's tail'

Note the the letter 'c' with no accent is pronounced 's', and with an accent on top has a 'ch' sound. A 'road' is 'ulica' (oolitsa).

TOURIST INFORMATION:

Very good English spoken and experienced in group travel:
Mirjana Brajic & Ziga Osterc
MM-Turist
Cankarjevo 3
1000 Ljubljana
Tel: +386 1 244 25 38, 244 25 30, 244 25 36
Fax: +386 1 244 2534

steer:
language guide is crap...


where the sloven for

 'i like you very much'

'what do i get for that'

'that was most enjoyable'

'do u have a sister'


come on .tv sort it out.

Spartacus.:
Cant wait  :)

Stanley:
Anyone gonna try the horse burgers? :lickin

steer:
had horse in france...finger licking good.  :lickin :lickin :lickin

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