WEBVTT 00:00:00.620 --> 00:00:02.450 Welcome to Spotlight. One month from today, 00:00:02.570 --> 00:00:05.689 on 6 February, the Winter Olympics begin. 00:00:05.810 --> 00:00:08.629 The hosts will be Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. 00:00:08.750 --> 00:00:11.150 Due to the proximity of the Games, where around 40 00:00:11.270 --> 00:00:14.641 Slovenian athletes will take part, many Slovenians will be attending 00:00:14.762 --> 00:00:18.173 as visitors. As the Olympic Games are one of the most powerful 00:00:18.294 --> 00:00:21.204 global platforms for the promotion of countries, 00:00:21.325 --> 00:00:24.809 Slovenia will be represented in Cortina d'Ampezzo 00:00:24.930 --> 00:00:28.280 by the Slovenian House, a kind of Slovenian embassy 00:00:28.400 --> 00:00:31.649 at the Games. It will host Olympic receptions, 00:00:31.711 --> 00:00:34.649 business, cultural and scientific events, 00:00:34.793 --> 00:00:38.281 and offer superb culinary experience with selected Slovenian dishes and wines. 00:00:39.650 --> 00:00:42.919 We will talk to Petra Bezjak Cirman, Director of the Government 00:00:43.040 --> 00:00:46.340 Communications Office, and the Business Director of the Olympic 00:00:46.460 --> 00:00:50.280 Committee of Slovenia about the promotion of Slovenia 00:00:50.401 --> 00:00:52.520 at the Winter Olympics through the Slovenian House project. Matic Švab. 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:54.899 Hello. -Greetings. 00:00:55.460 --> 00:00:58.880 Hello. -Mrs. Bezjak Cirman, you highlight the Olympic Games 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:01.550 as one of the most powerful global platforms for promotion. 00:01:01.670 --> 00:01:04.930 How will you build The Slovenian House in Cortina 00:01:05.051 --> 00:01:08.727 on the previous experience in Paris, Pyeongchang in consolidating 00:01:08.848 --> 00:01:13.340 the I feel Slovenia brand and what concrete benefits do you hope to gain from this? 00:01:14.530 --> 00:01:18.797 Yes, the Slovenian House will be essentially a kind of embassy on 00:01:18.918 --> 00:01:23.992 a small scale for this period in Cortina. It will also be in the centre of Cortina, 00:01:24.113 --> 00:01:28.329 a hundred metres from the main venue, and of course we have high hopes. 00:01:28.520 --> 00:01:32.501 It's not just about money, it's about our presentation 00:01:32.527 --> 00:01:35.325 of Slovenia to everyone. To visitors, 00:01:35.470 --> 00:01:40.780 to the international professional public, 00:01:40.900 --> 00:01:43.903 to the various economic audiences, to the tourist public, 00:01:44.024 --> 00:01:46.299 because Spirit and the WTO will be holding their events in house. 00:01:46.420 --> 00:01:50.080 The Ministry of Culture will also showcase their programme. 00:01:50.200 --> 00:01:53.514 There will also be a programme for Slovenians living in Italy 00:01:53.635 --> 00:01:57.959 and other Slovenians. In short, it is a rich set 00:01:58.080 --> 00:02:01.508 of presentations of our Slovenia under the brand I feel Slovenia. 00:02:01.690 --> 00:02:05.529 It is a green brand, which emphasises 00:02:05.650 --> 00:02:09.310 our sustainability, our orientation towards results 00:02:09.430 --> 00:02:12.129 that are also green, sustainable. 00:02:12.250 --> 00:02:14.980 We deliver what we promise. 00:02:15.100 --> 00:02:18.271 We also put a lot of emphasis on science, 00:02:18.350 --> 00:02:22.019 on the latest technologies, which is what Slovenia is known for. 00:02:22.660 --> 00:02:25.397 Mr Švab, is the success of this project 00:02:25.518 --> 00:02:27.339 also dependent on the success of Slovenian athletes? 00:02:27.460 --> 00:02:29.410 We can say that it is partly, 00:02:29.530 --> 00:02:32.080 but the Olympic Games are not just a sporting event. 00:02:32.200 --> 00:02:34.149 They are also a very important business event. 00:02:34.270 --> 00:02:38.108 And it is the national houses of the Olympic teams or countries 00:02:38.230 --> 00:02:41.121 are a very important business platform 00:02:41.254 --> 00:02:44.125 for presenting the countries, for presenting the companies 00:02:44.246 --> 00:02:47.160 that support sport. And of course, as the Director has said, 00:02:47.281 --> 00:02:50.109 also for other organisations the country cooperates with. 00:02:50.230 --> 00:02:52.080 As we have already seen in Paris, 00:02:52.201 --> 00:02:54.106 when Slovenia won the Olympic medals relatively late, 00:02:54.262 --> 00:02:57.223 this did not affect the activities and events at the Slovenian House, 00:02:57.418 --> 00:02:59.950 so we believe that this will be the case in Cortina as well, 00:03:00.070 --> 00:03:03.430 but we have to be aware that the Olympics 00:03:03.550 --> 00:03:05.559 are very interesting for Slovenia in the sporting field. 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:09.343 The opening of the Olympic Games is on February 6. 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:14.231 The following day we'll have Miha Hrobat competing in downhill in Bormio. 00:03:14.257 --> 00:03:17.010 In the evening we have the women's ski jumping with Nika Prevc. 00:03:17.130 --> 00:03:21.359 We continue with women's dowhill and our excellent Ilka Štuhec, 00:03:21.480 --> 00:03:24.600 then snowboarders on February 8, the national holiday, 00:03:24.720 --> 00:03:28.769 so the first weekend will already be very interesting in the sporting field. 00:03:28.890 --> 00:03:32.670 The location of the house will also be 100 metres from the main Olympic stage 00:03:32.790 --> 00:03:36.090 in Cortina. What does a good location mean for the logistics of athletes' visits? 00:03:36.210 --> 00:03:38.999 Will they visit the house after their matches, 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:40.949 meet the fans there, the media? 00:03:41.070 --> 00:03:46.049 The logistics of the athletes themselves are relatively complex, 00:03:46.170 --> 00:03:48.720 chow they will move around at the Olympics, 00:03:48.840 --> 00:03:51.118 because the athletes are competing in different places 00:03:51.290 --> 00:03:53.708 around Italy, which are relatively far apart from each other. 00:03:53.829 --> 00:03:56.100 Bormio, Livigno, are completely on the opposite sides of Italy, 00:03:56.220 --> 00:03:58.673 and then, of course, Cortina d'Ampezzo, 00:03:58.860 --> 00:04:02.639 while ski jumpers are in Predazzo and the biathletes in Anterselva. 00:04:02.760 --> 00:04:05.759 But we have to be aware that there will be a lot of guests, a lot of international 00:04:06.016 --> 00:04:08.820 public in Cortina itself, and to have such location of the Slovenian House 00:04:08.940 --> 00:04:11.429 in the very centre of the town is of course extremely important, 00:04:11.550 --> 00:04:14.690 because it is very easy to reach for those 00:04:14.810 --> 00:04:17.837 who are in Cortina, and I believe that the house itself will attract 00:04:18.002 --> 00:04:20.939 a very large number of coincidental visitors, 00:04:21.259 --> 00:04:24.080 which was the Government's wish, basically that the 00:04:24.200 --> 00:04:26.600 house should not only be open for certain events, but open to the general public. 00:04:26.720 --> 00:04:29.090 And of course we were immediately attracted to that 00:04:29.210 --> 00:04:31.920 and we are very happy that we have the Slovenian House 00:04:32.041 --> 00:04:33.859 in the centre of a very recognisable Cortina d'Ampezzo. 00:04:33.980 --> 00:04:38.280 Mrs. Bezjak Cirman, the Slovenian House will bring together 00:04:38.401 --> 00:04:42.290 sport, business, science and culture under one roof. 00:04:42.410 --> 00:04:44.360 How will you ensure that this little Olympic embassy 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:46.640 will as you said yourself, serve everyone effectively? 00:04:46.760 --> 00:04:49.490 Perhaps you already have some kind of pool of business people who will 00:04:49.610 --> 00:04:54.640 be there? Perhaps you will also make it possible to hold business events? 00:04:55.880 --> 00:04:58.070 That is the case. There will also be a part of the house 00:04:58.190 --> 00:05:00.679 where business events can be held. 00:05:00.800 --> 00:05:04.160 But as my colleague your studio has mentioned, 00:05:04.186 --> 00:05:07.103 it will be also open for public 00:05:07.270 --> 00:05:12.017 and I invite all visitors to join us in the Slovenian house. 00:05:12.163 --> 00:05:15.723 They can be Slovenian or foreign supporters. 00:05:15.850 --> 00:05:20.250 We would like to welcome reporters that can learn about our country 00:05:20.410 --> 00:05:23.897 I would like to add that Ministry of Economy and Sport, 00:05:24.070 --> 00:05:27.130 which tremendously supports sport in this tenure, 00:05:27.377 --> 00:05:30.750 appropriate a million Euros for realization of the house 00:05:30.970 --> 00:05:36.170 and 900,000 for preparations and qualifications of the athletes. 00:05:36.643 --> 00:05:43.030 As you've mentioned, the Ministry is preparing the events 00:05:43.230 --> 00:05:47.063 together with Spirit, meant for economy, 00:05:47.190 --> 00:05:50.743 where the final programme is being finished and developed. 00:05:50.863 --> 00:05:54.563 And the same goes for tourism, public in tourism, STO 00:05:54.770 --> 00:05:58.810 which is preparing its programme under the auspices of the Ministry. 00:05:58.931 --> 00:06:01.097 We are really covering a wide range, 00:06:01.237 --> 00:06:05.663 from general public to professional and specialised public. 00:06:06.103 --> 00:06:09.503 Mr. Švab, our ambassador of the house Tina Maze is renowned. 00:06:09.690 --> 00:06:12.510 How will you integrate her in the everyday programme? 00:06:12.643 --> 00:06:15.917 What kind of influence do you expect from her to international partners? 00:06:16.130 --> 00:06:20.133 Tina Maze is the most recognizable Slovenian winter athlete 00:06:20.300 --> 00:06:23.963 and we are very happy that she has joined our project. 00:06:24.153 --> 00:06:28.347 She has two Olympic gold medals and everybody knows her 00:06:28.487 --> 00:06:31.783 as well as in skiing Cortina. She has a special status. 00:06:31.950 --> 00:06:35.670 It's very important that she is an ambassador of the Slovenian house 00:06:35.803 --> 00:06:38.377 and the main promoter of Slovenia. 00:06:38.563 --> 00:06:42.330 We are very happy and I believe that a lot of foreign visitors 00:06:42.563 --> 00:06:47.550 will see something more because of her and we will remember her success. 00:06:47.717 --> 00:06:52.360 We also believe that the athletes who will compete at Olympic games 00:06:52.487 --> 00:06:55.320 come to our house when they win good positions 00:06:55.453 --> 00:07:02.083 and we will all celebrate. I'm sure Tina Maze will get a successor soon. 00:07:02.310 --> 00:07:07.410 There will be two additional Olympic points in Bormio and Predazzo. 00:07:07.583 --> 00:07:11.257 How will you connect them with the main house? What's the programme? 00:07:11.537 --> 00:07:16.017 Those will be just points for athletes that get a medal there 00:07:16.243 --> 00:07:22.137 and it's too far to go to Cortina, because they have more appearances 00:07:22.383 --> 00:07:26.830 and that is just a location, where we can make a reception for an athlete 00:07:27.003 --> 00:07:29.970 that wins a medal and deserves a reception. 00:07:30.137 --> 00:07:32.683 As well as the coach and a professional team 00:07:32.830 --> 00:07:34.737 that is behind the results. 00:07:34.963 --> 00:07:40.083 You've said that the house will be quite big, it can host 250 visitors. 00:07:40.303 --> 00:07:45.703 How will be a typical day look like? If a supporter wants to feel it? 00:07:45.943 --> 00:07:50.117 Besides the gastronomy. -When there is a business event 00:07:50.230 --> 00:07:53.723 the house will be partially closed. The other part will operate. 00:07:53.903 --> 00:07:57.817 So, a Slovenian or foreign supporter could come to a Slovenian house 00:07:57.923 --> 00:08:02.690 and try a Slovenian cuisine or drink something nice. 00:08:02.810 --> 00:08:06.490 They could watch the performances of Slovenian or foreign athletes, 00:08:06.677 --> 00:08:10.110 which is very important. The house has also a great location. 00:08:10.210 --> 00:08:14.243 They can walk around Cortina and see an Olympic flame in the centre. 00:08:14.417 --> 00:08:18.803 In the immediate vicinity is also the main fan zone in Cortina, 00:08:18.957 --> 00:08:22.097 so we invite all Slovenians there. 00:08:22.230 --> 00:08:26.443 I'm sure there will be a lot of them in the Dolomites. 00:08:26.537 --> 00:08:28.963 They should come to the Slovenian house as well. 00:08:29.170 --> 00:08:33.110 Mrs. Bezjak Cirman, the government has given a million Euros for this. 00:08:33.303 --> 00:08:37.530 How does such an investment recoup? How do you measure success? 00:08:39.170 --> 00:08:41.537 As I've mentioned, it's not just the money. 00:08:41.749 --> 00:08:46.449 It can be measured in the visibility of our country and media coverage. 00:08:46.610 --> 00:08:49.790 More medals means more visibility. 00:08:49.937 --> 00:08:53.077 We are measuring, how many foreign media reports are there, 00:08:53.197 --> 00:08:55.117 we monitor social media as well. 00:08:55.290 --> 00:09:00.703 Again, everybody is welcome, because it will be important, 00:09:00.897 --> 00:09:04.430 how many visitors will come to the Slovenian house. 00:09:04.723 --> 00:09:09.337 And of course, the number of business meetings and new partnerships. 00:09:09.570 --> 00:09:15.677 They could taste Slovenia, because we will offer Slovenian delicacies. 00:09:15.970 --> 00:09:19.257 And Slovenia will be included in international sustainability, 00:09:19.370 --> 00:09:23.243 innovation and sport stories. I would like to emphasize 00:09:23.430 --> 00:09:26.160 that we have a Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport. 00:09:26.293 --> 00:09:28.523 As the Minister Matjaž Han likes to say, 00:09:28.730 --> 00:09:32.737 sport is not just an appendix, we are really counting on it. 00:09:32.933 --> 00:09:38.950 That is why we've appropriated a million Euros for this house 00:09:39.070 --> 00:09:43.583 and with it, we want to enhance our reputation abroad. 00:09:43.790 --> 00:09:47.263 You will present Slovenia as a sustainable, green country. 00:09:47.403 --> 00:09:51.037 How will it be expressed in the Slovenian house? 00:09:52.230 --> 00:09:56.070 We will use sustainable materials for furnishing and decoration. 00:09:56.203 --> 00:09:59.743 The space will be energy efficient. 00:09:59.923 --> 00:10:05.010 I've mentioned our local cuisine that Slovenians are famous for. 00:10:05.290 --> 00:10:09.650 And the content will point out our sustainable practices 00:10:09.803 --> 00:10:12.263 in tourism, economy and sport. 00:10:12.570 --> 00:10:16.783 Okay. Mrs. Bezjak Cirman and Mr. Švab thank you for this conversation. 00:10:17.023 --> 00:10:21.077 Thank you. -Thank you. -In one month we will support our athletes. 00:10:21.223 --> 00:10:23.543 Their performances will be a great promotion of our country 00:10:23.677 --> 00:10:27.737 and we are happy that the project of the Slovenian house is joining in. 00:10:27.963 --> 00:10:30.573 Thank you for watching and goodbye.