On Monday 4 July, it was 10 years since researchers at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) presented to the public the results of an experiment at the Large Hadron Collider pointing to the existence of the Higgs boson. The Jožef Stefan Institute (IJS) also participated in the discovery of this elementary particle and marked the tenth anniversary of this landmark discovery with an event whose honorary patron was Slovenian President Borut Pahor.

The traditional event entitled Welcome Home, which is dedicated to all Slovenians who live abroad – both members of the national minorities in neighbouring countries, and those who live further afield – will this year take place in Ljubljana and Novo mesto. The whole event will take place from Thursday until Sunday, and it always takes place on the days around “Emigrant Sunday”, which is the first Sunday in July.

Ljubljana was officially declared European Best Destination 2022 on Monday, 27 June. The prestigious award was given to Mayor Zoran Janković by the CEO of the European Best Destinations organisation, Maximilien Lejeune.

On this coming Saturday, Slovenia will mark its 31st anniversary of independence.

Since 1981, more and more cities around the world have been celebrating World Music Day with free street concerts on the longest day of the year.

At today’s opening event, the organisers will pay tribute to the giant of Slovenian literature, Boris Pahor, with a passage from his novel, Nekropolis interpreted by the actor Pavle Ravnohrib. A literary evening organised by the Slovene Writers’ Association will follow. The readings will be given by members of the Slovene Writers’ Association, the Slovenian Association of Literary Translators and the Slovene PEN Centre.

The 28th edition of the Tour of Slovenia, the biggest cycling race in the country, starts today in Nova Gorica. The race’s most important name will be Slovenian ace Tadej Pogačar, who will test his form with the UAE Team Emirates ahead of the Tour of France and aim for a second consecutive victory on home soil.

World Environment Day is celebrated on 5 June. It is one of the oldest world days celebrated at the initiative of the United Nations and its environmental programme. It represents the principal tool of the United Nations to promote awareness and measures favouring the environment around the world and forms the crucial foundation for promoting progress in the environmental aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals.

National Volunteer Week is organised every year in Slovenia in the month of May. The Slovene Philanthropy will organise it this year between 23 and 29 May. The purpose of the week is to celebrate voluntarism and thank the volunteers for their activities. Volunteer organisations will present their activities through various events, and invite visitors to join their ranks.

On Wednesday, the National Assembly held a secret voting session and elected Robert Golob, president of the Gibanje Svoboda political party, the formateur of the new government. He was supported by 54 members of parliament; 30 voted against.

To mark today's International Museum Day, numerous Slovenian museums and galleries will be offering a diverse programme to visitors, from the traditional free entrance and guided tours to new exhibitions. Museum experts will discuss the potential of Slovenian museums at a special conference. This year's leading theme is the power of museums.

Europe Day is a day to celebrate peace and unity in Europe. The Council of Europe celebrates it on 5 May and the European Union on 9 May. A reflection on the future of the European Union was at the forefront of this year's Europe Day.

The International Labour Day is the right time to reflect on what is happening on Slovenian labour market.

In Sunday’s elections, the voters chose who they want in Deputy seats in the National Assembly for the next four years. The final results of the parliamentary elections are yet to be published.

Slovenia has surpassed its set objectives at Expo and the first results are already apparent, as companies are concluding business deals and tourist agencies from the United Arab Emirates are inquiring about package tours in Slovenia.

Book Night, celebrated on 22 April, is a voluntary self-organised national and international project taking place for the seventh consecutive year in Slovenia, beyond its borders and around the world. Book Night marks World Book Day celebrated on 23 April and declared by UNESCO in 1996. The day of books was well-received in Slovenia. We celebrate books for an entire week.

After a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus, the largest chocolate event in Slovenia is returning to Radovljica: the 9th Chocolate Festival. The festival is not only a celebration of chocolate, but also excites with its rich accompanying programme and the observance of the principles of sustainable development. It will take place between 23 and 24 April.

A joint press conference of the Slovenian and Polish Prime Ministers, Janez Janša and Mateusz Morawiecki, was held today to announce that Slovenia and Poland will organise the Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2022. Russia cannot host this event due to the current circumstances and its aggression against Ukraine.

After 2019 and 2020, Ljubljana was also awarded the title of Tree City of the World in 2021. The Ljubljana Urban Municipality is proud of having again been recognised for its efforts to make Ljubljana literally green.

The municipalities of Bled and Gorje have been certified as the first European zero waste municipalities, according to the Mission Zero Academy. The Academy assessed that the municipalities successfully implement measures aimed at achieving zero net waste and operate in accordance with the conditions required by the certificate.