News

The wine harvest is over and the grapes in cellars are already turning into wine. Since wine is a big part of Slovenia's cultural heritage, St Martin's day is a holiday not to be missed by any Slovenian.

The 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) began in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, on November 7th. The focus this year is on the challenges faced by developing countries in the light of climate change. One of the most important questions is financial aid for these nations. In one of the main speeches at the panel of leaders, Slovenia’s President Borut Pahor confirmed his country’s commitment to limiting atmospheric warming, and providing developmental and humanitarian aid to the world’s most vulnerable populations.

Slovenian tourism, presenting itself at the World Travel Market (WTM) London, emphasises the importance of inclusive and respectful tourism. According to Karmen Novarlič from the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB), Slovenia’s focus on sustainable operations has been recognised by the leading decision makers in the travel industry, who ranked the country among the 10 most sustainable and responsible destinations in the world.

From 4 to 20 November, Celje and Ljubljana will be hosting the largest women’s sports event in Slovenia since the country gained its independence, together with Skopje and Podgorica – the 15th European Women’s Handball Championship.

Today, the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy officially submitted the Programme for the Implementation of the European Cohesion Policy 2021–2027 to the European Commission. "We have completed one of the main tasks of this Government and now we must see to the swift implementation of the projects," Minister Jevšek stated.

National Geographic’s Global Editorial Teams profiled Slovenia among 25 Most Extraordinary Places and Communities To Inspire Your Next Trip in the “Nature” category. As such, Slovenia is one of the eight European destinations that made to the list of 25 selected destinations.

Today we mark Sovereignty Day, which, however, is not a work-free day. On the night before Wednesday it will be 31 years since the very last Yugoslav People’s Army soldier left the territory of present-day Slovenia. The Slovenian War of Independence was thus at an end, and Slovenia became a sovereign state. The main state ceremony will take place in Gornja Radgona, with the Minister of Defence, Marjan Šarec, as the keynote speaker.

The Postojna Cave is expecting new olm babies. One of the females laid new eggs earlier this summer. These have been developing successfully and almost all of the babies have already seen the »darkness of the cave«. The famous litter from 2016 is now joined by new dragon babies.

The international climate relay, with which young people are raising awareness about climate change, has crossed Slovenia.

Thirty years ago, the UN General Assembly declared 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to draw attention to the poverty around the world and promote activities to reduce it. This International Day emphasises global solidarity and the shared responsibility for eradicating poverty, along with the necessity to fight against all forms of discrimination.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia is aware of the severity of international developments and their impact on the domestic environment. To this end, it is drafting a comprehensive package of mitigation and target-oriented measures regarding high food and energy prices in cooperation with key stakeholders.

The Soča is one of Europe’s most beautiful and best-preserved alpine rivers. It is regarded to have an important natural value for Triglav National Park, and, both in Slovenia and across the world, it is well known for its distinct emerald colour. 14 October is the day dedicated to it.

A group of Slovenian scientists has become the first in the world to find microplastic particles in hailstones, this in a study of large samples of hail that hit the Poljanska Valley along the Kolpa River in Bela Krajina in June 2019.

The Dallas Mavericks, the club of Slovenian basketball ace Luka Dončić, along with the Municipality of Celje, have renovated two basketball courts in Celje in a joint project. This is the first project of its kind by any NBA team in Europe.

This year’s Children’s Week runs from Monday, 3 October, to Sunday, 9 October.

The motto of this year’s World Teachers’ Day is "The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers". It coincides with the recent session of the UN General Assembly and the Transforming Education Summit, which focused on education around the world having found itself in a crisis following the COVID-19 pandemic.

European Researchers’ Night, taking place on Friday, 30 September, is a Europe-wide event within the Programme for Research and Technological Development. Its purpose is to bring science and research closer to the wider public, especially younger people.

At the Global Green Destinations Days in Athens, seven Slovenian destinations were awarded for their sustainable practices: Jeruzalem, Ljubljana, Maribor, Miren Kras, Rogaška Slatina, Rogla-Pohorje and Vipava. They are also the Slovenia Green label holders.

This year’s World Tourism Day celebrated on 27 September focuses on the reconsideration about how we behave in tourism and how it is dealt with. The objective is sustainable and more inclusive tourism. It is time to start thinking differently, urges Maja Pak, the Director of the Slovenian Tourist Board.

On 23 September, when the Slovenian national anthem was played for the first time at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Slovenia celebrates the Day of Slovenian Sport.