The Slovenian International Ladies' Association's (SILA) first Spring Soirée was a total success, and it was an amazing evening to see the main ballroom of the Grand Hotel Union full of people having fun after one and a half months of hard work and preparations. The event was sold out – 250 guests attended and there were still more who wanted to come, but couldn’t get a ticket. Each table was named after a famous woman from a different country, for example – Slovenia was represented by Ana Roš, name the Best Female Chef in the World in 2017. And there was something magical in the air when you entered the glittering hall, all in pink, with the tulips in the glass vases, so elegant and joyful.
This year's event was different from the years before, because it was organised to support a charity project, Europa Donna, which helps women with breast cancer. At the end of the evening a cheque for €7,500 was presented to Tanja Spanič, the president of Europa Donna Slovenia, and for the whole of Europe, too. Another very important goal was to celebrate women, because March is meant to be the month of women, while a third aim, and not the least, was to enjoy the evening with friends, which was organised under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor, and co-hosted by the Turkish Embassy.
We listened to speeches made by Her Excellency the Ambassador of Turkey, Mrs. Esen Altug, and also to those of Tanja Bogataj, Emilia Stojmenova, Danica Purg, Tanja Skaza, and Tanja Spanič, all wonderful women who have are having a significant impact on Slovenia. There were also artists whose work delighted and inspired us throughout the evening: Inga Ulokina, Lara Oprešnik, our Ivana Jelisavčić with Matjaž Kosem, Manca Izmajlova with Benjamin Izmajlov, dancing couple Maja Pucelj and Peter Files, Emilia Debska and the women who appeared in the fashion show.
In the foyer there were sponsors, along with welcoming drinks. Member of SILA who paint also showed their works here. To add to the fun, and excitement, there was a lucky draw during the evening, as well as a silent auction. Then, with the formal part of the evening completed, the guests all danced to the sounds of DJ music. If you came, then I hope you enjoyed the evening as much as I did, and if you couldn’t come then I hope you get a chance to attend next year, or to join SILA and take part in some of its many other events.
I should, of course, thank SILA’s president, Marta Berglez, who first proposed the idea of a Spring Soireé just a short time ago, in February. She was the soul and the leader of all the preparations, as well as a speaker on the evening along with Valeria Koval. I would also like to thank all of the Spring Soireé committee for their efforts in making the evening such as success: Marta Berglez, Anne Gwenaëlle Vrtunski, Zita Majoros, Hilâl Easley, Marisa Kogovšek, Ellen Vredevoort, Aldegonda Mieke Caris, Lali Sladjana Ilić, Tatjana Struna Berden, Valerija Koval, Helen Mina and myself, Mojca Slana, as well as everyone who supported the event.
You can learn more about the work and activities of SILA here, while you can see many (many) more pictures from the event here
