30 Nov 2021, 10:46 AM

New Statistics on Slovenian Households & Families

STA, 30 November 2021 - The population in Slovenia has increased by 59,000 in the decade between 2011 to 2021, with the number of households up by 46,000 and families by 20,000. Households have an average of 2.41 members, while families with children have an average of 1.56 children, according to the Statistics Office.

Slovenia's population numbered 2,108,977 on 1 January 2021, of which 859,782 (98%) lived in private households and 682 (2%) in group and special households - the largest number of those (16,000) were residents of homes for the elderly.

The largest number of households were single-family, a total of 462,744 (54%), while one-person households accounted for 292,301 (34%). In every 20th household, there was at least one person who is not considered a member of the family, according to the statistical definition.

Since 2011, the number of households has increased by 46,000 (6%) and by 35,000 (4%) in three years. There has been an increase in the number of two-person, one-person and large households (with six or more members), and a decrease in the number of households with three, four or five members.

One in seven people in Slovenia lived in a one-person household in 2021. Many of them were foreign nationals, with 43,848 male and 5,017 female one-person households. Most of the foreign nationals were men aged 21-27.

At the beginning of 2021, there were 587,448 families in Slovenia, 412,534 (70%) with children and 174,914 (30%) without. A total of 1,683,792 (80%) of the population lived in families - the number of families has increased by 20,000 since 2011 and by 10,000 in the last three years.

The most common family type were married couples with children - 202,458, accounting for almost 35% of all families, although the number of such families has been declining for more than three decades. The second most common family type (25%) were married couples without children.

The third most common type were single-parent families with children - 23% of all families and 33% of families with children, and the majority of such families were single mothers (80%).

The most significant increase in the last decade was seen in cohabiting families without children, who accounted for 5% of all families. There were also 255 same-sex partner families in Slovenia in 2021, 52 with children and 203 without.

Families had an average 1.10 children, up to 1.56 if only families with children are considered. The lowest number of children was recorded in the municipalities of Šalovci (1.36) and Lendava (1.39) in the north-east, and the highest in the municipalities of Gorenja Vas - Poljane (1.98), Železniki (1.84) and Horjul (1.83).

More on this data

24 Nov 2021, 12:02 PM

Jasmina Cibic Wins 2021 Film London Jarman Award

STA, 24 November 2021 - Slovenian artist Jasmina Cibic has won the 2021 Jarman Award handed out by Film London, worth EUR 10,000. The jury highlighted her projects NADA and The Gift, which was recently screened at the London Film Festival.

Cibic was announced the winner of the award at a special event at the Regent Street Cinema on Tuesday evening.

Based in London, Cibic (1979) works in film, sculpting, performance and installation. She broaches important global issues such as national identity, emergence of a state, soft power and relations within Europe in her works.

She picks monumental architectural locations for the shooting of her films such as the French Communist Party Headquarters, a work by esteemed architect Oscar Niemeyer, or the Palace of Nations in Geneva.

She builds dialogues based on transcripts of political debates and speeches and often includes dance in her films, said Film London, which hands out the award with the support of the Arts Council England and the Whitechapel Gallery.

In her short film The Gift (2021), Cibic presents an allegorical story, a competition among the Artist, Diplomat and Engineer, on which art form would best cure a divided society.

Teaser for 'The Gift', Jasmina Cibic, 2021 from Film London on Vimeo.

Four women, who represent the four liberties from Roosevelt's 1941 Four Freedoms speech - the freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, freedom from fear - talk to the candidates.

"Through unfolding the complex entanglements of art, gender and state power, she encourages viewers to consider the strategies employed in the construction of national culture," Film London says on its website.

Jasmina Cibic in interview: The Foundation of Endeavour, Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova, Ljubljana, November 2020 from jasmina cibic on Vimeo.

The film trilogy NADA (2016-2018) studies three star architects of European Modernism and the role that their works have played with the national representation in decisive moments of Europe's history.

They include the unrealised project by Vjenceslav Richter for the Yugoslavian pavilion at the world expo in Brussels in 1958, the Arne Jacobsen City Hall and the 1920s architecture by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in Krefeld.

The artist, who exhibits around the world, has received several international awards and represented Slovenia at the 55th Venice International Art Exhibition with the project For Our Economy and Culture.

Inspired by Derek Jarman, the Jarman Award recognises and supports artists working with moving image and celebrates the spirit of experimentation, imagination and innovation in the work of artist filmmakers in the UK.

Last year the award was divided between Michelle Williams Gamaker, Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings, and Jenn Nkiru, Project Art Works, Larissa Sansour and Andrea Luka Zimmerman.

The artist’s website

23 Nov 2021, 11:16 AM

Slovenia Marks Rudolf Maister Day, 23 November

STA, 23 November - Slovenia observes Rudolf Maister Day on Tuesday, remembering the general who established the first Slovenian army in modern history and secured what later became Slovenia's northern border. The holiday commemorates the day in 1918 when Maister (1874-1934) took control of Maribor.

Following the break-up of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Major Maister prevented Maribor and the Podravje region from being made part of German Austria, the country created after WWI comprising areas of the former empire with a predominantly German-speaking population.

On 30 October 1918, the German city council declared Maribor and its surroundings part of German Austria, which Maister found unacceptable. He set up a Slovenian army of 4,000 soldiers, disarmed the German Schutzwehr security service, and disbanded the militia of the German city council.

The general then occupied Slovenian ethnic territory, establishing the northern border between Austria and Yugoslavia that was later ratified by the Saint Germain Peace Treaty. The same border still runs between Slovenia and Austria today.

Maister is buried at Maribor's Pobrežje Cemetery. Until recently, he had a modest grave but on the eve of the holiday a new tomb holding his remains was unveiled.

A few events have been scheduled to mark the holiday, including open day at the Presidential Palace in Ljubljana and a round table in Škofja Loka dedicated to fighters from Škofja Loka area who fought under him.

Rudolf Maister Day has been a public holiday since 2005, although not as a bank holiday.

19 Nov 2021, 10:48 AM

Facts & Figures on Slovenian Men for International Men’s Day

STA, 19 November 2021 - The life expectancy of men in Slovenia dropped by 0.9 years last year compared to the year before, the Statistics Office said ahead of International Men's Day, 19 November. But men still assess their health more positively than women.

In Slovenia, 1,058,000 out of the 2,107,000 inhabitants are men, with Slovenia being one of four EU countries, next to Sweden, Luxembourg and Malta, where men outnumber women.

In 2020, there were on average 99.4 women per 100 men, while the EU average is 104.7 women per 100 men.

In the first six months of the year, the average age of men in Slovenia was 42 and the most frequent name for a male was Franc. Luka was the most popular name for a newborn baby boy for the 21st year in a row.

As many as 92% of men aged between 20 and 24 have finished at least secondary school, while the EU average is 82%.

In most EU countries, female students are dominant in tertiary education. In Slovenia, the share of male students was at 42% in 2020, while it was at 46% in the EU.

Still, there were 36% of men in the 25-34 age group in Slovenia who have finished at least tertiary education, while the share in the EU is 35%.

In Slovenia, men particularly dominate in ITC professions, where 90% of employees are male. In the EU the share is 83%.

Last year, 81% of men were active on the labour market, which is one percentage point above the EU average.

The average age of men who died in 2020 was 75.3 years and data show that men have lower life expectancy than women. The life expectancy of men born in 2020 was 77.8, while for those born in 2019 it was 78.7.

Nevertheless, men assess their health more positively than women. About 70% of males aged at least 16 assessed their health as very good or good, which is five percentage points more than women. In the EU the share was at 71%.

More on this data

04 Nov 2021, 13:27 PM

Slovenian Mountaineers Open New Route on Mount Chobutse, Nepal

STA, 4 November 2021 - A pair of Slovenian mountaineers have succeeded in making the first ascent on a new 1700m route on the north-west face of Mount Chobutse (6680 m) in Nepal, which they named Slovenian Direct, the Slovenian Mountaineering Association has reported.

The top Slovenian climbing team of Luka Stražar and Nejc Marčič, along with Marko Prezelj and Matija Volontar, succeeded in making a first ascent on a new route on mount Chobutse (sometimes spelled Chobuje or Tsoboje) in Nepal between 28 and 30 October, reports the ExplorersWeb portal.

The climbers split into two roped teams: Stražar and Marčič successfully went for the west face, while Prezelj and Volontar gave the south face a try, but with less luck - strong winds eventually forced them back.

The route is a combination of technical difficulty and high altitude climbing, while the wind and cold made the experience truly Himalayan, wrote the Slovenian Mountaineering Association (PZS).

"The 1700-metre route is characterised by challenging and exposed climbing in the central part, while the ascent was marked by low temperatures and strong winds with avalanches. The climbers descended down the west side and reached base camp just before departure," the PZS added.

Stražar and Marčič rated the new Slovenian Direct route ED (Extremely hard - the second-highest level of the French scale), M5 (mixed climbing difficulty) and AI5 (Alpine Ice).

Four previous expeditions had climbed Mount Chobutse in the remote Himalayan region of Rolwaling in Nepal, with the first one being a German expedition in 1972, while Slovenian mountaineers now made the first ascent via the north-west face.

Stražar, Marčič and Prezelj are among the most renowned high-altitude alpine-style experts nowadays, writes the ExplorersWeb portal. They hold a total of seven Piolets d'Or among them.

Stražar and Marčič received one in 2012 for climbing the north-east face of K7 West (6615 m) in Pakistan in 2011, while Stražar received another in 2019 together with Aleš Česen and Tom Livingstone for a first ascent on the north face of Latok 1.

The Rolwaling 2021 expedition, also co-financed by the PZS, is expected to return to Slovenia at the end of the week.

See more photos at the PZS website

31 Oct 2021, 13:04 PM

Slovenia Marks Reformation Day

STA, 31 October 2021 - Slovenia is celebrating Reformation Day on Sunday, a public holiday that marks more than just the start of the Reformation Movement in 1517, it also celebrates the beginnings of the Slovenian language.

In line with demands that religious books should be in a language that the people understand, the Slovenian Reformation Movement produced the first books in the Slovenian language.

The first one, Cathecism (Katekizem), was written by the Protestant priest Primož Trubar (1508-1586) in 1550, followed the same year by his second book Abecedarium (Abedecnik).

The two books, and subsequent books by other Protestant writers, are seen as the foundations of the Slovenian language but also of Slovenian culture and national identity coming several centuries before the idea of Slovenian nationhood was first articulated.

This point was also highlighted by Prime Minister Janez Janša in his message and by Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti in his speech at the main Reformation Day ceremony in Krško on Friday.

Janša said that the first printed book in Slovenian had laid a more solid foundation for the survival of both the Slovene language and the Slovene nation.

"Just as the Slovenian literary language placed us among the culturally developed nations of Europe five hundred years ago, so today, in times of globalisation and the blurring of national boundaries, the Slovenian language (still) remains a key part of our cultural heritage and identity. The centre of national consciousness. It is the bond that binds us together, preserves us and is the foundation of our identity," Janša wrote in today's message.

Simoniti said the Reformation had "paved the spiritual path" for the Slovenian language, providing the foundations for its development as a literary language and for Slovenian national identity.

Parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič said in his message that "even today, we must not lose sight of the message of the reformist revival that when we are stuck in the quagmire of our own disagreements and divisions, change is necessary and must be sincerely pursued by all".

He believes that even more than half a century after the Reformation, concern for the fundamental questions of every human being - the question of freedom, justice and human dignity - continues to be imposed. "It is our responsibility to find adequate answers to these questions," he wrote in his message.

"Political parties must not divide us, but unite us, they must stand up for the good of all citizens, because only in this way can they ensure a functioning state", Bishop Leon Novak pointed out in his sermon on Reformation Day in Murska Sobota. In this context, he said, particular attention must be paid to language and the form of speech.

Reformation Day has been a public holiday since 1992.

22 Oct 2021, 11:35 AM

Svetlana Makarovič Wins Ježek Award

STA, 21 October 2021 - Svetlana Makarovič, a leading Slovenian poet and children's author, is the winner of this year's Ježek Award, an accolade celebrating creative and witty radio and television works. Makarovič was labelled as the most representative contemporary author of fairy tales who has also made her mark on theatre and chanson.

Makarovič's works are distinguished not only by literary intertextuality but also versatility, as she draws from many languages, literatures and cultures, the jury said.

She has introduced several new features into Slovenian children's literature: original imaginary spaces, perspectives and construction, subversive style and linguistic ingenuity, and social criticism for children.

Her works have dual message - the text is meant for children while the context is for adults.

She has also been recognised abroad; in 2020 she was nominated for the ALMA, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.

Makarovič has also left a strong mark on theatre, especially the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, where her fairy tale Sapra the Little Mouse has been made into a hit play.

The jury also pointed to Makarovič's chansons and lyrics she has written for other musicians. According to literary and music critic Jure Potokar, chanson seems to be as natural artistic environment for Makarovič as poetry and storytelling.

Through chanson, her poetry has also reached those who do not read books, let alone poetry.

The Ježek award has been presented by the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija annually since 1989 to mark RTV Slovenija Day on 28 October. Last year it went to musician and poet Vlado Kreslin.

21 Oct 2021, 12:12 PM

Alexander Gadjiev Wins 2nd Place at Chopin Piano Competition (Video)

STA, 21 October 2021 - Alexander Gadjiev, representing Slovenia and Italy, has won second place at the 18th International Fryderyk Chopin Competition in Warsaw, sharing it with Kyohei Sorita from Japan. Gadjiev also won the Krystian Zimerman Prize for the best performance of a Chopin sonata.

The competition, which is held every five years and should have taken place last year but was pushed to this year because of the pandemic, started on 2 October and the winners were declared on Wednesday evening.

A record of 500 pianists born between 1990 and 2004 applied for the competition. Based on their recordings, 164 made it to the preliminaries. A total of 151 presented their programmes and only 87 from 17 countries progressed to the main competition. A dozen then made it to the finals.

This is the first time that Slovenia was represented in the finals. In 1995, Slovenian pianist Tomaž Tobing took part in the preliminaries, according to web portal MMC.

The winners were chosen by a 17-member jury, according to the website of the competition.

Born in 1994, Gadjiev was raised in a music family from Gorizia, Italy. He began piano lessons with his mother before continuing his training with his father, the acclaimed Russian pianist Siavush Gadjiev, at the Slovenian Centre for Musical Education Emil Komel in Gorizia.

He made his orchestral debut at the age of nine and gave his first piano recital a year later. In 2012 he graduated magna cum laude from the Bruno Maderna Conservatory in Cesena. A notable milestone in his career came in 2015, when he won first prize and the audience prize at the 9th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition.

Gadjiev studied at the Mozarteum University Salzburg under Pavel Gililov and is currently completing his studies at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin under Eldar Nebolsin.

The organiser of the 18th Chopin Competition is the Fryderyk Chopin Institute, and the Competition is held under the national patronage of Polish President Andrzej Duda.

The first place comes with a EUR 40,000 prize, the second with EUR 30,000 and the Krystian Zimerman Prize is worth EUR 10,000.

15 Oct 2021, 13:44 PM

Andrej Bauer Wins Levi L. Conant Prize for Mathematics

STA, 15 October 2021 - Slovenian professor of computational mathematics Andrej Bauer will receive the 2022 Levi L. Conant Prize for an article on constructive mathematics, the American Mathematical Society (AMS) has announced.

In announcing the winner, the AMS website said that Bauer's article entitled “Five stages of accepting constructive mathematics” introduces readers to a different way of thinking on mathematics with insightful humour and patience.

"This is an article whose ideas will stay with the reader long after it has been read," wrote the AMS.

Andrej Bauer said he was "truly honoured and grateful to receive the prize".

"I first came into contact with constructive mathematics during my graduate years. I still remember how difficult it was to learn constructive thinking and to suppress the instincts distilled into me by classical mathematical training," said Bauer.

"This article is the synthesis of these experiences, as well as an honest disclosure of my personal views on constructive mathematics and mathematics in general," he added.

The AMS Levi L. Conant Prize recognizes the best expository paper published in either the Notices of the AMS or the Bulletin of the AMS in the preceding five years.

Prize winners are also invited to present a public lecture at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where Professor Conant spent most of his career. The 2022 prize will be presented in Seattle on 5 January.

The paper can be read here

08 Oct 2021, 14:07 PM

Slovenia’s Largest Roma Settlement in Slovenia Celebrates 110th Anniversary (Video)

STA, 8 October 2021 - Pušča, the largest Roma settlement in Slovenia, was hailed as a role model for Roma communities and coexistence with locals as it marked 110 years of its existence on Friday.

Darko Rudaš, a Roma councillor from Murska Sobota, said that Pušča was a model for how to develop a Roma settlement and a solid foundation of co-existence.

The settlement, which gained the status of an independent local community in 2002 and is currently home to some 500 Roma, also sees opportunities in tourism, as the community plans to establish a creative marketplace that will present the rich history, music and cuisine of the Roma.

Officially established in 1991, Pušča today features a community centre, fire brigade, kindergarten, shop, restaurant and football field, and it has paved roads and sewage and water supply system.

Murska Sobota kindergarten director Borut Anželj said that the local kindergarten, opened in 1961 as the first Roma kindergarten in Europe, was one of the landmarks in the development of the settlement.

A public bathroom was built in 1950, a mass employment campaign in the settlement was launched in 1954 and a football club was established in 1955, playing its first official match with Olimpija Ljubljana on 1959.

A monograph entitled Pušča - the Largest Roma Settlement in Slovenia, was also presented as part of the anniversary celebrations on Thursday, whose author Jožek Horvat Muc, who said that the settlement was a hub of good ideas.

He also noted a letter from the national authorities in 1920 praising the Roma in the settlement. "The local authorities protected the Roma, and this is not the case today in many areas," he said.

A video on the settlement's 100th anniversary

Stane Baluh, the head of the Government Office for National Minorities, said that Pušča was a role model for the entire Roma community in Slovenia, labelled it an unique example in Europe in terms of its development and progress.

This was echoed by Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina, who said in a written statement that Pušča was an example of inclusive society, praising it for its cultural and social diversity and good cooperation with the local authorities.

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