NEWSLETTERJANUARY 20, 2012, VOLUME 8, NUMBER 3

European Capital of Culturepage 2 >

S-ABA - Business Associationpage 3 >

Lenarčič’sFlight AroundGlobepage 4 >

Slovenia Celebrates 20 Years of International Recognition On January 15, Slovenia celebrated 20 years since the European Community, the precursor to today’s European Union, recognized its independence. This was a turning point in the process which culminated with the country’s full recognition as a member of the international community on May 22, 1992, when it became the 176th member of the United Nations. The European Community’s decision to recognize Slovenia, following the Brioni Declaration of July 7, 1991, which ended the ten-day war in Slovenia, is considered the turning point in Slovenia’s independence efforts. The Declaration represents

the fi rst international accord between Slovenia and the European Community, and its ratifi cation by the Slovenian National Assembly on July 10, 1991, was the fi rst time that Slovenia acted as an international entity. In December 1991, the European Community adopted guidelines in recognition of states, which include the demand that new states be democratic and respect human rights, the rule of law and minority rights. While opening the channels for Slovenian diplomacy

at the bilateral and multilateral levels, the recognition also spread the message that Slovenia was a responsible member of the international community. As many as 92 countries recognized Slovenia by August 1992, many following the European Community’s lead. The fi rst overseas countries to follow suit were Canada and Australia, respectively on January 15 and 16. That step was taken by the United States on April 7, 1992. Today Slovenia has diplomatic relations with more than 180 countries around the world.

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JANUARY 20, 2012, PAGE 2

Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia, and its fi ve partner towns - Novo Mesto, Murska Sobota, Velenje, Slovenj Gradec and Ptuj - are in the spotlight. An opening ceremony on Saturday, January 14 in Maribor’s central square, Trg Leona Štruklja, offi cially turned Maribor into the European Culture Capital 2012. “We are witnessing a moment in which Maribor is entering a new phase in its development,” said President Danilo Türk, the honorary sponsor of the project and also a native of Maribor, who addressed the event along with European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, Ms. Androulla Vassiliou. The culture capital is a pan-Slovenian project of European dimensions. The prestigious title of “European Capital of Culture” gives it an exceptional chance to become more widely recognized. The

project, which began in Athens in 1985, is a key driving force of development in the city and the region. The concept seeks to promote the richness and diversity of European culture, and encourage mutual understanding and a shared European identity. Slovenia was picked for the project along with Portugal’s Guimaraes by the European Parliament in 2005. The biggest cultural project in Slovenia’s history will bring over a thousand events to Maribor and its fi ve partner cities in the next 350 days. The organizers managed to set up a number of events. There will be four project segments: “Terminal 12” will feature fl agship projects, “Keys to the City” will be dedicated to reviving the Maribor city center, “Urban Furrows” will focus on the environment and marginalized groups, while “Life and Touch” will provide a digital dimension. Some of the highlights will be: Maribor Festival, Mars festival, Tomaž Pandur’s

War and Peace, Black Masks Opera, written by Slovenia’s most acclaimed avant-garde composer Marij Kogoj, an exhibition from London’s Tate Gallery, the International Book Fair, House of Literature, and House of Science. A special part will also be dedicated to cultural embassies, which will present European and other countries around the world. “European Capital of Culture is a trademark that puts on a pedestal not only the selected city and its partner towns but also the entire country,” says the head of the Maribor 2012 Institute, Suzana Žilič Fišer. A transformation of mentality through cultural communications and development on all levels, including public dialogue, education, promotion of cultural norms and values, encouragement of the broader cultural perception and democratization of opinions is also expected as a result of the project.

European Capital of Culture – Maribor 2012

CULTURE

JANUARY 20, 2012, PAGE 3

Originally founded by a group of artists, musicians, and philosophers, the NSK (Neue Slowenische Kunst) State in Time came into being in 1992 shortly after Slovenia’s independence from the Yugoslavian federation. This declaration of independence was accompanied by issuing of passports at various temporary embassies which operated alongside NSK exhibitions and events. Led by the Slovenian artists’ collective IRWIN, Print Studio, an interactive space that explores the evolution of artistic practices relating to the medium

of print, will host the NSK Passport Offi ce, New York for three days (February 1–3, 2012) and issue a limited number of passports. Print Studio’s opening program begins in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Thursday, February 2 at 6 p.m. with an NSK State Citizens Rendezvous, featuring presentations by Miran Mohar, founding member of Slovenian art collective IRWIN; and NSKNY Organizing Committee members Gediminas Gasparavicius, Charles Lewis, and Conor McGrady. After the presentations,

Ana Janevski, Associate Curator of Performance, MoMA, will moderate a discussion and Q&A period. A concurrent series of presentations, discussions, screenings, and a culminating NSK State Citizens’ Congress will offer a forum to engage the public with ideas central to the NSK State and what it means, in time, to be a citizen of this state. For more information about the program schedule and updates, please visit http://www.moma.org/ or www.irwin.si or www.moma.o rg /v i s i t / ca l endar /exhibitions/1227.

IRWIN–NSK

CULTURE

On January 18, 2012, the Slovenian-American Business Association (S-ABA) offi cially began its work with a business event in Dayton, Ohio. S-ABA was initiated by the Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 2010. The event began with an informative introduction by Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland, Mr. Jure Žmauc. Consul General Žmauc described Slovenia’s development and its role in the European Union, and illustrated the need for S-ABA as a hub and stimulant for bilateral business activity that would include Ohio and other states. Frank Svet, President and CEO of EMTEC, and acting president of S-ABA, presented

detailed information on the current climate and future possibilities for business development in Slovenia (made available by JAPTI) and the state of Ohio. The Mayor of the city of Trotwood, Ohio, greeted the participants and expressed her support of S-ABA’s mission. Other

Trotwood city administration members were present in the interest of developing a technology park there, slated to be a future industry hub in Ohio. Altogether, there were about 30 participants, including those representing business and development in the region.

BUSINESS

S-ABA

From left: Jure Žmauc, Consul General in Clevelandu, OH, Ms. Joyce Sutton Cameron, Mayor of Trotwood and Frank Svet from EMTEC Company.

JANUARY 20, 2012, PAGE 4

Slovenian adventurer, biologist and photographer Matevž Lenarčič took off from the Ljubljana airport January 8, 2012. He started his journey Sunday morning in the direction of Morocco, beginning his second solo fl ight around the world, this time in an ultra light airplane without a copilot or additional air support. Lenarčič, who had to postpone the start of the feat several times since January 3 due to various problems, is fl ying Virus SW 914, a 290 kgs (640 lbs) plane built by Slovenian company Pipistrel. After overcoming the fi rst major obstacle -- the 3200 km (1990 mi.) fl ight over the Atlantic Ocean – he fi rst landed in Morocco, and on the second day reached Dakar in Senegal. After departing from Dakar in Western Africa and fl ying for 11.5 hours at an altitude of 11,500 ft with 160 kts, he touched down at Natal in Brazil at 17:03 GMT (12:03 p.m. EST).

He crossed three time zones and the Intertropical convergence storm zone, which he avoided by fl ying more to the South and making the fl ight even longer. Matevž successfully completed his 10-hour fl ight from the eastern coast of South America and after fl ying mostly over the ocean for 2431 km (1510 miles) made a safe landing in Puerto Rico. Matevž successfully landed in Florida, Tuesday, January 17, where he took a

day off. He continued towards Canyon Lake, Texas, on Thursday, January 19. On Friday, January 20, he is fl ying towards Calexico in California. The arrival in Manzanillo, Mexico, is scheduled for Saturday, January 21. After that will follow the most challenging part of his path -- the very demanding several thousand kilometers long fl ights over the Pacifi c Ocean and the high-altitude fl ight over Mt. Everest. The adventure is expected to last between two and three months, while the total distance covered is estimated at 100,000 kilometers (62,100 miles). The fl ight is environmentally oriented, with the SW 914 boasting the lowest fuel consumption on record in its category. Lenarčič will be able to fl y up to 300 km/h (185 mph), and cover a distance of 4,000 kilometers (2485 miles) with 350 liters (93 gals.) of fuel. For more information please check the following websites: http://www.pipistrel.si/extras/extreme-fl ights/world-green-fl ight or http://www.worldgreenfl ight.com/.

Lenarčič Takes Off, Flight Around Globe Begins

ADVENTURE

Ivo Boscarol, chairman of Pipistrel company with Matevž Lenarčič.

Matevž Lenarčič taking off in Virus SW 914.

JANUARY 20, 2012, PAGE 5

The weekly Embassy Newsletter, produced by the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington, is available on: www.washington.embassy.si.Send us your comments or request for a subscription on: vwa@gov.si,

Editor: Nuška Zakrajšek

The Washington Wizards hosted the Houston Rockets in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinée Monday afternoon (1/16/2012) at the Verizon Center. The Washington Wizards dropped to 1-12 for the season, when they lost the game against the Houston Rockets by a score of 114-106 at the Verizon Center. The match was attended by a group of employees of the Slovenian embassy, who came to encourage Goran Dragič, a Slovenian professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the NBA.

Dragič, born May 6, 1986, became a professional at the age of 17, when he joined the Slovenian League in 2003. In 2005, he was named the Slovenian League Rookie of the Year. From 2003 to 2008, he played in various European leagues before being drafted 45th overall in 2008 by the Phoenix Suns. His best season to date came in 2009-2010 when he appeared in 80 games and averaged 7.9 points per game.

Goran Dragič in Washington

19th SLOVENESKI WEEKENDThe Slovenian-American community in New York invites you to the nineteenth annual SloveneSki Weekend at Windham Mountain, New York. The weekend will feature ski instructions, 19th Slovenian Giant Slalom ski race and much more. The registration deadline is January 23.When: February 3-5, 2012 Where: Windham Mountain, New YorkMore information: Mr. Ivan Kamin; Svet za Slovence po svetu, USA, at (718) 424-2711 or by e-mail: mcgraphicsjfk@gmail.com or jfkamin@verizon.net.

TO DO LIST

Playing at both the point guard and shooting guard positions, Goran was traded on February 24, 2011, by the Suns to the Houston Rockets with a fi rst round (lottery protected) draft pick for point guard Aaron Brooks. After the match in Washington, Goran Dragič, who scored 9 points for his team, met with a group of Slovenian embassy staff, who congratulated him on his win.

SPORTS

Group picture with Goran Dragič after the match.