On Sunday, 8 February, we once again set off on the Prešeren’s Hike
On Prešeren Day, we went on a cultural walk that brought together participants from diverse national and cultural backgrounds. The walk was professionally guided and co-created by Prof. Dr. Aleksander Bjelčevič and Prof. Dr. Miran Hladnik from the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, both renowned experts in early Slovenian literature and Slovenian history.
The programme took place in nature and in the village surroundings between Žirovnica and Vrba, the birthplace of Slovenia’s greatest poet, Dr France Prešeren. Over approximately five hours, we walked 12 kilometres. By combining literature, history, and walking, the event created an open, relaxed, and accessible learning environment. During the walk, we explored major Slovenian literary figures such as France Prešeren, Matija Čop, Fran Saleški Finžgar, and Janez Jalen within their historical, cultural, and social contexts.
Our participants had the opportunity to experience Slovenia, the Slovenian language, and its cultural heritage directly on site. As our association focuses on a key element of integration—language inclusion—we are proud that the entire programme was conducted in the Slovenian language.
We plan to organise the cultural walk on Prešeren Day again next year and to make it a permanent part of our association’s activities. We already warmly invite everyone from Slovenia and from other cultural backgrounds to join us in the future.
