Other Slovenia

For immigrants in Slovenia, it is important to stay informed about local events and have access to news in a comprehensible language. Below are the main sources of information that will help you receive current news in different languages.

Slovenian Language

24ur.com: The leading Slovenian online publication, covering current events in the country and worldwide.

RTVSLO.si: A state non-commercial broadcasting organization providing news, analysis, and entertainment content.

Siol.net: A portal covering politics, sports, technology, and major global trends.

News Portals in English

Euronews: An international news channel offering a section dedicated to Slovenia, with current news and analysis.

BBC News: One of the largest global news resources, covering events in Slovenia and the region.

The Slovenia Times: An English-language portal specializing in news, analysis, and articles about Slovenia.

Russian Language

"Rassvet": A Slovenian publication in Russian, covering local news and events.

Recommendation for Use

International News Portals: Many international publications cover events in Slovenia in various languages, which can be useful for obtaining information (Euronews; Deutsche Welle; La Repubblica; Corriere della Sera; Le Monde; France 24).

Recommendation for Use

Online Platforms: Most of the mentioned portals have convenient websites and mobile apps, allowing you to get news at any time.

Social Networks: Many of these publications actively manage social media pages, where they publish fresh news and announcements.

Slovenia is a small country in Central Europe, about which there are several stereotypes.

Confusion with Slovakia

Many people outside of Europe confuse Slovenia with Slovakia due to the similarity of their names. This leads to misunderstandings and mixing of the cultural and geographical characteristics of these two countries.

Slovenes are an envious people

There is a stereotype that Slovenes tend to be envious, especially towards their neighbors. The phrase "zavidanja vreden" (worthy of envy) reflects this perception.

Slovenes are introverted and unsociable

Some believe that Slovenes are reserved and reluctant to make contact with strangers. However, after consuming alcohol, they become more sociable.

Slovenes are hardworking and modest people

The stereotype portrays Slovenes as diligent and modest workers who value honesty and dedication.

Strong commitment to home and family

Slovenes place great importance on their homes and families. They strive to arrange their homes with love and care, often decorating them with flowers and maintaining order.

Love for nature and sports

Slovenes are known for their love of nature and active lifestyle. Many of them engage in sports, especially popular are hiking and mountain sports.

Hospitality and offering slippers to guests

When visiting a Slovenian home, guests are often offered slippers, reflecting the hosts' care for the comfort of their visitors.

It is important to understand that stereotypes are often based on simplified or distorted perceptions and do not reflect the full complexity and diversity of Slovenia's culture and society.

Transport and Navigation

Urbana: An app for paying for public transport in Ljubljana, including buses and the cable car to Ljubljana Castle. It can also be used to pay for parking and rent city bikes Bicikelj.

Food and Delivery

Wolt: A popular app for ordering food from various restaurants with fast delivery to your home or office.

Glovo: An international delivery service offering not only food but also goods from supermarkets, pharmacies, and other stores.

Health and Safety

zVEM: An official app by the Slovenian Ministry of Health that allows access to medical records, test results, and information about nearby medical facilities.

Prva Pomoč: An app from the Slovenian Red Cross, providing first aid instructions in emergencies.

Language and Educational Resources

Duolingo: A free app for learning the Slovenian language in a game-like format, useful for quickly mastering basic phrases and words.

Slovene Learning Online (SLO): Official resource for learning the Slovenian language, offering structured lessons for various levels.

Finance and Payment

Revolut: An international banking app that allows you to open accounts in various currencies, make transfers, and pay for purchases with no hidden fees.

NLB Klikin: A mobile app from one of Slovenia's largest banks – NLB, offering a full range of banking services online.

Entertainment and Leisure

Visit Ljubljana: The official tourist app of the capital, providing information about attractions, events, restaurants, and routes.

Nexto: A platform offering audio guides for cultural sites and museums in Slovenia, along with interactive games for a deeper acquaintance with the local culture.

Communication and Social Integration

WhatsApp: A widely used messaging and calling app popular among locals and immigrants.

Meetup: A platform for organizing and participating in interest-based events, helping to find new friends and like-minded people in Slovenia.

Festivals and Cultural Events

Kurentovanje: One of the largest and most significant ethnographic carnivals in Slovenia, held in the city of Ptuj. Traditional characters known as kurents in masks and sheepskin costumes participate in parades, symbolizing the banishment of winter and welcoming of spring.

Lent Festival: An annual summer festival in Maribor featuring concerts, theatrical performances, dance shows, and other cultural events. Considered one of the largest open festivals in Europe.

Ljubljana Summer Festival: Held in the capital and offers a diverse program including opera, ballet, theatrical performances, and classical music concerts.

Brewery Festival: Held in the town of Laško, combining a beer festival with musical performances and cultural events.

Natural Attractions and Outdoor Activities

Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj: Popular spots for walking, swimming, rowing, and enjoying picturesque views. Lake Bled is known for its island with a church and a castle on a cliff.

Triglav National Park: Ideal for hiking, mountaineering, and wildlife watching enthusiasts. It is home to Slovenia's highest peak — Mount Triglav.

Soča River Rafting: The emerald-colored river offers opportunities for rafting, kayaking, and fishing.

Historical and Cultural Landmarks

Ljubljana Castle: A medieval castle on a hill in the center of Ljubljana, offering panoramic views of the city and various exhibitions.

Postojna Cave and Škocjan Caves: Famous karst caves with impressive stalactites and stalagmites, accessible for tours.

Culinary Events

Wine Roads: Slovenia is renowned for its wine-producing regions, such as Primorska and Styria, where you can visit wineries, taste local wines, and enjoy the cuisine.

Gastronomic Festivals: Various events dedicated to local cuisine are held throughout the year, such as festivals celebrating olive oil, honey, and other products.

Contemporary Art and Museums

Metelkova: An alternative cultural center in Ljubljana known for its art installations, concerts, and nightlife.

Museum of Modern Art: Located in Ljubljana, it offers collections of contemporary Slovenian and international artists.

Slovenia offers a variety of opportunities for leisure and cultural enrichment, satisfying the interests of diverse visitors.

Availability and Location

City Centers: In major cities like Ljubljana and Maribor, public toilets are located in central areas, parks, and near main attractions.

Tourist Areas: Popular tourist spots including Lake Bled and Postojna Cave are equipped with public restrooms for visitors' convenience.

Shopping Centers and Stations: Major shopping centers, bus, and train stations also have public restrooms.

Quality and Maintenance

Slovenia places great importance on maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in public places. Many public toilets are regularly cleaned and equipped with necessary hygiene supplies.

Accessibility for People with Disabilities

As part of accessibility initiatives, many public toilets in Slovenia are adapted for people with physical disabilities.

Usage Fee

In some locations, the use of public toilets may be subject to a fee, but the cost is usually low. It is recommended to have small coins on hand for payment if necessary.

Alternative Options

In the absence of a nearby public toilet, you can use restrooms in cafes, restaurants, or shopping centers. However, in such cases, it is polite to order something or ask permission from the staff before using them.

Recommendations: There are mobile apps that help you find the nearest public toilet, which can be useful in an unfamiliar city.

Free Government Programs

The "Initial Integration of Immigrants" (ZIP) program: Provides free Slovenian language courses of up to 180 hours for third-country nationals with a residence permit. Participants who attend at least 80% of the classes are given the opportunity to take the state exam in the Slovenian language for free.

University Courses

The Center for Slovenian as a Foreign Language at the University of Ljubljana: Offers various educational programs, including intensive courses and summer schools for foreigners.

Online Resources and Applications

Slovene Learning Online: A free online course developed by the Center for Slovenian as a Foreign Language. Offers interactive lessons for self-study.

LingoHut: Free Slovenian language lessons for self-study, including 125 lessons with native speaker audio.

LinGo Play: An app that provides thousands of words and phrases in Slovenian, along with interactive exercises to expand your vocabulary.

Self-Study

Study Materials and Guides: There are various textbooks and online resources to help with self-study of the language. For example, the Book2 project offers 100 Slovenian lessons for beginners with audio materials.

Public Holidays

January 1 and 2: New Year's Day
The beginning of the year is celebrated with festive events and family gatherings.

February 8: Prešeren Day
Dedicated to the memory of poet France Prešeren and is a Day of Culture.

April 27: Day of Uprising Against Occupation
Marks the beginning of resistance against occupying forces during World War II.

May 1 and 2: Labor Day
Celebrates labor achievements with mass events and picnics.

June 25: Statehood Day
Marks the proclamation of Slovenia's independence in 1991.

December 26: Independence and Unity Day
Celebrates the acceptance of the results of the 1990 independence referendum.

Other Holidays

Easter and Easter Monday
Christian holidays, accompanied by religious rituals and family traditions.

August 15: Assumption of Mary
A Catholic holiday celebrated with church visits and family gatherings.

October 31: Reformation Day
Celebrates the beginning of the Reformation and the influence of Protestantism in the region.

November 1: All Saints' Day
Dedicated to the memory of the deceased; people visit cemeteries and light candles.

December 25: Christmas
A family holiday with religious and cultural traditions, including the preparation of a traditional dessert – potica.

Traditional Events and Customs

Kurentovanje
One of the largest ethnographic carnivals, held in the city of Ptuj. Kurent figures in masks and costumes made of sheep's skin participate in processions, symbolizing the expulsion of winter and the welcoming of spring.

Primož Trubar Day - June 8
Dedicated to the memory of the reformer and founder of Slovenian literacy Primož Trubar.

Rudolf Maister Day - November 23
Honors the merits of General Rudolf Maister in the defense of Slovenian territories after World War I.

These holidays and traditions reflect Slovenia's rich history and culture, contributing to the preservation of national identity and strengthening community ties.

Slovenia – a small but surprisingly diverse country rich in natural beauty and cultural attractions. Below are some of the most remarkable places worth visiting.

Lake Bled
A picturesque lake with emerald water, featuring an island with the Church of the Assumption of Mary. Overlooking the lake is the medieval Bled Castle, offering stunning views of the surroundings.

Postojna Cave
One of the world's most renowned karst caves, stretching 24 km. Visitors can ride an underground train and see impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

Ljubljana
The capital of Slovenia, known for its architecture designed by Jože Plečnik, cozy riverbanks of the Ljubljanica River, and vibrant cultural scene. Be sure to visit Ljubljana Castle and the central market.

Piran
A charming coastal town with narrow streets, medieval architecture, and rich Venetian heritage. An ideal place for strolling and enjoying the Mediterranean atmosphere.

Soča Valley
Famous for its emerald river, attracting rafting, kayaking, and fishing enthusiasts. The surrounding mountains offer excellent opportunities for hiking and climbing.

Škocjan Caves
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these caves impress with their underground canyons and unique karst formations.

Velika Planina
A high mountain plateau with traditional shepherd settlements where you can experience local culture and enjoy breathtaking views.

Greetings and addressing

Formality: At the first meeting, it is customary to use formal titles and surnames. Transitioning to first names happens by mutual agreement.

Handshake: Traditional greetings are accompanied by a firm handshake and direct eye contact. Close friends may exchange cheek kisses or hugs.

Communication

Restraint: Slovenians value politeness and respect in conversation, avoid interrupting, and prefer to speak in turn.

Modesty: Boasting or showing off achievements is not appreciated; modesty and respectful attitudes towards others are valued.

Punctuality

Punctuality is highly valued. Being late is considered disrespectful, so it is advisable to arrive on time or with minimal delay.

Visiting homes

Invitations: If invited to a home, it is important to arrive on time and bring a small gift, such as flowers or chocolate.

Shoes: It is customary to remove shoes upon entering; hosts usually offer guests slippers.

Public places

Queues: Slovenians respect order and queueing; it is important to observe the queue and not try to skip it.

Quiet: In public places, especially transport and indoor spaces, speaking quietly is customary to avoid disturbing others.

Business etiquette

Dress code: A conservative style of clothing is preferred in business environments.

Communication: Direct and honest communication is valued, but it is important to maintain politeness and respect toward the interlocutor.

Traditions and customs

Family values: Family plays a central role in Slovenian life; respect for elders and support for family ties are important cultural aspects.

Holidays: Participating in local holidays and respecting traditions demonstrates your willingness to integrate and understand the culture.

Adhering to these norms and customs will help foster positive relations with locals and ensure comfort within Slovenian society.

Slovenia is a parliamentary democratic republic with a proportional electoral system, where power is divided into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Local self-government system

Local self-government in Slovenia is implemented at the level of municipalities, of which there are 212. Each municipality is governed by three independent bodies:

Mayor: Acts as the executive head of the municipality, responsible for implementing the municipal council's decisions and managing local administration.

Municipal council: A legislative body that makes decisions on local matters, including the budget and local ordinances.

Oversight Committee: Exercises control over the financial activities of the municipality, ensuring transparency and legality in the use of funds.

Mayors and members of the municipal council are elected by residents in local elections every four years, while oversight committees are appointed by municipal councillors.

State Authorities

President of the Republic: Represents the state on the international stage and is the supreme commander of the armed forces.

National Assembly: The highest representative and legislative body, consisting of 90 deputies elected by citizens. Its functions include passing laws, approving the budget, and overseeing the work of the government.

Government of the Republic of Slovenia: The highest executive body led by the Prime Minister. It implements the internal and foreign policies of the state, coordinating the work of ministries and public institutions.

National Council: An auxiliary body representing social, economic, professional, and local interests. It has advisory functions and the right to veto legislative acts.

The Judicial System: Comprises the Supreme Court, district, and local courts, ensuring justice and the observance of legality in the country.

This power structure ensures a balance between central administration and local self-government, contributing to the effective management and development of Slovenia.