President Milanović Receives Delegation of Slovenian-Croatian Friendship Society on Traditional Celebration of Green George
The President of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, today received a delegation from the Slovenian-Croatian Friendship Society, as well as members of the Frankopan Cultural and Artistic Society from Bosiljevo and the Children’s Folk Group of the Oton Župančič Cultural and Artistic Society from Vinica. The reception at the Office of the President of the Republic was held on the occasion of the traditional celebration of St. George and the arrival of spring, known as Green George [Zeleni Jurij].
“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to host the Slovenian-Croatian Friendship Society, which has been active for more than three decades and serving as a true example of tradition and cooperation between two neighbouring and friendly states. Slovenia is a state, neighbour and nation which, upon its mentioning, does not provoke any negative or concerning associations. Our friendship and relations are deep, long-standing and neighbourly, especially in the western part of Croatia,” said President Milanović.
During the reception, the Children’s Folk Group of the Oton Župančič Cultural Artistic and Society, together with the Frankopan Cultural Artistic and Society from Bosiljevo, performed a traditional presentation of customs connected to St. George and the arrival of spring. Green George is one of the oldest spring-related customs in the region of Bela Krajina, symbolizing the awakening of nature and a new beginning. Revived in Vinica in 1963, the custom has been passed down from generation to generation. Every year in late April, primary school pupils bring spring and good wishes to the homes of locals with birch branches and songs, including those on the Croatian side of Kupa River.
On behalf of the Slovenian-Croatian Friendship Society, President Mitja Lamut addressed the gathering, while the Honorary President of the Society and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Croatia in Koper, Slovenia Božo Dimnik spoke about the importance of cooperation between the Croatian and Slovenian peoples.
Also present at the reception were Miha Fatur, Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Zagreb; Tamara Plankar, Cultural Adviser at the Embassy of the Republic in Zagreb; Šime Ivanjko, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Croatia in Maribor; Tomislav Grguraš, Chair of the Bosiljevo Municipality Council; Igor Župan, Mayor of the Municipality of Bosiljevo; Alenka Dermastja, Member of the Supervisory Board of Slovenian-Croatian Friendship Society; Nevenka Črešnar Pergar, Member of the Society’s Governing Board; Valentin Kolenc, Member of the Society and Procurator of Tesnila Trzin; Robert Širnik, Member of the Society’s Executive Bord; Peter Tevž, the Society’s Vice President; Alenka Tevž, Member of the Society; Borut Čeh, Director of Labena; Dušan Šešok, owner of Iskra Group in Ljubljana; Andrej Kavšek, Mayor of the Municipality of Črnomelj; Jaka Birkelbach, Vice-Mayor of the Municipality of Črnomelj; Boris Pleskovič, PhD, President of Slovenian World Congress; Zlatko Klarič, Director of Vedra-Kor in Zagreb; Štefan Pavlinjek, Director of Roto Group and Honorary Consul of North Macedonia; Valter Miklavčič, Member of the Society and President of the Society for Slovenian-Croatian Border Cooperation and Friendship in the Kras Eco-Park Area; Vladimir Bilič, Lawyer and Vice President of the Society; and Ivanka Breziga, Secretary of the Society.
President Milanović was accompanied by Bartol Šimunić, Head of the Cabinet of the President of the Republic; Neven Pelicarić, Adviser for Foreign and European Policy; Ivica Olujić, Adviser for Defence; Jadranka Žarković, Adviser for Education; Tomislav Paškvalin, Commissioner for Sports; Ivan Mutavdžić, Assistant Adviser for Foreign and European Policy; and Martina Ciglević, Assistant Adviser for the Economy.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta