Slovenia’s towns will come to life with festive cheer, markets, decorations and lights during the run up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The festivities in Ljubljana kick off today with the symbolic switching-on of the Christmas lights and events will continue until the country’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, accompanied by a fireworks display from Ljubljana Castle.
From 3rd – 6th December, the St. Nicholas Fair (Christmas market) will be taking place in Prešernov trg – Ljubljana’s main square – with festively decorated stalls offering a variety of Christmas gifts, including traditional Slovenian products. Other events taking place during the month-long Festive Fair include the St Nicholas procession, where the saint will be accompanied by devils and angels distributing biscuits, fruit and sweets to children; and a range of outdoor musical and street theatre performances.
Other events will take place across the rest of Slovenia, such as the Colourful December festival in Maribor from 5th December 2009, which includes street theatre, music and puppet shows; and the St Nicholas Eve celebrations on 4th December in Kranjska Gora, which includes the arrival of devils from three countries – Slovenia, Italy and Austria. Biblical scenes will be portrayed in the underground caverns of Postojna Cave from 19th December to 3rd January by local school children.
On Christmas Day in Bled, the legend of the Wishing Bell will be re-enacted. The illuminated bell, which according to legend is sunk in the famous Lake Bled, will be raised from the depths of the lake to the accompaniment of music and narration of the legend.
For more information about Slovenia’s festive events visit www.slovenia.info
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