On August 28, 1963, a crowd of more than 250 000 people gathered in Washington, D.C. and marched to the Capitol Building to support the passing of laws that guaranteed every American equal civil rights. Martin Luther King was at the front of the “March on Washington”. On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial that …
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Preventing and responding to all forms of gender-based violence is a cornerstone of the U.S. government’s commitment to promoting democracy, advancing human rights, and furthering gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, in all their diversity. The U.S. Embassy Ljubljana organized a virtual event with an American award-winning recording artist and humanitarian, Maya …
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Ambassador Jamie L. Harpootlian recently hosted a vibrant group of Slovenians and Americans that shared their love for art and nature during the @artsinembassies exhibition from her home state of South Carolina. As she wrote on her Twitter account, “Art and nature belong to the universal human spirit. They each, and especially in combination, have the power to guide …
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People with disabilities present 15 % of the global population. Aside of systematic solutions, we all can contribute to their social inclusion. Small steps can make a difference. That’s where YOU jump in and contribute in creating the world, where disabled people feel welcomed and equal. We are proud to be part of such …
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Each February, the United States celebrates African-American History Month, also known as Black History Month. This annual observance recognizes the important achievements by African Americans in U.S. history. In 1926, just 61 years after the abolition of slavery, the Association for Study of Negro Life and History decided to sponsor a national week dedicated to …
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As part of the project “Let’s Live Like Americans,” High school Izola organized a presentation of American football for their students. The American football team Domžale Tigers held a workshop for more than 80 students, which included a short presentation of the history of American football, explanation of the game and the rules and a demonstration, in …
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The Biden administration has a clear new vision for U.S. foreign policy, and the whole team at Embassy Ljubljana is already working hard on it. Check out this video to learn more about who we are and what we do at the U.S. Embassy Ljubljana! As Secretary Blinken said: “While the times have changed, some …
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Drive-In Cinema, a unique rejuvenation of a classic American cultural showcase, is making a comeback all over the world, thanks to the COVID pandemic. Patented in 1933 in New Jersey, the concept is nearly a century old, and represents what many consider to be the “golden age” of American cinema culture. Americans and Slovenians share …
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Ambassador Lynda Blanchard was pleased to attend the opening of the 61st Jazz Festival Ljubljana featuring an exhibition of jazz posters by Bosnian graphic designer Ajna Zlatar. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the artist was unable to join he exhibit, but greeted everyone virtually. The U.S. Embassy is happy to support this Festival, and the …
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In honor of African American History Month (February), we devoted several school visits to this important commemoration of American historical figures. During Mary Wilson’s visit to Slovenia, this iconic performer—a founding member of the legendary group, The Supremes—visited high school students at Gimnazija Šentvid to talk about her own experiences during the civil rights movement …
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Every year in the United States, we dedicate the month of February to a celebration of the achievements of African Americans and their critical role in the history of the United States. This is why we were so excited to welcome Mary Wilson, a founding member of the legendary and transformative American group The Supremes …
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In celebration of Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans in the United States, the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana was pleased to sponsor the visit of a prominent voice in African-American musical history – Mary Wilson of the Supremes. One of the most influential and famous groups of the 1960’s, …
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Culture is an integral and important part of the Slovenian national identity, and is celebrated every year on Presernov Dan, the Slovenian national cultural commemorating the anniversary of the death of the greatest Slovenian poet dr. France Preseren. Ambassador Lynda Blanchard appreciates Slovenian’s love of history and culture, and has been actively learning about this …
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Political Officer James Peranteau and Marine Security Guard Michael Martel visited Srednja šola Domžale where James introduced the students to the United States, its diversity and history, his home state Wisconsin, and Washington D.C. Michael talked about Illinois – the “Land of Lincoln” – and his home town Springfield and the “Windy City” of Chicago. The students had many questions about the United States. Stephanie Barret-Zebre delivered two presentations on the state …
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What are the holidays without music? Ambassador Lynda Blanchard was thrilled to attend the “Traditional Christmas Concert” in Cankarjev dom in December that featured acclaimed Slovenian music stars like Oto Pestner, Alenka Godec, The New Swing Quarter, Uroš Perić and many other. Uroš Perić joined forces with some iconic singers from the United States, The …
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Deputy Public Affairs Officer Brian Street, a former lawyer, met with international law students from the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Law. They discussed the challenges of consular and diplomatic law, and its implementation and importance in the real life of an American diplomat. He also discussed the U.S. Embassy’s mission and the functions of …
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Ambassador Lynda Blanchard and her family visited the Catering and Tourism High School of Celje. After introducing her home state of Alabama, herself, her family and her career as a business executive and international humanitarian, Ambassador Blanchard was happy to answer all of the students’ questions. They were interested in many things, including education in …
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Ambassador Lynda Blanchard visited the Center for Education and Rehabilitation of Physically Handicapped Children and Adolescents (CIRIUS) in Kamnik, where she met with administrators, teachers, and students, and was inspired by the happy children and the incredible facilities and therapies available. Upon arrival, she was touched by the beautiful decorations prepared in honor of the …
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The U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana was pleased to host the United States Air Force woodwind quintet, Winds Aloft in Slovenia. A 5-day tour included school visits and performances in different parts of the country. This outstanding cultural exchange program included six public engagements in different parts of Slovenia. Winds Aloft is based in Ramstein Air …
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Ambassador Lynda Blanchard visited the Center for Education and Rehabilitation of Physically Handicapped Children and Adolescents (CIRIUS) in Kamnik, where she met with administrators, teachers, and students, and was inspired by the happy children and the incredible facilities and therapies available. Upon arrival, she was touched by the beautiful decorations prepared in honor of …
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What does it mean to be a Slovenian-American today? You can find out by visiting the newly-opened “Slovenians in the U.S. today” exhibit curated and sponsored by Joe Valencic which recently debuted in the small park in front of the Slovenian National Archives. Joe Valencic is an American with Slovenian roots who writes and lectures …
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The Jason Cale Band spread their outstanding jazz, blues and rock sound—and their amazing energy—on and off stage in Ljubljana, Trbovlje and Ravne na Koroškem. They performed at the LENT Festival, the biggest summer festival in Maribor and concluded their visit at the Gora Rocka Festival. It was an explosive and engaging exchange, and the …
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The end of June was dedicated to a happy excess of great American music around Slovenia. The 10-day tour by The Jason Cale Band in Slovenia, organized and sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana, included concerts in widely different parts of the country. This outstanding cultural exchange program included six public engagements in different …
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What could be better than to end The 23rd International meeting of saxophonists in Slovenia – SAXGO19 with a concert by one of the “most admired alto saxophonists in the jazz world,” as Kenny Garrett has been described by the New York Times. Grammy Award-winning American post-bop jazz saxophonist and flautist Kenny Garrett gained recognition …
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The U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana was proud to support the 30th International Druga Godba Festival offering a diverse and intensive musical program presenting the trends and latest developments in the world of traditional and urban music. The festival featured an experimental guitarist, composer and bandleader based in New York, Yonatan Gat performing with members of …
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The U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana supported the 60th Annual Ljubljana Jazz Festival, which brought the great jazz artists together for a series of incredible concerts. The festival featured some of the best jazz musicians from the United States, including Brooklyn-based “fusion-influenced jam band” Snarky Puppy – an innovative group combining jazz, rock, and funk …
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On this, the anniversary year of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the U.S. Embassy was proud to support the first edition of the “Let It Roll” Music Film Festival featuring the documentary “Free to Rock”, directed by Jim Brown. Featuring interviews with Jimmy Carter, Billy Joel, and many other influential figures from …
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In cooperation with the public institution Mekinje Monastery, the U.S. Embassy sponsored a week-long program in Kamnik featuring two acclaimed American artists, Jesse Burke and Manuel Gonzales. Jesse is a photographer whose inspiring work has been featured in galleries across the U.S., and who was included by Time Magazine in the top 50 US photographers …
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In cooperation with the Slovenian Museum Association, we sponsored a week-long program on museum management best practices—including dynamic storytelling and narrative creation—conducted by Hannah Kellogg and Jodi Larson from Museums Unbound. Collectively, Hannah and Jodi have been working in the museum world for nearly three decades, from history museums and living history sites, to nature centers and art museums. Their program consisted of interactive workshops that …
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Hannah Kellogg and Jodi Larson from Museums Unbound visited Slovenia to conduct workshops for representatives of a wide array of Slovenian cultural institutions. During these fun and engaging events with their Slovene colleagues, they also got a first-hand-look at the depth of the Slovenian cultural scene. Not only did they enjoy the unique cultural heritage of this amazing country, they were also impressed by the rich and diverse …
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For four days Slovenia was “rocking” it with the singers from the On The Rocks a cappella group from the University of Oregon. An all-male group originally formed in 1999, On The Rocks has produced seven studio albums, multiple viral videos, been featured on NBC’s The Sing Off, gone on numerous national tours, and performed …
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What could be more American than a traditional Western cookout? A party with grills, American BBQ, cowboy boots, country music, line dance, pony rides, and a mechanical bull! All this and more was presented to Slovenians as part of the Wild West Fest that took place at Lake Zbilje in mid-August. The U.S. Embassy in …
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At the end of May, U.S. Embassy Ljubljana hosted Dr. Linda Holzer for a music exchange program in Slovenia. Dr. Holzer is a pianist and a professor of music at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. An active soloist and chamber musician, Dr. Holzer has been heard in concert in 30 states, including at …
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A tribute to the music of Elvis Presley thrilled Ljubljana on what would have been his 83rd birthday. Ambassador Hartley joined a crowd of dedicated Elvis fans from Slovenia and the region for an evening of music from the TCB Band, Dennis Jale, and Sam’s Fever. TCB Band members formed the core rhythm section of …
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All American diplomats coming to Slovenia are excited to learn about Slovenian culture and of course food is a big part of that. That is why we decided to prepare a Slovenian food tasting for the American diplomats at our embassy in Ljubljana.
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Ambassador Hartley and Chief of the Office for Defense Cooperation Steve Pena attended the opening of the exhibition entitled “Temporary Border: Life and Longing in Zone A (1945- 1947).” The exhibition marks the 70th anniversary of the creation of the western Slovenian border and is devoted to an outline of existential relations in the area …
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The United States, like other nations, sets aside a number of days each year to commemorate events, people or public occasions. These holidays typically are marked by a general suspension of work and business activity, and by public and/or religious ceremonies. [See: Holidays observed by the U.S. Embassy in Slovenia ] Technically, the United States does not celebrate national holidays, but Congress has …
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Ambassador Hartley spent a pleasant evening attending a sold-out concert by Italian chamber orchestra Solisti Aquilani. The second part of the evening, American superstar John Malkovich joined the program,interpreting excerpts from Ernesto Sabato’s novel “On Heroes and Tombs.” John Malkovich is a versatile actor who performed in over 70 movies and is a two-time Academy Award nominee. Photos Courtesy of Sašo …
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Ambassador Hartley was pleased to attend the concert by legendary jazz musician Archie Shepp, who performed last Friday night as part of the 58th Ljubljana Jazz Festival. The concert was a tribute to the fabulous jazz performer John Coltrane, who Shepp worked with in 1965 on Coltrane’s legendary free-jazz album Ascension. Shepp performed in Ljubljana …
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