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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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 U.S. Embassy Ljubljana Speaker Program is one of our most popular youth engagement programs. Invitations to visit schools throughout Slovenia increase every year, and we try to visit as many as we can! This year, we have already visited two schools in September. Our new Ambassador, Lynda Blanchard, was quick to volunteer to visit …
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Embassy organized a week long program about the artificial intelligence with Joseph Dumoulin, Chief Technology Innovation Officer at Verint Intelligent Self-Service. He addressed AI from all perspectives: from talking to politicians and policy-makers about societal impact, to experts about very specific case-studies, giving advice, and addressing the general public with a broader overview. From the …
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On August 29, 2019, Ambassador Lynda C. Blanchard presented her credentials to President Borut Pahor at the Presidential Palace in Ljubljana.
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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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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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The U.S. Embassy’s Defense Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Klaudius Robinson visited a middle school in Ljubljana, OŠ Toneta Čufarja. His presentation on the State of Hawaii brought some refreshment to the classroom on a hot summer day. Since LTC Robinson lived in Hawaii while attending high school, he enriched the presentation with his own adventures and experiences there. The students asked him a lot of questions and wanted …
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Deputy Public Affairs Officer Brian Street joined Slovenian and international students at the Faculty of Administration where he briefly introduced himself and the embassy’s activities, and answered questions on how to become a diplomat, diplomatic life, and the key parts of diplomacy. The students were also interested in political and economic differences and …
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All the panelist at the Salient 2019 – Youth Conference organized by the United Nations Association Slovenia agreed that NATO remains the most successful alliance in the history and that Slovenia continues to prove to be a reliable ally. Charge d’Affaires emphasized how the Transatlantic integration has produced the world’s most modern and capable defense and …
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The Embassy’s Information Management Officer, Patricia Rainey, visited middle school OŠ Ig. Ms. Rainey prepared a presentation about the importance of education and explained that education not only gives us knowledge and helps us build opinions but also allows us to see the world in different ways. She also talked about a difference between diversity …
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Economic and Commercial Officer, Dr. William Don Baker visited Gimnazija Franc Miklošič, a general high school in Ljutomer that hosted an international debate club attended by 140 participants from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, the Netherlands and New Zealand. Upon the school’s request, Dr. Baker discussed entrepreneurship, American entrepreneurs, small businesses, start-ups, and …
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There is no limit to what women can, and should, achieve. Especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This was the message of Dr. Emilija Stojmenova Duh’s recent programs in Maribor and Ljubljana. Dr. Duh, a recent IVLP alumna from the #HiddenNoMore program, worked with the embassy to organize screenings of the …
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What’s real? What’s fake? How do you tell the difference? To help students, teachers, academics and journalists find the answer, NewseumED and Zavod Časoris kicked off a project last week on media literacy, beginning with educator Jessi McCarthy’s visit to Slovenia. Through multiple dynamic workshops for teachers, members of the public, journalists, students, and academia, this program—supported by the U.S. Embassy—taught attendees the Newsem’s E.S.C.A.P.E. model, featuring six ways to evaluate online information and …
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Through multiple dynamic workshops for teachers, members of the public, journalists, students, and academia, this program—supported by the U.S. Embassy—taught attendees the Newsem’s E.S.C.A.P.E. model.
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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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Biodiversity and how America uses its land were the topic that Public Affairs Officer J.B. Leedy discussed with the college students at the Bio-technical Educational Center in Ljubljana. The students of Ljubljana middle school OŠ Hinka Smrekarja had a relaxed discussion with Deputy Public Affairs Officer Brian Street, asking him questions about U.S. states, whether American students learn foreign …
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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 consular and diplomatic law, and its implementation and importance in the real life of an American diplomat. Economic and Commercial Officer, Dr. Don Baker—a former professor—discussed the American presidency to a middle school students of OŠ Stična – Branch School Zagradec. …
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Embassy speaker’s program engaged youth in five different Slovenian schools in November. American diplomats discussed American society, values, and culture with the students. In two events, we were even fortunate enough to meet with the Mayors of the towns we visited! As we do every year, we participated at the OŠ Komenda Moste English middle school English language weekend. Stephanie Barrett-Zebre discussed the diversity …
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Embassy Ljubljana hosted three speakers in the last month to talk about cybersecurity issues, countering disinformation, and cryptocurrencies and Blockchain technology in recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Dr. David Fahkrenkurg from Georgetown University stressed the need for Slovenia to set priorities within cybersecurity strategies, and emphasized the need to take a holistic and comprehensive approach …
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We visited six schools in October! General Service Officer Julia Stanley visited the High School for Health Care in Celje. Ms. Stanley served in the Air Force and lived in 12 different countries worldwide. Her nomadic life was a source of many interesting stories and adventures that she shared with the students. She also talked …
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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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Our first school visit of the new school year took us to a middle school in Videm, OŠ Dobrepolje. Stephanie Barret-Zebre introduced the state of Hawaii, and spoke about more than 30 other states that she has lived in or visited. After her presentation that was packed with beautiful scenery from Hawaii, she answered questions from more than 50 eager students on a wide …
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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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The education system, schools and school life in the United States were the topics that Gimnazija Koper students were most interested in discussing during our recent visit. After Deputy Public Affairs Officer Izaak Martin briefly introduced the U.S. Embassy’s activities, he answered many student questions together with Marine Security Guards Sgt. Jonathan Trei and Sgt. …
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We visited seven Slovenian schools in May! Political Officer Christopher Mondloch and U.S. Marine Security Guards Sgt. Eddie Montano and Cpl. Nicholas Jackson visited OŠ Žetale. Ninety students from ages from 6 to 14, along with the school’s principal and teachers, welcomed the three, who introduced themselves, talked about the activities of the U.S. Embassy, offered some facts about the United States, and answered many student questions. Assistant Public Affairs Officer Izaak Martin …
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We visited eight Slovenian schools in April! For the first time in a few years, we visited OŠ Staneta Žagarja in Lipnica again. About 90 middle school students were interested in U.S. diplomat’s activities and the comparison between Slovene and U.S. culture. Public Affairs Officer Philip Beekman also talked about the modern day issue of …
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We visited students at nine different Slovenia schools in March! Assistant Public Affairs Officer Izaak Martin, U.S. Marine Security Guards Sergeant Eddie Montano and Sergeant Jonathan Trei visited Gimnazija Nova Gorica to talk to about 140 high school students about various Embassy activities, their hometowns, and offered some comparisons between Slovenia and the United States. They also answered students’ questions. After meeting the students, …
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U.S. Embassy Ljubljana hosted NASA astronaut Randy “Komrade” Bresnik, who returned from ISS Expedition 52/53 in December 2017 after spending 139 days in space. He previously went to space in 2009. Mr. Bresnik traces his Slovenian ancestry to Ljubno and Luce in Logarska dolina, where his great-grandparents emigrated from when they came to the U.S. …
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Deputy Chief of Mission Gautam Rana visited EU Parliamentarian Lojze Peterle’s Office in Ljubljana to discuss with the students from Gimnazija Jožeta Plečnika immigration and how it has shaped the United States. Included in the discussion were immigration history and population by race and ethnicity (actual and projected), immigration diversity, and civil rights in the U.S. He …
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General Service Officer Julia Stanley, together with partner Doug Allen, visited 100 students at OŠ Hudinja in Celje. Ms. Stanley has lived in 15 different countries and nine of America’s 50 states. Her nomadic life was a source of many interesting stories and adventures that she recounted to the students. Mr. Allen also spoke of his home state of Mississippi. They students asked several questions about their private and professional …
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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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Deputy Chief of Mission Gautam Rana delivered opening remarks as University of Ljubljana Economics Faculty professor and Fulbright alumni Matevž Raškovič delivered a presentation on the history of US-China relations, the subject of his Fulbright research at Harvard University. In addition to his interesting lecture, Professor Raškovič emphasized the importance of international exchange and how …
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Economic Officer Don Baker introduced his home state of Arkansas to 9th graders at OŠ Polje in Ljubljana. His presentation included an overview of key facts, geography, points of interest, famous Arkansans, including former President Bill Clinton, and Arkansas’capital Little Rock. After the presentation he answered a wide range of questions, most of them were about a diplomatic life, how …
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Deputy Public Affairs Officer Izaak Martin visited the Vocational College for Food Technology at Biotechnical Educational Center in Ljubljana where he discussed different foods in the United States. His presentation was also focused on New York diverse food options as a result of diverse New York City culture and impact of French and Creole cuisine …
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To celebrate International Education Week, Deputy Public Affairs Officer Izaak Martin and Darinka Trček from the EducationUSA at the Public Scholarship, Development, Disability and Maintenance Fund of the Republic of Slovenia visited two groups of students at the Second Gymnasium in Maribor (II. Gimnazija Maribor). The first group of students were focused on specific details of studying …
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Various American diplomats from the U.S. Embassy visited six Slovenian schools in October. General Service Officer Julia Stanley and Marine Security Guard Nicholas Jackson visited OŠ Stična branch school in Višnja Gora and had a lively discussion with 40 middle school students. Captain Jonathan Tyler McAnally visited 2 middle schools, one in Dobrepolje and the other one in Mojstrana, where …
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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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The Embassy supported a culinary-cultural event “Time for Coffee? – American Coffee” organized by VDC POLŽ Maribor which featured people with disabilities presenting the American culture through dancing, singing, theater plays and food. Photos by VDC POLŽ Maribor.
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Deputy Public Affairs Officer Izaak Martin visited the High School for Health Care and Bio-technical School Rakičan in Murska Sobota to discuss his hometown of Seattle, including its history, attractions, business and natural surroundings. He also described his work activities in the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section and answered students’ questions. At the Bio-technical school he …
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Public Affairs Officer Philip Beekman joined Slovenian and international students at the Faculty of Administration for a lecture and wide-ranging discussion about public diplomacy May 5th. Beekman introduced himself and the activities of the embassy’s Public Affairs Sections, spoke about emerging trends in public diplomacy and communications, and led a discussion with students on media …
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Philip Beekman, Public Affairs Officer, was a guest lecturer yesterday at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Speaking with first year students in Professor Dejan Verčič’s seminar on public relations subject, Beekman discussed the embassy’s public affairs office, public diplomacy, public relations, communications, press freedom, disinformation, and digitalization and answered student questions.
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Together with Transparency International Slovenia, we welcomed the opportunity to host one the U.S.’s foremost transparency activists, Nancy Boswell, the former president and CEO of Transparency International USA, for a two day program in Slovenia. Boswell met with business leaders, government representatives, students, civil society organizations, and media to exchange and share experiences. Transparency, accountability, …
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U.S. Embassy intern Victoria Irvine visited two middle schools, OŠ Predoslje and OŠ Matije Čopa in Kranj, where she discussed the U.S. education system and how it compares to the Slovene system of education. She also answered many questions from the students, most focused on the way of life for youth in the U.S.
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The U.S. Embassy paid its first visit to “OŠ Marije Vere” in Kamnik on a beautiful sunny day. Embassy Marine Security Guards Commander Joshua showed the students a short presentation about his home, career, and hobbies and the embassy’s video about the American diplomats (including himself) speaking Slovenian, which brought a lot of laughter, as …
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Almost 100 middle school students gathered to meet us during our first visit to OŠ Kanal in Soča Valley. U.S. Embassy Intern Fletcher Goldinger offered a presentation on the Embassy’s activities and his home state, Wisconsin, known for its cold and snowy winters. He also opened the floor up to the students to ask questions, …
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The Green City Design Challenge concept was created by an award winning 6th grade science teacher from the Washington, DC area in the USA using a project based learning model. The US Embassy Ljubljana PAS together with the City of Ljubljana created a similar shorter pilot program in Ljubljana, the Green Capital of Europe 2016, …
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