On the picture H.E. Roman Kirn, Manca Izmajlova and Benjamin Izmajlov.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The remarkable Slovenian soprano, Manca Izmajlova opened the 2016 National Day reception with her interpretation of Zdravljice the Slovenian national anthem.
H.E. Roman Kirn and his wife gave all the guests a warm and cordial welcome and thanked them for joining in the festivities to mark 25 years of Slovenian Independence.
Photo-album of this event, please click the link below : https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157669660645142
The celebration was held at The Hague Hilton Hotel on Tuesday 21th June. Following Ambassador Kirn’s speech, Manca Izmajlova and her husband Benjamin Izmajlov, both a composer and accomplished violinist played a few more Slovenian songs to add some professional color and animation to the evening.
Slovenia is both proud of her past achievements as an old nation in the center of Europe but also extremely proud of what has been achieved in the past 25 years as an independent state.
Furthermore, the country cares about the future and wants to continue along the path it is paving for itself; a safe and prosperous one.
Ambassador Kirn further described Slovenia as a committed and responsible member of the international community and highlighted how his beloved Slovenia cares enormously about its own wellbeing – he added: “we have a good record on that: we have a high quality of life, and what is today becoming increasingly important; safety – Slovenia is amongst 10 most peaceful and safe countries in Europe.”
Ambassador Krin continued, “as an EU member state, we want to contribute in making Europe whole and free for generations to come: As a NATO member, we want to commit yourself to trans-Atlantic partnership. As a UN member state we are committed to our universal values, to the rule based international system in which we take our share of responsibility in building a peaceful, safe and prosperous environment for the whole of mankind.”
“The Hague”, the Ambassador added, “as a world capital of justice and rule of law, as a host to so many international organizations, such as OPCW, ICC, ICJ, PCA, EUROJUST, EUROPOL and others, Slovenia plays an important part in our common aspirations to secure our future. Slovenia is also glad to be part of these endeavors in The Hague.
Slovenia is a popular tourist destination for Dutch holiday makers, it offers everything Dutch tourists would like to experience such as trekking and mountaineering in the Alps to swimming in the blue sea on the Adriatic coast. Not to forget rafting and fishing in our smaragd clear rivers, whilst also leaving time to relax and enjoy the wines and slow-cooked succulent food in Slovenia’s wine regions.”
The Ambassador expressed his gratitude to all who have contributed to making the celebration of 25 years of independence a great success. Among them were: the sponsor of the wine, Cellar Brdo from Goriška Brda, one of the well known wine regions in Slovenia.
Thanks also went to the main sponsor, Slovene Tourist Organization and its representative, Brina Čehovin, who helped the reception both through financial and logistical aid but also presented Slovenia as a green, active and healthy country. Many thanks must also go to all the staff at the Embassy whose role in putting the reception together has been imperative.
The goody bag offered to guest upon departure contained a CD with a collection of Manca’s songs and a bottle of Quercus a superior Slovenian wine from Goriska Brda winery. A fantastic way to end a wonderful evening.
