Recording 100, page 129
Exercise 1b Ten of the symbols of Slovenia from Exercise 1a are described below. Which ones? Listen and read.
1
In Slovene folklore, it is a legendary white chamois buck that lived near the heights of Mount Triglav.
2
It could once be found in almost every village. Locals would gather under its shady canopy and discuss the issues of the day.
When Slovenia became independent, many called for its leaf to appear on the country’s new flag – in the style of Canada and its world-famous maple leaf.
3
It is the most popular instrument in Slovenia, especially in rural popular music.
It is hard to imagine a wedding, birth celebration, birthday, anniversary, festival or any other kind of event without this instrument.
4
It is a famous Slovenian carnival figure. It looks very scary, like a large hairy sheep standing upright and also dancing around.
5
If you drive through the Slovenian countryside, you can see many brightly painted beehives. These open-air galleries are a unique form of Slovenian folk art.
Beekeeping farmers used to paint the wooden front panels of their beehives. The images on the panels often tell simple stories, or depict scenes from everyday farm life and the Bible.
6
It is one of the most familiar markers of the Slovene landscape. It can take several different forms.
It is a free-standing structure, made mainly of wood. It is used for drying grasses, and sometimes corn, for use as fodder for animals.
7
It is a religious image, usually in some sort of a small shelter. There are thousands of them in Slovenia.
They are placed by a road or pathway, and sometimes at a crossroads. In the past, they were placed along pilgrim routes.
They were markers and orientation aids for travellers to find their way.
8
It is a wooden mechanical device on a high wooden pole, similar to a wind mill. It is used in vineyards to keep the birds away.
9
For centuries, many people from the Kočevje and Ribnica valleys would travel far from home and sell various wooden household objects, ranging from spoons to brooms.
They wore large baskets on their back. They used a very clever method to hawk their wares, and had a unique sense of humour.
Because of that they were always welcome everywhere. The present-day “krošnjarji” travel in modern vans and most of their products are no longer hand-made.
10
In the 19th century, they were a cherished gift among lovers. Today they are mostly a beautiful tourist souvenir, which can be preserved for decades.
It’s a heart-shaped and decorated pastry. Your name, or the name of your loved one, can be written onto hearts. Some of them have a small mirror for young women to admire themselves.