On the first day, her name was not yet on the front door, but it appeared the next day; a beautiful clay plaque with the inscription. We both noticed it, we both agreed that it was a nice gesture, but we didn't talk about it again afterwards.
In January, I met Martin and we talked about what was happening in our lives. He was telling me about a nice business gesture they had made in Gorenjska with clay plaques with old house names, in order to preserve the old Slovenian tradition. Each house or homestead also bears a household name that can be passed down from generation to generation, regardless of who is living there at the time. Some residents may have roots linked to the name, others may have moved in, or the property may have changed hands. And yet, in some places, the name of the house remains.
Martin gave me a detailed description of what the signs looked like, and I found out that one of them was installed at the villa I visited in December.
He also told me how he was invited to join the project for their house in Spodnje Gameljne. The organisers asked him to write more about why he found it all worthwhile. This way they will encourage action at municipal level. PHe spoke about his views and values, which clearly indicate a commitment to Slovenian values and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. His account showed that the activities of their wider community are also rich because of the dissemination and respect for local customs and traditions, such as the celebration of St. Nicholas Day and the shranganje. Martin is actively involved in both.
Curiosity drove me on. I searched the web and found records that many clay plaques with house names have been installed on houses in Gorenjska and that the project of collecting old house names has been going on for many years within the framework of the Development Agency of Upper Gorenjska and elsewhere in the country. The installation of the clay tablets is the second phase of their project. From 2020, the use of house names will also be entered in the Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is customary to say with someone; this someone may be the name of the master, it may refer to an occupation carried out in the house, or the name may refer to a feature in the environment where the house stands.
When he shared all this with me, I recognised in this business story the value of belonging to a broader sense, to the greater good of our Slovenian space. I too want to live in accordance with our tradition; I integrate it into my work and into my exploration of life. I share this story with you so that those of us who live in cities may also become more aware of the authenticity of living in our environment and of drawing on the rich roots of our traditions.
Barbara Novak, 17 Feb 2025
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