SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

Our house on the banks of the Rijeka River near the Croatian border was always very colourful, as many of my father's half brothers and half sisters often returned, and later their descendants also liked to visit. Although my mother was hard-working, frugal, skilful and resourceful, she often managed to manage her money for polishbut has never denied hospitality to anyone. She was respectful to her relatives and to every other human being. As a wife, mother, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, neighbour, villager and parishioner, she was committed to working for the common good. I often heard her say that words sting, examples drag and that goodness is by no means an orphan, but as a child I didn't understand what that was supposed to mean. 

She was always ready to help the needy in a variety of ways, and she unobtrusively encouraged her children to do the same. "Come, come with me. I'm taking a piece of cake to Aunt Ida, and Strini We're going to put firewood on the pole, what do you say? They're both old, they're pregnant, and they're still on their own." Usually, with these words, she would encourage one of us five children to join in. We didn't resist, because now and then we came home with a piece of candy that we rarely got at home. Through her example, my mother taught us the basic human values of respect, kindness, tolerance, honesty, hard work and courage. She was a master of these skills, and her large family was the ideal environment in which to pass on her knowledge.

When my mother celebrated her 90th birthday, we were all present at the Mahnet family's house, which is the name of the house where my mother Cilka lives together with my twin sister Silva. As I watched her in the spotlight, which she visibly thrived on, I felt immense gratitude that she taught by at such a ripe old age in enviable shape, but above all because it has taught us to work together and to accept our differences. She has always emphasised the uniqueness of the individual. On that day, she was wearing a golden crown and a ribbon that read Queen of our hearts. 

The playful and colourful group of four generations made me proud because we can accept the differences between all of us without great intrigue, anger and resentment. If there is ever a spark, we work together to make sure it doesn't catch fire. My parents have been a great example of tolerant and compassionate coexistence to us, my four sisters and brother, which we pass on to the younger generations, and we are also very happy to inspire them with our love of music. Harmony or harmony in singing was taught to us by my father, who was a very good bass player, and harmony in relationships was taught to us mainly by my mother, who was more than excellent in this area. Together we create wonderful memories, and music plays a very important role in this, as it is a bonding, comforting, strengthening and indispensable ally. Anything worth having is also worth sharing, which is why we are very happy to spread music among people.

You are responsible for what you have domesticated, said the Little Prince, and we are very aware of that, and of the need to receive, multiply and share the talents we have been given.

Jerica Strle, 17 Mar 2025