He has donated blood 54 times, is the guardian of the Nacet Vine (to a descendant the oldest vine in the world from Maribor's Lent), fruit grower, gardener ... He strives for a healthy life, so he works out every morning. In 2010, he introduced outdoor recreation once a week in his home town of Zgornji Brnik.
He has also been a volunteer at a local nursing home for nine years, where he comes every Wednesday. He leads creative workshops there, where he and the residents weave baskets, make butcher's cakes, create clay products... He loves to make people happy with his words, products, singing, dancing and good wishes on special anniversaries and feasts. He especially enjoys socialising with the residents of the nursing home.
Before the basket-making workshop begins, Ivan makes vitra (wood shavings) at home from hazel sticks, which are then used to make the baskets. Of course, they love to chat and have a coffee together. They all look forward to his arrival on Wednesdays and are grateful for everything he gives them. They enjoy the workshops very much. Some of them have some of this knowledge from their youth, others have learnt it in workshops. Basket weaving is an important part of our cultural heritage. It is right that we preserve this tradition as a way of showing respect for our ancestors.
"I'm grateful that my health is doing me good and that I can spend time in the company of people. To be able to pass on my knowledge to others. To make people happy. To make people laugh. To try to encourage and put everyone in a good mood. This is what gives me the strength to stay active. Goodwill is for spreading among people. That is important.
We christen the wine for the martini. I have a special speech prepared for this event, which I read out. On the eve of St Nicholas' Day, I dress up in St Nicholas' clothes, walk around the rooms of the retirement home and bring each resident a sourdough starter. I also made an emblem for them. I made a mould of a flower out of latex, which is the symbol of the home, and then I poured the paste into it to make the little gifts that they give to the visitors of the retirement home."
Ivan also likes to carve, so he often creates a wooden product at home.
He has donated several of his products to the home; a snowman, Easter bunnies, bird houses, clay nativity scenes (he and the residents made some figurines).
"It takes so little to make people happy, and it's such a pleasure."
Maja Grošelj, 6 May 2025
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