SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

The field is full of memories and stories, as he celebrated his ninety-third birthday on the first day of spring.

As an illegitimate son, he lived with many people; with his mother's relatives, friends, and foster families. He didn't know his mother until he was eleven years old, so it's probably understandable to everyone that he didn't have a happy childhood. But he grew and blossomed into a handsome and good-looking young man.

Although he did not live with his father, he made sure he was apprenticed as a carpenter. He was hardworking and meticulous. Everyone liked him. He was never without work, but when he returned from his military service, there were no vacancies at the factory in Šmartno. Because he was known as a good man and worker, the director, who also had a carpentry workshop in Koper, offered him a job there.

»If you wish, you can work in Koper. You'll get to know the town and the people. You'll have a permit for Trieste and I believe you'll do well.«

Mr Franci went. He familiarised himself with life and work on the Coast, and made many new friends. The locals also visited him several times. He treated everyone, as it was too expensive for his pocket at the nearby hotel.

»I served them myself and they slept at my place too,« he said.

»And what do you remember most?« I asked him.

»My first trip to Trieste. Because I had leave, I decided one morning to visit a friend who lived in Trieste. I travelled by bus and, upon arrival at the station, I didn't know where I was. I didn't know the language and I didn't know anyone. I held a slip of paper with the home address of the friend I was going to see, and looked around. However, I quickly found my bearings. As there was a policeman nearby, I went up to him and showed him the address. He told me which city bus to take. On the bus, I offered the driver dinars, but he shook his head and said, »Lire.« I shook my head, and was very confused, as no one had warned me that I should have their money with me. The driver pushed my hand with the dinars away and waited for payment.

»Were you scared then that he would send you off the bus?« I asked him.

»No, because a nicely dressed lady approached and saved me. She paid for me. When I showed her the slip with the address, she knew I was from Slovenia. She pointed to the lady sitting in front. I thanked her and moved forward.«

»You must have breathed a sigh of relief then.«

»Well, she greeted me in Slovenian and told me that she would also get off at the same stop.«

I smiled and said to him: »Lucky you!«

»Yes, the lady even accompanied me right to my house. Unknowingly, she brightened that day for me, which remains in my memory to this day. When I think about how many people are sometimes in trouble, worries and uncertainty, and how little attention and empathy it takes to help a fellow human being, it pains me. With a warmth in my heart, I remember how these unknown, kind people made me happy when I was alone in Trieste for the first time.«

Darinka Kobal, 9. 4. 2026