SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

In the midst of all this spring idyll, in the middle of Oplotnica, surrounded by the hills and peaks of the Pohorje Mountains, there is a bed full of colourful flowers that bring a smile to the faces of passers-by, while bees and butterflies happily refresh themselves with sweet flower nectar.

Franc Slatinek from Oplotnica has been a member of the Oplotnica Mountaineering Society for 63 years and since the hikes have been held, he and other members of the society have been taking care of the flowers and the flower bed and renovating it every year. 

"I do it completely voluntarily, without being paid for it. Sometimes I could use the funding to buy extra flowers, but I also get them by asking around a bit. The rocks and the decorative plaques are also our work and we are proud that the people of Oplotnica have accepted our flower bed and our efforts so well," explained 83-year-old Franc Slatinek.

The bed is full of colourful tulips, pansies, bluebells, daffodils, gentian, and even an Easter flower - but not a protected one, but one bought from a florist to brighten up the bed. In the middle of the flowerbed, a sign says: "Stop, stop, don't hurry, we'll give you what you want. Clean air and good humour are the best things about us!" Rocks with markers indicate the most important pearls Pohorje nature: the Black Lake, the Sand, Rogla, and a model of Aljaž's Tower from Triglav at the top of the rock.

It takes many hours to tidy up a flower bed. It's not as much work in winter, but now that the flowers are in bloom, Franz tends to the bed at least once a week. He weeds the bed, removes dead flowers and works the soil a little. In summer, he looks after the bed even more often, coming to water the flowers, bringing water from the nearby Oplotniščice stream.

Franc Slatinek wistfully hopes that he is not alone in his efforts for the flowerbed: "I wish someone else would show interest in the flowerbed. The years have passed and my health is not as good as it used to be, so I would like someone else to take care of the flower bed. I am happy when I come here and see the flowers growing so beautifully, and when I see a hiker or a passer-by admiring the flowerbed. That is the greatest reward for me. Sometimes, however, someone is so enchanted by these flowers that they want to take them home with them. I wish there would not be many events like this in the future, because these flowers are for everyone; they are to be admired and they are to bring us joy."

Once the spring flowers have bloomed, Franz will be planning the summer planting. Last year, the Municipality of Oplotnica helped him with the summer planting with soil and flowers, and Franc would like to express his heartfelt gratitude for the nice gesture and hopes that the Municipality will be supportive of his efforts this year. 

There is certainly no need to fear for the fate of the flowerbed, as long as Franz takes loving care of the flowers that make the autumn of his life more beautiful.

Amadeja Mlakar, 6. 4. 2025