SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

It will finally come to life here. She will no longer feel so lonely as she did in the village. But then she hadn't heard the famous Slovenian song that says: "She dreams of Ljubljana and doesn't know that people are alone there too...".

A long-cherished dream has come true for Ivanka. Her mother and father were also very happy - at least she did, if they didn't. Bethesda, as they were, unfortunately never managed to visit her. For a short time, Mrs Ivanka drank in the fresh bustle of the bustling city with all her senses. Her eyes feasted on the night-time illumination of the main road along which she lived. Her ears were tuned to the buzzing of the many nobel cars and the footsteps of passers-by in vibrant clothing. She has finally found her little corner of the world where the day never ends. 

As the years passed, Ivanka missed more and more the quiet days, the silence, the nature and the chirping of the birds. And above all, the passers-by who look you in the eye and are in the mood for a short chat. She didn't get that in white Ljubljana. She felt so tired and lonely. She had no one. Only her neighbour Peter greeted her every time and wished her a good day. Peter lived in the flat next door. Every time Ivanka came home, when she unlocked the door, her crutch fell on his door. Each time, Peter just frowned and was satisfied that everything was fine with his friendly neighbour. When they met in the corridor, she gave him some chocolates that she was carrying for that very purpose. Peter made her lonely day shine with a ray of sunshine. 

On a cold March day, Peter realised that he hadn't heard Ivanka's slow footsteps and the crutch on his door for days. He began to worry. He rang her doorbell, but she didn't answer. He asked the neighbours, but no one knew anything about her. He then contacted the council, from where the police were called. The police responded, questioned some neighbours and then activated the fire brigade, which broke into her flat. They found that Ms Ivanka had been deceased for several days. In these cold days, she would probably have been missed in her flat without the heating on for a long time. But someone cared - to my neighbour Peter. Thanks to him, Mrs Ivanka took her last journey in the way that is fitting. Two years have passed since then, but the apartment is still sealed. No one misses her. Only her neighbour Peter will never forget her.

Mojca Guzelj, 30.3.2025