SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

On the Slovenian countryside, it is customary for farms not to be named after the current owner, but to bear an old house name that is passed down through generations.

Karmen Čarman has decided to keep the former name of the homestead, as this expresses her respect for its history and former inhabitants. Preserving the house name is an important part of cultural heritage, as it represents a kind of link to the past.

The Vajc homestead in the Škocjan area is run by Karmen Čarman and her family; with her husband and three children. This represents a fine example of cultural heritage and the preservation of rural life. The homestead has a long history, as a mill stood on this site in the past and was an important part of everyday life. 

When the family took possession, the mill had been inactive for some time, so they set themselves the goal of gradually restoring it and returning it to its original purpose. The renovation is proceeding slowly and thoughtfully, as they wish to preserve as many of its former characteristics as possible. Nowadays, they also use an electric mill to help them with their work, but they hope to re-establish water-powered operation in the future.

The homestead also offers visitors an experience of life on a farm. Here, they can learn how people once lived and worked in the countryside, and observe how various farm tasks are carried out. The emphasis is on demonstrating old customs, manual skills and everyday tasks that are rarely practised today. The homestead thus serves as a learning space where knowledge is passed on to younger generations. Gatherings with children are also organised, during which they learn baking, cooking and other manual skills. Karmen is often invited to various events and on broadcasts.

Karmen has an exceptional knack for creativity. Besides culinary delights, she also creates crocheted items, embroideries, and wooden crafts. Furthermore, she engages in glass painting, ceramics, and enamel work, makes coasters, and undertakes numerous other activities.

An important part of their activity is, of course, culinary. They prepare dishes from homemade and local ingredients and according to traditional recipes. In doing so, they use flour from their own grains, which they grind in their own mill.

In addition to being the leading force of the homestead, Karmen is also a mathematics professor, and she was named Farmer of the Year 2023, which only confirms her passion for tradition. She received the title as part of a project aimed at highlighting young people in rural areas and showcasing the importance of women's roles on farms, in the countryside, and in society in general.

The mentioned homestead under the auspices of Karmen Čarman is increasingly becoming a space for connection, socialising, and learning. Through various activities such as presentations, workshops, and other events, they ensure the preservation of cultural heritage and present these contents to people in a simple and engaging way.

Vajsova's homestead thus merges past and present, striving to preserve an important part of Slovenian tradition for future generations.

Andreja Bakšič Grozdina, 09/04/2026