All until the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, St. Gregory’s Day, which falls on the 12th of March, was considered the first day of spring. The day was long enough for craftsmen not to need artificial light to do their work. On the eve of St. Gregory’s Day light was symbolically thrown into the water and in recent years the custom is seeing a return in many Slovenian regions. According to folk tradition St Gregory’s is the day when birds get married.
The primary school in Tržič, together with the Pelar company, made 750 “gregorčki” boats which will be launched this evening in the Tržič Bistrica River. Last year in November the project applied to be entered into the Guinness Book of World Records. They have still not received any response from the Guinness commission. However, Tržič hopes that the school and town win the prestigious title.
Events in other Slovenian regions as well
This evening “gregorčki” will also be launched with the help of firefighters in the Kokra River canyon. Before that they were also made in the Kranjska Hiša on the main square in Kranj.

In Ljubljana, due to the high water levels of the Gradaščica channel and the fact that the canal along Eipprova Street is not walkable, organizers were forced to cancel the Pozdrav Pomladi – Gregorčki event. Officials also warn that it is still dangerous to launch “gregorčki” along the Gradaščica channel. An art workshop for children involving making “gregorčki” was held this afternoon at the University of Ljubljana. The boats were then launched in the pond of the garden.

The Ljubhospice House in Ljubljana marked St. Gregory’s by decorating bird houses. The houses were painted by over 400 children from ten Ljubljana kindergartens. Photos from the event can be viewed in the gallery below.

P.B.; translated by K. J.