On Tuesday evening the sports hall at the Grosuplje elementary school reminded of the hallways of Slovenia’s temple of democracy. The evening was in no lack of political figures, both from yesterday and today.
Well known names were present at the 2nd edition of the Mother Homeland festival of Slovenian homeland songs. The honorary guest of the evening, President Borut Pahor, was welcomed by the mayor of Grosuplje, Peter Verlič, coming from the ranks of the opposition SDS. The first seat row was otherwise filled with faces more in favour of right wing political options.
In attendance were also the presidents of all three opposition parties, Ljudmila Novak, Franc Bogovič and Janez Janša, who drew the most attention, as he was accompanied by his wife Urška Bačovnik Janša. Franc Pukšič, Andrej Šircelj, Alenka Jeraj and Božo Predalič also attended the event. The Chief of General Staff, Dobran Božič, was in uniform, representing the colours of the Slovenian army, while the Director General of the Police, Stanislav Veniger, also in uniform, represented the colours of the Slovenian police.

The show was hosted by Ana Pirkovič Tavčar and Domen Valič, who also sent a special greeting to all Slovenians abroad - from Buenos Aires, Melbourne and Cleveland to Belgrade and Skopje. At the same time on the giant screen in the background one could see the waving Slovenian flag mixed with the memorable moments of our country's birth and life. A good number of Slovenian musicians then took to the stage for a two-hour-long concert filled with homeland theme songs performed in different musical genres – from popular folk to pop and jazz.
Founding father of the festival: Tone Krkovič
The festival was the idea of Brigadier Tone Krkovič. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's independence he composed a song and called it "Mother Homeland". He explained that with the song he wished to symbolically sing out to our mother and homeland.
"People and nature give meaning to my life. As an artist I consider them to be my inspiration, and I'm thankful to be part of the most beautiful country in the world," is what singer Jan Plestenjak told MMC about his homeland, just before the event.
"For me the homeland represents a place where I grew up and to which I connect all my best memories, as well as those not so nice. It's a place where I had my first permanent home and have my nuclear family," said singer Nina Strnad, who just as her colleague Jan thinks that our country, on the sunny side of the Alps, is wonderful: "I always rediscover the countless beauties of Slovenia which glow with inspiration, fresh air and peace."
Organizers hope the festival becomes a tradition and brings together Slovenians at home and abroad. According to organizers the festival should also be a symbolic reminder of the bright days of Slovene unity, which resulted in an independent Slovenian state.
"Slovenian goods in all forms of substance"
At the end of the show all those who took part in the event – more than a thousand people – were invited outside on the square in front of the sports hall, where a large screen with gigantic speakers stood throughout the event, enabling those left outside to follow what was going on inside. There was no lack of motivation to stand outside in the freezing December evening, as improvised stands offered free snacks and free drinks.