The calendar has become a success in just a few days, boasts the commander of the PGD Unec Volunteer Fire Brigade, Jože Šlajnar. He proudly says that they printed 300 copies, and that the demand is so high that they're now thinking of doing a reprint. "We offered the calendar on Facebook as part of a prize contest and the reactions were really amazing," said Šlajnar. He said the photographs of the strong boys from the Notranjska region were taken in October at Rakov Škocjan, near Unec.

An attraction at Rakov Škocjan
"It was quite fun. When we did the shootings in Rakov Škocjan, there were Italian and German tourists walking around. They would stop and wonder what was happening, after what they also took pictures of us. It took three hours to shoot every scene. Each firefighter first posed with his clothes on, and then with his clothes of. So in one day we only made three photographs," added commander Šlajnar. He did admit that in a village as small as Unec, the news of the "spicy" calendar spread like wildfire.

"People laugh a bit and say they would rather see our girls on the calendar. Otherwise we haven't had any negative reactions." All the photographs were taken and edited by a member of the Unec Volunteer Fire Brigade, Alen Ivančič. It all stays "in the family".

So, why the calendar? Just for the fun of it? No. The residents of Unec hope to make some money with the calendar, in order to set it aside for the purchase of a new fire engine. The new vehicle would cost around 100.000 euros. The locals have to come up 60 percent of the sum on their own. The cost of 12 euros per calendar truly is just a drop in the ocean. However if they sell a hundred, or two hundred, or three hundred...

A. P. J.; translated by K. J.