On Friday the Slovenian graduates will be joined by colleagues from other European cities.

Both PZS and Urška Dance School remain reserved in their prediction of a record, as a part of the Balkan Peninsula has been cut off from the rest of the world, and consequently the international participation to the quadrille dance will be considerably reduced. "I don't think records can be expected due to the circumstances abroad. On Friday Serbia has the day of mourning, and there will be no dancing there, nor in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, most of the dancers are under the patronage of the Slovakian Dance Federation – more than 10,000. Perhaps we will surprise everybody," Rudi Kocbek from PZS showed a bit of optimism.

The PZS Federation is celebrating this year the tenth international quadrille. It will link graduates from six European states. "In 2005 the dance was for the first time joined by larger cities as well – the invitation was issued by the mayor of Maribor," remembers Kocbek. For this occasion in Maribor a three-hour even is being prepared, the honourable speaker will be Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek.

Again separated, but this time both quadrilles on the same day
A separate event, apart from the event planned by the Slovenia Dancesport Federation, will happen again in Ljubljana: Urška Dance School is organizing Maturantska parada, Graduates' Parade. "Slovenia Dancesport Federation signs an agreement with all the organisations from Slovenian towns. The Ljubljana organizer refuses to sign the agreement, and does not participate in the Dancesport Federation," Kocbek explained reasons for this division. But he assured that they had no intention of getting entangled in any kind of unnecessary disputes with Urška Dance School.

Maturantska parada again in the capital of Slovenia
Boris Prokofjev, the main conductor of the Maturantska parada by Urška Dance School said for MMC that an all-day event is being planned for the capital. "We always prepare a surprise. For Ljubljana and the surroundings the classical programme is planned. A part of the Balkan Peninsula has been cut off from the rest of the world, and consequently the international participation to the quadrille dance will be considerably reduced. But in Ljubljana a great celebration will take place. It will start at 9 o'clock with signing-up, and registration of the graduates. The atmosphere will be enhanced by concerts till late night hours," Prokofjev promises. He also explained that almost all Slovenian towns linked with Maturantska parada trademark are participating.

A special day for all the graduates
No matter which, Quadrille for the Guinness record, as advertised by PZS, or Maturantska parada, as advertised by Urška Dance School, it is a unique event for the graduates. Yet in last years this event has been tainted by excessive consumption of alcohol. "We want the graduates to say farewell to their school days in an appropriate and decent manner, not to use this event for abuse of alcohol," Kocbek said.

Prokofjev added: "The organizer has very little influence on the behaviour of the youth. They come in contact with alcohol in everyday life. The fact is that the graduates are of age, and it is difficult to prohibit them anything – except what is prohibited by law. It means that no alcohol can be served in the morning until 10. That's why we invite them to the Exhibition Centre for breakfast and a non-alcoholic beverage, and try to animate them, and lead them through the day in a healthy manner. We know how it is: if something is forbidden, craving for it increases."

Klavdija Kopina, MMC
Translated by G. K.