All over the country the first weekend in June offers a number of events. It will be very lively in the Goriška brda hills, where the wine growers traditionally open their cellars. In Istria, tribute will be paid to olive oil, while in Ljubljana the fragrance of traditional dishes from Prekmurje will fill the air.
In Ljubljana, the Open Kitchen on Fridays are already a tradition (Pogačar square, from morning to night). On Saturday Domžale will organize their version of the Open Kitchen, Kuhna naplac, starting at 10 a.m., where Atelier Karim, Flying Smoker, Pizzeria Dante, Slaščičarna Lenček, Pivnica Adam Ravbar, Bistro Piknik, Kavarna Flerin, 7burger, Tarangela-hiša slaščic, Čokoladnica Plešec, Gostišče Juvan, Gostišče Kanja, Zlata Kaplja, Kmetija Pustotnik, Ivankini krofi, Gostilna Janežič, Restavracija Park, Mr. Smoothie, Pivovarna Hopsbrew, Gostilna Ribič, Pivoteka za popent and Vinoteka na dom will present their offer.
From the Middle Ages to Prekmurje
Also on Saturday the Gourmet Club Skaručna is inviting to their medieval feast starting at 1 p.m. Marko Žagar has invited lords of the castle from the Imperial-Royal Town of Ptuj Society, who will revive the rich medieval culture, and culinary heritage.
The chef Žagar will prepare royal dishes using medieval recipes – stews, roast pork spareribs with skin, chicken stuffed with dried fruit, barley porridge with porcinis, spelt 'žganci', barley risotto… accompanied by medieval music.
The air in Ljubljana will smell of Prekmurje. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Premurje region will introduce its delicious cuisine at the Pogačar square, the traditional cuisine of kind and hospitable people. Domestic products of Prekmurje homesteads will be available, there will be caterers, vintners and artisans of traditional crafts.
Naturally, visitors will be able to taste Prekmurska gibanica ('folded cake'), Prekmurje ham, and bograč goulash, cooked on-site in a large cauldron.
The West attracts with oil, and open wine cellars
Advice to those who would like to leave the capital behind – go west! In Padna, the picturesque village in the Slovenian Istria, the traditional festival of olive oil and mangold will take place on Saturday and Sunday, with the participation of olive growers with their boutique products made of autochthonous sorts, and the culinary offer will be based on mangold and Istrian dishes.
The organizers are also offering sightseeing of Padna, workshops for children, hiking and a cycling tour; there will be music as well. On Saturday the festival opens at 9 a.m., and will continue until evening. On Sunday the market opens at 11 a.m., and the festival closes at 4 p.m.
The doors open days of Goriška brda wine celars will take place on Saturday and Sunday. It is one of the largest traditional events in Brda, when most of the best from that part of the country invite visitors to visit their cellars, and enjoy in tasting of wines. The event starts at 11 a.m. You can buy the tickets at Vinoteka Brda; for EUR 14 you can visit 26 cellars, and taste almost 70 wines.
