Cover version of A Toast to raise funds for refugees
Ljubljana, 3 December - A Toast, a modern version of the poem part of which is used as Slovenia's national anthem, will be released on Sunday to raise funds for inclusion of refugee children into Slovenian society.
Ljubljana
France Prešeren's statue in the square carrying the poet's name in the centre of Ljubljana.
Photo: Tamino Petelinšek/STA
File photo
The poem was composed in 1844 by Slovenia's greatest poet France Prešeren in celebration of good-hearted people and friendship among nations.
The new version, to be released as a music video on what would have been the poet's 217th birthday, features a number of Slovenian and immigrant celebrities.
Actor Boris Cavazza, rap duo Murat and Jose and mezzosoprano Irena Yebuah Tiran are among those who appear in the video interpreting Prešeren in Slovenian, Spanish and Arabic.
The video also features an African choir singing a traditional South African song.
"The video clip is meant as an attractive way of demonstrating the positive contribution of immigrants to Slovenian culture," the NGO Slovenian Philanthropy said ahead of the launch at Pritličje bar in Ljubljana.
Donations will be accepted until Christmas via text messages.