News roundup - Friday, 8 September

Economy minister wants prompt production relaunch post-floods

LJUBLJANA - Aid to companies hit by the devastating floods in August must be provided as soon as possible and production should be relaunched as soon as possible, Economy Minister Matjaž Han told the STA. Although priorities in the national budget for 2024 have changed due to the floods, non-affected companies will also be taken care of, he said. Nearly 800 businesses have applied for a 10% advance payment for damage to machinery and equipment, reporting damage of around EUR 330 million. He could not say when they would get the money, but finds it key that they should get it as soon as possible.

Three more prefabricated bridges installed

ČRNA NA KOROŠKEM/KAMNIK/NAZARJE - About half of a total of 14 prefabricated bridges planned in the areas hit by the devastating floods a month ago have been successfully installed. The latest additions is a bridge in Črna na Koroškem, another near Nazarje, and one near Kamnik, the latter being the final one needed on state roads.

Slovenians in Italy raise EUR 170,000 to help with post-flood efforts

LJUBLJANA - Representatives of Slovenians living in Italy handed over a cheque for EUR 170,000 to Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon to help with the post-flood reconstruction. The officials said the bond between Slovenians in Italy and their homeland was strong, especially in times of hardship. Civil Protection chief Srečko Šestan expressed gratitude for all the support the country has been receiving from other countries.

Basovizza heroes remembered 93 years after execution

LJUBLJANA/KRANJ - President Nataša Pirc Musar laid a wreath at a commemoration honouring four Slovenian victims of Fascism from Trieste, Italy. Members of the secret organisation Borba (Fight), Ferdo Bidovec, Fran Marušič, Alojz Valenčič and Zvonimir Miloš resisted brutal Italianization under fascist rule. A similar event was held in Kranj before Sunday's main commemoration at the site of the victim's execution in Italy.

Ministry unveils national digital transformation strategy

LJUBLJANA - A task force at the Ministry for Digital Transformation presented a draft national strategy for a digital decade, introducing 93 measures in digital skills, infrastructure, transformation of the economy and public services. The document aims to meet the goals of the EU Path to Digital Decade plan, which include 80% of the population having basic digital literacy by 2030 and a better gender balance among IT experts.

Dewesoft unveils new development facility

TRBOVLJE - The high-tech manufacturer Dewesoft inaugurated a new development facility at its headquarters in Trbovlje (E). The construction of the highly energy-efficient building with smart plumbing, which started a year ago, used 100 tonnes of steel. With the EUR 5 million investment having been fully financed by the company, co-founder Jure Knez said at the inauguration ceremony that this was the best recipe for making sure Dewesoft remained a healthy Slovenian company 100 years from now.

Lumar posts another revenue record in 2022

MARIBOR - Lumar, a Maribor-based maker of prefabricated energy-efficient homes, generated a record EUR 26.4 million in revenue in 2022, up 38% y/y, while sales were record-high as well. Net profit reached almost EUR 2 million, up from EUR 1.2 million in 2021, shows the company's annual report. Lumar did particularly well in Slovenia, where revenue increased by 46% to EUR 22 million. Sales in Slovenia accounted for almost 84% of total sales, while outside Slovenia, the company made the most deals in Austria.

Legendary radio personality Sašo Hribar dies

LJUBLJANA - Sašo Hribar, an award-winning satirist and one of Slovenia's most popular radio personalities, died, aged 63. He is best known for his show Radio GA-GA, in which he and his team satirised current political events. In 2006, he received the Ježek Prize for comedy and satire for Radio GA-GA and his TV show Hri-Bar. The former was a milestone in humorist radio programme in Slovenia due to a myriad of unique characters created by Hribar and has been a mainstay since 1989.

Road movie Slovenia's nominee for foreign language Oscar

LJUBLJANA - Riders, Dominik Mence's road movie about a couple of small-town friends who embark on a journey of personal discovery with two mopeds, is Slovenia's nominee for the foreign language Oscar. The film premiered to critical acclaim at the Sarajevo Film Festival last year and picked up a nomination for best new film in the forward future category at this year's Beijing International Film Festival.

New season at MGL theatre focuses on changes in nature, society

LJUBLJANA - The Ljubljana City Theatre (MGL) is launching a new season that will be focused on the ongoing changes in nature and society, and will address some burning issues with a total of twelve premieres, starting on 15 September with The Bald Soprano by Eugene Ionesco. Singled out as an interesting show in terms of genre and organisation is the Pohorje Battalion project, directed by Jernej Lorenci in cooperation with Croatian playwright Dino Pešut.

Season of Love and Such Things starting at Mladinsko Theatre

LJUBLJANA - The Mladinsko Theatre (SMG) in Ljubljana will explore the phenomenon of love and the anatomy of hatred towards different kinds of love in its 68th season, dubbed Season of Love and Such Things. The season will open in October with Tony Kushner's Angels in America, directed by Nina Rajić Kranjac.

Modernisation of cannabis legislation urged at intl conference

BLED - An international conference on the evolving cannabis industry held heard calls for a proper legalisation of medical marijuana in Slovenia. Secretary for health in the PM's office Metka Paragi told participants that the conference was coming at the right time, as data shows that around 80% of Slovenians currently support the use of cannabis, especially for medicinal purposes.

Police investigating UKC Ljubljana employee over alleged violence against patient

LJUBLJANA - The web portal N1 reported that the police were investigating a report of violence against a patient at an intensive care unit of the neurology clinic of the UKC Ljubljana hospital. A nurse reportedly hit a patient on the head and threatened him. Prime Minister Robert Golob and the Health Ministry demanded explanations.

Physical therapists say more staff needed

LJUBLJANA - The Association of Physiotherapists noted on the occasion of World Physical Therapy Day the unacceptably long waiting times for physical therapy and the need to increase the number of physical therapists in Slovenia, especially at the primary level. Compared to other EU member states, Slovenia is trailing far behind in this aspect - while other member states have up to 200 therapists per 100,000 residents, Slovenia only has 50 to 70.

Bosnian man killed outside his flat

ŽALEC - A 42-year old foreign citizen, reportedly from Bosnia and Herzegovina, was shot to death on Tuesday morning in the area of Žalec, north-east of the capital, the Celje Police Department said. Newspaper Slovenske Novice reported he was shot seven times, citing anonymous, but reliable sources.

Slovenia score important win over N Ireland in Euro 2024 qualifiers

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian football team defeated Northern Ireland 4:2 in Stožice Stadium in front of some 12,600 spectators on Thursday evening for its third win in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying. Head coach Matjaž Kek was happy with the level of play displayed by his players. Slovenia are now third in Group H ahead of Sunday's encounter with the minnows San Marino on the road in Serravalle.

Climbing superstars flexing muscles in Koper

KOPER - A two-day IFSC Climbing World Cup competition in lead started in Koper, with the women's final expected to draw the most spectators on Saturday, as Slovenia's Janja Garnbret currently ranks third in the overall standings, while Vita Lukan is in fourth place.