February 6, 2018
February 5
In 1966 Rok Petrovič, a Slovenian alpine skier was born. In the 1985-86 Alpine Ski World Cup season, Petrovič was almost unbeatable in slalom. This was mostly due to his highly aggressive and innovative skiing style, which was adopted by other skiers in the seasons that followed, and more or less remains in use till today. Rok Petrovič died in a diving accident in 1993.
Video (Petrovič, starts his run at 4:00):
February 6
In 1977 Mitja Petkovšek, a Slovenian gymnast was born. Petkovšek won two World Championships, two World Cup Finals and three European Championships on parallel bars. Petkovšek retired in 2015 at the age of 38 due to a back injury.
February 7
In 1932 the first ice hockey game took place in Kamnik, Slovenia. The first national championship took place in Ljubljana, 1939, won by Ilirija (later Triglav and after that, Olimpija), and soon after that the Yugoslavian team (mostly composed of Ilirija’s players) competed in the world championship.
Ice hockey is a Native Canadian game, which moved to Europe around 1890, and reached Yugoslavia only after the First World War. The first match was in Zagreb in 1924, and due to the lack of equipment, the development of the game was relatively slow. Ilirija ice hockey team from Ljubljana only got its equipment in 1929, due to the efforts of hockey coach Viktor Vodišek and engineer Stanko Bloudek, the latter is also known for improving the first giant ski jumping hill in Planica.
Hockey Club Ilirija 1939, Wikipedia.com
February 8
In 1849 France Prešeren, Slovenia’s greatest poet, died. In 1945 the Slovenian leadership declared February 8 Slovenian culture day, and in 1991 February 8 became work-free holiday. At the annual state ceremony on this day two Prešeren Awards, the highest honours of the kind, are given to artists for their previous work, this year to poet and translator Boris A. Novak and ballet dancer and choreographer Janez Mejač. A Prešeren Award can only be given to a person once in their lifetime.
February 9
In 1869 Ivan Oražen, a Slovenian doctor, was born in Kostanjevica na Krki. Oražen is known as a supporter of medical staff, who, among other things, in his will left everything to Ljubljana Medical Faculty and its student dormitory, guaranteeing the free accommodation of medical students of poor background but good grades till today. Oražen’s home on Wolfova Street in Ljubljana was opened in 1925, and can currently host 84 students.
Oražnov dom, Wolfova street (above Sushimama restaurant), Photo: orazen.net
February 10
In 1927 the city council of Maribor decided to purchase and built a new lido, as the old one couldn’t meet the hygiene standards any more. For this purpose the city purchased Maribor Island (in the middle of Drava River) on which three swimming pools, a restaurant, playgrounds, and two first aid rooms, were constructed, with the grand opening taking place in 1930.
Maribor lido in 1956, Wikimedia Commons
February 11
In 1922 the Slovenian pedagogue and popular children’s author, Ela Peroci, was born in Rogaška Slatina. The most popular of her works are Moj Dežnik je lahko balon (My Umbrella Can Turn into a Balloon) and Muca Copatarica (Slipper Keeper Kitty, 1957). Ela Peroci died in 2001 in Rogaška Slatina.
"Muca Copatarica" audio in Slovenian
