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Slovenian Songs in the First EU Songbook

Slovenian Songs in the First EU Songbook

The first European Union Songbook has been published, compiling 164 songs from all 27 EU Member States. This monumental cultural project, nearly a decade in the making and involving over 87,000 participants, celebrates the power of music to unite Europe’s diverse peoples. Slovenia proudly contributes six songs to this significant collection.

Slovenian songs featured in the EU Songbook were carefully curated with the involvement of the Academy of Music in Ljubljana, the Slovene Composers' Association, and the Slovenian Public Fund for Cultural Activities. The project’s music editor, Professor Dušan Bavdek, provided the musical scores and sheet music, while esteemed musicologist Leon Stefanija contributed the accompanying texts.

Six selected songs embody the diverse and rich tapestry of Slovenia's musical tradition, capturing its depth, history and vibrant cultural essence. 

  • Dan ljubezni (A Day of Love), the iconic pop song performed by the band Pepel in Kri at the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest, was chosen in the love song category.
  • Slovenija, od kod lepote tvoje (Slovenia, Where Do Your Splendours Come From?), the beloved anthem by the Avsenik Ensemble, claimed its place in the nature & seasons category.
  • Oj Triglav, moj dom (Oh, Triglav, My Home), a patriotic anthem first performed in 1895 when the famous shelter on Slovenia's highest peak was inaugurated, was selected in the freedom & peace section.
  • Kje so tiste stezice (Where Are the Footpaths) emerged as the winner in the folk songs category
  • The Christmas carol Glej zvezdice božje (Behold the Little Stars of God) was chosen as the Slovenian faith song.
  • Kekčeva pesem (Kekec's Song), the theme song from the second of the three Kekec films about the brave shepherd boy's adventures, was selected as the Slovenian children's song.

Cultural Heritage for a New Generation

Translating Slovenian poems into English posed a unique challenge for translators Steven Klink and Boštjan Malus, who worked diligently to preserve the emotional depth, dynamics and rhythm of the original texts. The EU Songbook offers both the original Slovenian versions and their English translations, accompanied by QR codes.

A Bridge Between Cultures and Times

The EU Songbook serves as a powerful musical bridge, uniting European nations and offering a rich glimpse into 600 years of musical history. Supported by 18 Ministers of Culture, including Slovenia, the project has garnered international recognition, winning the Citizen of Europe 2023 prize in Denmark. The app, featuring all the songs, is available for free in the EU, the UK and the US.

Listen to Slovenian songs

Photo: eu-songbook.org/app/

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Global public relations and Marketing
e-mail address: press(at)slovenia.info

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