A Tribute to Postojna Cave: Celebrating 200 Years

During the event, Postojna cave shone in all its glory. Some of the most distinguished artists, researchers and scientists came to pay a tribute, among them also Slovenian writer Drago Jančar and his lyrical text, which presented the cave in the course of two hundred years in a very intimate and exquisite way.

The honorary patron of the gala event was the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor. The highlight of the programme was a performance by Matteo Bocelli, who wowed the audience with the interpretation of the world-famous Caruso.  

"I am honored to be able to perform in the magnificent setting of Postojna Cave, which you cannot help but fall in love with," said Matteo Bocelli, the rising star who topped the world charts in early autumn with a duet sang with his even more famous father, Andrea Bocelli. On Thursday, he concluded his solo performance with the song Can't Help Falling in Love together with the Slovenian opera singer, Nuška Drašček. The famous six-second echo produced in the cave presents a considerable challenge even for the best singers. However, the effect is magical and magnificent. Matteo Bocelli came to Slovenia at a special invitation of the Postojna Cave management, which aims to maintain the tradition of performances by the most distinguished international artists. Ninety years ago, this tradition was started by the world-famous conductor of Teatro alla Scala from Milan, Pietro Mascagni.

In his keynote speech, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, compared Postojna Cave with themysteriousness saved for those who are interested in themagic of nature. He concluded his speech with a famous quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: "What is essential is invisible to the eye!"

Marjan Batagelj, the General Manager of the managing company, presented a different view of the cave. "Over the last two hundred years, Postojna Cave has formed part of five different countries, from Austria and Austria-Hungary, Italy, for a brief period Germany, Yugoslavia and finally Slovenia. It lived through various forms of government and political systems. The countries may have changed, but what mattered most when it came to the cave was how well its respective managers took care of it. The mission of all of us today is to do so sustainably. Our aim is to leave the cave in a better state than it when we took it over." Batagelj concluded his speech with a patriotic though, wishing Slovenia would be the very last country Postojna Cave has ever called home.

 (Text adapted from the Postojna Cave official press release.)

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