At this important milestone, in Notranjska Park, together with Cerknica Carnival Assosiation and other active associations, institutes and other local stakeholders (Neverland events organization, Cerknica Beekeeping Association, Cerknica Fishing Club, Jože Udovič Library, Cerknica, Amphibian Guardians of Cerknica Lake, Dinaricum, Cerknica Multigenerational Center, Notranjska House Institute, Public Fund of the Republic of Slovenia for Cultural Activities, Cerknica Regional Office), prepared a very special gift for the community – The Town of Fairy Tales.
The Town of Fairy Tales is a series of 12 stories, which in a humorous and educational way present the rich carnival heritage of Cerknica. Each story brings to life one of the carnival characters or customs and reveals how they contribute to the uniqueness of our very special corner of the world.
We started the journey with the story In the Beginning There Was a Funeral. In Cerknica, carnival has been celebrated for a long time; the first organized event, however, was the carnival funeral. We revived memories with the two veteran carnival masters, Milan Urbanec and Stanet Tekavec, who shared with us precious anecdotes from the times before the founding of the association. Thank you to the Cerknica Carnival Society for a pleasant journey into the past.
Photo: archive of the Cerknica Carnival Association
The next story led us to Slivnica – the mountain of witches and the home of great-grandmother Uršula. There we locked ourselves in the escape room, where we solved puzzles and mysteries to escape the Slivnica witches. In the end we nevertheless promised them that we would see them at the big Mardi Gras carnival. Thanks to Neverland - events organization for an unforgettable experience.
Photo: archive Neverland-organization of events
From Slivnica we descended to our drying-up miracle – Lake Cerknica . In the company of Olga Braniselj and Matija Mišič, we visited the oldest beekeeping educational trail in Slovenia. We got to know the fascinating world of bees and their invaluable benefits for people. Sincere thanks to the Cerknica Beekeeping Association for the educational tour.
Photo: Tine Šubic
The fourth story took us to the fish of Lake Cerknica. At the workshop, the head of the youth section Žan Črnigoja introduced Lake Cerknica and the kinds of fish, shared tips for successful fishing, the younger ones were excited by different kinds of fishing lures. Thanks to Ribiški družini Cerknica for an interesting workshop.
Photo: NRP archive
We also met the water sprite Jezerko, the main culprit behind the formation of Lake Cerknica. In the Visitor Center Lake Cerknica we listened to the folk legend Forbidden Love. The version of the story, which was adapted by Saša Pregar and illustrated by Kristina Krnih, was performed by the exceptional actress Marijana Brecelj. Thank you, Mrs. Brecelj, for a magical evening.
Photo: Tine Šubic
In the year 2025 we discovered that dragons are not scary monsters, as some people think. At the Library Jože Udovič Cerknica we listened to a fairy-tale hour and a creative workshop, where children made their own dragons. Thanks to Knjižnici Jožeta Udoviča Cerknica for the fairy-tale-creative start to the new year.
Photo: Tine Šubic
There is still the second half of the stories from The Town of Fairy Tales. Here are the events you must not miss:
- Friday, 17 January 2025, at 5:00 PM – Let's Help the Frogs at Visitor Center Lake Cerknica
- Friday, 24 January 2025, at 5:00 PM – A Little About the Hedgehog at Visitor Center Lake Cerknica
- Saturday, 1 February 2025, at 9:00 AM – Carnival Costumes Exchange at Cerknica Multigenerational Center
- Friday, 7 February 2025, at 5:00 PM – Book Presentation 12:32 at Cerknica Cultural Center
- Friday, 14 February 2025, at 5:00 PM – Baking Carnival Pastries at Notranjska House
- Friday, 21 February 2025, at 5:00 PM – Why is Žaganje babe performed?
Join us and together count down the days to carnival fun!
