Description:

Yesterday, December festivities officially started in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana as Mayor Zoran Jankovic lit up Christmas lights in the city centre. Along with the new Christmas lights galore, the city will attract visitors with St. Nicholas market along the banks of the Ljubljanica river throughout December.

The traditional event marking the beginning of the festive season in the capital is dedicated to two Slovenian classic authors: the country's greatest poet France Preseren and Fran Milcinski, the most popular Slovenian humorist.

The St. Nicholas market with its many stalls is traditionally a place where people meet in December for mulled wine and gift shopping.

St. Nicholas, who is also a patron of the city of Ljubljana, is the first who brings gifts to Slovenian children in the period before New Year's, known in Slovenia as "veseli december" (Fun/Merry December).

He will be followed by Bozicek (Father Christmas) on Christmas Eve and Dedek mraz (Grandfather Frost), the non-religious version of Santa Claus, on New Year's Eve.

Numerous events and concerts will be held in the Ljubljana city centre throughout December, when festivities will culminate in a big open-air New Year's party in Preseren Square and a fireworks from Ljubljana Castle.

Like this story? Why not use our RSS feed and receive updates as soon as they are posted? Or JOIN US as a member and receive periodical newsletters and help us create this site!