The season of wonder and joy is upon
us. Slovenian Istria will switch on its
first festive lights on the 29th November, bringing warmth and sweetness to every
day of the month. This is the perfect opportunity to discover local delicacies
and traditions on offer at the festive fairs.
The
Festive glow of Slovenian Istria
The
festive lights will first illuminate our coast on the 29th November in Koper, for
the beginning of Fantazima in Wonderland (Čudolandija). The “switching on the lights” event in Tito Square will be accompanied by performances from local singers such as Lea Sirk,
Anika Horvat, Tulio Furlanič, Iztok Novak Easy and others. This year's
novelty will include »mapping«, a video light show projected onto the
Praetorian Palace, accompanied by music. Visit the opening of the skating rink
by the sea and stop by the many huts offering sweet and warm festive
delicacies.
December's
sweetness in
Portorož begins on the same day as Koper's festivities. The Kempinski Palace
Portorož will host the Christmas Fair in its park, offering a myriad of
gastronomic delicacies and numerous arts and craft items for sale. The fair
will be open from Friday to Sunday in the first part of the month. Thereafter it will be open every day from the 20th December to the 5th January. The event will be accompanied by many events
catering to children and adults alike.
The Ice Island adventures in Izola will have something for everyone,
offering animation for children, children's plays, concerts and projections as
well as well-stocked market stalls. The Pietro Coppo Park will host the “switching
on the festive lights” event on the 30th November, accompanied by Lea
Sirk and fairy tale heroes. This year's novelty includes the opening of a
skating rink which will surely bring many smiles to everyone. The Pietro Coppo
Park will, this December, also be the centre for events catered mainly to
children, hosting children's plays to enhance the festive atmosphere.
The “switching on the festive lights” event will also occur in Ankaran on the 6th December, signalling the beginning of the traditional winter festival December in Ankaran. The children will be able to play on the skating rink, attend various workshops, bake cookies and watch the play Sleepy Star. Adults are also invited to attend various concerts and theatre plays. They can try their hand at Cuban dancing, laugh watching the comedy Honest Confession, and listen to renowned bands such as Manouche, Hamo & Tribute 2 Love, Calegaria and Robert Vatovec Big Band.
St.
Nicholas' Days
This
6th December will be very busy for St. Nicholas touring our coast. The New
Years lights will light up the sky above Portorož, where St. Nicholas will visit children at the Christmas-New Year's Fair. He won't come alone.
Accompanying him will be his good angel and the cheeky devil. His arrival will
be met by a spectacular light show and accompanied by music by violinist Alenka
Mežan. The band Uroš Perić Trio will round up the evening with a
great performance. The Muffin Men band will perform on Saturday night
and children will be able to see two interesting theatre plays.
St.
Nicholas will be present in Koper too, at the St. Nicholas Fair from the
4th December to the 7th December. There will also be events hosted in Koper’s
outskirts; most notably in Dekani, Šmarje, Marezige, Sv. Anton, Škofije and
other villages.
MasterChef's
Chocolate Masterpieces
The
festive days will be really sweet. Beginning the first weekend of the month,
visit the Christmas Fair in Portorož and treat yourself to all types of chocolate, from the chocolate fountain to hot chocolate for every
taste. Meet MasterChef Slovenia 2019 winnerAnže Kuplenik and 2017 winner Sara Rutar and witness for yourself
their masterpieces in all their chocolate glory. Don't miss out on the big
chocolate cake on Sunday 1st December. Visitors can have a piece of it for
free.
Musical
Treats
The
duet Dve kajle will perform rock 'n' roll classics at the park in Hotel
Kempinski Palace Portorož on the 13th December. Renowned accordion players Miha Debevec and Dejan Kušer will follow suit the next day, the 14th
December. Saturday and Sunday will also include two children’s plays.
There
will also be plenty of dancing and singing in Koper this December. Local choirs
and folk groups will perform on Mondays, followed by wind orchestras on
Tuesdays. Wednesdays will host acoustic evenings and Thursdays will showcase
young musicians. Various tribute bands will perform on Fridays followed by
local musicians on Sundays. Sundays will round up the week with beautiful
performances by various klapa groups.
***
Attachments:
Photo
1: Skating rink and Wonderland (Čudolandija) in Koper, Photo Jaka Ivančič
Photo
2: Festive Izola, Photo: Jaka Ivančič
Photo
3: December in Portorož, Photo: Manuel Kalman
Photo
4: Turning on the festive lights in Ankaran, Photo: Vlado BernetićFoto
Photo 5: Christmas market in Portorož, Foto: Manuel Kalman
Photo 6: Performance of Čupakabra, Foto: Manuel Kalman
Photo 7: Čudolandija (Wonderland) in Koper, Foto: Jaka Ivančič
Photo 8: Kempinski Palace Portorož, Foto: Jaka Ivančič
Prepared by: Nina Jurinčič, Municipality of
Ankaran
In collaboration with: Tourism organisation of the
Municipality of Koper, Izola Tourism Board, g.i.z. and Portorož Tourism Board,
g.i.z.