HomeDestinationsInterestsTop Places to Travel by MonthSearchMenuBest time to go to Slovenia Drive away winter along with mystical Kurants and festive-goers at the Kurentovanje carnival the festival is designed to banish winter and usher in spring it features a variety of folk and carnival parades where visitors can encounter both traditional and modern carnival characters and exhibitions alongside events like Artfest a key figure in the Kurentovanje Carnival in Ptuj is considered the Slovenian pagan god of pleasure and hedonism This character is easily identified by its distinctive sheepskin attire and wooden sticks adorned with hedgehog skins The carnival kicks off at midnight with the "Kurents' Jump" event roam the streets of Ptuj to chase away winter and evil symbolically The ritual involves the Kurents gathering around the firelight and performing a symbolic act of driving winter away from the city The Kurentovanje Carnival in Ptuj kicks off with the Opening Ethno Parade where a variety of traditional characters like Kurents The parade is a vibrant display of cultural heritage Other key events include the Night Spectacle a captivating fire and music show where the streets are transformed with light and darkness where both locals and visitors don masks and join the lively procession continuing a tradition that dates back to the 19th century The International Carnival Parade brings together thousands of participants in colorful costumes The culmination of Kurentovanje takes place on Shrove Tuesday with the "Burial of the Carnival," a celebration marked by numerous parties throughout Ptuj starting at noon and lasting into the early hours Ptuj’s town center offers a chance to experience the traditions up close when the city becomes a hub of festivities showcasing Slovenian traditions in an entertaining and family-friendly environment the local food scene provides a memorable experience with top treats like Kurent’s plate each adding to the festive atmosphere of the event These delicious specialties are a must-try for anyone visiting Ptuj during this time Kurentovanje is the most prominent attraction in Ptuj turning the city into an open-air ethnographic museum celebrating intangible cultural heritage is featured in the "Kurent's House," where visitors can interact with exhibits using the latest technology to learn about the rituals and traditions surrounding this figure offers breathtaking views of the town and its iconic brick roofs Visitors can also explore the Ptuj-Ormož Provincial Museum which showcases a fascinating collection of traditional carnival masks offering insight into the region's rich history attracts over 10,000 visitors annually and is recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity Participants dressed as gladiators show their battle skills during the Roman Games at the amphitheater in Ptuj one of the largest presentations of the Roman period in Slovenia Participants dressed in Roman costumes prepare the Roman pot dish during the Roman Games in Ptuj Participants dressed as Roman soldiers wait to present military skills during the Roman Games in Ptuj A participant dressed in Roman costume enjoys wine during the Roman Games in Ptuj A participant dressed in Roman costumes practices in archery during the Roman Games in Ptuj A participant dressed in Roman costume represents a blacksmith profession during the Roman Games in Ptuj A little participant holding prop arms poses for photos during the Roman Games in Ptuj Young participants dressed in Roman costumes play tropa ShareSaveCommentLifestyleTravelWhy Ptuj, Slovenia, Belongs On Your Travel Wish ListByAnn Abel Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Ann Abel is a Lisbon-based writer covering luxury travel with a soulFollow AuthorApr 25 07:03am EDTShareSaveCommentThis article is more than 2 years old.Ptuj It’s hard not to fall a little bit in love with a town where men dress themselves in sheepskins ribbons and cowbells and dance with strangers on the main street Perhaps that’s an oversimplification of a centuries-old cultural tradition that’s part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity You thought the sheepskins and cowbells were an everyday thing and the celebration is called Kurentovanje it originates in paganism; a centuries-long belief that masks could be used to connect with the spirit world they were used to perform fertility rituals and to drive the fading winter away the Catholic Church wasn’t thrilled with all of this and the festival became part of the Carnival-Lent-Easter religious season.) The cowbells certainly make quite a clanging even though when I visited on an unseasonably warm February weekend one with hundreds of costumed dancers and thousands of spectators Tradition holds that women tie scarves or ribbons onto the staffs costumes and other ephemera from various centuries Other museums tell more about the history of Ptuj which was settled in the 5th millennium BC forming alliances for protection and sharing knowledge of skills like metallurgy the town was owned by the Archdiocese of Salzburg But museums and historic castles go only so far in defining the appeal of a place sunny boulevards and an appealing waterfront Some of its residents are building a year-round cultural calendar This attracts poets from all over the world whose poetry is presented in their native languages As the family-owned MuziKafe’s name suggests are filled with artifacts from all over the world collected from the owners’ travels as scenographers (They came back to Ptuj when they started a family and now “the world comes to them,” says their 17-year-old son who is an excellent spokesman for the place.) A brick-walled venue downstairs hosts intimate concerts in different genres. Upstairs, a handful of guest rooms offer a simple yet charming place to sleep. For a more classic hotel stay, the town’s first hotel, Mitra with its own brand of historic homestyle grandeur old-world tasting room belies the fact that it’s also one of Slovenia’s largest producers easygoing whites and international varieties like pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc It also produces a special wine for the Kurent time One of the wineries partners is a longtime Kurent and he and some friends were enjoying some in the tasting room’s courtyard before my tour and before the town’s afternoon festivities began Pullus’s tasting room is joined by a variety of restaurants, both old and new. The riverside Gostilna Ribič seems to have been designed for leisurely family lunches of traditional Slovenian dishes whether on the shaded terrace or inside the white-tablecloth dining room On the flip side is the contemporary chocolatier Xococ Proprietor Matevž Božič made his name as a pastry chef at Hiša Denk and now it’s making extravagant pralines for “chocolate adventurers.” That means that his bonbons Inside their ganache is always super-fresh the adventurous chocolates are worth stepping out of your comfort zone and another reason that Ptuj is worth a visit a masked and costumed man makes his way around a small town in Slovenia He wears sheepskin and cowbells around his waist that announce his dancing presence from a long way off He is the harbinger of spring and happiness and tasked with chasing away evil (the cold/ winter) and just one of the fascinating aspects of the beautiful town of Ptuj.  It is typically European in that it has a castle on a hill and a main square and church and cobblestoned streets harking back to Roman times Ptuj is set by the banks of the Drava River and in a wine-growing region it loses out to more popular places like the capital I realised that small is truly beautiful.  ${data.results == 'Teams will be announced at the toss' the small town of Ptuj plays host to a 10-day folk festival called Kurentovanje Celebrations culminate in a musical parade of colorful characters such as spearmen and women carrying drunk men in baskets (šoštanjski koši) sheepskin-clad creature with a dark protruding snout and large red tongue The first Kurentovanje festival was held in 1960 having been organized to preserve the rich traditions and customs of the Ptuj region Modern-day tradition holds that the Kurent is a mischievous almost demonic creature who chases away winter and heralds the beginning of spring he wears a chain belt festooned with bells and wields a club and the Kurent’s role and origins are less clear-cut Some folk tales describe him as a wine-loving agent of unbridled joy; a Slavic version of Bacchus or Dionysus Others contend he is a malevolent lunar deity or a promiscuous fertility demon Evidence even links him to Slavic creation myths involving a cosmic egg and cataclysmic floods casting him as mankind’s savior (though still with a penchant for wine) You don't have to attend Kurentovanje to get a taste of the legendary character Ptuj Castle maintains a collection of Kurentovanje costumes and traditional Shrove masks The Kurent and wider set of Kurentovanje costumes are housed in the Collection of Traditional Carnival Masks Discover everything there is to know about Catalan giants and "Big-Heads." The devil masks on display at this small museum are part of an annual festival that has been taking place for centuries This covert museum showcases booties worn by a rescue dog and slippers owned by Queen Elizabeth II The cellar of a former factory is now home to a collection of gloves The museum houses one of the world's largest shoe collections The bizarre headgear looks like it was made for a fool Opulent period costumes and murals lead you on a journey through fashion history one of Slovenia's best known carnival cities began its festivities early The traditional 65th Kurentovanje festival started on Candlemas with the Kurent's Jump when people dressed in Kurents scary sheepskin figures with huge cow bells Ptuj already had its first procession of traditional costumes on Saturday and it will host the traditional gathering of Kurents and Korants from around the country on Wednesday Another procession will be held on Saturday as well as festivities for children and a night-time spectacle Throughout the week visitors will be able to meet the traditional carnival figures who will be spending their evenings in the city centre The main international carnival procession in Ptuj In Cerknica an exhibition on carnival is opening on Tuesday while on Thursday Butalci - slow-witted characters meant as a caricature of Slovenians - will take over control of the city The highlight of the week will be the procession on Sunday starting as always "exactly some time around 12:32" featuring local figures Uršula the Witch and Jezerko the Dragon Pust in Cerknica will be buried on 5 March after being burned on the bridge "They say that they have been burning Pust on the bridge since the dawn of time but the custom remains," the organisers said In Cerkno too the main carnival procession will take place on Sunday inviting visitors to come "so the turnip will be fatter" The best known carnival figures in Cerkno are the family of Laufarji or "runners" - 25 figures with 26 masks made of linden wood Ljubljana will host the Dragon's Festival on Saturday with the main procession led by a dragon figure and schoolchildren dressed in costumes of fairytale heroes Carnival processions and other festivities will be held in other towns as well including in Mozirje where carnival festivities date back to 1891 The procession in Ilirska Bistrica will feature Škoromati perhaps Slovenia's oldest carnival figures that were first mentioned in 1340 Did you find the information you were looking for Do you want to receive a response from the responsible institution Clicking on the link will open your default e-mail program and automatically draft a message that you can send to the institution responsible for the content of this website ask for a reply Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries A close-up of the kurent mask in the parade © JURE MAKOVEC / Getty Images this Mardi Gras parade is known as Kurentovanje The Kurentovanje festival is held every February in Slovenia, in the ten days leading to Ash Wednesday (the main parade is usually held on the Sunday nearest to Ash Wednesday). The dates for the 2020 celebration are 15–25 February, and the heartland of the event is the town of Ptuj (pronounced p-too-ee) Ptuj is an elegant medieval town crowned by a castle and bound by the river Drava It was once an important ancient Roman town a stop on the trade route from the east to Rome A visit to the Kurentovanje parade in Ptuj is one of the most surreal activities one can experience in Slovenia The parade begins with the distant sound of bullwhips rattling the chilly air you might be surprised that the people wielding these whips are dressed like farmers and wear bouquets of flowers in their hats – not so frightening after all Their role is to clear the path for the kurenti and to frighten away the winter and invite in the spring as their role is to chase winter and bring in the spring to make maximum noise when jumping around and dancing (winter Enormous oversized helmets are likewise made of sheepskin and the coloured streamers and bull horns mounted on the helmets are a combination of festive and frightening and they are cheered by the crowd lining the street and the consumption of homemade schnapps and fist-sized krofi and well worth a journey to ring in the spring though generally speaking this is a spectacle to watch (though you’re welcome to dance along drink schnapps and eat donuts to your heart’s content) your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt The restoration of Ptuj's old town began in August 2021 The project uncovered ancient structures and features that had been hidden for centuries provided more details; he explained to Euronews there were layers of old pebbles buried below the pavement "We decided during the project to reuse them in as many surfaces as possible The archaeologist found a lot of remains from Ptuj's medieval city and also one at the square and one fountain here at the quarter And we wanted to preserve or to present both of them "Now we are in the small hall for 80 people We found here this old theatre stage and all the elements of the historical building: windows which we decided to present in the new design.  Then you feel like you are indoors but also like you are outdoors You can open all those windows and then connect the interior spaces to the courtyard," he concluded if you walk alone through Ptuj you can find some quiet stone street and think you're the only person in town But then you'll hear it: the not-so-distant clanging of bells around the corner but from the belt of a masked man dressed head-to-toe in sheepskin This sound echoes down alleyways and across bridges during Pust a ten-day celebration of springtime and fertility ending the day before Ash Wednesday Slovenian Pust is not unlike carnivals across Europe -- an indulgent experience marked by elaborate parades it is the distinctive masks and local rituals that most excite the senses figures of early Slavic culture after which Slovenian Pust gets it's name: Kurentovanje The Kurent (or Korent) is a mythical god from Slovenian folklore known for his debauchery the Kurent represents fertility in several realms: agricultural and is therefore the perfect figure to ring in springtime traditional village carnival customs were quickly disappearing from the Slovenian landscape Only unmarried men were allowed to dress up as Kurenti shaking the bells on their waist to chase away evil spirits (and and children join these bachelors in putting on the Kurent mask and shaking off the winter as they please children are allowed to dress as devils and Kurenti A young boy grows tired at the end of his parade route One of the special things about Kurentovanje is that each village and town has its own traditions Kurenti from Markovci are recognized by their feathers while those from Haloze are known for their horns and typically have masks with long red tongues A group of Kurenti moves with a devil (usually in red) and also does a great job of scaring nearby children and gypsies with colorful floats leading the way There are brass bands and whip crackers making plenty of noise to But none of these characters are quite as remarkable or steeped in mythology as the Kurent Brass bands perform one the streets of Markovci Horses bump into each other as they run in circles You can see the diversity in costumes if you attend the celebration in Ptuj on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday and elsewhere to participate in the parade You will see locals and tourists mingling in the massive crowds along the route and witness the fabled Kurent from a short distance Kurentovanje costume-maker offers parade-goers a swig of homemade slivovitz (plum brandy) Though the carnival in Ptuj is the most famous and boasts the largest attendance Smaller parades in nearby villages maintain the intimacy and spontaneity of years past a small municipality just southeast of Ptuj there are no fences to separate onlookers from the festivities so parade participants and attendees mix together throughout the town neighbors still stand in front of their homes to hand out spritzers and krofi (Slovenian donuts) to all the rowdy revelers And these revelers do get surprisingly rowdy In a nation that is notably more reserved than its former-Yugoslav counterparts (due in no small part to the cultural influence of previous Austro-Hungarian rule) it is refreshing to witness the wildness of this homegrown Kurentovanje As light shines down on the joyous bacchanal it is easy to feel at once inspired by the cultural richness of the immediate surroundings and transported to an entirely different time and place This is the sublime power and beauty of Kurentovanje and the experience that thousands seek each February on otherwise tranquil Slovenian streets Slovenian friends make their own spritzers as they walk to the parade About The National Geographic SocietyThe National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration investing in bold people and transformative ideas providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. National Geographic Headquarters 1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036 As part of a special series for 2022, we’re doing a deep visual dive into fascinating Carnival traditions around the world and hordes of people are roaming around in sheep costumes making lots of noise it’s a safe bet you’ve found yourself at Kurentovanje in Ptuj This annual rite of spring carnival begins 11 days before Ash Wednesday—and if you’re in the area The core of the carnival consists of groups of Kurenti—folks wearing gigantic sheepskin costumes—going door to door at local homes shaking sticks adorned with hedgehog skins The point is to make enough noise to chase away the remnants of winter and other associated evil spirits “In fact, it is a special feeling of power and some kind of supernatural energy,” says one participant in a UNESCO video about the festival “When you put your cap on you somehow go through a certain transformation from the ordinary man to a true Korant [Korent] a supernatural being.” It is a transformation one may make many times in one’s life: Many begin participating with the Kurenti as young children only to subsequently bring their own children and grandchildren into the fold Though Kurentovanje is now a multigenerational phenomenon, and was inscribed in 2017 to UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity it is in fact a fairly recent arrival in Ptuj Though the festival draws on the Kurenti—old folkloric figures—the first organized iteration took place only in 1960 Local historian Drago Hasl was eager to find a way to preserve folk traditions which found themselves under threat from modernization He succeeded: Just ask any of the Ptuj residents who answer their doors and are surrounded by spring-bearing sheep Atlas Obscura offers a glimpse inside the Kurentovanje tradition We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the world’s hidden wonders Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders the transformation of this dominican monastery into a performance center and congress hall by slovenian architects enota interweaves the varying building styles found throughout the 800 year old church the original structure was built in the early 13th century and has undergone a number of changes over the years through several interim gothic phases to reach the current baroque form after the dissolution of the monastery in the late 18th century it served a number of uses – army barracks with each of these roles leaving a mark on the structure due to the various extensions and conversions the integration of a new program sought to showcase the building’s historical value while adapting to its future usage without any major converted into a congress and cultural center the functions were easily applied to the existing layout during the middle ages monasteries were the main venues for indoor public meetings and the complex provides an ideal base due to the similarities in these activities the main event hall is positioned in the elongated nave while the remaining auxiliary spaces are lined around the cloister a smaller hall in the old refectory and another in the previous working spaces a new entrance hall features in the cloister connecting to the various circulation paths ‘ptuj performance center ENOTA arhitekti’video courtesy of miran kambic the formation of these fragile and sensitive environments is tied together through a spatial framework of black concrete paving the neutral design of the new ‘carpet’ allows the restored beauty of the remaining wall surfaces to stand out but still offers enough contrast to overcome the chaos found in parts awaiting renovation during the demolition of the floors to construct the main event space subsequent archaeological work revealed sepulchers the remains of steps and flooring made from roman gravestones consequently the new floor is raised to form tiered stands acting as a spatial partition between the reconstructed baroque church and the structure of the previous gothic building main performance hall in the church naveimage ©  miran kambič a gradual sequence of spaces is revealed along the staircase visitors are exposed to the floor plan of the gothic building from the first landing newly discovered details of the medieval architecture from the second while at the top a view across the baroque nave is eventually revealed the contrast between the new floor structure and the historical monastery is most apparent in the main hall with the use of black and white that reflects the dominican order where white is the symbol of innocence and black of modesty.  the black tiered seating is in contrast to the white walls of the monasteryimage ©  miran kambič the renovation interweaves the varying building styles found throughout the 800 year old churchimage ©  miran kambič a black staircase follows through a succession of different spaces eventually providing a view over the baroque hallimage ©  miran kambič the staircase is connected to archaeological sites discovered beneath the church floorimage ©  miran kambič the new structure respects the existing historical buildingimage ©  miran kambič reredos and the remains of steps and flooring made from roman gravestonesimage ©  miran kambič auxiliary spaces are lined around the cloister foyer that is connected to the various circulation pathsimage ©  miran kambič the spaces are tied together through black concrete pavingimage ©  miran kambič completion: 2013size: 3.527 m2budget: 4.4 million euroclient: ptuj municipalitylocation: ptuj sloveniaarchitects: enotaproject team: dean lah nebojša vertovšekstructural engineering: elea icmechanical services: nom biroelectrical planning: elsingphotography: miran kambič designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. happening now! partnering with antonio citterio, AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function, but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style, context, and personal expression. Perutnina Ptuj took over the Proconi factory in Murska Sobota, Slovenia. (Courtesy Perutnina Ptuj)Earlier this month, Perutnina Ptuj announced it had initiated a new cycle of investment As well as expanding and modernizing production it is also set to invest in further automation and environmental projects.  Among the firm’s recent developments towards these goals the company finally took over full ownership of the Proconi factory in Murska Sobota earlier this month Acquisition of the facility in northeastern Slovenia from Eta Kamnik was finalized at the end of last year.  the facility is dedicated to the production of ready meals with a current workforce of 25 After undergoing a program of renovation and modernization Perutnina Ptuj expects to be hiring more employees later this year.  With the assistance of a Spanish chef with Michelin experience the factory’s new owners aim to develop new products for the hospitality market (HoReCa; hotels There is also a high-pressure pasteurization system — the first in the region while retaining the taste and texture of a meal just cooked in a restaurant.  At the official handover of the premises at the beginning of March Perutnina Ptuj’s general manager Enver Sisic referred to the strategy of parent company towards continuous improvement and development.  “This investment represents a key step in our transformation from a food company to a culinary company,” he said “Our main goal now is to remodel and upgrade the existing factory as soon as possible and start production which is planned for May this year.”  In 2019, Perutnina Ptuj was acquired by Ukraine-based agri-food company MHP Group (formerly Myronivsky Hliboprodukt). According to N1 MHP paid EUR200 million to Slovenian steel group the most recent results presented for Perutnina Ptuj cover the third quarter of 2022 revenue increase 10% year-on-year to US$121 million This helped to boost operating profit by 11% to US$20 million These improvements were the result of increases in sales volumes and prices for the company’s poultry and meat-processing operations.  Annual slaughtering of 520 million birds puts MHP Group equal second in the rankings of the top chicken producers in Europe, according to WATTPoultry.com’s Top Poultry Companies survey.  By submitting this form, you acknowledge that use of your data is governed by our Privacy Policy. you agree to receive texts or calls regarding your subscription or other WATT products and services Please call +1 (847) 400-5960 for custom support Print Times Staff Writer I first saw them through the window of our train as it pulled into the station at Pragersko the cowbells on their belts creating a cacophonous symphony I was on a rattly old train — all smoking the annual pre-Lenten carnival at which the demonic kurents rule My introduction to Ptuj was the dismal one-room train station There was not a soul about except a ticket agent who was kind enough to call a taxi to take me to Garni Hotel Mitra As we drove up the narrow main street through the town’s medieval center another group of kurents appeared like woolly apparitions population 15,000 in northeastern Slovenia and little known to Americans was part of Yugoslavia but declared its independence in 1991 its conflicts were confined largely to a 10-day period in 1991 escaping the horrors that plagued Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo Although Slovenia is a member of the European Union this country of 2 million has not yet adopted the euro as its currency (But hotels may quote prices in euros.) It still uses the Slovenian tolar which goes considerably further than those euros in Austria and Italy If there is something daunting about visiting It is loaded with bumping consonants and can seem unfathomable to first-time visitors The influence of neighboring countries is evident in the cuisine If you’re not careful when ordering — and not all Ptuj restaurants have English menus — you may find yourself face to face with blood sausage or mystery meat But perhaps the most important thing to learn about Ptuj they say it like they [are] spitting,” said Sasa Krajnc Krajnc told me there are Roman tombstones built into the base of the tower “but no one wants to go dig because they’re afraid of being disappointed.” we strolled the streets of the largely unspoiled old town George to see the 14th century wooden statue of Ptuj’s patron saint the carved marble tombstone of a 2nd century Roman mayor “They would tie people to it and throw eggs” as the judge and the mayor watched from the balcony of the town hall As we paused at the statue that stands in Mestni Trg she explained the curious figure at the base: an angel with a bucket of water After a fire in 1744 destroyed much of the town Some of its centuries-old patrician houses reminders of Ptuj’s prosperous past as a center for trade have intriguing courtyards and ornately carved doors Walk slowly and you’ll find serendipities such as the grinning 14th century mask at No Although the kurents’ role is to scare away the spirit of winter and usher in spring and bountiful crops judging by the frigid temperature they weren’t doing such a hot job with the spring thing No one is certain about the origins of Kurentovanje traditionally a 10-day event leading up to Shrove Tuesday a bit of revelry before the privations of Lent Some think the festival evolved from Greek and Roman rituals A big costume ball was taking place in a carnival tent across the river the second night I was in town I stopped by the Café Europe on town hall square where a bartender in a green wig and oversized spectacles was pouring drinks for early celebrants Couples spinning around the dance floor included Julius Caesar with a motorcycle mama and Santa Claus with a woman wearing tiger ears and a bowtie Green Wig before ducking into the Pizzeria Sloncek in the old town for a quick bite I encountered a travel first: ketchup offered as a pizza topping The proprietor said most people hereabouts go for the ketchup I elbowed my way through a sea of bumblebees and came face to face with eight two-legged sunflowers with petal headdresses and green capes Something in a red wig and white mask showered me with confetti as it danced by Just then the polka musicians gave way to a rock band in glittery boots As the crowd was really getting into “Dancing Queen,” the music was drowned out by a chorus of cowbells a large flock waving jezevkas (wooden staffs) Feathers and colorful streamers sprouted from the tops of their sheepskin headdresses and they peeped through eyeholes circled in red on their leather masks Long red tongues hung over their sheepskin chests and they had comically big noses and twig whiskers; teeth made from white beans gleamed inside the mouth holes in their masks After they’d danced back out and shed their headdresses whose day job is in water heater installation His kurent group included a butcher and a woodworker the costume — “very hot” —costs about $750 and “there are only two people in the world who are making [it],” both in Ptuj They go door to door to bring luck and vanquish winter.” One single-man tradition endures: Admiring young women give the most popular kurents handkerchiefs to tuck under their belts I ducked a Raggedy Ann waving a lighted cigarette as I made my way to the exit I was relieved to find that the taxi that had brought me here had come to pick me up “Sometimes they want you to give them your hand and jump a bit.” But eager to snap a photo Just then one of the ferocious-looking but playful costumed residents of neighboring villages had come to the parade There was a coven of witches and a little band of chimney sweeps carrying tiny ladders we drove along a narrow road through the wine country scattered through the gently rolling hills Winemaking in the region dates to Roman times and was revived in the Middle Ages by monks who established monasteries that still stand A Slovenian legend tells of a man saving himself from raging floodwaters by clinging to a grapevine which caused the waters to recede in return for the man’s promise that he and his descendants would always cultivate grapes for wine and buckwheat for beer An employee led me into the dark 500-year-old cellars along a path between huge fermenting barrels He flipped a switch and on came a sound and light show complete with the gurgling of wine being poured He showed me the archive of 7,000 old bottles I was persuaded to sample a dry Haloze label red and a sparkling grand cuvée — strictly to brace me for the minus-11 temperature “Some of the pieces we have are a complete riddle to us,” said Irena Bezjak You’ll see some Biedermeier furniture; an impressive weapons and arms collection; and a fine assemblage of vintage musical instruments including a 2nd century Roman flute found in Ptuj in the 1980s One hall is devoted to Kurentovanje and the kurents Pausing in front of a group of costumed figures Bezjak explained that a costume weighs as much as 80 pounds and is as “hot as a sauna” inside it is not possible to even walk around,” she said “not sneakers.” Kurents from the right bank of the Drava River tend to wear horns; those from the left bank Kurentovanje is the ideal time to visit Ptuj — but bring your long johns The town also has three annual fairs dedicated to saints Merchants from throughout Slovenia and from Croatia set up stalls Although the capital has been touted as “the new Prague,” that’s a bit of an overstatement I spent a thoroughly enjoyable two days there on the way to Ptuj connecting service (change of plane) to Ljubljana Restricted round-trip airfares begin at $1,534 2 (city code for Ptuj) and the local number Garni Hotel Mitra, 6 Presernova Ulica; 787-7455, https://www.hotel-mitra-fm.si with perfect location in historic old town building Hotel Poetovio, 5 Vinarski Trg; 779-8201, fax 779-8241, https://www.memoria.si bar and casino near train and bus stations Seafood is the specialty at this riverfront restaurant in a vintage house moderately priced old town restaurant serving struklji (filled dumplings) and other regional specialties an unpretentious local favorite known for authentic Slovenian fare Ptuj Tourist Information Center, 3 Slovenski Trg in old town; 779-6011, https://www.ptuj-tourism.si Slovenian Tourist Office USA; (954) 491-0112, https://www.slovenia-tourism.si . Lifestyle Travel & Experiences Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site Your comment will be visible once approved The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays The cross pinnacle on the Tower of Jesus Christ will be ready to receive visitors in 2026 on the centennial of Gaudi’s death Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass Steffen Romstöck said that he would respect the residents’ choice and would take over the helm of the municipality which will come into force from 1 January 2025 Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape But operating them is still illegal under the country’s legislation can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition it has a unique modular design that allows it to be shortened and lengthened like a train that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris the district has long been known as the hangout spot for the artsy crowds Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region the ranking considers several distinct but essential factors these quiet areas will now be available on all main routes in the country The academic institution shows a deeper understanding of the well-being of its students Nuška Gajšek was born in Ptuj where she attended Ljudski Primary School She later graduated from Ptuj High school and studied political science at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana After completing her studies she worked at the European Parliament in Brussels In 2008 she returned to Slovenia and worked at the National Assembly as an expert for the SD group In 2014 Gajšek was elected as a member of Ptuj’s City Council and led the SD group She was one of the most active members of the Council In 2018 she ran for mayor of Ptuj and was elected in the 2nd round of voting which is the oldest documented city in Slovenia and has celebrated its 1,950th anniversary since it was first mentioned in written records a city of extremely rich cultural heritage as evidenced by the fact that the entire central part of the city is under monument protection with a wide variety of festivals taking place throughout the year including those that preserve our traditions as well as contemporary music and fine arts festivals and many other events Ptuj Castle addresses us with its mightiness on the left bank of the river Drava and we can walk through ancient streets and squares We are proud of the city's more than seven-centuries-old tradition of wine production and cultivation in the Ptuj Wine Cellar the traditional Kurentovanje which represents the central ethnographic Carnival festival in Europe and around the world under the official auspices of UNESCO and the Roman Games when the city goes back to the time of the ancient Romans I've been mayor of this city for a little over a year now and I was familiar with the work of public administration as well got to know a completely different dynamic and thus created a true picture of what is happening in the city this is a new story that was quite instructive in this first year societies through which I got to know this city even better The biggest challenge was how to pick up the pace of municipal administration in the short term in terms of getting to know as quickly as possible what our citizens were facing so that we could move as quickly as possible towards solving their problems Only in this way can the city develop further when the needs of those who live here are first and foremost fulfilled The economic situation in Ptuj has been improving in recent years and there is increasing interest in business premises and land in commercial zones There is also increasing interest in multi-dwelling and individual construction which gives the city's residents better housing opportunities and leads to less emigration elsewhere due to employment The municipality also intensively uses the most important instrument within its competence - the preparation and adoption of spatial planning documents that enable an entrepreneur’s placement and investment of funds in the development of their activities We want to make Ptuj a desirable destination for domestic and foreign investment with an advanced and efficient business system and higher value-added activities through investments and a joint approach to all competent and supportive development and educational institutions Ptuj will attract investors who know how to use the human resources educated in our schools especially within technical fields: mechanical engineering While attracting larger investors and promoting economic activities in business and industrial zones places great emphasis on the development of entrepreneurship and tourism in the old town centre especially opening new accommodation facilities and various services We also help entrepreneurs with grants through calls for tender co-financing of tangible and intangible investments co-financing of public utility projects and others we also co-finance rent reduction in municipal business premises We began an active policy of revitalizing the old city centre through these financial advantages We also pay a lot of attention to B2B marketing segmentation we witness a rich cultural event calendar throughout the year numerous events for different generations and tastes summer streets and squares breathe with the Art Stays Contemporary art festival the Arsana International Music Festival and Days of Poetry and Wine Roman Games and medieval displays as well as traditional fairs which is intended to share good practices among European municipalities provides a wealth of useful information on how local governments operate offering the opportunity to share information between all EU municipalities The portal thus represents a direct connection and source of information on the functioning of individual EU institutions I wish we could talk about Ptuj as a development-oriented city full of people who love to live here to do everything in the direction of making Ptuj richer as an archaeological site We are in the running for the 2025 European Capital of Culture the ECoC can represent a tremendous opportunity that will not only bring positive development to the city but will also have many effects in the field of economic growth to help connect the city together as a community The application was joined by 20 municipalities which identified development opportunities across the region in the application but I believe in the potential of this city and the people who work and operate here I wish for such investments that will enable the municipality to realize its ambition to turn Ptuj into an innovative A city that responds effectively and meets the needs of each individual To find out more about Ptuj, visit the profile of the municipality. The 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns (ESCT) sets the stage for stronger cooperation between the EU national and local level to fast track Europe's transition to climate neutrality Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital Ukraine-based poultry processor MHP has announced it is set to acquire Perutnina Ptuj MHP is a vertically-integrated company and a poultry producer in Ukraine with facilities in the European Union – in the Netherlands and Slovakia -and a sales and distribution office in the United Arab Emirates Perutnina Ptuj produces food for its home market and exports to countries including Croatia chicken cuts and sausages under brands such as Poli MHP sells around 60% of its poultry products domestically and around 40% to more than 60 countries across the world.  London-listed MHP said it is taking a strategic step with this deal “which will add value to the company and strengthen its position as a global player while Perutnina Ptuj is obtaining a strategic long-term investor” It added: “Perutnina Ptuj has a strong brand and significant share of poultry value-added products which MHP is ready to support over the coming years through investment and further development.” Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis MHP said it plans to improve the quality of the Perutnina Ptuj’s production base to meet the highest EU standards.  Nominations are now open for the prestigious Just Food Excellence Awards - one of the industry's most recognised programmes celebrating innovation This is your chance to showcase your achievements Don't miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best - submit your nomination today Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network. a well-established and vertically integrated poultry company based in Slovenia The strategic acquisition will add value to MHP’s reputation as Europe’s most efficiency poultry producer and further its mission as a global player It also allows the company to serve as a strategic long-term investor to enhance Perutnina Ptuj’s already significant share of poultry value-added products As a well-established and vertically integrated firm Perutnina Ptuj will build on MHP’s core principle of vertical integration that allows for complete control over the quality of yields that mitigate risk and maximise cost efficiencies MHP said that with a highly experienced management team it would commit itself to improve the quality of the Perutnina Ptuj‘s production base to meet the highest EU standards This cooperation will bring direct benefits to local farmers and employees as well as having a positive impact on the poultry industry across the Balkans Courtesy of EnotaIn order to recreate the town’s green belt, the roof is fully greened. Since the growth on such roofs – as opposed to terrain containing vegetation – is relatively low, the roof surface is raised along the edges in several places. By the monastery, the edges rise to the height of the erstwhile walls, thus establishing historical relations in the space. Courtesy of EnotaArchitects: Enota Location: Ptuj Nuša Završnik Šilec Client: Municipality of Ptuj Type: Commission Year: 2011 Status: In progress Size: 6,720 sqm You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Perutnina Ptuj UAE | FacebookThe war in Ukraine continues to impact the agri-food businesses of MHP SE according to the group’s just-published report for the 2023 financial year ended December 31 the group’s total revenue was up 14% year-on-year at more than US$3.02 billion operating profit was 33% higher than in the previous year while operating margin was almost unchanged at 11% Margin on Adjusted Earnings Before Interest and Amortization (EBITDA) was also similar to 2022 at 15% while adjusted EBITDA was 16% higher at US$445 million A net loss of US$231 million for the previous year was reversed to a net profit of US$142 million for 2023 This the firm attributed mainly to a much-reduced non-cash foreign exchange loss in the end just ended MHP raised its export revenue by 13% year-on-year so this stream accounted for 60% of group revenue in 2023 this parameter was just one percentage point higher.  At just under 397,000 metric tons (mt) for the 12 months of last year MHP achieved an 8% year-on-year increase in poultry meat exports from its Ukrainian operations Its domestic poultry production was slightly higher at around 718,600mt while the average price was the same as for 2022 at US$1.95 per kilo (excluding tax) Annual production was up 6% year-on-year at MHP’s separate business based in the Balkans region — Perutnina Ptuj — at just over 131,000mt the average price for this subsidiary was also up 6% from the previous year.  MHP harvested a range of crops from a slightly increased area of almost 347,000 hectares (857,000 acres) from its agricultural operations Total harvest amounted to almost 3.56 million metric tons (mmt) MHP’s production of all these grain and oilseeds was higher in 2023 than the previous year — both in total and individually MHP achieved year-on-year increases of 71% and 24% in sales volumes of sunflower oil and soybean oil These fed through into a 31% increase in revenue and gross profit up 14% year-on-year.  Due to the ongoing risks of operating under war conditions MHP states it is unable to give a confident indication of its business outlook Attacks by Russian forces in recent months on civilian infrastructure across Ukraine indicate the threat under which the company has been operating while the group continues to prioritize Ukraine’s food security.  With annual slaughterings of just over 697 million chickens, MHP is the leading poultry company — not only in its home market of Ukraine — but in Europe, according to WATTPoultry.com’s Top Poultry Companies survey According to the firm’s own web site, MHP SE is the parent company of the Ukraine-headquartered international food agri-food group as well as Perutnina Ptuj Group in the Balkans region in southeastern Europe MHP is a fully vertically integrated poultry producer through hatching and growing to processing the company produces crops including wheat and rapeseed for sale to third parties Perutnina Ptuj is a leading integrated chicken and poultry meat-processer in the Balkans region Earlier this year, French poultry farmers mounted a protest at a large agricultural event They blamed imports of chicken from Ukraine for the challenges faced by their businesses a senior MHP executive said that the producers’ anger was misplaced In April, MHP announced it was launching a consumer corner QR code in Ukraine From codes displayed in the company’s retail stores and fast-food restaurants consumers can access the firm’s web site to find out more about the quality and safety of the products they are purchasing slovenian architecture practice enota has completed a design proposal for the ‘ptuj archaeological museum’, a two-level cultural facility in the historic town of ptuj, slovenia. partially plugged into the site, the project carefully works with the land’s excavation restrictions while seeking to recreate the area’s green belt with its planted roof form. client: municipality of ptuj type: commission size: 6,720 m2 project team: dean lah, milan tomac, alja cerne, nebojsa vertovsek, andrej oblak, polona ruparcic, karmen bovha, marusa zupancic, nusa zavrsnik silec "MHP plans to strengthen the position of PP ... in the Balkans and in Western Europe," SIJ said in a statement, without disclosing the value of the deal. "MHP has presented plans according to which it will invest about 200 million euros ($228 million) in the production base (of PP) in the next four to five years," it added. It said transaction depended upon an approval of the Slovenian Competition Protection Agency. SIJ, which bought PP in 2015, is primarily a steel company. Its largest owner with 72.2 percent is holding firm Dilon, which is in Russian hands. Reporting By Marja Novak, editing by David Evans Ryan worked in conservation from 2008 to 2017, during which time he operated a rainbow trout hatchery and helped to maintain public and protected green spaces in Canada for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. As editor of The Poultry Site, he now writes about challenges and opportunities in agriculture across the globe. Global Ag Media provides a knowledge sharing platform offering premium news, analysis and information resources for the global agriculture industry. Sign up to our regular newsletter and access news from across the Global AG Media network The participants were greeted by Nuška Gajšek State Secretary at the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development Secretary Đurov highlighted that the European Cohesion Policy is one of the most central funding sources that has propelled our country’s development Despite the challenging circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic Slovenia successfully concluded the 2014-2020 programming period by fully utilizing all available funds underscoring that the municipality’s ambitious projects including the renovation of the old glassware factory would have remained mere aspirations without the crucial support of Cohesion Policy funding She further emphasized that the municipality’s resources are limited The agreement for the development of regions is an important mechanism in the frame of European Cohesion Policy that aims to strength regional development said State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Development Đurov we published an amendment of the invitation to prepare agreements for the development of regions for co-financing projects in 12 development regions This is an important bottom-up mechanism of allocating Cohesion Policy funding for which a total of around EUR 460 million is available,” said Đurov who also took part in the main discussion on this mechanism the representatives of line ministries and the representatives of the regions share the same goal: “We aim to develop projects that address the needs of the people in each region and contribute to improving the quality of life.” Dr Robert Drobnič Deputy Director of the Regional Development Directorate at the Ministry of Regional Development said that “regional development programmes are getting better and better with each generation primarily with the help of European Cohesion Policy.” The final panel of the day was dedicated to the crucial role Cohesion Policy plays in supporting innovative businesses The speakers underlined the significance of collaboration between government institutions and businesses the representative of the Ministry of Economy shed light on the Ministry’s unwavering efforts to foster a stable support environment She underlined: “In addition to the so-called soft instruments we can also leverage tangible financial incentives such as subsidies A substantial 75% of the funding comes from the EU the Ministry is set to provide EUR 339.2 million in grants to the economic sector which will be made available through 42 calls for proposals.” calls for proposals and invitations worth EUR 177 million We plan to support 3,800 projects and investments worth EUR 233 million,” said Rok Huber Head of the Sector for Special Development Incentives at the Slovene Enterprise Fund ask for a reply Ptuj was recently revealed in a survey as being the world's hardest city for holidaymakers to pronounce. The picturesque Slovenian settlement is so phonetically baffling for English speakers, we reported, that 92 per cent of those polled said it incorrectly. But help is now at hand in the form of true pronunciation experts – the locals. The Ptuj tourist information board filmed a selection of inhabitants saying the name for the benefit of holidaymakers who might be put off visiting a town they can't pronounce. The tricky part for the unaccustomed is that 'tuj' is pronounced 'too-ee', so it's P-too-ee. A list of the 15 hardest-to-say tourist destinations was drawn up using the survey results. Landmarks also feature with the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull (Ay-uh-fyat-luh-yoe-kuutl-uh) – stumping 98 per cent. And after the Icelandic volcano, the top 10 most difficult-to-say famous landmarks list comprises Chao Phraya River (second, 74 per cent), Park Güell (third, 68 per cent), Khaosan Road (fourth, 57 per cent), Burj Khalifa (fifth, 55 per cent), Sagrada Familia (sixth, 53 per cent), Machu Picchu (seventh, 48 per cent), Arc de Triomphe (eighth, 45 per cent), Louvre (ninth, 37 per cent) and the Eiffel Tower (10th 35 per cent). The study, by the Bolsover Cruise Club, polled 2,000 people, and they were also asked about food and phrases that they struggled to pronounce. It turns out that the Greek language is the hardest for Brits to master, closely followed by Slovene, Swedish, Dutch and Croatian. Problematic pronunciation continued amongst international foods, with the French classic bourguignon (bur-gen-yon) found to be the hardest, followed by prosciutto (pro-shoot-toe) and quinoa (keen-wah). Forty two per cent, meanwhile, admitted to struggling at tourist information centres abroad due to mispronunciations. Michael Wilson, Managing Director at Bolsover Cruise Club, commented on the findings: "Mastering the national language when heading abroad is always a great way to impress the locals, however, it seems many of us don't always get it right! "With languages in South-Eastern and Central Europe catching people out the most, this study reveals the irony that so many people can't pronounce some of the most popular cities and landmarks to visit, no matter how close to home. "It was interesting to discover Greek topped the list as the most difficult language for tourists to speak, however that shouldn't deter would-be travellers." Not far away from home, in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand has its own fiendishly difficult tourist tongue-twister: Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu The Guinness Book of Records holder is the world's longest place name. Like the 300-metre hill it refers to, you might want to take a deep breath before taking it on. Kiwis can book seats on the newly announced flights from today. jointly organized by  Aviagen  and its Slovenian customer presented the Ross Flock Awards to farmers for their work with  Ro Farm manager Ana Jeza won the Best Ross Parent Stock Flock Award by achieving the result of 144 day-old-chicks to 60 weeks Perutnina Ptuj representatives from Slovenia Presentations included an update of the European broiler meat market advice on maximizing financial returns through good breeder management Analyst, journalist specializing in the Western Balkans and Middle East domestic and foreign affairs He added that Slovenian steel industry (SIJ), which sold its majority stake in Perutnina Ptuj, has agreed on the price and other terms on an exclusive basis. However, the seller for no reason departed from the negotiations in September 2018. „We are surprised by such practice, which is not common in the European area, and is not particularly characteristic of cases where companies are important for the national economy in which the state owns shares”, commented Mr. Gelin. The merger has already been approved by the relevant competition authorities and a final valuation of the firm’s assets is underway While the firm owns further processing facilities in Europe this marks the first fully integrated operation bought by MHP which said it has plans for a series of similar partnerships in 2019 which has bought a holding of more than 90% in the firm said it had committed to protecting jobs at the business Its chief executive Yuriy Kosyuk said of the transaction: “We are pleased to conclude this deal and put into action our ambitious plans which will bring direct benefits to employees local communities and the wider regional poultry industry “This partnership confirms MHP as Europe’s fastest-growing poultry producer and represents a major strategic step in making the company a significant player in the global poultry business.” President of Perutnina Ptuj Management added: “With the acquisition of Perutnina Ptuj by the MHP our company will be finally able to release all its internal potentials that have been accumulated in the company for many years our company will surely go beyond the regional dimension.” This webpage uses Cookies and JavaScript in order to work properly We strongly recommend to enable those technologies in yur browser In case of wrongly displayed content you can request necessary information at e-mail address wwwadmin@mzv.cz The double exhibition "CZECHOSLOVENIA - The Art of International Exchange" presents the best that both countries have to offer in the field of contemporary art The exhibition in Ptuj will present contemporary Czech art with the following Czech artists: Josef Bolf While the Gong Gallery in Ostrava presents these contemporary Slovenian artists: Marko Batista The exhibition will be opened by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Ljubljana We look forward to your presence at the opening ceremony of the exhibition In the gallery below you can see photos from the opening of the exhibition Czechia to Send New Ambassador to Lebanon "Czech Support to Ukraine Will Continue," Minister Lipavský Assured Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha World Press Freedom Day 2025 New Ambassadors to Jordan and Ukraine Czechia to Send New Ambassador to Lebanon "Czech Support to Ukraine Will Continue," Minister Lipavský Assured Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha World Press Freedom Day 2025 New Ambassadors to Jordan and Ukraine