Slovene Contribution by Arrea Architecture, photo Tadej Bolta
16th International Architecture Exhibition, one of the greatest architecture exhibitions in the world, starts on May 26th 2018 with two DCG alumni actively taking part in it. These are Tadej Bolta and Klara Bohinc, both working for Arrea Architecture, one of the most prominent architectural bureaus in Slovenia under the leadership of Maruša Zorec. In the 16-year long history of the biennale Arrea is the first Slovene bureau to be invited to partake.
The leading theme of the Biennale 2018 is freespace – a word which describes a generosity of spirit and a sense of humanity at the core of architecture’s agenda. Architecture opens up space in new ways, offering it to people, who may discover the essence of their existence through its use. The Biennale is divided in two sections. In the first one different countries participate with various installations, presentations and pavilions – all based on the biennale’s common theme. In the second section the invited architects or architectural bureaus from all over the world take part. This year 71 of them were invited by the curators of exhibition Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara, both from Ireland. The exhibition will remain open until November 25th 2018.
The 25th annual jubilee concert with nine choirs, string orchestra of St. Stanislav’s Institution and and the hosting orchestra of Frederic Chopin Conservatory in Krakow, Poland included more than 500 musicians who fired the full house in Cankarjev Dom with enthusiasm on 13th May2018. The majestic music event, rounded off by Anton Bruckner’s Te Deum, celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Diocesan Classical Gymnasium and Jeglič Student Home and 10th Anniversary of Alojzij Šuštar Primary School.
This year individual choirs joined into four meaningful groups depending on songs performed, which ranged in various style. The concert opened with a medley of Slovene folk songs, entitled Alba/Dawn, a novelty by Damijan Močnik, dedicated to the long-serving director of St. Stanislav’s Institution Roman Globokar. Two more mixtures of folk songs Joyous Heart and Vigred/Springtime were presented by both Primary School choirs; the latter being accompanied by an improvisation on folk instruments. Both first year choirs of the Diocesan Classical Gymnasium continued with a mix of evergreen Slovene pop songs, a novelty compiled by Tine Bec, conductor of the First-Year Boys’ Choir. The audience attention of the first part went to The Beatles Best of Songs in the interpretation of the (Re)Mixed Choir of the DCG and St. Stanislav Student Choir. Impeccable choreography (by Mojca Sečkar) of more than 150 singers underpinned by singers’ 1960’s outfits brought to life the Beatles’ greatest hits of all times. It was an explosion of Beatlemania in its broadest sense of the word, which fuelled big cheers. The grand finale united almost 600 performers from nine choirs, both orchestras and four accompanying voices in the interpretation of Bruckner’s Te Deum. The following singers features as soloists: Marta Močnik Pirc, soprano; Sabina Gruden, alto; Martin Sušnik, tenor and Marcos Fink, bass. All five sections of this majestic work put new life into the words We praise you, God – the life of sincere praise for numerous gifts gratefully received in the last 25 years in St. Stanisalv’s Institution. The piece drew on full resources of the choirs and orchestras, concluding in a joyous fugue of In Te, Domine, speravi/In you, Lord, have I trusted. That was the second time this evening that the audience gave a standing ovation.
Apart from music, there were two meaningful speeches given on the solemn occasion. The first one by Anton Česen, M.A., director of St. Stanislav’s Institution, who explained the guiding lines of the jubilee motto Youth Woven from Sparks of Sun. It combines fruitfully the search for opportunity growth,various challenges and personal endeavours of the young. He concluded by words of thanks to the conductors and the singers for their commitment to the cause. The honourable speaker was Tomaž Faganel, M.A., Slovene musicologist, who pointed at the role of music throughout the 25 years since the reestablishment of St. Stanislav’s Institution. “Music is a way of life, liberated from everyday routine, invariably originating from curious silence. All this is presented to the young in St. Stanislav’s Institution by charismatic leaders – conductors, who create “little songs” that the audience and performers gratefully take home. They represent a significant part of our dreams and encourage curiosity.”
Indeed, the listeners took home many new songs from tonight’s concert that featured music which was a feast for the soul and the senses. You can listen to it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpPkL1rRgK8
St Stanislav’s Institution in joint cooperation with The Institute for Education Research and Development organised an International Symposium entitled Critical Thinking in the Digital Age took place from 10th – 12th May 2018 in St. Stanislav’s Institution. The event was one of the many to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Diocesan Classical Gymnasium and The Jeglič Student Home and 10th anniversary of The Alojzij Šuštar Primary School. The topic of the symposium combined two major focuses the school community had recognised as crucial elements that decidedly shaped the mindset of the young today, namely critical thinking and the influence of digital media upon students’ perception of life. The programme placed special emphasis on school environment in the digital age and the challenges it offers. For more detailed information, please see www.stanislav.si/simpozij2018. /Lily Schweiger Kotar/
Cordially invited to the traditional, jubilee concert, which will take place on Sunday, 13th May 2018 at 6.00 p.m. in Gallus Hall in Cankarjev dom (Ljubljana). The choir pyramid of St. Stanislav’s Institution, which is well known in Slovenia and abroad, will perform a variety of songs and compositions ranging from Slovene folk songs to ever green pop songs in new adaptations by T. Bec and D. Močnik. The magnificent Anton Bruckner’s Te Deum performed by 350 singers and the string orchestra, will round up the solemn concert.
Tickets are available in St. Stanislav’s Institution (call ++386 31 708 313), or on the concert day, an hour before the beginning of the concert in the first foyer in Cankarjev dom. Welcome!
The Turkish writer participated in the panel discussion on her book Exile on 18th April 2018. It has been recently translated also in Slovene, amongst 27 other languages. Having been a guest at the international PEN meeting in Bled, Slovenia, she gladly shared her views and motives for writing with some 60 third years.
As a writer, İlhan has been active since her youth. She won several international awards, of which the EU Prize forLiterature in 2011 and Prix Du Livre Lorientales 2017 are the most prominent. Exile, the new book of short stories, has been written as the author puts it “with the hope that all those exiled from their homes, countries, bodies, souls may return to their homes within.”
The students eagerly listened to her powerful message. Çiler İlhan is a woman of vision – especially for the young. She urged them to speak up, not to be silenced and discouraged by the thought that nothing can be done. “On the contrary,” she said. “You have the duty and strength to start changing the injustices of the world step by step, starting with people around you and slowly reaching out into the big world.” With her energy and commitment to serve the underprivileged of today’s world, especially women, she touched the audience’ hearts and showed a path into a better and more just world. /Lily Schweiger Kotar/
Happy Group of Students and Teahers from 8 European Countries
This Erasmus+ Project took place from 10th – 16th April 2018, uniting 37 young astronomy enthusiasts from Bulgaria, Germany, Macedonia, France, Portugal, Scotland, Romania and Slovenia. Together with their teachers, they participated in some amazing workshops, star gazing, discussions and other astronomy related challenges. You can see the programme and read the students’ blog at http://schule.mallinckrodt-gymnasium.de/erasmus+/eurostronomia/index.html. /Alenka Battelino, project coordinator/
This Erasmus+ Project will take place from 10th – 16th April 2018, uniting 37 young astronomy enthusiasts from Bulgaria, Germany, Macedonia, France, Portugal, Scotland and Romania. Together with their teachers, they will join in some workshops, sky observation, discussions and other astronomy related challenges. You are welcome to follow the events on the school website, in the photo gallery and on FB. /Alenka Battelino, project coordinator/
Working Day 1:
The second day arrived. For some, it started quite early, because we already gathered in Matija Tomc hall at 7.45. We were first addressed by professor Battelino and we also received a welcome from our headmaster Simon Feštanj.
After introductory words and group photoshooting, we went on a tour around St. Stanislav Institution. Our group began the path in Kregar atrium, where we viewed current exhibition. Then we continued to the resting place at the classes of first years. On our way there, we also checked the products from ancient days and the word ran about the Latin classes on our school. We proceeded to the second floor, where we got to know the science classes and exchanges, on which our school participated in last few years. Guests got really exited, when we arrived at the exhibition of quotes from Harry Potter and the works of Jane Austin. Then we carried on to the school chapel, where we told the guests about spiritual life on gymnasium. On our way to St. Stanislav Chapel, we went past the library and the photos of our senior students. In the chapel, we checked the Rupnik mosaic, and talked a bit about the history of our school. After that, we descended to the gym, which was very crowded. Somehow we managed to squeeze thru the crowd to the small gym, where we talked about sport class. A lot of our Portuguese guests were absolutely excited, when they saw our large climbing wall. When we finished our tour, we returned to the Matija Tomc Hall, where the physics teachers had a short meeting. We were too early, so we sat on the stairs before the hall and started to talk. We talked about different topics, most interesting was the climate in Portugal. Soon we got interrupted, as we had to return inside the hall. There we were presented workshops that will take place on Thursday and Friday. The enterprise contest was also presented. After the presentation the guests got divided for enterprise contest and then there followed a short concert of a mixed choir.
The guests got few minutes of free time after concert, but then they were presented the afternoon activities. At noon they departured for the city centre, where a tour around Ljubljana followed. The tour started at Prešeren Square, where students again got divided in four groups. One group first visited Križanke and National University Library, from there they went to the town hall and then carried on to the Zmajski bridge. They also visited the Ljubljana castle, to which they went on foot. After that they returned to the Prešern Square, where they did some sightseeing by themselves and were later picked up by their hosts.
I also spoke to some guests and they were willing to share their opinion on the day: Maria Martinis from Portugal: About Ljubljana I liked the most Three bridges, ice-cream is very delicious and of course, Mexican restaurant was my favourite part. It’s really beautiful city, especially the river, and it’s nice that it’s not too full of tourists. And of all day my favourite thing was meeting new people. Helene Plautin-McShane from Scotland: I found the day very interesting, and I liked the organisation and that the professors knows, what they are doing. I also liked the choir. Catherine Chambers from Scotland: I most liked the walk in the city and observing Ljubljana, where I found everything very beautiful. /Nika Oven/
The visit took place from 4th – 7th March 2018 and included thirty students and Andrej Černigoj, one of the consultants of Lojze Peterle, Member of the European Parliament. The purpose of the excursion was to get acquainted with the functioning of the European Union. Every participant of the excursion had to present one part of Belgium or Brussels, which gave us a good insight of the country and city of our visit.
The first day was dedicated to the visit of the European quarter, which proved to be one of the highlights. Firstly, we visited a special memorial with the Slovene national anthem written on it in all the languages of the European Union. We were proud to sing the Slovene anthem. Afterwards we were given a speech by Jurij Mesec, who works in the representative body of Slovenia. Because we were right before the building of the European Council, our guide Andrej told us a bit about the council and its activities. The visit to the European Commission followed, where we were guided by the members of Violeta Bulc’ Cabinet, who is the European Commissioner for Mobility and Transport. We looked at the big hall, where we received answers to all of our questions concerning the internship and other job related enquiries. For the visit to the European Parliament we were greeted by members of Franc Bogovič’ office. He explained all about the daily routine in the Parliament and we also met Lojze Peterle, who gave a very inspiring speech. He talked about directing Slovenia onto the right path, that it seems not to be foun yet. Afterwards we also helped him choose the school that will visit Brussels next year under the sponsorship of his Cabinet. After that we visited two interactive museums, the first one being the House of European History. We very much liked this museum and only wished we had had more time to look through it thoroughly. The visit to Parlamentarium was even shorter, however, we managed to watch a very interesting interactive movie. For the end we visited Atomium, which is one of the symbols of Brussels. It charmed us with its size. In the evening we enjoyed a common dinner. On Tuesday morning we visited a beautiful medieval city called Brugge. It has a hint of Englishness, which we liked as much as its amazing chocolatiers. Afterwards we went to of the Northern Sea coast. We spent the afternoon in the center of Brussels. There we took a look at the main square and the peeing boy. Some of us spent some time tasting Belgian fries and famous waffles. But nothing compares to the Museum of cocoa and chocolate, where we indulged in all possible Belgian chocolates. To round up our excursion we also visited Waterloo. /Katarina Brezovar, year 3/
We are happy to announce the spring exchange with 22 students accompanied by two teachers from Saumur, France. It will take place form 6th-9th April 2018, with water (l’eau) as the fil rouge of the meeting. Naturally, this would not be possible without visiting Lake Bled, The Ljubljanica river and some other points of interest related to water tourism. French students will be accommodated with the Slovene families.
The exchanges between both schools has now been going on successfully for more than 15 years. Being an active member of Institution Saint Louis is especially appreciated by The Diocesan Classical Gymnasium graduates who have the opportunity for a few-month stay at school, thus gaining a first-hand insight into French school environment.
As usual, the aim of the exchange is to discover local ways of life, language, culture and, last but not least, to hang out with French peers and promote friendship among nations. Daša Deželak Obrč and Barbara Cergolj both teachers of French at the DCG, are in charge of the exchange. /Lily Schweiger Kotar/
Stane Jarm, Christ (watercolour; from the collection of artworks donated to St. Stanislav’s Institution by Gregor Dolšak)
Dear friends,
We tread on different paths through life, encountering different experiences. Our own and those of our loved ones.
Experiences that are pleasant, fulfilling but sometimes also difficult and trying. We are searching for truth and seeking meaning.
May the celebration of Easter holidays open our eyes to the light of the Risen, so that our lives may reflect the hope that he bestows upon us! We wish you a Happy Easter!
Anton Česen, MA, Director of St. Stanislav’s Institution
