Črnomelj & Jurjevanje: Celebrating Slovenia's Oldest Folklore Festival
The author: Slovenia.info Črnomelj & Jurjevanje
Celebrate the 60th anniversary of Jurjevanje in Bela Krajina and experience the vibrant pulse of both Bela krajina and international folklore. From June 19 to 23, the town of Črnomelj will host folklore groups from Greece, Panama, South Korea, Croatia, and Italy.
Jurjevanje in Bela Krajina, the largest event in the region and Slovenia's oldest folklore festival, will celebrate the 60th anniversary in 2024. The festival invites you to explore the beauty of the Kolpa River, celebrate the popular custom of the nature's spring awakening with the rounds of the Zeleni Jurij (literally “Green George”), after whom the festival takes its name, and experience the vibrant pulse of both Bela krajina and international folklore.
Zeleni Jurij, an ancient Slavic hero symbolizing spring, luck, and abundance, was celebrated differently across various regions in days gone by. However, what remained consistent were the festivities centered around the persona of Zeleni Jurij himself: a young man adorned entirely in birch branches, often embellished with colorful ribbons. Today, the spirit of Zeleni Jurij lives on through St. George's Day ceremonies, signifying the renewal and commencement of a new life cycle. The tradition of Jurjevanje traces back to 1964 when it was initially established as a platform to showcase the folk dances of Bela Krajina from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Throughout the five-day festival in Jurjevanjska Draga and the historic town centre of Črnomelj, visitors can attend a diverse array of cultural and entertainment events. These include performances by local and international folklore groups, gatherings of children's folklore groups, concerts featuring ethno, classical, and entertainment music, bustling markets offering local delicacies and handicrafts, captivating art exhibitions, informative training sessions and lectures and even invigorating family cycling trips through the picturesque landscapes of Bela Krajina.
Bela krajina
A melting pot of cultures in the very south of Slovenia by the River Kolpa
One-day hikes in historical towns
A perfect day in the town – sightseeing and gastronomic delicacies.
While there, we also invite you to experience Fest Mest, Slovenia's longest-running festival, showcasing the finest cultural and artistic highlights from Slovenia's historic towns.
About Črnomelj
Nestled in the heart of Bela Krajina, Črnomelj stands as a historic town steeped in over 3,000 years of captivating history. Explore the town's heritage and don't miss the opportunity to encounter the remarkable black olm, an endemic species inhabiting the underground waters surrounding Črnomelj, showcased at the Jelševnik Black Olm Info Centre.
Choose from a variety of accommodation options including glamping, campsites, chalets or farm stays. Start your mornings with invigorating hikes along the picturesque Kolpa River, amidst lush greenery or alongside the Lahinja. Indulge in summer activities such as boating, fishing, and camping or relax with natural wellness experiences in the Kolpa River.
Cover photo: Jani Pavlin
This article is part of an exciting partnership with with the Association of Historical Towns of Slovenia, of which Črnomelj is also a member. The partnership aims to bring you captivating stories from the historical towns nestled across Slovenia. As a regular feature of News from Slovenia, delivered to our valued subscribers, readers can expect to discover exciting stories from these timeless cities in the coming months. The contents for this article were provided by the Association of Historical Towns of Slovenia and the Town of Črnomelj.
