The first Saturday in September is traditionally dedicated in the Pivka region to honoring Miroslav Vilhar, a cultural and historical figure who made a significant impact on our cross-border region, much like Giuseppe Tartini. On September 7, 2024, RRA Zeleni Kras, in collaboration with the public institution Turizem Pivka, organized a musical-literary evening titled Forward with Song!, dedicated to the life and work of composer, poet, writer, and politician Vilhar.
The musical group Ensemble Contemporanea, featuring soprano Kristina Kolar and the Croatian women’s choir Sklad, performed 13 compositions by Vilhar in a fresh arrangement by Zdravko Pleše. During the event, a variation by Tartini on the theme of the Slovenian folk song Čuk se je oženil was also presented. The musical program was enriched by the narration of actress Marijana Brecelj, who shared stories of Miroslav Vilhar’s life and work. Miroslav Vilhar united and strengthened the Slovenian national space. Through his literary, musical, and political efforts, he demonstrated the power of the Slovenian word, both in defense against foreign political and cultural dominance and in the struggle against internal indifference. This was also one of the key messages of the evening.
In addition to the evening event, a musical-interpretive workshop titled Vilhar’s Energy! was held at Kalec Castle, where Vilhar lived and created. In the company of musicians and cultural heritage interpreter Andrej Rijavec, participants had the chance to learn about Vilhar’s life and work and listen to his poems. The workshop was primarily intended for tourism professionals, such as tour guides and staff in tourism organizations and agencies. The interpretive model of the workshop on Miroslav Vilhar can assist in creating new tourism products and narratives.
