Youth researches in the coal mine Premogovnik Velenje/Slovenia: Who actually understands ‘mining’ these days? How does someone descend up to 150 metres underground five times a week? What is life and work like down there? Why would someone choose this career? What qualifications are required? What role did mining play in the past, and what role does it play now and in the future for the town and the region? What traditions are upheld? And why, in 2026, did a young, slender woman choose the ‘Mining’ vocational course at the secondary school within the Velenje School Centre?
Part 1, 8.9.2026: ‘Above ground’ research visit to the Velenje Mining Museum, with the director, Tadeja Jegrišnik, the miners Aleš Zupan and Luka Ograjenšek, and the trainee Ines Zabret Florjaničič. As part of the ‘Youth Writes’ project with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ and student journalists Juš Razboršek, Jure Rožič, Filip Obrul and Ožbe Zemljič, SC Velenje. With the support of the Municipality of Celje; Project management/Photos ©: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.
Part 2 „Underground“ will follow shortly.