Category Archives: Updates

Adria, Action, Adrenaline – Kitesurfing in Koper/Slovenia –
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ, 25.8.2025:
„Wind in your hair, speed on the water, the danger that constantly surrounds you and reminds you how alive you are, pure adrenaline: that’s kitesurfing. This is my life“, says Toni Vodisek from Koper. About the silver medalist at the 2024 Olympic Games, how it all began, how he almost flew over his parents’ hotel, escaped a shark, and his Plan B for life after his active career: https://lnkd.in/d3XRubuX
A reportage in the context of „Jugend schreibt“ (Youth writes) with the FAZ, by the student journalists Vika Viktorija Starman, Mana Rampini Florjančič, Emma Pančevska Dakič and Gaja Kejžar; Gimnazija Koper. With the support of ZRS Koper; Project management/Photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.

Slovenian students as ambassadors of their country:
The ‘Jugend schreibt’ (Youth Writes) project with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ in Slovenia – presented on 19 August 2025 in Delo:
https://lnkd.in/daDizCQQ
About the history of the project, its implementation and goals, the people portrayed, and the topics covered.
Many thanks to Špela Kuralt for her article in Delo, to Nika Rezman and Ema Holešek (Celje) for their contribution with an interview on the subject.
And above all, thanks to all the students, teachers, authorities and interviewees, who have contributed to and supported the Slovenian FAZ-project since 2020. So that it remains possible: ‘Discover Slovenia in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ’.
INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB, Dr. Gerald Hühner and Dr. Monica Hühner, project management/coordination

Big cinema from Slovenia – Marko Mandić, Sonja Prosenc, the Berlinale and the Oskar, – on 18.8.2025 in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ:
https://lnkd.in/dREpXzyj
About “Gold”, “Im Angesicht des Verbrechens”, about “The Hitman´s Bodyguard” and “O Beautiful Night”, about “Family Therapy”, “History of love”, and the future of cinema.
A report as part of ‘Jugend schreibt’ (Youth Writes) with the FAZ, by the student journalists Ema Holešek, Maša Pušnik, Milenca Obrul and Zoja Klara Hrup from Celje. After conducting research and talking to director Sonja Prosenc and actor Marko Mandić at the “Kino Union” cinema in Celje, and also with Samo Seničar, cinema manager in the Municipality of Celje / Mestna Občina Celje.
Project lead/Photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.

The Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea –
And the vision of a European Walk of Peace along the front lines of World War I.
In conversation with Maša Klavora, director of the non-profit foundation Walk of Peace Fundation / Pot miru – ‘Walk of Peace in the Soča Region’, on 30 July 2025 in Kobarid..
Research conducted as part of the ‘Jugend schreibt’ (Youth Writes) project with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ. Author: Maša Mežnar (Gymnasium Koper), Project management/Photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.

Discover Slovenia in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ, 28.7.2025 –
Two reportages: About Barbara of Cilli, the Roman-German, Hungarian and Bohemian queen; multilingual, curious, researching; crowned in Aachen, buried in St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague; how she ruled over a small part of Europe and how her life in Celje continues to have an impact today; – from the perspective of the teacher Metka Krajnc Sevšek, who plays the role of the queen as a tourist guide in the Municipality of Celje / Mestna Občina Celje. And about Manca Peskar, Slovenian Scientist of the Year, the start of her career with ‘Dexter’s Laboratory,’ her international studies in neuroscience, and her work at the Centre for Science and Research/ZRS Koper with director Rado Pisot, and how children and young people are motivated there to take an interest in science and to show commitment to older people: https://lnkd.in/dpjGspXZ
Reportages as part of ’Jugend schreibt’ (Youth Writes); – by Blaž Klinar and Zoja Klara Hrup (about Barbara von Cilli), as well as by Gaja Kejžar, Vika Viktorija Starman, Emma Pančevska Dakič and Mana Rampini Florjančič (about Manca Peskar at ZRS Koper). Project management/Photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB

Discover Slovenia´s Hidden Gems in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ, 14.07.2025 –
Shoe craft, design, nature and international cooperation:Hidden away in north-eastern Slovenia lies Lake Blaguš, and there, integrated into the natural surroundings, is Mario Herzog’s workshop and studio. Here, you can learn and experience how shoes are made in the traditional way using historical tools and machines, how long this process takes, what can happen during the process, what customers worldwide want, and where the shoemaker himself feels the pinch: there are hardly any skilled workers left, but their cross-border cooperation promotes business, solidarity and friendship.
A „Jugend schreibt” (Youth writes) reportage by Franja Kos, Zoja Štancar and Leon Romih: https://lnkd.in/d_qhSUpr
Patronage: Municipality of Celje / Mestna Občina Celje; Projekt management/Photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.

Discover Slovenian Sportspeople in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ, 7.7.2025:
Tina Trstenjak – European Champion, World Champion and Olympic Gold Medallist at the same time.
About Slovenia’s most successful judoka, her origins, the start and course of her career, the sacrifices involved, the joy of silver and gold medal successes, respect for opponents, judo as a way of life, and how Tina Trstenjak continues to be active in judo after her active career: https://lnkd.in/e_xemh9p
A „Jugend schreibt“ (Youth writes) reportage by Zoja Štancar and Anja Oblak, under the patronage of the Municipality of Celje / Mestna Občina Celje; Management/Photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB Lab Tržec/Videm pri Ptuju

Original with Oberkrainer – „Jugend schreibt“ (Youth writes) in Begunje/Slovenia

At the “Woodstock of brass music”, they got 25,000 fans in the proper mood; their headquarters in Begunje is regarded by some as the “Vatican of folk music”, and cover versions of their music are also played with Japanese lyrics:

How did the world career start in a small village in the Slovenian Alps? What makes the Oberkrainer so successful, especially in German-speaking countries? And how much hard work is behind the production of cheerfulness and exuberant atmosphere?

A conversation in Begunje with Sašo Avsenik, who is the third generation to carry on the Oberkrainer tradition, and with international guests at his guesthouse. As part of the project ‘Jugend schreibt’ (Youth writes) with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ and the young journalists Urh Štrakl, Amaya Kragolnik and Julija Pungeršek. And with the support of the Municipality of Celje and the Slovenian Tourist Board. Project management/photos: Gerald Hühner, Monica Hühner, Discimus Lab.

Elvis is alive – in Slovenia!
A three-hour meeting with actor Renato Jenček, on the stage of the Plesni Forum/Dance Forum Celje:
About the programme ‘KUD Mesarija Elvis’ in the ‘Culture and Art Department of the Elvis Butcher’s Shop’, about the stage character of this solo comedy, its creation and the role models Elvis Presley and Oskar Trobec, about the power of parody and music, and how the audience reacts to it across generations.
An interview with Performance, as part of the project „Jugend schreibt“ (Youth writes) with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ, conducted by student journalists Milenca Obrul, Ema Holešek, Nika Kroflič and Tjaša Pavc; under the patronage of the Municipality of Celje / Mestna Občina Celje, Project management/Photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB

Discover Slovenia in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ:
She has a house, a small monkey and a horse, her own multiplication table and over 1.6 million visitors in Slovenia to date: Every year, Pippi Longstocking attracts new guests to the festival named after her in Velenje – the largest festival for children and youth in the international region.
A “Jugend schreibt” (Youth writes) interview with the director Barbara Pokorny, on 12 May 2025 at the ‘Dom Kulture’ in Velenje: About the role model Pippi Longstocking, about great entertainment and professional management behind the scenes, about 35 years of festival history, the programme 6 – 12. 09. 2025, and about plans for the future.
With the student journalists Dina Skamagkouli, Lan Jerič, Lucian Lovrenčič and Anja Oblak. Under the patronage of the Municipality of Celje; Coordination/Photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB, Monica and Gerald Hühner.