Institut Discimus Lab Tržec

Discover Slovenia´s  “Teacher of the Year” in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ:
O 26.03.2025 in a completely different way: Pupils ask – a teacher answers. Simona Šarlah was voted „Teacher of the Year“ in Slovenia in 2024. How and why is one nominated and appointed? What role do the pupils play in this process? What were the school days of the honoured teacher like? What were her own teachers like? What tips does she have for schools, young people and teachers today? And how does the Slovenian student parliament work and what is its significance?
An interview conducted by young journalists Lucian Lovrenčič, Anja Oblak, Dina Skamagkouli and Lan Jerič. In the context of „Jugend schreibt“ (Youth writes). Under the patronage of the Municipality of Celje / Mestna Občina Celje; Coordination/Photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.

Discover Slovenian Folk in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ:
How do young people get into Slovenian folklore? How do they learn to play the harmonica? How much training does it take to reach the highest level? How much does a customised harmonica cost? What does it mean to win a harmonica world championship? What role does a tattoo play? And how does someone manage to play the harmonica for 53 hours, 53 minutes and 53 seconds without a single break?
Tjaša Lesjak, Slovenian world champion (2022) and winner of the Avsenik Prize 2024 with the harmonica, answers questions and presents her music at the Hotel Evropa, Celje. Urh Štrakl, Amaya Kragolnik, Evita Kranjec and Julija Pungeršek conduct the discussion as part of ‘Jugend schreibt’(Youth writes) with the FAZ. A project under the auspices of the Municipality of Celje / Mestna Občina Celje; Coordination/Photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.

Barbara of Cilli, Roman-German, Hungarian and Bohemian queen, reads the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ at the castle in Celje on 13 March 2025 …
… at least her alter ego, the city guide Metka Krajnc Sevšek.
What connects the past and present? What role did Barbara, a strong woman who spoke seven languages, play in her time? How do tourists react to her story, how well known is she in Germany today? And what does it mean for a teacher from Celje to slip into the historical role of the medieval queen?
A talk in the context of „Jugend schreibt“ (Youth writes) with FAZ; conducted by Blaž Klinar and Zoja Klara Hrup. A project under the auspices of the Municipality of Celje / Mestna Občina Celje; Coordination/Photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.

16 seconds to the Olympics …
…and 3 years to do it. Slovenian high school student Tia Tanja Živko from Celje won a bronze medal at the 2023 European Youth Olympics in the 1,500 metre race and is preparing for Los Angeles.
Medium distance, marathon and A-levels – how does a teenager manage this workload? And several national records in one season? What role do parents, friends and teachers play? What role do talent, discipline and sacrifice play? What role does competition play?
A talk in the framework of ‘Jugend schreibt’ (Youth writes) with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ; with Tjaša Pavc, Amaya Kragolnik, Evita Kranjec and Julija Pungeršek at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and Media in Celje. A project under the patronage of the Municipality of Celje / Mestna Občina Celje, Coordination/Photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.

Very big cinema in Slovenia!

Before the film starts, a conversation in the Union cinema in Celje: with Samo Seničar, cinema manager in the Municipality of Celje, with director Sonja Prosenc and actor Marko Mandić. About the Slovenian film landscape, how to successfully produce and act in films, about the Slovenian Film Festival, about Oscars, the future of cinema and what role Gold, Naked Among Wolves and Alarm for Cobra 11 play in it. And also about the best way to pass the time while watching less exciting films.
A project within the framework of ‘Jugend schreibt’ (Youth writes) with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ, with the student journalists Ema Holešek, Maša Pušnik, Milenca Obrul and Zoja Klara Hrup from Celje. Coordination/photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.

Award ceremony of the IV Slovenian CLILiG Robotics Championship (SCRM) in Narodni dom, Celje.
‘Why should robots be used in language education (DaF)?’ was the task set in the fourth round of the Slovenian robotics project in German, designed and organised by INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.

After the anthem of EUROPE, performed by pupils of the Celje School Centre, Gregor Deleja welcomed the guests from primary and secondary schools between Bistrica (Črenšovci), Videm pri Ptuju, Solkan and Bovec on behalf of the host, the Municipality of Celje / Mestna Občina Celje.
Following a presentation by the I. Primary School Celje, the prizes were presented by Louis M. on behalf of the German Embassy in Ljubljana, Brigita Kacjan/SDUNJ and Monica Hühner. The main prize for the first winners, a LEGO robot, was presented by Alix Landgrebe on behalf of the Goethe-Institut Ljubljana to Radovljica Primary School and VEGOVA Gymnasium/Ljubljana.

The first three primary and secondary schools in the competition qualified for the I. International CLILiG Robotics Championship, which will be held on 24 April 2025 in Tehno park Celje with winning teams from the Croatian CLILiG Robotics project. There are long-term plans to expand the project into the international region.

Discimus Lab would like to thank all participating school groups and supporters, the German-Slovene Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Slovenia), Mladinska knjiga and Hueber Verlag for another year of excellent contributions. We are very much looking forward to the next steps together.

Slovenia’s Hidden Gems in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ:
Where and how are traditional, high-quality shoes still made? Who can still do it? Where does the material come from? What machines and tools are needed? Which manufacturing steps are necessary? How long does it take to make a pair of shoes? And who still manages to successfully combine shoe craftsmanship with art and design today?
Hidden away in the north-east of Slovenia is Lake Blaguš, where Mario Herzog’s studio is integrated into the natural surroundings. This is where ‘Handmade Shoes Only’ are made. Franja Kos, Zoja Štancar and Leon Romih did some research on 25 February 2025. Another project within the framework of ‘Jugend schreibt’ with the FAZ, under the patronage of the Municipality of Celje / Mestna Občina Celje: Coordination/Photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.

Primož Roglič and the Goldene Circle:
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ, 17.02.2025: About the Slovenian world star Primož Roglič in the German cycling team Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe, about his social commitment, the ‘Zlati Krog’ (Golden circle), the role of his family, and how he acts as a role model for the youngest and young cyclists. For example, Sven Mernik, a high school graduate from the Gimnazija Celje Centre, who is already successfully riding the roads of the world in the Slovenian junior team in the footsteps of Roglič.
A report by Nika Rezman and Anže Štukovnik as part of the project “Jugend schreibt” (Youth writes). With the support of the Slovenian Tourist Board/STO, Rebeka K Bizjak und Vesna Verlak. Under the patronage of the Municipality of Celje / Mestna Občina Celje; Coordination/Photos ©: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.

Discover Slovenia in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ – 3.2.2025:
– About Nika Kovač: “A Global Voice from a Small Country”. How commitment begins and what challenges and opportunities are associated with it.
– And about Radio SI/RTV Slovenija and its German voice Tatjana Dolanc, who won the Frankfurt and Hessian reading competitions as a child of migrant workers.
Two reports, written as part of the project ‘Jugend schreibt’ (Youth writes) with the FAZ in Slovenia; by Doroteja Drevensek, Ela Falež, Ema Holešek and Tin Šoškič. Under the auspices of the Municipality of Celje / Mestna Občina Celje, with the support of II. gimnazija Maribor; Coordination/Photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.

‘Once upon a time in Slovenia’ –
How do you actually make shoes? What do you do when your shoe pinches? What tools do you use? And who (still) knows how to use them?
The shoemaking trade has also become a case for history and museums. So it’s a good thing that the Museum of Contemporary History in Celje (www.muzej-nz-ce.si) has a craftsmen’s street where you can also visit a historic cobbler’s shop.
Sebastjan Weber, curator, explains to student journalists Franja Kos, Zoja Štancar and Leon Romih on 29 January 2025 the story behind the exhibition, the idea behind it, its aims, where the exhibits come from and which workshops in the museum make the craft visible. In February, research will follow in the studio of a Slovenian shoemaker who produces high-quality shoes ‘hand made only’ with highly qualified employees and traditional tools.
A further project as part of the ‘Jugend schreibt’ programme with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/FAZ: consistently at authentic ‘learning locations’ with authentic conversations, careful research, multilingual and with added journalistic value. Educational work with immediately recognisable relevance. Under the patronage of the Municipality of Celje / Mestna Občina Celje; coordination/photos: INSTITUT DISCIMUS LAB.