Message from Mayor of Maribor Mr Boris Sovic

MESTNA OBČINA MARIBOR
KABINET ŽUPANA
SLUŽBA ZA ODNOSE Z JAVNOSTJO

UDELEŽENCEM FESTIVALA STARA TRTA V AVSTRALIJI

V Mariboru je jesen ponovno pred vrati. Brajda naše Stare trte, ki raste na Lentu, se šibi pod tezo težkih grozdov. Pričakuje se, da bo letošnje vino še posebno sladko, saj smo imeli dolgo, vroče in sušno poletje. Pred nami je trgatev najstarejše trte na svetu, stare več kot štiristo let. V Mariboru sedaj ze nekaj let skupaj s trgatvijo pripravljamo tudi veliko prireditev, ki trgatev spremljajo, poimenovali pa smo jih s skupnim imenom V objemu Stare trte. Na ogled so postavljeni mnogi jesenski pridelki, ki zrastejo v blizini našega mesta: sadje, zelenjava, buce in bucno olje, predstavljeno je cvetje, drevje in okrasne grmovnice. Osrednji mariborski trgi v poznih septembrskih dneh zlato zazivijo z zgodnjimi jesenskimi dnevi, na ulicah je narava, dišeca v svoji prevleki.

Ena izmed najvecjih znamenitosti Maribora, Stara trta, simbol trdozivosti in volje do zivljenja, po vsem svetu nosi s seboj naše sporocilo o povezovanju in sodelovanju, o zivljenju v miru in prijateljstvu. Njena hci raste tudi pri vas. Vsem prebivalkam in prebivalcem Avstralije, še posebej pa tistim, katerih korenine izhajajo iz Slovenije, pošiljamo prisrcen, soncen, jesenski pozdrav iz Maribora, od koder je Stara trta doma. Zelimo vam cim lepše praznovanje vašega praznika, ki ste ga poimenovali po naši stari trti.

Z najboljšimi zeljami vas lepo pozdravljam!
Boris Sovic, univ. dipl. inž. el.

ŽUPAN

Mr. Boris Sovic – Mayor City of Maribor

Message to the partakers of the “Old Vine” celebrations in Australia,

In Maribor autumn is once again returning to our doorstep. The trellis of the Old Vine that grows in Lent, the old part of Maribor is already bending under the heavy weight of the grapes. As we had a long dry and hot summer, it is expected that this year’s wine will be particularly sweet. Before us waits the harvesting of the oldest vine in the world. For years in Maribor we have been holding various celebratory functions accompanying the harvest of the old vine, together being named “In the embrace of the old vine”. On exhibition are also other autumn gifts of the land, from the nearby areas of our town fruits, vegetables, pumpkin seed oil, as well as flowers, trees and decorative shrubbery. In the whole town one can feel the nature, the autumn breeze promising harvest.

As one of the most famous sights of Maribor, the Old Vine is a symbol of vitality and the love of life, carrying our message of union and collaboration, life and peace and friendship all over the World. The daughter of this powerful emblem grows also with you. We here in Maribor, the home of the Old Vine, send to all Australians, especially people of Slovenian heritage, heartfelt and sunny greetings.

We wish you all the best for your celebrations!

Sincerely yours,

Boris Sovic
Mayor, City of Maribor
English Text translated by: Zalika Rizmal

Na Festivalu Stare trte 2003, je bila gostja tudi lokalna poslanka Heather McTaggart MP, ki je istocasno zastopala ministra za turizem drzave Viktorije in je med ostalim v svojem porocilu v parlamentu viktorijske vlade spregovorila naslednje besede:

At the 2003 Old Vine Festival, the guest was also a local MP Heather McTaggart MP, who at the same time represented Victoria’s Tourism Minister and, among other things, said in the report in the Victorian government’s parliament the following words:

Ms. Heather McTaggart MP, member for Evelyn, also representing Victorian minister for Tourism presented in Victorian parlament her interpretation about the event:

A message from participating local MP Ms. Heather McTaggart also representing Victorian minister for Tourism Hon John Pandazopoulos MP :

On Sunday 28th September, I had the pleasure of attending the second anniversary of the Australian-Slovenian Yarra Ranges old vine cultural festival. Four years ago a project was born. A cutting from the 400 years old vine was brought to Australia and planted at Max McWilliams Lillydale Vineyard in the Yarra Valley.

I commend the work of Vinko Rizmal, the project manager from the Australian-Slovenian Agency for Trading and Cultural Exchange, for organizing this fantastic event. Victoria has been blessed by its great diversity in its people, landscape and culture. The Slovenians applauded the fact that Melbourne is one of the most multicultural cities in the world and prides itself on a welcoming attitude towards visitors from all countries.

The Slovenian community from all over Victoria attended the celebration. Busloads of people came from Geelong and beyond. We all enjoyed a traditional day with music, food and dance on a beautiful day in the Yarra Valley. I, along with Bojan Betoncelj, the charge d’affairs from the Slovenian embassy in Canberra; the mayor of the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Alan Fincher, presidents and vice-presidents of the Slovenian Clubs in Victoria; and community members, certainly appreciated the warm and friendly anniversary of the old vine. I am delighted to be involved in this project, which strengthens relations between Slovenia and Australia – and I look forward to the first vintage from the old vine