THANKS SLOVENIA

Slovenia had no pilgrims 400 years ago, and no revolutionary war, only a ten day war and a quick transistion to capitalism and EU membership, 19 and 6 years ago respectively.

Slovenia has no national bird either. And no day to eat the “almost national bird”. Today is Thanks giving in the US, but just another day in Slovenia.

They do have other national symbols though. The red carnation is so widely cultivated here, that they consider it their the national flower. And they have a national poet of course, Frances Preseren.

Red carnations at Preseren's feet

The Olm, Carniolan Honeybee, and the Lipizzaner are three animal-type national symbols, as they are all endemic to Slovenia. And if they had a national tree, it would be the Linden, or Lime tree, which is a recognized part of Slovene heritage because village meetings and councils were held at circular tables under these trees.

And there is Mt. Triglav, an incredible alp mountain which is used in the coat of arms and on the Slovenian flag.

Lipizzaners

Mt. Triglav National Park

And finally, the kozolec is the Slovene national architectural symbol, as it is a form of drying rack for animal fodder, that is found in about 80% of Slovenia, and is unique to it. Kozolec means hayrack, and these Slovene hayracks are beautifully designed, freestanding ,made of wood, and ubiquitous. They dot the village landscapes, and the highway landscapes as well.

Kozolec in Slovenian countryside

Kozolec drying corn

But if Slovenia did have a national bird, it would have to be the pigeon. They are ubiquitous as well. And not just in the city.

In the late 18th century in the alpine part of Slovenia it was custom to hang hand- carved wooden or paper pigeons in one’s home. The pigeon symbolized the holy spirit, and together with a cross, it completed the "home altar" in Slovene living rooms. The carving was intricate, and the wood was cut carefully into thin layers and then opened out into the shape of a fan.

Here is what Google and the Slovene translator have to say about these pigeons.

“Sometimes pigeons were hung on a thin string or even on horsehair. Very often the string was tied to the entrance door and when the door opened the pigeon above the table swung. Therefore, with good humour we can say that this pigeon represents the oldest model of a house intercom. Only a rare number of people have continued the tradition of making carved wooden pigeons.”

Now, they are on a Slovene stamp too. And they can be found at local crafts shops, and they are very lovely indeed.

And I think I know what inspired all that pigeon carving. Like the Slovene human gene pool, the pigeon gene pool here is quite remarkable.

No pigeons allowed

Pigeons forbidden