Slovenian friends make song and dance in field

AN accordionist played traditional music at a gathering hosted by the British-Slovene Society.

The picnic, which is held annually, took place in Gillotts Corner Field last Saturday.

A gazebo was set up next to the Slovenian hayrack, which was donated to Henley by the society in 2022 in celebration of Henley’s twinning with the lakeside town of Bled.

The hayrack, which is known as a “kozolec”, is a familiar sight in the Slovenian countryside and they are traditionally used to dry crops and hay.

Despite a brief rain shower, guests enjoyed sunshine and warm temperatures.

Nina Kralj, who works as an economic attaché for the Slovenian Embassy in London, played several tunes on the accordion.

Ms Kralj said she had been playing the instrument for about 20 years but it would be one of the first outings for her accordion, which was brand new. Ms Kralj said: “For me, it brings people together and everybody always knows one song to sing along to. Some of the folk songs are passed down from generation to generation.”

Evelina Ferrar, who chairs the British-Slovene Society, explained that music could be categorised as Oberkrain music, which is a lively genre of folk music originating from the Oberkrain region of Slovenia but is now popular in Austria and Germany.

Ana and Joe Carr travelled from Oxford to see the hayrack. The couple met at university and got married last year in Slovenia where Ana grew up.

Mrs Carr, who is from Ljubljana, said: “It’s nice to see one that is nicely kept, as it’s newer in Slovenia they are often not kept as nicely.

“When you are in Slovenia, you don’t really notice them, you only notice it’s not there when you are somewhere else.”

Mr Carr described Slovenia as one of the most beautiful countries. “It’s just got a bit of everything,” he said.