On 9 May each year Ljubljana - the City of Heroes, celebrates its most important holiday when all citizens and residents commemorate the victory of our beautiful city and the Partisan Army over the occupier in 1945.

In light of the measures taken against the coronavirus epidemic, Ljubljana marked this year’s city holiday in its own, unique way. The Mayor Zoran Janković congratulated via video message all Ljubljana's citizens with a special mention of this year's recipients of the titles of Honorary Citizens of the City of Ljubljana, Prof. Dr. Gabi Čačinovič-Vogrinčič and Acad. Prof. Emer. Jože Mencinger, as well as the recipients of other highest city recognitions.

Every year, on the weekend closest to 9th May, the traditional recreational march on the Path along the Wire, which intimidatingly surrounded Ljubljana in the Second World War, takes place to commemorate this historic event.
Despite having been officially postponed to the next year, many people chose to walk the Path, honouring Ljubljana’s legacy while taking care of their health, taking into account all safety requirements. Namely, in addition to the commemoration of the historic event, the main aim of the march is to promote exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

The traditional march on the Path along the Wire - The Path of Memories and Comradeship that circles Ljubljana (32.5km-long), photo: D.Končar, source Timing Ljubljana

Honorary Citizens of Ljubljana for 2020

On 9 May, the Ljubljana City Holiday, we awarded two titles Honorary Citizen of Ljubljana for 2020. The recipients were Prof. Dr. Gabi Čačinovič Vogrinčič and Acad. Prof. Emer. Dr. Jože Mencinger.

We need a different humane world

Distinguished Honorary Citizen Gabi Čačinovič Vogrinčič, what does the award of the title Honorary Citizen mean to you?

Today I am thankful, happy, very honoured. But when I found out I was actually chosen to receive this honorary title, I was first overwhelmed by doubt, anxiety and concern – can I, am I deserving? It helped when I realised that the recognition is not meant just for me but for the social work, science and profession which brings important knowledge for the co-creation of the community we need in this millennium, a community protecting the public good, human rights, the dignity of each individual. I am grateful and proud.

Photo: Miha Fras

What did Ljubljana give you in life, how social is Ljubljana, to what extent is Ljubljana a city of solidarity?

I have spent all my adult life in Ljubljana, I have a lot of good associations with Ljubljana. Both me and my husband were happy to stay at the University after the conclusion of our studies. I received my diploma and doctorate in Ljubljana, I was given the opportunity in Ljubljana to dedicate all my working life as a teacher, researcher and co-creator in aid processes to social work. Our home is in Ljubljana, our children were born in Ljubljana, we have many friends in Ljubljana. I carry the sweet plain of Prekmurje in my heart, but I like Ljubljana, I like living here.
Ljubljana is social city of solidarity, it protects the public good, it is respectful of the accomplishments of the welfare state from the period of socialism. My city cares for the public health-care and educational system, culture for all. But even Ljubljana cannot go beyond the limits set by the brutal neoliberal capitalism. I wish we could all rise up against it.

How are you spending your time during social distancing and what do you wish to impart on the citizens of Ljubljana during this unusual experience?

I am spending it in solidarity, I have stayed at home all these weeks, I am following recommendations, washing hands, using disinfectants, wearing a mask, waving to my grandchildren from a distance of 10 metres. I am keeping the physical distance which is mandatory for all of us. But socialising and closeness with the loved ones remain. Over the telephone, Skype, e-mail, and it means a lot to me. Through these connections I am experiencing a new connectedness of an aware community, which is promoting solidarity and is thinking of the future.
I want for all of us in Ljubljana to protect and promote the precious experience of a community of solidarity, which we are experiencing right now. A good outcome of the pandemic cannot be to go back to the world as it was before. In a humane community of solidarity we realize we need a different humane world. It will be a world directed towards the protection of the environment, water and air, addressing climate change and unconditional protection of the welfare state.

Ljubljana and Slovenia can be role models of a socially oriented system

Distinguished Honorary Citizen Dr. Jože Mencinger, your professional path has always been linked to Ljubljana. Has your view of the city been changing over the years?

I am from Jesenice, I came to Ljubljana as s student in 1960, since then I have lived more or less uninterruptedly in Ljubljana, and since 1973 with my family in a terrace apartment building in Koseze, which is perhaps the best residential neighbourhood with a comprehensive infrastructure. Until my retirement I remained affiliated with the Faculty of Law and the University in Ljubljana.
My view of Ljubljana has been changing together with the changing city, which in the opinion of visitors is one of the cleanest and safest cities with a complete infrastructure just like in cities with over million inhabitants, while it is only a half an hour away from Krvavec and an hour and a half from the sea. That is why living in Ljubljana is very pleasant; in takes one hour by bicycle to get from north to south or east to west.

Photo: Miha Fras

The coronavirus period has shaken the global economy to its core. You are a great critic of liberal capitalism which has proved to be inefficient during this time. What future system could withstand such shocks?

Already during high school I declared myself as a social democrat and remained one; I became fascinated with social democracy during summer work in Hamburg. Of course, my criticism of liberal capitalism is understandable. Perhaps this unexpected and unique crisis has revealed all weaknesses of liberal capitalism and advantages of an economy with a public health-care and educational system and social protection. Even people who feel the country is in their way when not need, now seek its help. With all the misfortune the virus brought about; economic problems are still to come and in their severity they will be comparable to the ones in 1930, but it seems that the crisis announced the end of faith in unbridled capitalism.

Can a city as Ljubljana, which is known as a city of solidarity, form a new social system, which will be just for all and sustainably oriented?

Of course, Ljubljana cannot form a new social system on its own, neither can Slovenia. But both Ljubljana and Slovenia can serve as role models of a functioning socially oriented system. Perhaps the following story best tells how well we are actually doing. After forty years since my studies in the USA a classmate from Chile visited me. He could not believe how clean the city was and he kept asking me where are the poor.

How are you spending your time during social distancing and has this trying experience with the coronavirus brought about anything good?

I will not say that I found quite a few restrictions senseless and stupid, but I myself had no problems with them. I even took more walks through the forest to Rožnik. Perhaps I am mistaken, but is seems to me that people are becoming kinder. Objectively it is certainly true that the corona crisis improved the cleanliness of air, but this was never a problem in Ljubljana.