Tina Maze:"There’s no place like home!"

Perseverance, sustainability, diligence, innovation, creativity and passion for everything we love – these are the values that connect us. They are also embodied by Tina Maze, the greatest Slovenian skier of all time, who proudly represents her homeland to the world.

From Goričko to Piran

Despite its small size, Slovenia offers a wealth of diversity: 

from the emerald-green Soča River, across the Karst region to the vibrant capital of Ljubljana, marked by the work of architect Jože Plečnik, and further still to the Adriatic Sea, over the rolling hills and vineyards of Dolenjska to the flatlands of Prekmurje.

As Tina Maze says: "In the morning, you can ski in the Julian Alps, and in the afternoon, you can dive into the Adriatic Sea." Discover this green land, where more than half of the country is covered by forests and which is home to over 15,000 animal species, 850 of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Take a walk through the narrow streets of Ptuj, Slovenia’s oldest town, and uncover its rich history.

Slovenia lives and breathes sport

Sport is written into the DNA of Slovenians – 70% of the population participates in sports at least recreationally. Slovenia’s diverse landscape is perfect for outdoor activities. There's nothing better than discovering Slovenia with your lungs full of fresh air – on a bike, skis, in a boat or on foot.

Here, sport is celebrated with its own holiday – the Day of Slovenian Sport on 23 September. Slovenian athletes and para-athletes regularly win top international medals.

Tina Maze won 26 World Cup victories during her career, making her the most successful alpine skier in Slovenia’s history. Let her take you to her first ski slope in Črna na Koroškem or to Planica, where, back in 1934, it was proven for the first time that humans can fly on skis.

Culture as the soul of the nation

Like sport, culture is an integral part of the Slovenian identity. How important culture is in our hearts is demonstrated by the fact that the central square of Ljubljana is not dominated by a statue of a politician or a military leader, but of the poet France Prešeren, the author of Slovenia’s national anthem, Zdravljica.

Only about 2.5 million people speak Slovenian, yet the language has a long and rich history. The oldest records in the Slovenian language, the Brižinski spomeniki (Freising Manuscripts), are believed to date back to around the year 1000.

Tina Maze is particularly fond of the Slovenian dual grammatical form: "We use it when we want to say two people are walking, skiing or loving each other." 

Slovenia boasts many world-renowned artists and creators. Its natural and cultural gems have inspired not only local talents, but also famous international authors and artists, including Ernest Hemingway.

A small country of great achievements

Slovenia is not just a land of natural beauty, but also of innovation. Did you know that the oldest wooden wheel with an axle in the world was found in Slovenia? And that there is not a single car that does not have at least one part manufactured in Slovenia? Slovenian innovation and expertise are shaping not only the future of Slovenia, but also of the world.

Physicist and mathematician Jožef Stefan and rocket engineer Herman Noordung Potočnik were just two of the pioneers who paved the way for Slovenian science and pushed the boundaries of what is possible with their research.

Slovenia’s largest scientific research institute is named after Jožef Stefan and it was its researchers who helped make cyclist Primož Roglič so successful today.

In addition to outstanding achievements in sports and culture, Slovenian economy and science, working hand-in-hand, are putting the country on the global map.

Typically Slovenian

Slovenian expertise, success and innovation extend far beyond the country’s borders. Modesty, diligence and creativity are the common denominators of the Slovenian people.

One of Slovenia’s defining qualities – also embodied by Tina Maze – is certainly perseverance. "On my journey, I have often hit rock bottom and wanted to give up, but I picked myself up and moved forward even stronger."

The bond with nature is evident at every turn; almost every Slovenian has a garden where they grow vegetables, which are proudly served as part of a traditional Sunday lunch. Walks, fresh air and home-grown food are part of the Slovenian way of life, which Tina Maze also lives by. Slovenians cherish unspoiled nature and are committed to preserving it for future generations.