Citizens’ Meeting 2026 in Slovenia
25 May 2026, Reading time: 3 minutes
A coach full of anticipation. Host families instead of the hotel routine. Young people, new encounters, old friendships. International conversations set to folk-rock, opera arias and the “Kul-Bazar”.
And that is precisely why this weekend in Šentjur was so very different from what many people imagine a town twinning partnership to be.
Even the journey there has a festival vibe
Five o’clock in the morning at the coach park — far too early, really.
And yet: a great atmosphere right from the start. A coach full of anticipation. Host families instead of the usual hotel routine. Young people, new encounters, old friendships. International conversations set to folk-rock, opera arias and the “Kul-Bazar”. Between coffee, travel snacks and the first conversations, it quickly became clear that this wasn’t going to be your average club trip.Five o’clock in the morning at the coach park — far too early, really.
And yet: a great atmosphere right from the start. A coach full of anticipation. Host families instead of the usual hotel routine. Young people, new encounters, old friendships. International conversations set to folk-rock, opera arias and the “Kul-Bazar”. Between coffee, travel snacks and the first conversations, it quickly became clear that this wasn’t going to be your average club trip.
By the time we’d passed Austria, it was clear: this tour group was a success.
Why host families are simply unbeatable
Anyone can run a hotel. The best moments usually happen when you’re sitting together at the kitchen table, laughing at the mix of languages, or suddenly realising just how similar people really are, wherever they are.
That is precisely what makes town twinning so special.
The Kul-Bazar was a small European festival
Music. Conversations. Food. International encounters. The “Kul-Bazar” brought people from all over the world together in the heart of Šentjur — in an open, warm atmosphere, completely free of any formal or stuffy event atmosphere.
Or, to put it simply: pretty much the exact opposite of what many people associate with town twinning.
The finale? Everything — except the usual
To simply call the closing night a ‘colourful evening’ would probably have been the understatement of the weekend. With opera arias, folk-rock, an international audience, spontaneous conversations and a great deal of good cheer, the evening evolved into something somewhere between a cultural festival, a gathering of friends and a European family celebration. Mojca and Primož Hladnik gave us some real goose-bump moments with the famous drinking song from Verdi’s La Traviata — and less than half an hour later, everyone was dancing.
It is evenings like these that you end up remembering:
Not because of any formal programme, but because of that special feeling of having shared an experience together.It is evenings like these that you end up remembering:
Not because of any formal programme, but because of that special feeling of having shared an experience together.
Thursday: Arrival, reunions and European encounters
The town twinning event officially began on Thursday at the Ipavec Cultural Centre in Šentjur. Following an ecumenical service at St George’s Parish Church, the hosts welcomed the international guests from Neu-Anspach and Saint-Florent-sur-Cher. Alongside many familiar faces, there were also numerous new encounters — and it was precisely this mix that made the atmosphere special from the very first evening. Neu-Anspach’s mayor, Birger Strutz, also used the days to hold discussions with Mayor Marko Diaci and other representatives of the town of Šentjur. The focus was not only on the long-standing partnerships, but also on new ideas for future projects and exchanges
Friday: History, nature and Slovenian legends
On Friday, the tour group first headed to Rogatec. There, history came to life in the impressive open-air museum: historic farmhouses, traditional workshops and fascinating insights into the region’s past made the visit a little journey back in time. The tour then continued to Rogaška Slatina — one of Slovenia’s most famous spa towns. There, magnificent architecture blends with nature, healing waters and a unique atmosphere. And, of course, the accompanying Slovenian legend could not be missing: according to legend, it was Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology, who struck the ground with his hoof to create the famous healing spring.
Between the observation tower, the spa gardens and our conversations together, many of those little moments arose – the ones that often stay with you the most in the long run.
Saturday: Kul-Bazar, music and plenty of international flair
On Saturday, Šentjur’s Obermarkt was transformed into an international hub brimming with music, encounters and cultural diversity. At the ‘Kul-Bazar’, people from a wide variety of nations showcased their cultures, specialities and traditions. The name perfectly captured the atmosphere: somewhere between a cultural festival, a street party and an international gathering. Everywhere, people were chatting, laughing, sampling food and taking photos. The boundaries between guests, hosts and nations blurred quite quickly. In addition, participants were able to visit the house of the famous Ipavec family of composers as well as the town’s museum collections. A particular highlight: guided tours were offered specifically in German and French.
Youth programme: experiencing Europe as a matter of course
Alongside the official programme, the youth group from Neu-Anspach was also out and about.
Pupils from the Adolf Reichwein School took part in their own international programme alongside young people from Šentjur — organised by the Šentjur Youth Centre under the leadership of Ines Zelič.
The programme included, among other things:
It is precisely encounters like these that show just how straightforward and natural international interaction can be for young people today.
Symbolic gifts for guests
Of course, gifts were exchanged as well — though these were far more personal than the usual standard souvenirs. Neu-Anspach brought a hand-carved owl from the Taunus region — a symbol of wisdom, friendship and a vision that transcends borders. The hosts from Šentjur, in turn, presented Neu-Anspach and Saint-Florent-sur-Cher each with an apple tree of a traditional regional variety.
A fine symbol of town twinning arrangements that have developed over many years — and are set to continue to bear fruit
💙And what remains:
Lots of new acquaintances. Old friendships. A whole host of stories.
And probably the realisation that Europe is sometimes at its strongest precisely where people are out and about together, laughing together and simply spending time with one another.
