The City of Sighs lives at the time of the Slovenian Presidency of the European Union and the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (2008) when Ljubljana, like the whole of Europe, is a set of many events dealing with this topic. Therefore, also this City breathes to remind the Slovenians that we can decide what we carry already in our name – “love”. The castle city can then be nothing more than love – love for our country and nation, love between individuals, parents and their children, friends and neighbours – and the easiest way to express it is through art, music, film and literature. Thus love between Slovenians as individuals and Slovenians as a nation is represented by lively ghosts and living legends of Slovenian music, which have resonated in our ears for ages, and we can identify with them. Music is always supranational and international, and it can easily breach the gap between locals and foreigners, it connects us. When we are at a loss for words, music speaks.
Despite love, some Slovenian literary and film heroes who are a part of Slovenian national archetypal essence are not at a loss for words. They lead and guide us through history and musical ambience at Ljubljana Castle. Although they are timeless, they try to optimistically look into the bright future, relieved of their historical despondency and neglect.
Therefore, the cluster of music and mythical beings creates a grid of connections in Slovenian space and time which, sometimes with its generality and excessive influence, transcends the Slovenian space and time. It reaches where rules the culture of the heart freed from servant′s insignificance.
Ana Kržišnik
