Slovenia attending the Olympic Games in Paris with its Slovenia House

SLOVENIA, July 22 - The Olympic Games and the Slovenia House project are an excellent opportunity to strengthen international relations and comprehensively present Slovenia through the national brand I feel Slovenia in the international community and in France as Slovenia’s important strategic partner.

During the Olympic Games from 27 July to 11 August this year, the Slovenia House will serve as Slovenia's information, presentation and event hub for the French and global public. The Parisian park of La Villette, the site of some other national Olympic committees’ houses, including France as the host country, will also house a French television studio and the largest official fan zone.

The Slovenia House will be dedicated to promoting Slovenia in the broadest sense, as it will represent a place where sport meets the Slovenian economy, tourism, culture, science, natural heritage, gastronomy, etc. It will facilitate networking among businesspeople, entrepreneurs, and representatives of politics and culture and will help Slovenia present the best it has to offer. The Slovenia House will be the venue of various business meetings and conferences, discussions, bilateral meetings and gatherings, product and company presentations, and promotions of Slovenia’s tourism.

The Slovenia House Paris 2024 project, which was supported by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, is the brainchild of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia – Association of Sports Federations (OKS-ZŠZ) in cooperation with its partners, namely the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, the public agencies SPIRIT Slovenia and the Slovenian Tourist Board (STO), Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Paris and the Government Communication Office (UKOM).

The Slovenia House’s diverse programme will provide an opportunity to strengthen international relations, spread Slovenia’s positive influence throughout the world and build bridges between people. Several government departments worked together to design the programme content in order to ensure that the events held at the Slovenia House will be both interesting and varied.

The Slovenia House will be open every day during the Olympics from 10:00 am to 10:30 pm and will attract visitors with a programme held both in front of and inside the house itself, where admission will only be possible with special accreditation. The outer part of the house (the “patio”) will be intended for the general public, but, at the same time, it will also serve as a meeting point for Slovenian fans arriving in Paris with a varied fan programme and animations. The venues of the competitions with the participation of Slovenian athletes will thus be dotted by thousands of green I feel Slovenia flags and other cheering props provided by Slovenian Tourist Board and Government Communication Office.

The Slovenia House will also be the venue of round tables held by the Olympic Committee of Slovenia – Association of Sports Federations, dealing with topical issues presented by prominent guest speakers, touching upon subjects such as gender equality in sports, sustainability, the green breakthrough, and athletes’ dual careers. The Slovenia House will be a meeting place with Olympians and members of this year's Olympic team of Slovenia.

Visitors to the Slovenia House will have access to a special issue of the Sinfo magazine, which is published by the government's Communications Office and will be the official publication of the Slovenia House. SPIRIT Slovenia also recognised an opportunity to promote the key advantages of the Slovenian economy in placing ads in a special edition of the Podjetna Slovenija magazine – in the SLOVENIAN CHAMPIONS – Sport & Business section, which the publisher prepared in cooperation with Olympic Committee of Slovenia – Association of Sports Federations.

The Government Communication Office, in cooperation with the Slovenian Press Agency, has curated a captivating photo exhibition showcasing Slovenian athletes competing at the Olympic Games. This historical journey begins in Stockholm in 1912 and, through a selection of photographs from the extensive archives of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia – Association of Sports Federations and the Slovenian Press Agency, culminates with the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. The exhibition captures the essence of sporting achievement, the effort invested, and the joy of victory. These moments, frozen in time through the lens of skilled photographers, tell the story of the Slovenian nation's greatest and most significant sporting triumphs. To further promote Slovenia as a sustainable tourist destination, the Government Communication Office, in cooperation with Triglav National Park –- which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year – has organised the the 'Eternal Change' exhibition. The exhibition tells the story of Triglav National Park and the changes it has undergone in recent decades.

The theme of the 100th anniversary will be showcased at the Slovenia House with an exhibition featuring Olympian Leon Štukelj's exhibits, marking the centenary of his gold medal win at the Paris Olympics.

On Tuesday, 30 July 2024, the Slovenian Government Office for Slovenians Abroad will host an event for Slovenians in France at the Slovenia House in Paris. State Secretary Vesna Humar and the Slovenian Ambassador to France, Metka Ipavic will discuss the situation and challenges facing Slovenians in France. The day will be rounded off with a pleasant evening and reception for Slovenians living in France. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Slovenians Abroad, Matej Arčon, will also speak at the event.

The Ministry of Culture is participating in a varied programme in cooperation with the Nova Gorica and Gorizia – European Capital of Culture 2025. Minister Asta Vrečko will take part in a roundtable on synergies between culture, sport and tourism at the Slovenia House.

The public institution GO! 2025, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, will stage a concert by the music group Manouche for a broad audience, along with performances by various dance groups. An agreement between the municipalities of Nova Gorica and Saint-Denis will also be signed on this occasion by the Mayor of Nova Gorica, Samo Turel, and the Mayor of Saint-Denis, Mathieu Hanotin.

Director of the Government Communication Office Petra Bezjak Cirman, head of the working group coordinating the Slovenia House project in Paris, emphasised that the Slovenia House in Paris aims to present Slovenia as a top sports and tourist destination, highlighting our values such as outdoor activities and a healthy lifestyle. “As part of the integrated communication efforts, the Slovenia House and all events will focus on promoting the national brand ‘I feel Slovenia’, which is managed the Government Communication Office. I am confident that we have ensured that the Slovenia House will represent Slovenia's sports, heartiness, creativity, rich cultural heritage, dynamic economy and tourism, and will bring together everyone who is interested in or passionate about Slovenia. Our athletes’ traditionally outstanding sporting results put us on par with the most developed countries. We want to attract many athletes, business people, politicians, media representatives and other guests to the Slovenia House," added Ms Bezjak Cirman.

Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sport Matjaž Han emphasised, "I am particularly looking forward to the Olympic Games in Paris because we are sending the largest Slovenian team ever to this year's Games. The proximity of the Games will make it easier for Slovenian fans to go and cheer on our athletes. Just competing at the Olympics is a remarkable achievement. When we all breathe the colours of our flag, we are always overwhelmed by a unifying optimism, a feeling of great belonging and commitment to the community. And let it be the same at this year's Olympic Games." Minister Han also underlined the importance of the Slovenia House: "It will bring fans together in the middle of Paris and, together with the athletes, spread the word about Slovenia as a green, prosperous, safe and boutique gastronomic region with a reliable and supportive business environment and a thriving economy."

SPIRIT Slovenia and its partners are sending three economic delegations to France during the Olympic Games, two to Paris and one to Marseille. The Paris economic delegation event on e-mobility and sustainable development will take place from 30 July to 2 August. The delegation, which will include representatives of 18 Slovenian companies and institutions, is jointly organised by SPIRIT Slovenia, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Paris and the Managers' Association. On 31 July, the delegation will hold a business forum at the Slovenia House entitled "New Trends in Business Partnerships for a More Competitive EU", where prominent Slovenian and international experts will discuss the future of the European automotive industry and the EU's competitiveness, and the role of Slovenian companies in this process.

The second business delegation to Paris, which will take place from 6 to 8 August and will be made up of 24 Slovenian companies and institutions, is being prepared by SPIRIT Slovenia, the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia – International Relations Department, the Slovenian Olympic Committee, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Paris, and local partners. On 7 August, the delegation will take part in the business forum "Slovenian Sports Champions at the Olympic Games", at which Slovenia will be presented as a business innovation hub. The Marseille business delegation event will take place from 6 to 9 August, held by SPIRIT Slovenia together with the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia and the Koper Regional Chamber of Craft and Small Business.

In France, the SPIRIT Slovenia is also launching a 30-day publicity campaign based on the national communication campaign to promote the Slovenian economy abroad: "I feel Slovenia. Green. Creative. Smart.«. The campaign will also be digitally branded with the Slovenia House image.

The Slovenian Tourist Board has identified the Olympic Games in Paris as a unique opportunity to present Slovenia as an attractive tourist destination. It has developed a number of communication and marketing activities to exhibit Slovenia to the general, business and media public as an attractive, boutique and sustainability-committed destination where sport, active experiences, unspoilt nature and tourism are closely intertwined. Together with the Olympic Committee of Slovenia, it has already launched a joint campaign: "Success is in our genes".

The Slovenian Tourist Board will hold two events at the Slovenia House. On 29 July, a tourism workshop will take place, presenting Slovenia as a sustainable tourist destination and holding bilateral meetings between French travel agents and Slovenian tourism service providers. On 10 August, Slovenia will be presented to the foreign media, with top chef Ana Roš as the guest of the evening.

Press contact: ifeelslovenia@gov.si and press@olympic.si

Accreditations for the indoor part of the Slovenia House are available via the media form.