Slovenian Women's Union of America NYC

Dinner with Mirjam at Djerdan

Branch 93 members have gathered several times this summer.

There was a nice turnout for A Night in Slovenia, a National Geographic Traveler reception/concert at the end of May in New York's Town Hall. The event was attended by a mix of Slovenians, Slovenian-Americans and those who either know about or were curious about Slovenia. The food and wine stations were beautifully set-up at the Millennium Hotel, as part of the pre-concert wine tasting and food sampling event. The concert featured the best of Slovenia's contemporary music talent in rock, jazz and folk, including an internationally known Slovenian band Laibach.

Ria (Polajner) Whitmire and Lynn Zalokar attended a Slovenian Independence Day event (speakers and luncheon) in Bethlehem, PA in June. Dr. Zvone Žigon, Slovenia's Consul General in Cleveland, spoke at the event and thanked individuals, as well as members of various Slovenian organizations, because we "act as ambassadors on behalf of Slovenia".

Mirjam Hladnik, a former branch 93 member back in Ljubljana, was in Cleveland, OH in June to screen the documentary 100% Slovenian. There were over 200 attendees (a standing room only crowd)! The documentary was first shown in the U.S./NYC in November of 2005 (for details see branch event report "100% Slovenian premiers in New York to rave reviews"). Mirjam visited NYC after Cleveland and a few members/friends met up with her at Djerdan (a Balkans restaurant in Midtown).

Branch 93 members were notified of At the Crossroads: Slovenian Cinema, Slovenian Film Festival in NYC July 16-22. A diverse program of Slovenians films (sub-titled in English), which over the years have become an increasingly familiar presence at international film festivals, offered an opportunity to hear the Slovenian language and to see Slovenia and Slovenians on screen. Members and friends in the area attended the screenings independently.

The Sound of One Hand Clapping by Richard Flanagan was passed among members as part of our books initiative. It's a dazzling novel of war, family, migration, and the search for new beginnings. It's set in Tasmania and is the story of a Slovenian immigrant family after WWII. This book is available at most public libraries, bookstores and online bookstores, but contact Lynn Zalokar if you want to borrow the book.


New York City Branch of Slovenian Women's Union of America