TRADITIONAL WEDDING

Dragotin Ferdinand Ripšl (1820-1887) was a priest who journeyed across Slovenia and wrote exemplary parochial chronicles where one could read about the history of a city, the weather and winds, about native clothing, the trade, the industry, hunting and fishing. But to the people of Laško, Ripšl is known for its book Kronika župnije sv. Miklavž nad Laškim (St Nicholas above Laško parish chronicles). It was translated, amended, and edited by Jože Maček, and published by Celjska Mohorjeva Družba in 2015. The members of Zveza Možnar’s Etno odbor – Jure Krašovec, Irena Muej, and Vlado Marot at the time – have gathered the information for their staging of a traditional wedding right from Ripšl’s book, and today their production is known as one of truly authentic displays of old wedding traditions during the second half of 19th century in this area.

Traditional wedding happening at Pivo in Cvetje Laško Festival will already be the 50th! The customs show the bride’s farewell from home, the set-up of traditional šranga and the game connected to it (an intentional street obstruction made by local boys with the intent of letting the bride to the church, but only if the groom earns it), stealing the bride’s flower crown, the larma (gifts for the bride), traditional wedding dances, and the arrival of the bride to the groom’s home. The whole production, including the ceremony, lasts around two hours, and is played exemplary by the members of Anton Tanc Folklore group coming from Marija Gradec, and the members of Šentrupert Cultural-Artistic Society. As the 50th couple, bride Barbara Knez from Laško, and groom Nejc Mašek from Velenje will be wed during Pivo in Cvetje Laško Festival. You’re cordially invited to join the merry celebration!