Ptuj, most probably the oldest town in Slovenia, has been a FECC member for 15 years, and has represented Slovenia in this international federation during the same period. The membership in the Federation of European Carnival Cities has undoubtedly contributed to the enrichment and growth of the most prominent cultural-carnival-entertaining event called Kurentovanje.

The exchange of ethnographic and carnival groups among FECC members during all these years, has earned Ptuj and Kurentovanje the status of the Slovene Carnival Capital in the European Environment.

Groups came from Austria, Italy, Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Brasil, while the Kurent and Korant groups and other traditional carnival figures from the region (rusa – a four-legged animal, orači – ploughmen, pokarji – whip-men, vile – fairies, piceki – chicken, kopjaši – spearsmen, medvedi – bears) have brought the fame of the Ptuj carnival all over Europe.
In 1997, Ptuj and Maribor successfully organised the 16th FECC Congress.

We are convinced that Dies Natalis 2007 organised in Ptuj, Slovenia will be a successful event, and that we will be able to meet demands of every guest coming from European carnival cities. Therefore, Dear Carnival Colleagues, let us celebrate together our FECC and the new shinning European star.
Discover Ptuj – the town of the Kurent and hundreds of faces – and Slovenia during FECC Dies Natalis 2007.

Branko Brumen,
President FECC Slovenia