Oddelek za stike z javnostjo

News Release

Ljubljana, May 24, 2011

U.S. EMBASSY LJUBLJANA USES BOB DYLAN COVER

TO PROMOTE VOLUNTEERISM IN SLOVENIA

As American music icon Bob Dylan celebrates his 70^th birthday, the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana is planning to showcase Dylan’s legacy, and also to promote volunteerism among Slovenia’s youth. The Embassy is marking Dylan’s May 24^th birthday by releasing a CD featuring legendary Slovenian musicians covering different Dylan songs. Each song represents a different issue, and an accompanying book, loaded with information, was designed to raise awareness among the youth about issues which are vital to Slovenians.

The CD features many of Slovenia’s best-known musicians, and represents an amazing overview of both the deep talent and diverse styles here. Musicians include Vlado Kreslin, Laibach, Katalena, Zoran Predin, Hic et Nunc, Mia Žnidarič, Niet, 6 Pack Čukur, Severa, Chris Eckman & the Frictions, Brina, Peter Lovšin, Murat & Jose, and even world famous opera soprano Sabina Cvilak. Each artist chose their own Dylan song, and each have managed to put their unique stamp on songs that range from throughout Dylan’s 50 year career. Chris Eckman, an American musician living in Ljubljana, and a founding member of the American band the Walkabouts, served as the project’s music director.

The project, which was conceived by U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Christopher Wurst, includes the music CD, a documentary film, a Dylan film festival and a major autumn concert at Križanke. “Our goal was to showcase an American icon who is almost equally iconic in Slovenia,” said Wurst, “and at the same time encourage young Slovenians to get involved with issues that affect them—just as Dylan has done with generations of Americans and people around the world.”

The project was supported by funding from the U.S. State Department’s relatively new Fund for Innovation, a funding source for creative projects aiming to showcase different aspects of American culture, especially to young people around the world. While this might have been the first time American diplomats have actually become music producers, the Fund for Innovation is helping diplomats break down old, preconceived notions about old fashioned cultural diplomacy, and helping to find actual avenues of mutual understanding.

It doesn’t hurt that Dylan still enjoys god-like status in Slovenia—something that becomes clear when listening to the passion in these performances. However, the music itself was a hook to get young Slovenes thinking about the wider world around them.

While the main theme of the project is volunteerism, it also aims to raise awareness about a large number of issues, including human trafficking, violence against women, child abuse, children’s health issues, mental and physical handicaps, youth drug prevention, active citizenship, asylum issues, the environment, fighting against corruption, development and global issues, and regional cooperation.

The documentary film captures both the artists learning how to adapt the different Dylan songs, and also highlights the above issues, and showcases work being done at the grassroots level by Slovenian volunteers. Award-winning filmmakers Maja Weiss and Peter Braatz are directing the film, entitled “Forever Young,” which will make its premiere on RTV Slovenia in September. The film will also be distributed by the U.S. Embassy to Slovenian schools.

Later in September, a Bob Dylan film festival will be featured at Kinoteka, followed by a large concert on September 21^st, at Križanke. The concert, which be mounted by the U.S. Embassy and Slovenska Filantropija, will include many of the artists featured on the CD, and will be used exclusively to promote volunteerism in Slovenia.