| Maribor Fila 2006 > Bulletin 1 |
Connecting of philatelists from regions affiliated to Working Agreement Alpe Adria started in 1995 after initiative from Austria. The first protocol about collaboration was signed then and in Deutschlandsberg in Austrian Styria the first jointly exhibition took place. In spite of the fact that in Alpe Adria Philately, as we usually called our connection, collaborate particular regions, all duties and rights are divided by countries (states). The same is with philatelic exhibitions, the most effective and permanent form of collaboration. After Austrians in the year 1996 exhibition was in Kesthely in Hungary and in the year 1998 exhibition was in Croatia in Split. The first exhibition with international participation, where for the first time were also the Bavarians, took place six years ago in Ljubljana (Slovenia). Alpe-Jadran Fila 99 was successful as a whole; we had also a FEPA support and vice president Mr. Eitner visited us then. That meant that European collectors start to recognize Slovenian philately, philatelic work of Slovenian philatelists and their organization, Slovenian Philatelic Association. After this event exhibition follows in Codroipo (Italy), Graz (Austria), Garmish Partenkirchen (Germany), Zalaegerszeg (Hungary), Zagreb (Croatia) and Giubiasco (Switzerland) this year. The next year is turn on Slovenia again.
Slovenia Philatelic Asociation entrust the organization of the Alpe-Jadran Fila 2006 to the Philatelic Society in Maribor. A lot of different steps in preparing this event are already done but a huge amount of problems are still waiting to be solved. We honestly believe that we shall be able to do everything to pleasure all exhibitors, guests and visitors on the exhibition. We believe that this exhibition will be even more successful then the second state exhibition FILA Maribor 96. The logo of the exhibition was once again done by academic sculptor Andrejka Čufer. It expresses connection of the Alps and the Adriatic see with typical post's (and with this also with philatelic) element, postal machine stamp. The same artist designed also the motif of pictured postal card, which will issued by Post of Slovenia. Motif symbolizes the area between the Alps and the Adriatic, area with very different regions which were connected through history for centuries. For all that in this area people speak five languages and there are a lot of other differences, all of them unite the wish for cooperation. Philatelists from this area were realizing that wish already for last ten years. I am convinced that also Alpe-Jadran Fila 2006 will add a shining particle into the mosaic of events and manifestations of good cooperation in this space.  Maribor – the host city of Alpe-Jadran Fila 2006
Maribor is the second largest city in Slovenia. It is also the economic and cultural centre of northeastern Slovenia. It is situated at the cross-section of traffic routes leading from Central to southeastern Europe, and from western Central Europe to the Pannonian Lowland. This location has not only made Maribor prominent in past and present history but, because of it, Maribor’s prominence is likely to continue in the future. The climate is of a middle-european to pannonian type. The commune of Maribor today measures 356.6 km2. According to the 1981 census, this area is inhabited by around 156.000 people. In a millennium or so Maribor has had ups and downs. As its history shows, it was not a large or important city until the middle of the eighteenth century. Slowly it achieved prominence. It received fresh impetus during the initial phase of industrialization in the second half of nineteenth century. From a peaceful, provincial town, inhabited by merchants, craftsmen associated with several guild-organizations, a sprinkling of clerks and soldiers, and a few members of the nobility, Maribor has been transformed into an economically and culturally dynamic city. All those transformations during the time show up in the picturesque city architecture. The Castle, the Cathedral, the National Theatre with Opera, the City Park with the famous Aquarium, the Plague memorial, the Drava river Banks and the world oldest vine (over 400 years old, which was approved by Guiness book) are only a few of numerous points in town, expecting to visit them.  Maribor is proud of the numerous traditional cultural, entertainment and sporting events with international participation. Zlata lisica (Golden Fox, The world cup alpine skiing for ladies), The Lent Festival (one of the biggest summer festivals in Europe), The Bor‰tnik’s Meeting (theatres) are only the greatest events and well know in Europe and even in the world.
Maribor is considered to be a cheerful, friendly city. Some relate this pleasant situation to its extensive wine-growing regions that routinely invite visit from Maribor residents, who are open, easy-going peole. Vineyards are part of the natural beauty of the city, along with the Pohorje forests, the valley of the Drava river, the Kozjak and the Kobansko ravines, the Slovenske gorice hills and fields of Dravsko polje at the south-east of the city. From Maribor is very easy to visit Ptujska Gora, the famous pilgrimage church and old town Ptuj, founded by Romans, as well as health resort centres Radenci, Rogaška Slatina and Atomske spa, ski (in winter) or track resorts on Pohorje: Rogla, Kope or natural park Šumnik. Bojan Bračič
President of organizing Committee Alpe-Jadran Fila 2006 |
