They say that the Earth, without “art” is just “eh.” Having just left the beautiful mountains around Lake Bled full of natural beauty, we find ourselves back in the city. What might be just another Friday night in Ljubljana comes alive with performance art. Music dominates the small city streets, causing a cluster of people to gather. Despite no cars being allowed in the old part of the city, the number of people out enjoying the beautiful June evening combined with the array of musicians causes traffic all the same. Not traffic like the 405 in Los Angeles, but rather some you don’t mind getting caught in.
Café tables are full of diners at 8pm with people just starting their main courses as the sun hasn’t begun to yet set. The tables fill the cobblestone streets as usual, but now people, their belongings, and their dogs fill in 
the entire scene. All the while the locals on their bicycles weave professionally through the walkers, the millers, the restaurant and shop patrons, and they do so with deft skill and seeming ease.
From our gelato bar perch, this particular Friday night included a view of repurposed car seats that had been turned into a portable version of outdoor theater seating. A make-shift stage popped right up in front of a restaurant. The singer sang in English with a man accompanying her playing a marimba (like a wood xylophone). With the jazz/blues sound I heard in their performance, I could only marvel at their talent.
Walk a ways further and on the main street leading off of the Three Bridges to find a six-person band with three horns, a guitar, a singer, and a washboard (personal fave!) entertain the passers-
by. Not your usual buskers for sure, but they pulled together quite the showing! Her voice was awesome, but in combination with the instruments of choice, it was just so pleasing to the ear.
After crossing the bridge and entering into the famous Prešeren Square, the usual accordion man was there. Such a 
traditional sound here, it still makes me smile and impresses me to the core. Having tried my hand at it for about five minutes two weeks ago, it made patting my head and rubbing my belly seem like child’s play. Two hands acting in complete independence with one’s arms also doing their own thing… How does the brain manage?! Plus he finds the time to smile!
However, the best art I had the honor to witness this evening was the live reading of the compilation of our students’ sonnets. Having been studying world literature, especially focusing on Slovenian literature, they were tasked with following in Peršeren’s footsteps and turning their sonnets into a wreath. On stage and in public, these amateur 
poets shared their sonnets. In order to form a wreath, the last line of each sonnet has to then be the first line of the next sonnet. This requires a beautiful use of the English language to describe an idea that is a conclusion for one thought while simultaneously serving as a leaping off point for the next. The final sonnet also follows suit using the first line from the initial sonnet as its conclusion. This truly creates a circle, also known as a “heroic crown,” thus allowing a reader to theoretically start at any point. The first time I heard it, I cried. Literally. They were amazing. And tonight was even better. Maturity, grace, poise, intelligence and strength as the Principia students demonstrated their love for their new home, overflowing.
There’s always a piece of art somewhere. Here in Slovenia it seems to simply be the way. And what a beautiful night as a result. Especially when dinner is gelato. 🙂
~gervais
Nicole Gervais is serving as RCE on the abroad. She is a 2001 Principia College graduate and a soccer coach in the Athletic Department. She loves to learn new things, meet new people, see good photography, and laugh.