4. charity cherry gathering

Unlike in previous years, when the event in Vipolže in Goriška Brda was “visited” by at least a raindrop, this time the sun had complete dominance. This resulted in even more good humour and positive energy among the many participants and visitors. Not to mention the relaxed socialising and charity.

As in previous events, the performers were connected by a football, but this time also by bows. First, the young footballers from Goriška Brda and Renče presented themselves. In the mostly magazine matches (the opening kick was given to the acting director of the General Hospital Dr. Franca Derganca Nova Gorica, Nataša Fikfak), the following athletes provided some goals and some laughs: Slovenian sportsmen and women, led by Olympic medal winners Peter Prevc and Vesna Fabjan, as well as the women winemakers from Brda and the staff of the Disabled Youth Department of the hospital in Stara Gora, journalists and pupils from the Dobrovo Primary School. They are very active and successful in sport. The boys were crowned Slovenian school football champions, while the girls came third. Other promising tennis players include Maja Makorič and Elena Plesničar, and the national champion in bowling Matjaž Zalatel. They were accompanied and encouraged by the head teacher Vesna Filej. Other guests included: two-time Olympic high jumper Lidija Kristančič, and one of the best artistic skaters in the world Lucija Mlinarič, who first successfully coped with a serious illness, returned to the skating platform with EP and World Championships medals, and recently announced the end of her outstanding career. The following people actively participated for a good cause: former 800 metres record holder Rafko Marinič, a great sports enthusiast Father Bogdan Knavs, alpine skier Ana Bucik, Slovenian tennis hope and supporter of the Sparrow of Hope Manca Pislak. For the first time, our excellent volleyball players – silver medallists at the European Junior Championships last year – were the guests. The Gorica Archery Club provided a novelty for the event, as some participants could also try their bows. They were also instructed by Dejan Sitar, 2001 World Champion, and Rok Bizjak, who is soon to compete at the 1. European Games in Baku. At the end, some people tried to hit large champagne bottles with the ball (all in a wine-growing environment). Maximiliano Klebčar, born in Argentina, was very successful, as was his choice Ana Clara Hostnik. On Saturday, they will be the main actors at the traditional Briška wedding. Alongside the Queen of Cherries Martina Sirk, who will soon hand over the crown, and the Queen of Ribolla Teja Erzetič, many eyes were also drawn to the current Queen of Roses Matejka Katič from Litija, who is also a great football player, and to the fashion designer and Miss Universe in 2013 Sara Savnik. At the event, Ivica Vulič (formerly a great football player – he has also made one national team appearance), the director of the Novogorica regional unit of the insurance company Triglav, handed over the defibrillator to Marjan Simčič, the president of NK Brda and a renowned winemaker. Participants, performers and spectators raised almost € 800 through voluntary contributions at the venue. To this will have to be added donor and sponsorship funding. The final amount, which will be used to purchase all the necessary equipment for the Stara Gora Youth Department, will be announced in a month’s time and will be made public. At the end of the event, at Dobrovo Castle, the Mayor of the municipality, Franc Mužič, and the President of the Sparrow of Hope Foundation, Darja Povšič Peršolja, presented certificates of appreciation as well as some Brije goodies to individuals and groups for their cooperation and support of the project. Peter Prevc, who attended the event for the third time, and Lucija Mlinarič were appointed as ambassadors of the Vrabček upanja Foundation.