It's elemental

We fear the dark - somewhere deep in our unconscious ancient brain, we know that darkness is to be avoided. So all the more joy then, when a candle is lit and the darknesses is cursed.

How much joy is there when 10,000 candles are lit all at once? The highlight (pun not intended) for me during Bled Nights and Bled Days was Saturday night. (To add even more significance it was also Dawn and my 31st wedding anniversary.) 

We stood - thousands of us - on the ground or sat on the benches around the lake. Others were punted on the lake by a clutch of pletnas, more watched from the far shore and the castle, did some fly over?. A slight breeze - warm, but not as hot as the day had been. Earth, wind, fire, water. Elemental.

There was a stillness: yes there was a band or two playing in the background, but even they gave up when the 10,000 candles floating on eggshells spread across Lake Bled. One report said that there were 15,000. but who was counting?

Then a test firework to gauge the speed and direction of the breeze. then the fireworks.

We walked back to our apartment through the crowds who had come from around the world. The litter baskets were stuffed, yet although in the darkness I could see no litter. 10 hours later I was walking back into town, and there was no, none, zero litter from the night before. Congratulations to the organisers and the spectators. 

The Voronezh Girls

This is what the Bled Festival website said:

The 18-member Russian choir of the Voronezh State Philharmonic known as Voronezh Girls was founded by renowned Russian composer M. A. Galinker in 1966. The choir has performed in over 40 countries worldwide and holds awards from many festivals and music competitions. The selection of musical pieces is based on the Russian female lyrical songs characterised by deep emotions, diversity, and the charming harmony of female voices. Exquisite vocal performance is complemented with luxury costumes and delightful choreography. The wide vocal spectre of the singers enables the choir to include in its programme diverse musical pieces ranging from folk songs to the extremely demanding works of contemporary composers.

On their tour of Slovenia, the Voronezh Girls will be accompanied by a group of top musicians – virtuoso players of diatonic Russian accordions and traditional balalaikas.

And here are the photos: