The wine regions of Brda in Slovenia and Collio in Italy have merged into a dispersed open-air museum showcasing natural-material sculptures by artists from both countries in the spirit of the first ever cross-border European Capital of Culture

A 160 beds new medical centre for emergencies will be built in a new annexe at the Peter Držaj Hospital in Ljubljana by the Defence Ministry; the €87 million expansion will be serving army during emergencies as well as civilians

A national test of a new emergency alert system will be run: all mobile phone users connected to wireless networks will receive a push notification from Civil Protection/Disaster Relief, also in English; message in Italian, Hungarian in minority areas

Churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary are welcoming pilgrims to awe at flower-bedecked altars and processions bearing statues for the Assumption, one of the nation's most beloved religious holidays and inspiration for folk traditions in Slovenia

A new public outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool and an indoor 25-metre pool has opened on the outskirts of Ljubljana, built on the site of a popular pool shut down in 2007; the renovated venue includes multifunctional indoor sports hall and wellness area