At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Slovenia will have its largest team ever, with 90 athletes, and unveil its biggest Slovenia House to date with the aim of boosting international connections and showcasing “I feel Slovenia” brand. The Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) will host two events at the Slovenia House and hold a range of communicational and marketing activities.
The colours of Slovenia at the Paris 2024 Olympics will be presented with its largest-ever team of 90 athletes and the introduction of its biggest Slovenia House. This new venue will play a crucial role in strengthening global connections and highlighting the “I feel Slovenia” national brand, with a focus on the strategically important French market. The Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) will host two key events at the Slovenia House and is implementing extensive communication and marketing activities to take full advantage of the Olympic spotlight.
The Slovenia House will serve as Slovenia’s information, presentation, and event hub for the French and global public during the Olympics from July 27 to August 11. Located in Paris’s La Villette Park, which will also host several other national houses, including the French house, the French television studio, and the largest official fan zone of the Olympics, it will serve as a platform for promoting Slovenia in the broadest sense, highlighting not only sports but also Slovenian economy, tourism, culture, science, natural heritage, gastronomy and more. It will facilitate networking for businesspeople, politicians, cultural representatives and allow showcasing the best Slovenia has to offer. The house will host various business meetings, conferences, bilateral meetings, product and company presentations and tourism promotions.
The project is supported by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and is managed by the Slovenian Olympic Committee (OKS) in collaboration with the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, the SPIRIT Slovenia Business Development Agency, the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB), the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Paris and the Government Communication Office (UKOM).
Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sports Matjaž Han shared his enthusiasm for the Paris Olympic Games: “I am particularly excited because this time we are sending our largest Slovenian Olympic team ever. The proximity of the games will make it easier for Slovenian fans to travel and support our athletes. Simply participating in the Olympics is an extraordinary achievement. As we rally around our flag, we experience a unifying optimism, a profound sense of belonging, and a commitment to our community. I hope this spirit will shine through at this year’s games.” He also emphasized the significance of the Slovenia House: “Located in the heart of Paris, it will unite fans and, alongside our athletes, showcase Slovenia as a green, successful, and safe destination with a vibrant gastronomy scene, a reliable business environment and a dynamic economy.”
The Slovenian Tourist Board has recognized the Paris Olympic Games as a unique opportunity to showcase Slovenia as an attractive tourist destination. It has prepared numerous communication and marketing activities to highlight Slovenia to a broad, business and media audience as an exciting boutique and sustainable destination, where sports, active experiences, pristine nature, and tourism are closely intertwined. Together with the Slovenian Olympic Committee, it has already launched the campaign “Slovenia: it’s all in our nature.”
STB will organizes two events in the Slovenia House.
On July 29, a tourism workshop was organized featuring a presentation of Slovenia as a sustainable tourist destination, along with bilateral meetings between French travel agents and Slovenian tourism providers.
On August 10, there will be a presentation of Slovenia to foreign media, with the special guest being the renowned chef Ana Roš.
Diverse program and activities in Slovenia House
The vibrant program of the Slovenia House will be an opportunity to strengthen international connections, extend Slovenia’s positive influence globally, and build bridges between people. Several departments collaborated on shaping the program content to ensure engaging and diverse activities at the Slovenia House.
The dynamic programme at Slovenia House will provide a platform to enhance international connections, strenghten Slovenia’s global influence and foster cultural exchange. A collaborative effort from multiple departments has ensured a rich and engaging array of activities, designed to captivate and connect visitors.
The Slovenia House will be open every day of the games from 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM, attracting guests with events both on the terrace and inside. The interior will be reserved for invited guests or accessible only with accreditation. The outdoor area will be open to the general public and serve as a hub for Slovenian fans in Paris, featuring an exciting fan program and activities. The event venues, where Slovenian athletes will compete, will be adorned with thousands of green “I feel Slovenia” flags and other fan gear provided by the STB and UKOM.
The OKS will host roundtable discussions at the Slovenia House, covering current topics with distinguished guests addressing issues such as gender equality in sports, sustainability, the green transition, athletes’ careers beyond sports, meetings with former Olympians, and, of course, current athletes after their competitions.
Visitors to the Slovenia House will receive a special issue of the SINFO magazine, published by the Government Communication Office, which will serve as the official publication of the Slovenia House. SPIRIT recognized the opportunity to promote the key strengths of the Slovenian economy through advertising in the special edition of the magazine “SLOVENIAN CHAMPIONS – Sport & Business,” prepared in collaboration with the OKS.
The Slovenia House will also highlight the 100th anniversary with an exhibition featuring artifacts from Olympian Leon Štukelj, commemorating a century since his gold medal win in Paris.
The Ministry of Culture is contributing with a rich program prepared in collaboration with the European Capital of Culture 2025 Nova Gorica. Minister Dr. Asta Vrečko will participate in a roundtable on the synergies of culture, sports, and tourism at the Slovenia House.
The GO! 2025 Institute, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, will organize a concert by the musical group Manouche, mainly aimed at a broader audience, along with performances by dance groups. On this occasion, an agreement between the municipalities of Nova Gorica and Saint-Denis will also be signed. The mayor of Nova Gorica, Samo Turel, will sign on the Slovenian side, while Mayor Mathieu Hanotin is expected to sign on the French side.
Petra Bezjak Cirman, Director of UKOM and Head of the Working Group for Coordinating the Slovenia House Project at the Paris Olympics, emphasized that the goal of the Slovenia House in Paris is to present Slovenia as a sports and tourist destination and highlight values such as promoting outdoor activities and a healthy lifestyle. “As part of our comprehensive communication strategy, the Slovenia House and all its events will focus particularly on the national brand ‘I feel Slovenia,’ for which we at UKOM are the custodians. I am confident that we have adequately ensured that the Slovenia House will showcase Slovenian sports, warmth, creativity, rich cultural heritage, dynamic economy, and the tourist pulse of our country. At the same time, it will connect everyone interested in or fond of Slovenia. With our athletes’ traditionally exceptional sports achievements, we will stand alongside the most developed countries. We aim to attract numerous athletes, businesspeople, politicians, media representatives, and other guests to the Slovenia House.”
SPIRIT Slovenia, together with its partners, is organizing three economic delegations to France during the Olympic Games: two to Paris and one to Marseille.
More Information
For more details on the program, please visit nside Events & Outside Events.
For media inquiries, contact: ifeelslovenia@gov.si or press@olympic.si.
To request accreditation for the Slovenia House, please use the media form available at: Slovenia House Paris 2024 Media Accreditation.
Source: Slovenian Tourist Board