A good old school or what were our grandparents' schools like?

In Planina at Ajdovščina, you can experience an ‘old-style’ school

In Planina, the tradition of school teaching dates back to the 18th century. Foto: MMC RTV SLO/Mojca Dumančič

Do you know how it was like when your grandparents attended school? What where their schools like? What were their classrooms like? In the village of Planina, you can turn time back, and experience the ‘old-style’ school.

The village association of housewives and the local drama group are presenting a comedy entitled A good old school, which was written and directed by a local, Mr Dušan Česen. For the ninth year in a row, they have been exploring the rich cultural heritage of their village. In addition to a comedy, every year a thematic exhibition is arranged. This year, a booklet was also published. A research into what the village school was like in the past was done by Ms Vilma Česen, Ms Tatjana Lokar, and the ethnologist and history professor Ms Jasna Fakin Bajec. They presented their findings in a booklet entitled A glimpse of school life in Planina at Ajdovščina through time, in which they described teacher’s habits and clothes, the school curriculum, meals and supplies, as well as physical punishment of children.

In Planina, the tradition of school teaching dates back to the 18th century. The first teachers were priests – among them was also Mr Matija Vertovec, the author of the first reference book about ‘prudent’ farming, entitled Vinoreja (The Viniculture). In Planina, school was attended until 1972; afterwards, no school bell ever rang. In 1998, the old school building in Planina was renovated, and has for 15 years been the centre of cultural and social life of the villagers.

A scholastic euro for charity
The staging of the comedy, the presentation of the booklet, and the mounting of the ethnological exhibition form an event which also appeals for humanitarian aid. The play will be performed in villages across the Vipava Valley during the whole of December, and a euro from each sold ticket will be collected in aid of the Slovene Karitas charity of the Vipava deanery, for the purchase of school supplies. The money will also be raised by voluntary contributions.

In Planina, you can visit the exhibition on the ‘old’ school. At the opening of the exhibition, a school meal was served, as well as Planina-style sugared figs, which is a new local delicacy by the housewives of Planina. If you decide to visit Planina, they will be pleased to prepare the figs also for you.

Mojca Dumančič, TV Slovenija; translated by D. M.
Photo: The association of housewives of Planina