By: Gašper Blažič
Although we are in the Cankar Year, I have the impression that the outgoing Minister of Culture, Asta Vrečko, has not quite grasped the significance of our great writer, the one many Slovenians tend to turn their noses up at.
Well, perhaps she has a slightly different understanding of what “short stories” are and what a cup of coffee means. Namely, if our information is correct, Asta slipped out for coffee together with Simon and Luka precisely at the time when the rest of the government was discussing whether Slovenia should (or should not) join the lawsuit against Israel for alleged genocide. Yes, that is what you would call smart coffee‑breaking, something you can learn already by skipping classes in school.
But boss Robi did not mark Asta absent without justification, because she actually saved his skin, otherwise even more recordings from the “black cube” collection would have reached the public. I also believe that the only thing on the table was not just a cup of coffee, but perhaps some other kind of “short story” – not only Cankar’s. That is why there is now such fear and panic as the newly formed coalition threatens a law that supposedly infringes on the rights and integrity of MPs. It is a law that would introduce drug testing. Unannounced. Just like pop quizzes in school or those dental‑hygiene tablets that dyed the plaque bright colours so the guilty one was immediately shamed in front of the whole class.
Yes, that is how it was in the days of socialism. Now we live in different times, and individual rights matter. You surely remember how Asta banned filming inside her parliamentary group’s offices? Claiming that no one needs to know what their couches and radiators look like. Precisely because of this, I believe that Robi, Asta, and Matjaž need as many useful clowns as possible, people who will perform “damage control” for them. And protect their integrity. Not for payment, but out of conviction. Because that is just how it is. Some people enjoy that role, and that alone is their reward. And from time to time, they get a line as well. The white one…
