Cultural-Artistic Community 'Božo Račič'

Adlešiči is a village in Bela Krajina, the south-eastern corner of Slovenia, right on the Kolpa river, which forms the border with Croatia. It lies in a landscape of low wooded hills and warm river water, a long way from the main tourist routes, and it is one of the places where the old customs of White Carniola are still lived rather than staged. The Cultural-Artistic Community named after Božo Račič is the local association that looks after those customs, bringing together singers, dancers, craftspeople and others who want to keep the village's traditions alive and to pass them on to younger people.

Bela Krajina has a strong folk culture, and several of its traditions are known across Slovenia. The decorated Easter egg, the pisanica, is made here in a distinctive style, and white linen, woven and embroidered by hand, is an important part of the regional costume, which is characterised by white garments with bright embroidery. Songs and dances accompany the farming year and festivals, and many of them are still performed at the annual Jurjevanje festival in Črnomelj and in village events across the region. The community in Adlešiči takes part in such events, organises concerts, exhibitions and workshops, and works with schools so that children learn the songs and crafts of their grandparents. Visitors who arrive at the right time of year may find a performance, a market or a craft demonstration, and workshops on topics such as embroidery, linen and egg decorating can often be arranged in advance.

The village also offers the quiet pleasures of the Kolpa valley. The river is among the warmest in Slovenia in summer and is popular for swimming, canoeing and rafting, and camping places and wooden glamping houses near the water cater for visitors who want to stay close to it. Canoeing and Rafting at Jankovič (Stari pod) and Kanuing Kupa offer guided trips, and the natural swimming pool at Tržkov slap is a cool refuge on a hot day. Local products, such as home linen, embroidery and Easter eggs, are produced in the area and can be bought as souvenirs.

Other places worth a stop include the Galerija Kambič, a gallery in the neighbouring area, the Spomenik na Gricku, a monument on a hill, and the Pivovarne Vizir, a small brewery. The cultural community does not run a fixed visitor attraction with regular opening hours, so it is best to ask at the local tourist office about events and to contact the organisers in advance if you would like to take part in a workshop. Summer and spring are the liveliest seasons, and weekends are the best time to find activities.