The cows in a parade

For two years, I wished to go to this event. Finally, last Sunday I went. When I came to know about the event in 2009, I decided to go the next year. However, last year we were all set to go, but the weather was not on our side. First, it was postponed by a week due to heavy rain. Then, as there was no improvement in weather after a week, the Sunday event was finally cancelled. The forecast this year was also not good. Rain was predicted for the afternoon. However, we decided to pay no attention to it. The event was not cancelled. ‘We will go and see what happens, if weather turns too ugly, we will simply return’. This is what we thought, and set out in the morning. And what a day we had!!

I am talking about the ‘Kravji Bal’ or the ‘Cow ball’. It is one unique and maybe one of the lesser-known country festivals in Slovenia. By the beautiful and pristine Bohinj lake with the lofty Julian Alps looking over, Slovenia welcomes its cows back into the valley after a summer of grazing high up in the pastures of the Alps. Local farmers proudly decorate their fattened cows with wreaths and bells and walk them in a parade. Later the healthiest and best-looking cows are awarded. The herd keepers walk proudly by their herds, back in the valley after a summer-long hard work. Dairy families dress up in traditional dresses. There is folk song and dance. Fresh homemade chesses, butter, yogurt are for tasting and buying. There are also small stands with honey, wicker baskets, sheep wool, woodenwares, and many other local traditional handicrafts. For eating, there is the usual sausage, sour cabbage, porridge etc. Everyone merry and gay!

In the morning, I woke up excitedly with the thoughts of finally going to the festival. After a quick breakfast, we started towards Bohinj. The weather though cloudy and hazy, was not very bad. And we were keeping our fingers crossed. Though Bohinj is one of my favorite places, I was visiting it after long time. I had forgotten the roads, and enjoyed driving by the Sava river, in the valley. Soon there in front of us was Bohijn lake in all its pristine beauty. On a clear sunny day, its still water mirrors the majestic beauty of the overlooking mountains. However, this time it was not meant to be so. There were already a few drops of rain.. 

We parked the car. I could already hear the lively folk music from the festival ground, and could barely keep my patience to reach there. The sky in the meantime was dark with clouds. As we were walking, there started a heavy downpour. The person on stage commented that it was high time for some rain, as past weeks had been very very dry. Within me, my heart sank. I knew if it continues raining like that, we would just have to return.

Before going in the ground, we decided to walk by the stalls on the road. There were all sorts of things. Wooden work, wind wheels in traditional shapes of bee, roster etc, wicker baskets, woolens and so on.

Everyone at the shops was busy protecting their merchandise from the rain. People were taking shelter under the plastic roofs of the shops. At one end, there is this big demonstration and advertisement area for wood machines. One was demonstrating the making of sawdust from logs. People gathered around there. Even grandmas! Their lives in farms have made them interested in these kinds of machines. And as we were watching it for fun, the rain slowly stopped. The wind pushed away the clouds, and the sky cleared for a bit.

The folk music was so catchy; we slowly headed towards the festive ground. In the center, there were wooden tables and benches for sitting down to have some lunch, drink, or for simply chatting. Surrounding the sitting area were different stalls for handcrafted traditional objects. Wicker basket, woolen from sheep wool, laces, crochet works, cloth dolls, little trinkets, wooden souvenirs etc. There was a stall where they were making nets and meshes from horsehair. There were stalls selling Slovene honey in all different flavors. And of course there were several stalls selling homemade dairy products! We tasted the samples of yummy cheeses. There were different spreads made of young cheese and spices. Then there were fresh cottage cheese, sour milk, milk, yogurt and so on… All fresh, celebrating the authentic flavors. We decided on the cheeses we would like to buy before going.

On one side, there was a stage for the music and dance performances. And in between the conductor was keeping us entertained. The merry sound of the accordion enlivened the whole place. And with its rhythm men and women dressed in folk dresses tapped their feet. Men made the cherry ‘ya-ho’ sounds, and the women in white apron swayed their long colorful skirts in style. All around it was celebration with sounds and colors of olden Slovenia. People danced in organized performances. People danced just because it was fun to do so. There were children from elementary and high schools performing. There were professional groups. And just any other person of any age. Some dressed up in traditional dresses. Some were just in some bright colors. People were drinking beer. Children were running around.  It was so vibrant all around me.

The dairy families

The cows were about to come at 1 o’clock. And I couldn’t wait for them. In the meantime, we decided to visit the horses and cows in the fenced area.

 Aww, do not they have the most gentle and calming eyes? There was a brown horse getting ready to give rides to children. As the owner was tending to its shoes, it had put his face on his back, rubbing its face against the owner, licking him. Then the horse looked out at its audience. Sniffing a bit, it would bring its head closer for a gentle patting. The cute animal was just trying to be so friendly as it was getting my attention and pampering. There were two little brown calves and a brown bull in one fence. The bull tried to put up a serious face, looking all smart in its headgear. With an air of pride, it ignored all the visitors. The calves were just enjoying the attention, pampering, and food (pears) they were getting.

They were already starting to put the temporary fence for the cow parade. We headed towards having lunch. Sausage, sour cabbage with cracklings. We found a seat, but could hardly pay attention to the food. The minute it was getting closer to 1 o’clock, the more impatient I was getting. I simply wished to get a place by the fence and wait for the parade. Soon we were there in place. And a bit past 1 o’clock, the parade started. 

First came two little girls dressed in cow costumes. And then came the cows. Each group at a time, along with the owner family, the herd keeper. All were dressed in traditional costumes. Herd keepers dressed in their traditional working style, check shirts, long boots, the hat and carrying the basket-like-thing on their back. They carried with them all the supplies that would be required for their mountain months. There were explanations about the things required by a herd keeper, a short description about his life up there in the mountains with his cows. Women and little girls were dressed in bright colors carrying baskets with dairy products. There was a huge cheese block drawn on a cart. And then there were the cows!

 So cute and endearing they were. Some had little bells by the ears. Some had their horns decorated with pine greens. Pine greens and flowers made wreaths around the head for some. They walked in lines. They ran a bit, confused. They stopped to approach the people standing by the sides. They pushed each other for fun. They mooed loudly. Made their bells ring. It was the most adorable, charming and funny parade I have ever seen. And the show stopper was of course the youngest one. It was only a 22 hours old calf. Named Sobotko (Saturday). Warm brown color, with a white tail, it had the silliest face ever. It looked in wonder and amazement. Walked in its wobbly style by the mother. And then, it stopped posing for photographs!

The star of the show - Sobotko

The cows were led to their respective group fences where they would be judged. The crowd was gathered by the fences. And of course the largest crowd puller was the new born Sobotko. It was in its fence with two females. Sobotko was inquisitive, trying to approach the people gathered a bit, but never too confident to come very close. Then it would rub by its mother, and drink her milk. Enjoy the attention of the crowd again. Every time a cow mooed, Sobotko mooed back in a silly voice. It was like a game to him. And he was visibly amazed. I moved around, looking at other cows. I loved most the young ones, most inquisitive and playful they were. By the time, I returned to the fence where Sobotko was, he was cuddled up on the hay, and peacefully resting. A cow from the adjacent fence was licking his head.

Now it was time to go home. We decided not to stay until the end, a few more hours. Therefore, it was time for shopping before leaving. We bought two varieties of cheeses. Unfortunately, the last liter of milk was bought just before us, and I could not get the fresh creamy cow milk. It did make me a bit sad. 

Pleasantly tired, we started walking towards the car. I always love to be a part of any festival. Whatever the reason is, people are always so happy. And before you know, you are also one among the many smiling faces. I was a happy girl. Enjoying by tranquility of Bohinj would have to wait for another day. This time it was just to enjoy the warm cherry colorful mood of a country festival and go home with the sound of music, laughter, and of course the ‘moo-s’, echoing around me.