A flame lit the way …
Yesterday, as I was driving home from Ljubljana, I saw a line of people with torches. The sight reminded me of the traditional torch-lit night march in the forrest of Udinboršt, organised each year by »Pod Krivo jelko« (»Under the crooked fir tree«) cultural-tourist society. Something I have heard about, but never attended. I immediately decided to change that and also photograph the event. So this year I went - together with my sister Katarina, who also has a photographic blog.
A lot of snow has fallen in the days before the march. And as the torches were lit, everything began to spark and glitter in the glow of the flame. It was like taking a walk through an enchanted forrest! As the story goes, a large crooked fir tree used to grow in the middle of the Udinboršt forrest. In the 18th century, the tree was the meeting place of bandits and outlaws. And underneath that tree they crafted their plans for their wicked ways. And that’s where we were headed! Unfortunately, the fir tree is now gone, but nevertheless, as we reached the place where it used to grow, the march felt like a living fairytale!
I tried to capture that feeling in the photographs. I’m pretty satisfied with them. I also included one photo by Katarina in the series – the 8th picture is hers.
I am certainly coming back next year!
Edit: as was noted in the comments, the tree was a meeting place for army deserters (meaning they did not want to serve in the French army), and they also had women and children in their ranks. So while they were robbers, they were also a community and they did play their part during the French occupation, fighting against the french soldiers. Just so I don’t distort history.
January 10th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
sweet
January 11th, 2010 at 12:46 am
Nice photos - i love the one with two older guys on it. About the tree. Actually I think it wasn’t meeting place for bandits and outlaws, but for those who didn’t want to serve under French army those days. But couse they didn’t have any regular income they had to get food someway… so it’s a bit harsh if you call them bandids and outlaws
Anyways - GREAT PHOTOS! Once again
January 11th, 2010 at 1:27 am
Thanks Ivana and OmanM.
There seems to be different versions about that tree because I read about it on different links. Here is one: http://www.naklo.si/default.asp?stopId=%7C1%7C76%7C87&pageId=87&tipId=viz
January 12th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Hi!
I am glad you enjoyed the trip. It is short and simple, but that night was special, partly because of the new snow and partly because of the mood the crowd of torch bearers had with them. This was not my first time taking the trip, but it was the best so far. It is a shame my photos did not came out the way I wanted.
I am wondering if you could e-mail me about them.
Our paths have actually crossed as you gave quite a scare to our little dog, when you start shooting pictures at the side of the road in the middle of the night. I am wondering if any of those pictures came out not totally blurred or black
Have fun shooting
Luka
January 12th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Thanks for a comment Luka. I can send you those photos with your dog.
January 12th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Yes please
You got my e-mail. Could you please attach also the pictures of us? And one more question: Since I do not have any useful picture of Podi, is it possible to use some of those pictures on his blog? In case it is possible, do you have any conditions for usage?
January 12th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Ok I will send you an e-mail right away. Podi is your dog and has a blog?
January 13th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Yes. Amazing is it not? The dogs are much more technologically advanced than humans. He had a blog from the moment he was born (well one or two months after). Ant he really enjoy typing n my laptop’s keyboard when I try to write something, not to mention chewing it’s el. cable. Address: http://www.bubi.si/wp_robespiere/ (soon to move to http://podi.bubi.si/). I know … we have too much time