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The Zlatorog tale comes from within the heart of Slovene Julian Alps. It tells about the wondrous gardens in the valley of Triglav lakes. Zlatorog´s tale cannot be placed about in any time. It is timeless. It is beyond time. Its exciting message warns about disastrous consequences for the nature when man makes irrational demands and destroys its natural balance. The man is destined to die, the nature but soon recovers and lives on. The humbling – and perversely comforting reality is that nature can forget us remarkably quickly. ONCE UPON THE TIME…THE TALE OF ZLATOROG Once upon the time, the Triglav Valley of Lakes and the Komna Mountain plain used to be a wondrous Alpine Garden. There the White Ladies, the good fairies, kind and generous, lived. They kept the mountain pastures green and cared for the poor and need. The herds of sheep were lead and -guarded by white chamois with golden horns, named Zlatorog. Zlatorog´s realm used to be the height of mount Triglav. It was told that his golden horns hold the key to a hidden treasure in the mountain's Upper Garden. Meanwhile, down in the Soca Valley near Trenta, a greedy plot was being hatched. It seemed that an innkeeper's daughter had been given jewels by a wealthy Venetian merchant. The girl's mother demanded that her daughter's lover, a poor but skilled hunter, match the treasure with Zlatorog´s gold hidden under Mt Bogatin. If not, he was at least to bring back a bunch of Triglav ´roses´ in mid-winter to prove his fidelity – an impossible task. The young hunter, seething with jealousy, climbed the mountain in search of the chamois, figuring that if he were to take even a piece of its golden horns, the treasure of Bogatin – and his beloved -would be his. At last the young man spotted Zlatorog, took aim and fired. It was a direct hit. The blood gushing from Zlatorog´s wound melted the snow and up sprang a magical Triglav rose. The chamois nibbled on a few petals and – presto! – was instantly back on his feet. As the chamois leapt away, roses sprang up from under his hooves, luring the hunter onto higher and higher ground. But as they climbed, the sun caught Zlatorog´s shiny horns. The hunter was blinded, lost his footing and plunged into a gorge. The once kind and trusting chamois was enraged that a mere mortal would treat him in such a manner. In his fury he gored his way through the Triglav Lakes Valley, leaving it much as it looks today. He left the area with the White Ladies, never to return. And the fate of the others? The innkeeper's daughter waited in vain for her lover to return home. As spring approached, the snow began to melt, swelling the Soca River. One day it brought her a sad gift: the body of her young swain, his lifeless hand still clutching a Triglav rose. As for the innkeeper's rapacious wife, we know nothing. Zlatorog´s treasure remains hidden in the mountains under mount Triglav. ZLATOROG – A TALE BEYOND TIME The region of Soca and Idrijca covers one of the best preserved natural sites in Slovenia. This mountain stretch, full of natural wonders is also the site of one of Europe's largest natural parks, the Triglav Natural Park. The Park has its spiritual origin in the tale of Zlatorog The Slovenes perceive the western region both as sunny and fertile, full of beautiful natural features, and unique cultural heritage. According to legend the mountains are a gift of God. Moved by the modesty and pride of the Slovenes, so the legend, the God granted them a stretch of land, which was not big, but most beautiful. Triglav, the Julian Alps highest peak, towers over the Slovene land. Here white rock contrasts with the greenery of the mountain pastures. Limestone soil, lush vegetation, yellow globeflowers cover the mountain meadows, purple monkshoods, golden orange tiger lilies open their petals and gracefully bow their heads. Herds of chamois are to be frequently seen. They all are related to our chamois, Zlatorog, and have striking horns. The enchanted gardens of our fairy godmothers have long since disappeared. But the legend of Zlatorog, a well – loved Slovene tale, of a mythical alpine chamois hunted by man, is still told many times over. In our own luminous age, a new, magical garden has arisen to take their place, "The Juliana Alpine Botanical Garden" in the Trenta valley, named after Dr. Julius Kugy (1858-1944), botanist and author. It is certain that the good-hearted, white – robed fairies from the ancient legend will walk through this new Alpine garden, lying above the Soca River in the realm of Mt. Triglav. Gently will they bless it and the Garden will blossom and flourish, multicolored and sumptuous, just as the magical garden of old. In "Alpinum Juliana" each individual flower bed represents a cross – section of the natural environment, while the entire Alpine Garden is colorful mosaic of the flora of the Alps. But it was the people from Julian Alps who created and told to the world this wonderful tale beyond time, of Zlatorog, the snow white chamois with the golden horns and his kingdom in the Triglav Valley of Seven Lakes. The Valley, so it is being said, used to be adorned with several gardens. The flowers and roses mirrored brightly in the colors of rainbow, amidst silvery water fall - a virtual paradise. The essence of water, such as a deep and placid lake is reference to spirituality, maturity, and grace. And here dwelt the mighty and good-hearted Zlatorog. The Zlatorog tale is also timely warning against greed. It is also an ecological warning that greed and self-absorption are beginning of the end. Zlatorog stands as the symbol of pristine nature and her riches. A Nature, around us and also within us, which, however wild in its primal form, is tamed by our subtler, finer self. The will and passion of our instinctive nature does need to be broken, but refined and brought to consciousness – so that all levels of Creation, inner and outer, may come into harmony. Don't forget, that goodness in human nature is like the dim but beautiful early morning light. It can easily be obscured - by greed, hatred and other forms of self-absorption - just as the morning light can be swallowed by fog. Be reminded that progress is achieved most effortlessly when right action is taken without concern for immediate reward, and when the path of the weaker aligns with that which is strong. Like an ancient old-growth forest - where the subtle play of light, texture and shadows is the product of a process measured in centuries and inches - most things of lasting value develop gradually, at their own pace. The ability to learn from experience - one of humanity's greatest treasures - implies constant yet gradual progress. The combination of stillness within and determination without are the essence of this condition. Good things sometimes sprout quickly; the truly delightful take much longer. The principle of gradual development applies also to human relationships. For love, marriage and business relationships to endure, progress must be slow but steady: slow enough to allow for the bonds to knit properly; steady enough to move in the right direction. We may live in materialistic times, but there is no disgrace in material decrease, particularly if it represents an investment in future gain - even if that gain be in the form of learning or the development of personal character. Likewise, the inner strength that comes from bearing loss can be balanced by a corresponding increase in inner strength and insight. When letting go of material desires leads to a greater simplicity in daily life, good fortune often comes calling. The spiritual mission of human beings is to mediate the three worlds of universal consciousness, self consciousness and the collective unconscious. When such epiphanies happen, we experience ourselves in a timeless state of grace where there is no doubt, shame or grief. Such a moment is priceless and worth all the work and waiting. It's the culmination of all our efforts and a harbinger of remarkable potentials. REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING The Zlatorog Tale first appeared in the Laibacher Zeitung, the Ljubljana Gazette in 1868 during a period of Romanticism and Slovene national awakening. A new issue of Zlatorog tale has been published in the children book series, richly illustrated by Slovenia`s finest artist Mojca Cerjak Dr. Julius Kugy (1858-1944) Born into a prosperous merchant family in Trieste, Julius Kugy is best known as explorer of the Julian Alps. At the age of 17 he made his first ascent to mount Triglav, at 19 he visited the Trenta valley lured by the mystery of the Scabiosa trenta plant. An excellent mountaineer and although he visited a number of areas in the Alps, the Triglav/Trenta valley had a special place in his heart. Dr. Kugy was a botanist. The beauty of Julian Alps is unsurpassed described in his writings. Some of his writings are: "Aus dem Leben eines Bergsteigers" (From the Life of a Mountain Climber), Work, Music and Mountains, The Julian Alps in Pictures, The Divine Smile of Monte Rosa, From the Days Past. It was through Kugy's writing that the Julian Alps were first introduced to the German speaking audience and the rest of the world. Kugy assisted and cooperated with Albert Bois de Chesne in creating the Juliana Alpine Botanical Garden in Trenta Valley, which bears his name.
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Slovenia, Zlatorog tale, Triglav mountain, Soca river, Trenta valley, Alpine tale Juliana Alpine Botanical Garden, Dr. Julius Kugy,
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