It is the same story year in, year out: ski jumping at Planinca is the crown of winter sport in Slovenia. Planica is a big event, a legend, a national sports holiday that brings together tens of thousands of people who joyfully cheer the world's best ski jumpers as they almost routinely break world records. Planica is nothing short of a national symbol. Last weekend was the same as it has been for years - the snow-clad Planica was again a true sports-fest. And there's really nothing wrong with such a story repeating itself every year.

Last week was also a time of joy for Slovenia's first European Commissioner, Europe Minister Janez Potočnik, who on May 1 will "jump" into the European Commission alongside Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen, his erstwhile partner on the opposite side of the negotiating table. Enlargement is the area that the Slovenian official knows best, as he also led the team that negotiated the terms of Slovenia's EU entry. It is also of special interest to Slovenia, as countries of the Western Balkans, who shared the former common country with Slovenia, are vying for membership; having good knowledge of the situation in the region can only be an advantage.

That luck accompanies him wherever he goes and whatever he does, says Arne Hodalič, a photographer, biologist and master of photo reports, a man who pursues countless interests. He goes about creating photo reports in a unique, distinctive way, whether dealing with architecture, places near and far, big cities or isolated spots across the globe. But, he says, Slovenia is the most beautiful place. Although small, it is still primal and unresearched, harbouring many secrets. A real paradise for photographers -and the people living here.