Become Part of an Ancient Living Slavic Ritual and Call in the Spring in the Old Town Center of Črnomelj

Bela krajina, a region in Slovenia, is known for Zeleni Jurij (Green George)—a shepherd clad in birch branches who brings spring each year on April 24th, the feast day of Saint George. The mythical figure of Green George, rooted in Slavic polytheistic beliefs from pre-Christian times and symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and the year, is still very much alive in Bela krajina thanks to this enduring ritual tradition.

The Črnomelj Ritual

In Črnomelj, a unique version of the Green George ritual developed in the town center, involving more participants than the traditional village custom. On St. George’s Day (Jurjevo), local youth would gather at Griček. A young, unmarried man was chosen and dressed in fresh birch greenery to become Green George. Meanwhile, girls would decorate a young birch tree with colorful ribbons and flowers.

The group then proceeded into the town center. Leading the way were boys playing flutes and horns, symbolically driving away evil forces that might try to prevent spring's arrival. The jurjaši (ritual attendants) guided Green George, dressed in a green birch canopy, into the heart of town. They leaned him against Stonič Manor, where the girls would symbolically “kill” Green George by stripping away the birch leaves and colorful ribbons from the mlaj (decorated tree).

The final act took place on the bridge below the Church of the Holy Spirit, where the green birch canopy was thrown into the Dobličica River, symbolically returning Green George to the underworld so that he might return again the following year to bring spring once more.

Green George Ritual 2025

The local folklore group Zeleni Jurij Črnomelj will present the Green George ritual and the unique Črnomelj tradition on Saturday, April 26, 2025, beginning at 10:00 AM in the parking area in front of Črnomelj Castle.

Workshops for both children and adults will also take place, where participants can make traditional flutes and horns. Visitors will be able to enjoy performances by children’s folklore groups from Loka Primary School Črnomelj and Miran Jarc Primary School Črnomelj

You are warmly invited!