Approximately 190 events will be organised in Slovenia during the Slovenian Presidency: from an informal meeting of heads of state and government, ministerial meetings and conferences to low-level expert meetings. The main venue will be the Brdo Estate, an estate near the city of Kranj and Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport. The estate's history, which spans over 500 years, has been written by the many stories of its owners. Brdo Castle, a Renaissance mansion dating back to the 15th century, is the heart of the estate.  It has been home to different noble families, each of them leaving its mark on the castle.

The mansion was first referenced in 1446. Its owners at the time were knights of the Egkh line of nobility and it is with them that the estate's story begins. The word Egkh can be translated as "of Brdo". One of the mansion's owners was famous Slovenian nobleman Žiga Zois, who was also a botanist, researcher and patron.  In the first half of the 20th century, the mansion was occasionally occupied by the Yugoslav royal family Karađorđević, which thoroughly renovated the site and turned it into one of the most beautiful estates in this part of Europe. After the Second World War, it was used by Josip Broz Tito, the president of the former Yugoslavia. Today, Brdo Castle is the foremost location in Slovenia for state events and ceremonies.

Approximately 190 events will be organised in Slovenia during the Slovenian Presidency

The main venue for meetings at the highest level will be the Brdo Congress Centre, which was built for the purposes of the first Slovenian Presidency of the Council and is one of the most modern centres for the organisation of state, business and other events in Slovenia. It is set in the exceptional natural environment of the park on the estate, offering views of the Slovenian Alps.

The Brdo Estate covers almost five hundred hectares. Apart from the mansion and the congress centre, visitors can view a valuable sculpture collection, a Slovenian bee house and thatched toplar hayracks, which are on display in the estate's main park. The Brdo Estate also includes an equestrian centre, a golf course, the Brdo National Football Centre and a hotel.

The hotel was given a new look before the start of the Slovenian Presidency. Its exterior and interior have been completely renovated, enabling it to provide the highest level of service as part of the Brdo Estate. The renovation has also increased the hotel's capacity and improved its security. The renovated hotel was renamed Elegans Hotel Brdo and boasts four stars, which puts it on the map for diplomatic, business and sports tourism.

Slovenian cuisine during the Slovenian Presidency

During the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2021, the year when Slovenia holds the title of European Region of Gastronomy, Michelin starred chef Tomaž Kavčič will be in charge of the cuisine at the Brdo Estate. This collaboration combines only the best: meetings at the highest level, an excellent venue and the exceptional environment, highly trained staff, and cuisine at the highest level.

Tomaž Kavčič, the head chef of the restaurant Gostilna pri Lojzetu at the Zemono Manor House, who holds a Michelin star, has high culinary standards. The quality of the food, the use of highly-skilled techniques, the character of the head chef and other staff, and the preparation of sophisticated dishes all play a vital role in his creations. Together with staff employed by the Brdo State Protocol Services of the Republic of Slovenia, Tomaž will take care of guests at the Brdo Estate and other Slovenian official reception facilities, such as Vila Tartini, Strmol Castle and Vila Bled.

"It is a great challenge for me to be able to work for the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and I accept it with pleasure and great respect. I believe that we will ensure that culinary services of the Brdo State Protocol Services of the Republic of Slovenia are of the highest possible quality and that our work, experience and knowledge will bring results, said Tomaž Kavčič. Guests will get to know Slovenian cuisine from the hands of one of the greatest Slovenian chefs.