PPAC: Prekmurje 3. – Lendava Castle

Before we exit the Castle after last week’s Hundertwasser exhibition, here are some artefacts from its permanent historical collection with a local tune in two versions.

You will see some interesting sculptures, some weapons, the model of the train station and an impressive shield. If you wish more information, visit this site.

We still have to visit a tower, a church and a cultural centre in this flat region of storks on chimneys, extremely welcoming people, great food and plenty of thermal spas. I miss my Slovenia.

Here, some music for you to feel the power of melancholy of this place. American band Walkabouts covers a song by the region’s most popular singer – songwriter Vlado Kreslin with his lyrics translated into English. (The original song is here.)

That Black Guitar

I was little Vlado then when the gypsies came a-wandering to our town
They’d come by the house and they’d start to play
And father would go to his room and pick up his guitar
Which he’d bought long ago
With his paltry pay

Mister, do you still have that guitar
Mister, do you still have that black guitar
That one was the best one by far

And they kept on asking long after that
Whenever they’d shill for a spare coin or two
Always when they played at the village saloon
And they’d take their breaks to drink at the bar
Whenever their wives stood by the door
And asked for old clothes
Their wives would implore:

Mister, do you still have that guitar
Mister, do you still have that black guitar
That one was the best one by far

Now when I come home
I sit beneath the chestnuts
And I drink
I drink with my friends
Who still call this home
And nearly every night
To the table they come
And play for us
With childish faces
And tremulous voices
They ask…

And now that you know what it’s about, let’s put the Cuban twist to it. Vlado Kreslin, the song’s author, joins Ariel Cubría towards the end and tells him that his father still has this black guitar and plays on it too.

And now a short castle hop with some particularly interesting blogging memories. That toilet story still cracks me up. Be well and happy Friday!

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For Photographing Public Art Challenge (PPAC) hosted by Marsha at Always Write

This day in my blogging history

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  2015: They knew, part 1. Maternal grandparents

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  2015: They knew, part II. Paternal grandparents

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  Walking, I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands. —Linda Hogan

• 2016: My translation of this classic from Yugoslavia with a funny true toilet story. The song starts like this:

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  We were coming up with names for our children.
  I loved her more and more every single day.
  I was certain that I’d finally found the right woman.
  We were saving for an apartment together. (Read on.)

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  2016: Piran Thursday Doors

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  2017: The graceful Skyscraper staircase in Ljubljana

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  2019: Six cities of (no) return

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  2021: Here it is, the end of my Farnese doors. Now I need to go somewhere new.